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Berlin Zoo closed and evacuated due to bird flu

2022-11-18T15:23:44.371Z


Berlin Zoo closed and evacuated due to bird flu Created: 2022-11-18Updated: 2022-11-18, 4:08 p.m Visitors read the notice at the closed gate at the entrance to the Berlin Zoo. © Monika Skolimowska/dpa When it comes to bird flu, all the alarm bells go off - the virus is only very rarely associated with humans, but bird populations are acutely threatened. Now it has caught the Berlin Zoo. Berlin


Berlin Zoo closed and evacuated due to bird flu

Created: 2022-11-18Updated: 2022-11-18, 4:08 p.m

Visitors read the notice at the closed gate at the entrance to the Berlin Zoo.

© Monika Skolimowska/dpa

When it comes to bird flu, all the alarm bells go off - the virus is only very rarely associated with humans, but bird populations are acutely threatened.

Now it has caught the Berlin Zoo.

Berlin - Because of a case of bird flu, the Berlin Zoo was closed and cleared on Friday.

This was confirmed by the zoo administration and the Senate Department for Consumer Protection.

The “Tagesspiegel” had previously reported.

It was initially unclear when the zoo could reopen.

According to the zoo, the infection in a deceased hammerhead – a wading bird about 50 centimeters high – was noticed during a routine check.

Since bird flu has been occurring more and more frequently in Central Europe for several years, birds that have died are being randomly examined at Zoo and Tierpark Berlin.

The Berlin-Brandenburg state laboratory and the national reference laboratory for avian influenza had confirmed the result.

The so-called avian influenza is known as bird flu or avian influenza.

The virus behind it is called H5N1.

So far, it has only been linked to infections in humans in isolated cases.

However, it can easily spread in bird populations - for them it is a mortal danger.

According to the zoo, it immediately brought other birds to safety and is now having them all examined.

"We reacted immediately with far-reaching quarantine measures," explained the zoological director of the zoo and animal park, Christian Kern.

"Almost all birds - including our penguins - have now been moved to rear aviaries or stables." Fortunately, no other animal has shown symptoms so far.

The employees entrusted with the care of birds wear protective clothing to prevent the virus from being spread, it said.

The veterinary authority had ordered the animal population in the Zoological Garden to be blocked.

The closure of the site is an important step to get a better overview.

As a precaution, Tierpark Berlin is also beginning to bring the majority of its birds into stables.

According to the information, there have already been cases of bird flu in zoos and animal parks in Greifswald, Karlsruhe, Rostock, Heidelberg and in the Main Valley.

dpa

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-11-18

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