There is a suspected case of bird flu at Chemnitz Zoo. Two chickens were found dead in the past few days. An initial examination at the State Examination Centre for Health and Veterinary Services in Saxony has detected the pathogen, an influenza A virus of subtype H5. The final test results from the Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (Friedrich Löffler Institute) are still pending.
Mayor Knut Kunze: "As a result of the suspected case, all 300 or so bird animals at Chemnitz Zoo are now being tested for avian influenza. To ensure that everything runs smoothly, Chemnitz Zoo will remain closed until Monday inclusive."
As a further safety measure, the birds at the zoo have been divided into sections and separated from each other. All birds that can be housed will be kept in stables. Bird enclosures are made bird-proof by ensuring that the mesh size is less than 2.5 cm and that no droppings from wild birds can enter the enclosures from above. At present, no birds need to be killed.
The two chickens found dead are part of a population of 60 waterfowl and chickens in the area of the duck and goose pond. A connection with the cormorant that was found dead in Bahnhofstrasse at the weekend cannot be established. No avian influenza was detected in this animal.
The Office for Health and Prevention expressly points out that the risk of bird flu being transmitted to humans is extremely low.
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