Avian influenza - the obligation to keep poultry indoors is relaxed for small poultry farms

From Sunday, poultry in flocks of up to 50 animals will be allowed out of the barn again. For larger holdings, the obligation to keep poultry indoors will remain in place for the time being in order to continue to prevent the pathogen from entering larger flocks.

As wild bird migration is largely paused, the risk of introduction from the wild bird population is decreasing, but remains high, as domestic populations have now also fallen ill and died.

The increased biosecurity measures therefore continue to apply to everyone - whether two or two thousand animals. Events involving poultry, the movement of poultry and the sale of poultry to the traveling trade also remain prohibited.

And dogs can also be happy and are allowed off the lead again on the banks of the Rhine, provided that there are no other regulations to the contrary. On the Schiersteiner Aue, for example, dogs must still be kept on a lead due to African swine fever.

Please continue to report dead wild animals and waterfowl to the Veterinary Office. Outside of business hours, please contact the fire department control center.

What is avian influenza?

Avian influenza (AI), also known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease of chickens and turkeys, but many other birds are also susceptible. A basic distinction can be made between two groups of avian influenza viruses, the so-called low pathogenic ("less pathogenic") and the highly pathogenic ("very pathogenic") influenza viruses. The highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (e.g. H5N8) can lead to high animal losses in poultry, for example chickens or turkeys. Low pathogenic influenza viruses, on the other hand, often cause little or no signs of illness, as these viruses lack the characteristics to cause severe disease. Only infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses is referred to as avian influenza.