Avian influenza infects Europe, cases already reported from Austria

Austria is reporting an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on a goose farm, the World Organisation for Animal Health said on Thursday, at a time when Europe is facing a rise in the deadly disease.

The virus was identified in a flock of 645 geese in the town of Steyr, causing the deaths of 50 birds.

Only a week ago, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture ordered the immediate closure of all poultry farms due to the risk of avian influenza.

At the end of October, Germany also reported that it had already culled more than half a million chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys.

The measures followed a surge in cases across Europe. Since July, countries have reported 139 cases.

(reuters, max)