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Germany Raises Bird Flu Risk to High as H5N1 Spreads in Migrating Birds and Farms

Fresh confirmations across four states trigger culling, stall orders, control zones.

Overview

  • Germany’s Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut confirmed H5N1 in cranes and other wild birds in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia after mass deaths near Stausee Kelbra, with a wild goose in Trebbin also testing positive.
  • The institute raised its risk assessment to high for poultry and wild birds and cautioned that migration-driven spread is likely to increase in the coming weeks.
  • Counties around Stausee Kelbra ordered poultry to be kept indoors, restricted access to the area and set up disinfection points, with bans on poultry markets and exhibitions.
  • Farm outbreaks are rising: Brandenburg reported a second case this autumn with 6,200 turkeys culled in Amt Beetzsee after 2,900 ducks were destroyed in Märkisch-Oderland, and protection and surveillance zones were established.
  • After a new case in Garrel, Oldenburg county placed 247 holdings with about 3.2 million birds under restrictions, while authorities continue to stress a low risk to the general public and a low-to-moderate risk for exposed workers.