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On Thursday we learned that avian flu had been detected in a white stork at the Rostock Zoo (see Germany: H5N8 Detected At Rostock Zoo), and that 8 other storks had been culled in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus. This announcement came just one day after Germany reported two wild mallard ducks – shot on New Year’s Eve – tested positive for the virus.
Unknown in Europe until three months ago, the H5N8 virus has made remarkable progress over the past year spreading widely from Korea, to Japan, Russia, Europe and even the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
Today the Rostock Zoo has announced another species of bird (Red Ibis) has tested positive for the virus, and that additional culling will be required. A notice on the Zoo’s website (see below) indicates the Zoo remains closed while additional testing is conducted.
First, this (translated) announcement from the Rostock Zoo.
Avian influenza in Rostock Zoo
The Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Consumer Protection announced that the white stork stock in Rostock Zoo and now at one, Red Glossy Ibis '- also known as Red Ibis' - the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus of subtype H5N8 and therefore avian influenza has been identified. The further procedure was determined by Landeskrisen- Center in coordination with the Rostock Zoo and the veterinary authorities. The zoo of Rostock remains to evaluation of the laboratory samples closed. This is to prevent the virus can spread through unnecessary passenger on.
"At this point I would like to reiterate that in the current state of knowledge, no health risk to humans exists, but the virus to uninfected animals usually fatal runs" emphasized Minister Dr. Till Backhaus.
The following (translated) reports comes from NDR.de.
Stand: 10.01.2015
Another bird flu case in the Rostock Zoo
In the Rostock Zoo, there is another case of the dangerous bird flu virus H5N8. Experts have a red IBIS (also: Red Ibis, Scarlet Ibis) detected the virus. A total of 18 more birds were killed then. This is in addition to other Ibises to night and little egret. According to the Ministry of agriculture, the Zoo remains closed until further notice. First, all test results should be evaluated.
It will try to protect some rare species in the Zoo, so Agriculture Minister Till Backhaus (SPD): "But it is also clear that we need to make more killings in other finds." How did the H5N8 virus in the Zoo, is still unclear.
A few days ago the highly contagious bird flu virus was first discovered when a stork. Several animals were killed as a precaution. In the following investigation, it turned out that all twelve white storks and five geese were infected.
