A low pathogenic form of avian influenza has been detected at a turkey fattening holding in Langen, Germany, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reported.
Of a total 23,500 turkeys at the farm, 100 were reported to have died. Diagnostic tests conducted on March 3 at the Friedrich-Loeffler Institute’s national laboratory proved positive for an outbreak of H7N7 avian influenza.
The remaining 23,400 turkeys at the holding have been destroyed and safely disposed of, according to the OIE. Other control measures used included screening, zoning and disinfection of the infected premises.
The cause of the outbreak remains inconclusive at this time. The OIE report stated that no poultry or poultry meat has been moved to other regions in Germany, EU member states or third countries.
The avian influenza outbreak in Langen follows an earlier outbreak at another turkey holding in November 2014. In that case, an estimated 1,880 turkeys were infected with H5N8 avian influenza, with culling efforts following. That outbreak led Russia to impose temporary trade restrictions on live poultry, eggs and poultry products from Germany.
OIE stated that it will conduct weekly follow-up reports on the latest German case of avian influenza until it has been resolved.
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