Berlin confirms case of bird flu at central zoo as it shuts gates
- According to the zoo, the infection in a deceased hammer-headed stork or hamerkop – a wading bird – was discovered during a routine check
- The zoo was evacuated early on Friday afternoon. The zoo said it immediately brought other birds to safety and is now having them all examined
Berlin Zoo in the centre of the city was closed on Friday because of a case of bird flu, a spokesperson for the city’s Department for Consumer Protection said. The zoo will remain closed for the time being.
The zoo was evacuated early on Friday afternoon, a dpa reporter observed on site. It was unclear when the zoo could reopen.
According to the zoo, the infection in a deceased hammer-headed stork or hamerkop – a wading bird about 50cm tall – was discovered during a routine check.
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Since bird flu has been occurring more frequently in Central Europe for several years, deceased birds are examined at random at Berlin’s two main zoos, the central one and the Tierpark in the eastern suburbs.
The Berlin-Brandenburg State Laboratory and the National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza confirmed the result.
So-called bird flu is known as bird flu. The virus behind it is called H5N1. So far, it has only been linked to human infections in rare individual cases. However, it can easily spread in bird populations, and for them it is a deadly disease.
The zoo said it immediately brought other birds to safety and is now having them all examined. “We responded immediately with far-reaching quarantine measures,” explained zoological director, Christian Kern.
“Almost all the birds – including our penguins – have now been moved to rear aviaries or stables,” Kern said. Fortunately, no other animal has shown symptoms so far.
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The staff in charge of caring for the birds are wearing protective clothing to prevent the virus from spreading, the statement said.
The veterinary authorities have ordered the closure of the zoo’s animal population. The closure of the premises was an important step to get a better overview.
As a precautionary measure, the Tierpark Berlin has also begun to move a large number of its birds into stables. According to the information, there have already been cases of bird flu in zoos and animal parks in the cities of Greifswald, Karlsruhe, Rostock, Heidelberg and in Maintal.
