New outbreaks of bird flu have been registered in the German state of Brandenburg, Deutsche Welle reports.
Farmers in northeastern Germany have been forced to cull approximately 130,000 birds due to a new wave of bird flu. In Brandenburg, the virus has infected 80,000 ducks on a farm in Neuhardenberg and 50,000 broilers in Neutrebin.
A protection zone with a radius of 3 kilometers and a surveillance zone with a width of 10 kilometers have been established around the outbreak areas. According to regional authorities, more than half a million birds have already died or been killed in Märkisch-Oderland. It is one of the largest poultry farming centres in Brandenburg and is also on a migratory route for wild birds. A mass migration of cranes and swans to the south is expected in the coming weeks.
Previously, nearly 150,000 laying hens were culled in the neighbouring state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Scientists believe the outbreak can be brought under control, even though the outbreak started unusually early this year. For the first time, cranes have become the main vectors of the virus, and swan deaths have also been recorded.
Farmers forced to cull their flocks due to bird flu will receive up to €110 per bird.