As announced last week, as of today, poultry must be kept in closed or at least covered sheds in regions designated as "areas with a high risk of avian influenza" in accordance with the Avian Influenza Ordinance. This compulsory housing applies to all farms and hobby farms that keep 50 or more animals. Poultry farms under 50 birds are exempt from the requirement to keep poultry indoors, provided that ducks and geese are kept separate from other poultry and it is ensured that poultry are protected from contact with wild birds (nets, roofs) and that feeding and watering of the animals only takes place indoors or under a shelter.

Detailed information on the measures is available on the Department of Health's website at https://www.verbrauchergesundheit.gv.at/tiere/krankheiten/ai.html.

In the rest of the country, poultry farmers are required to comply with biosecurity measures: Direct and indirect contacts between poultry and wild birds should be prevented at all costs, e.g., feeding indoors, not using surface water for watering, etc. In case of unclear health problems on poultry farms, a veterinary examination should be carried out without fail. Wild waterfowl and birds of prey found dead must be reported to the locally competent district administrative authority (official veterinarian). For the same reason, we would like to point out that every poultry holding must be registered with the competent district administrative authority.