Following the outbreak of the highly contagious Newcastle disease in poultry in Brandenburg and Bavaria, Saxony's veterinary authorities are stepping up vaccination checks. "The food monitoring and veterinary offices in Saxony will carry out more checks in poultry farms", the Saxon Ministry of Health announced in response to a request. The inspections will also be accompanied by increased educational measures.
Poultry farmers are required to vaccinate against the animal disease, which is also known as "atypical avian influenza". However, a "poor level of immunization" has been observed in the past, particularly in farms with few animals, the ministry continued. "Many poultry farmers are lulled into a false sense of security, as outbreaks of Newcastle disease have rarely occurred in Saxony in recent years."
