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Germany Confirms H5N1 at Garrel Turkey Farm, 20,500 Birds Culled as Housing Orders Spread

Officials urge tight farm biosecurity given evidence the virus now circulates year-round.

Overview

  • Local testing in Oldenburg detected H5N1 and the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut confirmed the finding at a Garrel turkey operation, prompting the humane culling of about 20,500 birds.
  • Because the site lies within 10 kilometers of Oldenburg county, an Anschlussüberwachungszone now covers Großenkneten and Wardenburg with mandatory housing, movement bans for birds and products, and reporting obligations.
  • Lower Saxony reports this as the first detection of the autumn season and the tenth national outbreak of the year.
  • Authorities stress strict on-farm biosafety—such as veterinary oversight and written plans for larger holdings—and note the EU assesses the risk to humans as low.
  • Elsewhere, Thuringia’s Greiz district remains under a 10-kilometer monitoring regime with stall orders, and Mecklenburgische Seenplatte has confirmed an H5N1 case in Rechlin with protection and surveillance zones plus housing rules for large producers.