March 28, 2008

Germany declared as bird flu free
 

Germany has declared that it is bird flu free three months after there were no signs of H5N1 strain found in the country's wild birds or commercial poultry.

The news is sure to relieve and delight many, especially the poultry producers. The three-month trial period was implemented by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

The last bird flu outbreak in poultry was in the rural areas west to Berlin in December, according to the German Agriculture Ministry.

The United Arab Emirates is also ready to accept imports of German poultry meat and beef, said Gerd Mueller, state secretary of the agriculture ministry. Germany's beef exports have been severely affected due to mad cow disease but the country is likely to elevate to the status of 'under control' soon, said the ministry.

Germany's first encounter with the bird flu was in February 2006, and the country had only one confirmed mad cow disease case this year.