In regions with an increased risk of avian influenza, chickens and turkeys in farms with more than 50 animals must be kept in at least covered stables from Tuesday.
According to the Ages, stalls have been compulsory since Tuesday in regions that have been designated as areas with a greatly increased risk of avian influenza. Chickens, turkeys and the like must be kept in closed or at least covered stables there until further notice. This applies to all farms with 50 or more animals. Farms under this mark are exempt provided ducks and geese are kept separate from other poultry and are protected from contact with wild birds.
Avian influenza (bird flu) is an acute, highly contagious, feverish viral disease in birds. Chickens, turkeys and numerous wild bird species are highly susceptible to the virus. The cases found in Vienna and the Lower Austrian districts of Melk and Gmünd are of the H5N1 subtype. The Ages emphasized that no diseases following infection with H5N1 have been detected in humans in Europe.
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