Austria Declared High-Risk Area for Bird Flu Amid H5N1 Outbreaks

National Alert Issued as Bird Flu Spreads

As of Monday, November 3, 2025, Austria will officially be designated a 'high-risk area' for avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu. This decision, announced by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health, comes in response to a surge in highly pathogenic H5N1 virus cases across neighboring Germany and the recent detection of the virus within Austrian borders.

Escalating Outbreaks in Austria and Germany

The highly contagious H5N1 strain has been identified in wild bird populations across several Austrian federal states. The first detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds were reported in Carinthia in late September, followed by cases in Lower Austria at the beginning of October. More recently, the virus was confirmed in four dead swans in the city of Enns, Upper Austria, underscoring its spread among wild birds.

The situation is further exacerbated by a significant bird flu crisis in Germany, where outbreaks have been reported on 48 poultry farms across 10 federal states since September 2025. These outbreaks have led to the culling of over 525,000 birds. The autumn migration of wild birds is believed to be a key factor in the rapid spread of the virus across Europe.

New Biosecurity Measures Implemented

In response to the escalating threat, Austrian authorities have introduced stringent biosecurity measures aimed at containing the H5N1 virus. A ban on feeding birds outdoors came into effect during the week leading up to November 1.

Key guidelines for poultry owners, including commercial farms and hobby holdings, now include:

• Ensuring poultry are protected 'as best as possible from contact with wild birds,' potentially through the use of nets or coverings.
• Conducting all feeding and watering of animals indoors or under a shelter.
• Thorough cleaning and disinfection of transport vehicles, loading areas, and equipment.
• Mandatory reporting to the responsible authority if poultry exhibit health problems, reduced egg production, or increased mortality.

While a general requirement for all domestic poultry to be kept indoors ('Stallpflicht') is not yet in place, officials have indicated that such a measure could be introduced if the situation deteriorates further.

Public Health and Global Context

Experts emphasize that the risk of H5N1 transmission to the general public remains low. However, the risk is considered low-to-moderate for individuals with occupational exposure or direct, prolonged contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. No human-to-human transmission has been documented during the current reporting period.

The current H5N1 outbreak is part of a broader global avian influenza event that has been ongoing since 2020, affecting bird populations across multiple continents.