Avian influenza detected in goose in Berlin

A sign with the words «Geflügelpest Überwachungszone» ("Avian influenza surveillance zone") is attached under the traffic sign.

Avian influenza has been detected in a dead bean goose in Berlin. The animal was found at Wannsee, the Senate Department for Justice and Consumer Protection announced on Friday.

The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), which is responsible for animal health, has confirmed that it is the H5N1 subtype. It is the first confirmed case in Berlin this year. There was a similar case in December 2023. At that time, the virus was also discovered in a bean goose. The cold season is typically the peak season for bird flu. However, experts assume that the pathogen is now present in European wild bird populations all year round. At the end of 2022, the zoo had to close for weeks after avian influenza was detected in a waterfowl.

Senate Department: do not touch dead animals

The Senate Department has now appealed to citizens: "Anyone who finds dead waterfowl, ravens or birds of prey should report the find to the responsible veterinary and food inspectorate in the district so that an investigation can be arranged." Sick or dead animals should not be touched under any circumstances and feathers should not be collected. Poultry farmers have been called upon, among other things, to protect their animals from contact with wild birds. Although humans can become infected with the virus in individual cases, human-to-human transmission has not yet been documented.