Starting Monday, a "high-risk" regime has been introduced in Austria due to the detection of the first cases of bird flu in the country. According to the ORF television channel, this information was provided by the Austrian Ministry of Health.
This measure aims to minimize contact between domestic and wild birds to prevent the spread of the H5N1 virus among local poultry farms.
Although mandatory confinement of birds indoors has not yet been implemented, owners are advised to strengthen sanitary and biosecurity measures. Isolating domestic birds from wild ones, using protective nets, is a priority. Additionally, feeding and watering birds should preferably be done indoors or under shelters.
Attention must also be paid to disinfecting vehicles, loading areas, and equipment.
"To date, five cases of H5N1 virus infection among wild birds have been recorded in Austria. Therefore, we are taking measures gradually," commented Ulrich Herzog, head of the consumer health protection department at the Ministry of Health.
According to the television channel, the first cases of highly pathogenic bird flu were registered at the end of September in the federal state of Carinthia, followed by cases in Lower and Upper Austria. In Upper Austria, the disease was confirmed in four dead swans in the city of Enns.
Authorities warn of a high risk of new outbreaks of the disease with the onset of the autumn migration of migratory birds.
