| When the first outbreak of H5N1 was found on | | | | 20 February: The whole east-coast of Germany is |
| the tourist island of Rügen in Germany the | | | | put under alarm and all counties of Germany were |
| country took action. Here's a look at how | | | | getting themselves prepared. |
| Germany reacted. | | | | In the mean time, fire-fighters, soldiers, experts |
| January 2006: more and more carcasses from | | | | and even volunteers are on the island of |
| birds were being found in Eastern Germany. The | | | | Rügen. Some are in masks, some are in |
| Parks Board reckoned that was normal during a | | | | full-protective suits to disinfect while others simply |
| long and relatively hard winter. | | | | are there to watch and report on birds and |
| 14 February: a tourist reported finding four dead | | | | answer questions of the locals. 1,280 protective |
| swans on the east coast island of Rügen. A | | | | masks were brought in, 1,550 disposable |
| quick test indicated this could be H5N1, Avian | | | | protective suits and 150 non-disposable suits, |
| Influenza (Bird Flu). Later that was confirmed. | | | | 1,200 safety glasses, 1,150 pair of rubber boots, |
| 15 February: More dead birds were found. All | | | | 1,700 pair protective gloves and 1000 liters of |
| domestic birds were immediately required to be in | | | | disinfectant. Around the zone a further 11,780 |
| stalls. Government officials called an emergency | | | | masks, 11,560 disposable suits, 10,072 protective |
| meeting. | | | | goggles, 9,140 pairs of boots and another 5,000 |
| 16 February: It's official! H5N1 is the cause of | | | | liters of disinfectant were brought into reserve |
| death of more and more birds on the island of | | | | not to mention 39 special epidemic cots. By now |
| Rügen. | | | | there were 370 people there to help. |
| 17 February: Country-wide birds are required to | | | | The moral of this story? First, don't panic. When |
| be in stalls or under protective cover. All hens, | | | | H5N1 Avian Influenza breaks out, there is much |
| ducks, geese and turkeys must be in stalls. | | | | which can be done. Tests are getting better and |
| Politicians discuss ways to better or refine their | | | | faster for dead animals and as more and more |
| action plan. | | | | countries are affected, so too is the reaction |
| 18 February: The Island of Rügen is placed | | | | process checked and re-checked. Note at the |
| under alarm. That means a security zone of 3 | | | | beginning it was a tourist who reported the dead |
| kilometers (2 miles) around the dead birds is in | | | | swans. Your responsibility is to keep a watch out |
| place and 10 km (6 miles) zone of observation is | | | | and report anything strange - such as four or five |
| put in place. All cars, trucks and buses are | | | | dead birds together. Also noteworthy is the |
| disinfected and the selling of birds is stopped. All | | | | reaction of the people in Germany. There was no |
| birds within the 3 km security zone are | | | | panic - remember that this is an ongoing battle - |
| disinfected. Locals are asked to immediately | | | | and there was lots of help. Although the Minister |
| report to the police, fire or veterinarian clinics any | | | | of Agriculture Dr. Till Backhaus had hoped for |
| dead animals. They are told not to touch any bird, | | | | even a faster response time, there is no doubt |
| just to report it. | | | | that this was well handled. It was also an excellent |
| 19 February: Dead birds are now found on the | | | | example for other countries when Bird flu hits |
| German mainland. | | | | close to home. |