German Chancellor Calls in Army Over Bird Flu

Feb. 20, 2006 — -- Bring in the Army, says German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Responding to growing nationwide fears of the deadly H5N1 disease -- commonly known as "bird flu" -- first detected in Germany last week, Merkel has now ordered the German Army to help local authorities recover dead birds and try to stop the disease from spreading to farm birds.

"The situation is serious, and we need to do everything possible to help the local authorities to keep the wild birds away from farm poultry," she said, after she paid a quick visit to the Baltic island of Ruegen, where the first infected birds -- two swans -- were detected.

Infected birds since have been found in mainland Germany.

Since the first infected swans, more dead wild birds have been discovered. The total number has risen to at least 79 -- seeming to rise by the hour.

Quarantine zones, set up after the first infected birds had been found, are being expanded. And specialists from a German anti-nuclear, biological and chemical weapons unit were sent in on Sunday to set up a decontamination center near the main bridge to the island.

Overwhelmed local officials have now asked the government for help, and 250 soldiers have been sent to Ruegen Island to help retrieve dead birds.

The local agriculture minister has ordered the culling of some 10,000 especially at-risk farm animals on the island in an effort to eliminate every possible danger.