Bird Flu Outbreak Intensifies Across Germany, Thousands of Birds Culled Amid Rapid Spread

Rapid Increase in Infections Prompts Urgent Response

Germany is currently experiencing a significant and rapid increase in avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, with the highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype confirmed across numerous locations. German Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer issued a warning on Friday, October 24, 2025, highlighting the accelerating spread of the virus. Minister Rainer stated that while outbreaks are typical for this time of year, the 'very rapid increase in infections over the past 14 days' underscores the seriousness of the situation and the critical need for coordinated action.

Widespread Impact on Wild Birds and Poultry Farms

The outbreak has severely affected both wild bird populations and commercial poultry farms across Germany. The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Germany's federal institute for animal diseases, has confirmed the H5N1 subtype in dead wild birds across all 16 federal states, with the exception of Bremen. Environmental officials have reported the deaths of over 1,000 cranes near Linum in northeastern Germany, a crucial resting site for migratory birds. Additional significant wild bird mortalities include more than 100 birds at the Kelbra reservoir in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, and dozens on the Müritz in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The FLI has raised its risk assessment for wildfowl from 'low' to 'moderate', and for poultry farms from 'low' to 'high'.

The poultry industry has also been hit hard. In October alone, 15 affected poultry farms have been recorded, a notable increase from just four in September. Measures to contain the spread have led to extensive culling operations, with approximately 15,000 birds culled at a poultry farm in Baden-Württemberg near Ulm, and some 19,000 animals in Rees, western Germany. FLI estimates indicate that over 200,000 chickens, geese, ducks, and turkeys have been culled in recent weeks.

Coordinated Response and Public Health Considerations

In response to the escalating crisis, federal and state agriculture ministers convened emergency talks on Thursday evening, October 23, 2025, to coordinate a unified national strategy. The FLI emphasizes the importance of rapid carcass removal to prevent further viral spread and advises poultry farmers to implement stringent biosecurity measures to prevent contact between their flocks and wild birds. The Ministry of Agriculture has also appealed to the European Union to increase compensation payments for affected farmers, proposing a rise from 50 to 110 euros per animal.

While the bird flu poses a significant threat to avian populations and the agricultural sector, health authorities reiterate that the risk to human health remains low. The virus is generally considered harmless to humans, with transmission occurring only in isolated cases, primarily among individuals in close contact with infected birds. The current surge in Germany is part of a broader increase in highly pathogenic avian influenza cases across Europe since September, with migratory birds identified as a key factor in the virus's spread along southbound corridors.