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Avian Influenza Confirmed at Weltvogelpark Walsrode After Single-Aviary Outbreak Forces Temporary Closure

Officials say the virus was likely introduced by wild birds.

Overview

  • Germany’s Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut confirmed avian influenza after initial tests on suddenly dead ducks and geese in a marine-birds aviary.
  • All birds in the affected enclosure tested positive, and authorities ordered the euthanasia of roughly 80 animals.
  • The aviary is being emptied, disinfected, and stripped of about 10 centimeters of substrate, then kept empty for 21 days before restocking.
  • The park is closed for at least the next one to two weekends, with a planned start to the main season on March 14 if no further cases arise.
  • Testing of neighboring enclosures has found no additional infections, and officials imposed no restrictions on nearby poultry holdings.