With the bird flu the old fear of epidemics came back: Germany was in a state of emergency. But after a short time and new regulations the topic was settled nevertheless, wasn’t it? A review, which is perhaps also a preview …

Bird flu - where from?

Despite enormous efforts (shelterbelt, stable obligation for poultry, emergency slaughters) the propagation of the bird flu could not be stopped.

It is spread by migratory birds and scavengers and the world trade. And we only hope: bird flu is not for humans.

What many do not know: The virus H5N1 was detected in pigs already 2004/2005. Some species of bird have become more resistant to the bird flu. This sounds pleasing, however, leads to the fact that infected birds act longer as “virus excretors” (so the technical term). The virus continues to mutate, fits to the new host … and thus comes nearer and nearer to us.

The Asian states in which the bird flu broke out hardly reacted to the epidemic. Also there economic interests count more than epidemic protection: bird flu? – No problem, if the egg is only sold! E.g. India is one of the world’s largest egg exporter; emergency slaughters of millions of chickens meant the ruin for many companies.