Six swans died of the animal disease in the Tyrolean Unterland. However, the virus is harmless to humans.
The first case of bird flu, also known as avian influenza, has now become public in a zoo in the Tyrolean lowlands. Six swans died from the influenza virus. Five of them were found dead in the affected zoo last weekend, and another swan had to be killed. The park was closed to visitors due to the winter break. No danger to humans However, the virus poses no danger to humans. “The strain H5N1 is currently emerging. This influenza virus is not considered a human pathogen, so it does not pose a threat to humans,” emphasizes State Veterinary Director Josef Kössler. The virus will also not be transmitted via food.Precautionary measures from January 10thThe bird flu is already circulating throughout Europe. For this reason, precautionary measures will apply in Austria from January 10th. “We are monitoring the situation very closely and, above all, we want to prevent the animal disease from spreading to domestic poultry stocks,” explains Kössler. It is assumed that Tyrol will soon be considered an area with a “highly increased risk”. There is currently an “increased risk” in Tyrol. Compulsory stables are very likely. The conditions could soon be tightened for the companies: “We assume that for companies with more than 50 poultry, in addition to the current measures, there will soon be compulsory stables throughout Austria,” said State Veterinary Director Kössler. There is an obligation to report water wings and griffin wings found dead throughout Austria.
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