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Germany - H5N1 avian flu in wild birds 2024-2026

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/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hambr%C3%BCcken

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Translation Google

First cases this year in Baden-Württemberg

"Most of the birds are dead!" - Avian flu breaks out in Hambrücken Zoo
state

December 18, 2024 , 11:36 am
Markus Bender
Cornelia Stenull

The outbreak of avian influenza is a catastrophe for the Hambrücken bird park. Around 200 birds had to be killed. Now the disease must be prevented from spreading.
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Canaries, budgies and wild birds - almost the entire population of the bird park in Hambrücken (Karlsruhe district) had to be culled on Monday. According to the district office, the measure was necessary to contain the highly contagious virus that causes avian influenza, also known as bird flu.

Avian influenza/bird flu: Hambrücken bird park has to close for the time being

For the bird protection and breeding association in Hambrücken, the outbreak is a catastrophe: "We don't know when or how we will open again," says chairman Henrik Schuhmacher. The entire facility is currently being disinfected. In addition, this is "a huge stroke of bad luck for us," explains Schuhmacher. By this he means that a wild duck that flew in has brought the virus with it - it could have landed somewhere else. Last week, the virus was detected in this wild duck and a swan that belongs to the park.
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Hambrücken: Parrots and rheas are allowed to live

Only five parrots and four rheas were allowed to stay alive under strict conditions. "We had of course hoped that we could have kept the entire bird population under certain conditions," explains Schuhmacher. But the measures taken by the veterinary office are very strict. However, this is understandable when you consider how dangerous the virus is - for example if a population in a nature reserve were affected and could die completely. The other animals in the park, such as goats, sheep and donkeys, are not affected.

Birds are being examined - poultry farmers should take precautions

The approximately 200 culled birds from Hambrücken are currently being examined. Two independent laboratories are responsible for this. If the Friedrich Loeffler Institute and the Karlsruhe Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Office also detect the virus in these animals, the Karlsruhe District Office will have to take further measures.

Such a measure could, for example, mean that poultry keepers in the district would be required to keep their poultry indoors. The results are expected in the course of the week. Until then, poultry keepers are being called upon to take precautions to ensure that their animals do not come into contact with wild birds. Citizens are being asked to report dead or sick wild birds.

Citizens should report dead birds

Citizens are asked to report an increasing number of dead or sick wild birds, especially waterfowl, birds of prey and carrion-eating birds such as ravens and crows, to the responsible veterinary authorities.

They organize the collection, sampling and safe disposal of dead animals in order to determine the spread of the virus in the country. The animals and animal carcasses should not be touched, caught or moved from the site in order to avoid further spread of the disease.

The Karlsruhe District Office is responsible:

Telephone: 0721/936-83020
Email: veterinaeramt@landratsamt-karlsruhe.de

First cases of avian influenza this year in Baden-Württemberg

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, there have been no cases in Baden-Württemberg to date. Protection against the entry of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses into poultry flocks and a possible further spread of the infection is now a priority. Poultry farmers are being called upon to strengthen biosecurity measures in their flocks in order to protect their animals as best as possible. According to the ministry, these include the following measures:

Securing the entrances and exits to the stables.

Only enter stables or other locations where birds are kept wearing protective clothing.
Cleaning and disinfection of protective clothing after use.
Disinfection of the equipment used.
In order to detect a possible outbreak of disease at an early stage, animal owners must inform the veterinary office.
Laboratory tests may only be carried out by BW state testing facilities.

https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/baden...elpest-virus-voegel-tot-hambruecken-100.html​​
 
Germany Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut Press Release - Avian influenza: The risk of outbreaks in poultry is increasing, with cranes among wild birds being particularly affected for the first time

Avian influenza: The risk of outbreaks in poultry is increasing, with cranes among wild birds being particularly affected for the first time

​10/20/2025

Several German states have reported increased mortality among cranes in recent days. Investigations by the relevant state testing facilities have revealed strong indications of avian influenza virus infection ('bird flu'). The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) has now confirmed the suspicion of infection with the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV, bird flu) of the H5N1 subtype in crane samples sent in from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Avian influenza is a highly contagious infectious disease that is rapidly fatal in many bird and poultry species. Further investigations to characterize the viruses in detail are currently being carried out. Sequence analyses to date indicate a variant of the H5N1 strain that has been dominant in Europe in recent months. Due to the current high migratory activity of crane populations and other wild birds, further, possibly widespread, spread of HPAIV infections must be expected in the near future. In its current risk assessment, the FLI has therefore reassessed the risk of further outbreaks in poultry farms and cases in wild birds as “high.”

