综述｜德国禽流感持续扩散 超50万只禽类被扑杀

Core Insights - The avian influenza outbreak in Germany has led to the culling of over 500,000 birds, including chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys, with the situation expected to worsen as more cases are reported [1][2] - The outbreak is particularly severe in the eastern regions of Germany, specifically in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Brandenburg, where significant numbers of poultry have been culled to control the spread [1] - The Friedrich-Loeffler Institute has raised the risk level for poultry farms from "low" to "high," linking the spread of the virus to migratory birds [1][2] Summary by Sections Outbreak Details - Since early September, 30 outbreaks have been reported in poultry farms across Germany, with the potential for further increases in cases [1] - In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, nearly 150,000 egg-laying hens have been culled, and an additional 130,000 birds are set to be culled in Brandenburg to control the outbreak [1] Impact on Poultry Industry - The Bavarian Poultry Association has warned that the current outbreak could lead to a 50% increase in egg prices if the situation continues to deteriorate [2] - There are calls for a nationwide temporary "caging order" to require farms to move free-range birds into enclosed spaces to reduce infection risks [2] Virus Transmission - The current outbreak is occurring earlier than in previous years, coinciding with the autumn migratory period for birds, which increases the risk of virus transmission [2] - The scale of infection among cranes is unprecedented, with approximately 1,500 crane carcasses collected in Brandenburg [2] - The primary transmission routes for the avian influenza virus include direct contact with infected birds and indirect transmission through contaminated environments [2]