Bird Flu Outbreak Intensifies Among Wild Birds in Berlin and Brandenburg

Ongoing Avian Influenza Spread in Capital Region

The bird flu virus, specifically the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, continues to circulate widely among wild bird populations in Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany. The Berlin-Brandenburg State Laboratory recently confirmed 14 positive tests for the virus in wild birds, with further confirmation from the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) currently pending. This latest development underscores an outbreak that has been rampant since autumn 2025, significantly impacting the region's wildlife.

Significant Impact on Wild Bird Populations

The current wave of avian influenza has led to a considerable number of fatalities among wild birds. In Berlin, authorities have reported the deaths of 41 wild birds since autumn 2025 due to the outbreak. A 'strikingly high number' of infected swans have been observed in Berlin. The situation is particularly severe in Brandenburg, where official figures indicate that more than 1,000 cranes have died in the Linumer Teichgebiet alone. Beyond swans and cranes, other affected species include waterfowl, birds of prey, and seagulls, likely due to consuming infected carcasses.

Across Germany, the spread of the H5N1 variant has reached a 'new, dramatic dimension,' with the FLI reporting 1,125 wild bird infections by November 11, 2025. The severe winter conditions are believed to have exacerbated the infection rate, as large gatherings of waterfowl on limited ice-free areas increase the risk of transmission. Seasonal bird migrations also contribute to the virus's spread.

Public Advisory and Human Health Considerations

Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution. Citizens are advised not to touch sick or dead animals under any circumstances and to report any findings of dead or sick cranes, waterfowl, ravens, or birds of prey to their respective district veterinary and food inspection authority.

While the H5N1 subtype has been transmitted to humans in isolated cases through close contact with sick birds, human-to-human transmission has not yet been proven. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Germany's national animal disease research center, continues to monitor the situation closely, providing critical insights into the virus's dynamics and spread.