September 10, 2007

Germany culls 205,000 ducks to stem bird flu outbreak

German authorities on Friday (Sep 7) culled 205,000 ducks on two poultry farms after bird flu was confirmed in the Bavaria state.

The outbreak occurred near the town of Nittenau in Schwandorf county, 140 kilometres north of Munich,

The two farms belong to a duck-raising company which was hit by a similar cull several weeks ago at another site, in Wachenroth. 

Water birds are especially susceptible to virus. Vietnam previously carried out a huge culling of ducks and banned duck breeding to control bird flu.