The FLI is currently observing a renewed increase in HPAIVH5N1 infections in various wild bird species, and the number of HPAIV outbreaks in poultry farms has also risen sharply in the last two weeks.

The cranes with currently striking cases are not the only wild bird species affected; other wild waterfowl species such as ducks or geese may show milder symptoms of HPAIV infection, partly because they may have already developed partial immunity.

Protective measures for crane populations or other wild birds currently consist only of the rapid reporting of sick and dead birds and the quick removal of carcasses by teams of experts in order to prevent further infections, especially among scavengers (crows, ravens, sea eagles, foxes). The public should avoid contact with sick or dead wild birds. Poultry farmers are strongly advised to implement strict biosecurity measures to minimize contact between poultry and wild birds and reduce the risk of HPAIVintroduction.

https://www.fli.de/en/press/press-r...ing-particularly-affected-for-the-first-time/
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Last edited by a moderator:
Translation Google

Avian influenza in cranes and other wild birds in Brandenburg

- Published on October 22, 2025

Since October 13, the Brandenburg State Bird Observatory at the Brandenburg State Office for the Environment (LfU) has been receiving reports of sightings of initially individual weakened cranes. A crane found dead on October 14 was examined by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute. The suspicion of an avian influenza outbreak in wild birds has been confirmed. To date, the losses among cranes alone are estimated at over 1,000 individuals. Brandenburg, like many other federal states, is currently affected by an unprecedented outbreak of a wildlife disease in cranes on this scale.

The disease is affecting cranes during the peak of the autumn migration, which is associated with the largest gatherings of the entire year. A significant increase in further deaths and rapid spread in Central Europe and further along the migration route (France, Spain) are therefore to be expected. The infection occurs very quickly (peracute), yet newly infected birds are capable of flying until symptoms begin. The present study found that the problem is spreading to other bird species.

On October 13, a significant wave of migration of approximately 20,000 cranes from Linum towards the west/southwest was recorded. As in previous years, the Havelländische Luch, an area crucial for the preservation of Germany's last great bustard populations, was also flown over. There is an acute risk of infection for the great bustards there, as well as for a variety of other bird species, including waterfowl, corvids, and birds of prey that consume dead birds.

Poultry farms along flight paths, especially outdoor farms, are also at risk of infection. Initial outbreaks in poultry farms have already been reported (https://mleuv.brandenburg.de/mleuv/.../~21-10-2025-gefluegelpest-potsdam-mittelmark). Transmission of the infection to the cranes' wintering grounds in Spain is a possible development.

For this reason, hunting of geese and wild ducks as well as the transport of shot birds into residential areas should currently be strictly prohibited so that private poultry farms are not exposed to unnecessary danger.

Currently, the removal of the carcasses is organized by the district veterinary offices. If private individuals find dead birds, the following applies: Do not touch them under any circumstances, but report the find immediately to the responsible veterinary authorities in the districts and independent cities.

​https://mleuv.brandenburg.de/mleuv/...lgrippe-bei-kranichen-und-anderen-wildvoegeln
 
Bird flu outbreak reaches Kaiserslautern district, officials call for vigilance

OCTOBER 29, 2025

Veterinary authorities across Germany are urging the public to report dead or sick birds following a recent spike in avian influenza cases. Outbreaks of the virus among wild and domestic birds have been confirmed in several districts, including Kaiserslautern, according to a Monday statement from Rheinland-Pfalz officials. While no human infections have been reported and the overall risk remains low, the Robert Koch Institute recommends increased caution, especially for poultry owners.
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Kaiserslautern Military Community residents who find dead cranes, birds of prey, waterfowl or observe unusual poultry behavior should call district veterinary authorities at 0631-7105-450 during the day or 0172-3419-516 after hours. Reports can also be sent via email to veterinaeramt2@kaiserslautern-kreis.de. The veterinary office will handle testing and disposal. Officials stress that dead or sick birds should not be touched or moved.

https://www.stripes.com/ktown/2025-10-29/bird-flu-in-kaiserslautern-district-19587342.html
 
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