title: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 in Germany: Outbreak Investigations.
abstract: Epidemiological outbreak investigations were conducted in highly pathogenic avian influenza virus of the subtype H5N8 (HPAIV H5N8)-affected poultry holdings and a zoo to identify potential routes of entry of the pathogen via water, feedstuffs, animals, people, bedding material, other fomites (equipment, vehicles etc.) and the presence of wild birds near affected holdings. Indirect introduction of HPAIV H5N8 via material contaminated by infected wild bird seems the most reasonable explanation for the observed outbreak series in three commercial holdings in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Lower Saxony, while direct contact to infected wild birds may have led to outbreaks in a zoo in Rostock and in two small free-range holdings in Anklam, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
authors.affiliation: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Conraths
authors.affiliation: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sauter-Louis
authors.affiliation: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Globig
authors.affiliation: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dietze
authors.affiliation: Landkreis Vorpommern-Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pannwitz
authors.affiliation: Landkreis Vorpommern-Greifswald, Pasewalk, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.affiliation: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Höreth-Böntgen
authors.affiliation: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beer
authors.affiliation: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Staubach
authors.affiliation: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Homeier-Bachmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo / Q000821:virology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000145:classification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D011200:Poultry / Q000821:virology*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Germany; H5N8; avian influenza; epidemiology; outbreak investigation