© Chris Meisch / RTL
Luxembourg's poultry farmers are on high alert as bird flu spreads in neighbouring countries, with the Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA) introducing strict prevention measures and preparing to cull flocks if necessary.
The H5N1 virus, better known as bird flu, has become a nightmare scenario for anyone keeping poultry. While neighbouring countries have already had to cull hundreds of thousands of birds, Luxembourg has so far only reported isolated cases among wild birds.
According to Dr Félix Wildschutz, director of the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA), precautionary measures have already been introduced to minimise the risk of infection. He explained that the virus is highly contagious and can survive for weeks in bird droppings, even outside a host.
Luc Emering, an organic farmer and Democratic Party MP who keeps 6,000 hens under newly installed solar panels, said his birds are currently confined indoors for their own safety. He explained that they are kept inside enclosed barns, although these have "winter gardens" that still allow some contact with the outside air. Emering added that staff entering the barns must follow strict hygiene rules, such as changing clothes, disinfecting boots, and maintaining high biosecurity standards, to avoid spreading the virus.
Emering warned that if bird flu were to infect domestic poultry, the only humane and effective response would be culling: once the virus reaches a flock, mortality can rise sharply within hours or days, leaving no alternative but to act quickly to prevent suffering and stop further spread.
Dr Wildschutz added that ALVA is ready to respond to any outbreak. He said that smaller or hobby farms would be handled directly by ALVA teams, while large commercial farms would rely on specialised companies equipped to carry out mass culls safely.
Professional poultry keepers are also urging private bird owners to follow biosecurity advice carefully. According to Dr Wildschutz, many hobbyists are part of the Union of Poultry Breeders' Associations of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (USAL), which maintains regular contact with ALVA. Dr Wildschutz said that close cooperation with these groups is vital, as they can help raise awareness and encourage owners to contact a vet immediately if they suspect an infection, allowing laboratory testing to confirm or rule out the virus.
There is currently no approved vaccine against H5N1 in Europe, although pilot vaccination projects are underway in France, the Netherlands, and Italy, according to Dr Wildschutz. He noted that it will still take at least another year before any vaccine could be made available for widespread use.
Farmers affected by compulsory culling are eligible for state compensation, but producers like Emering point out that recovery can take months. He noted that losing an entire flock can set operations back by up to half a year, long enough for customers to start buying their eggs or poultry elsewhere.
