Bird Flu Concerns Prompt Guidance for Zweibrรผcken Garden Bird Feeders
Zweibrรผcken, Germany – Despite ongoing concerns about avian influenza, experts from the German Nature Conservation Association โ(Nabu) โand the State Association for Bird and Nature Conservation (LBV) โฃin Bayern confirm that garden and songbirds are currently notโ significantly affected โby the current bird flu outbreak. The disease primarily poses a risk to waterfowl – including geese, swans, ducks,โข turkeys,โฃ cranes, and poultry – while speciesโ commonly found in residential areas like tits, starlings, robins, chaffinches, sparrows, woodpeckers, blackbirds, and greenlings โare not considered primary virus carriers.
However,authoritiesโ are urging vigilance regarding hygiene at bird feeders to prevent the spread ofโ other โคavian diseases,such as salmonellosis,trichomonosis (already circulating among blackbirds and tits),and Suttonella ornithocoda,a pneumonia affecting tits. Daily thorough cleaning of bird feeders and water bowls with hot water – avoidingโ harsh chemicals – is strongly recommended, especially when visibly soiled.
Residentsโ of Zweibrรผcken and surrounding areas are advised to immediately report any sightings of dead birds exhibiting symptoms like a twisted neck or head, shortness of breath, mucus โฃdischarge, loss of fear of humans, staggering, or apathetic behavior to the responsibleโข veterinary office. Nabu experts emphasize the importance of not touching sick or dead birds under any circumstances. Setting up multiple, smaller feeding locations is encouraged to support garden bird populations.