In the fight against the spread of avian influenza in Germany, more than 500,000 farm animals have already been culled. Since the beginning of September, 31 outbreaks have been detected in livestock farms, the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) in Greifswald, which is responsible for animal health, announced on Monday. The animals in affected poultry farms must be culled.
However, the spread is reportedly progressing very rapidly. "The situation is currently changing so rapidly that the figures are only a snapshot and reflect the scale rather than the absolute numbers," explained an LFI spokesperson.
Most outbreaks are currently occurring in Lower Saxony (eight), as well as Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (six each). Thuringia and Schleswig-Holstein are also comparatively severely affected, while North Rhine-Westphalia has two outbreaks so far, and Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria each have one outbreak.
In Brandenburg’s Märkisch-Oderland district, officials have ordered the culling of around 130,000 ducks and chickens after the virus was detected in two poultry farms. As cases rise, several federal states are tightening preventive measures to contain the outbreak, including the establishment of surveillance zones and mandatory indoor housing for poultry.
According to local authorities in Seelow, the virus was confirmed in a duck farm with approximately 80,000 animals and in a chicken farm with around 50,000 birds. The district’s veterinary office announced that, for animal welfare and health reasons, the infected birds would be culled in coordination with relevant agencies.
The bird flu virus, also known as avian influenza or fowl plague, is a highly contagious disease primarily transmitted through direct and indirect contact with wild birds. The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Germany’s federal research institute for animal health, currently classifies the risk level as high.
The H5N1 strain continues to spread across multiple German states, severely affecting wild bird populations, particularly migrating cranes. In the Linum pond region of Brandenburg’s Ostprignitz-Ruppin district, a known resting area for cranes, hundreds of dead birds have been found. Authorities have advised the public not to enter the affected area.
Local official Ralf Reinhardt (SPD) described the situation as “distressing,” noting that volunteers were overwhelmed by the scale of bird deaths and the emotional toll it has taken. By Saturday morning, an estimated 1,200 dead birds had been collected from the area.
While transmission of the virus to humans is theoretically possible, the FLI currently assesses the risk to the general public as low. The primary concern lies in the economic impact on poultry farming. Authorities across Germany are urging the public to avoid contact with sick or dead birds as a precaution.
The Central Association of the German Poultry Industry (ZDG) has warned of potential shortages of eggs and poultry products if the virus is not effectively contained. ZDG President Hans-Peter Goldnick called for a national discussion on vaccination strategies, EU-level adjustments to animal disease regulations, and clarity for international trade.
Officials also warn that egg and poultry prices could rise due to the worsening outbreak. Ralf Reinhardt noted that trade restrictions have already been imposed in some regions, preventing eggs and poultry meat from reaching markets, a situation likely to impact prices.
Robert Schmack, chairman of the Bavarian Poultry Industry Association, said on Monday that egg and poultry prices are already high and could increase by as much as 50 percent if the situation continues to escalate. He also urged the government to impose a nationwide indoor housing requirement for poultry, criticizing delays in political decision-making.
Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer (CSU) recently confirmed a sharp rise in infections and emphasized strict adherence to biosecurity measures. Discussions among the federal states on introducing a nationwide poultry housing mandate are ongoing.
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