30,000 chickens culled in Germany after bird flu detected

BERLIN – German authorities say a flock of 30,000 chickens has been destroyed in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein after a strain of bird flu was detected in their enclosure.

The animals were killed Sunday and Monday as a precaution to try to contain the H5N8 strain of the virus, which can easily spread among birds but is not known to infect humans.

The state on Monday announced new protective measures, including ordering special protective clothes to be worn in stalls, and the complete cleaning and disinfection of all vehicles used to transport poultry.

Ahead of the Christmas season with high demand for goose, duck and chicken, farmers are concerned about the impact of an outbreak.

Cases have been reported recently elsewhere in Europe, including Switzerland, Austria and Hungary.

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