Bird flu: Märkisch-Oderland district tightens stable requirements immediately!

Bird flu: Märkisch-Oderland district tightens stable requirements immediately!

In recent days, bird flu has reached new alarming proportions in Germany. In response to the increasing threat posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza, colloquially known as bird flu, the Märkisch-Oderland district has decided to expand the stable requirement for poultry. How Moz reported, the new general order will apply from October 29, 2025. Poultry farmers are asked to either keep their animals in closed stables or under special protective devices. This is no coincidence, because the situation is serious: a high risk level has been identified.

The warning is aimed not only at larger farms, but also at private poultry farmers, who are urgently urged to avoid their flocks coming into contact with wild birds. In order to prevent the further spread of avian influenza, exhibitions, markets and trade in poultry are also banned for 30 days. The district is continually assessing the situation and there are already indications of possible adjustments.

Mass death of cranes in Brandenburg

Bird flu is currently having devastating effects in Brandenburg. Here, crisis teams are fighting to contain the mass death of cranes. The Daily Mirror reports of over 1,000 dead cranes in the Linum pond area, where volunteers and species conservationists are working to collect the dead animals. However, these missions are difficult because not all areas are easily accessible.

The State Agriculture Minister Hanka Mittelstädt has already considered declaring a crisis and deploying the Technical Relief Organization (THW). 5,000 geese were killed in Kremmen to stop the spread of the virus. The situation is so serious that conservationists and the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) are urgently calling on the population and poultry farmers to take measures to minimize opportunities for contact with wild birds.

Signs of an increased spread of the disease

Bird flu is generally increasing in Germany; Around 29 outbreaks in wild birds have been recorded, with cranes particularly affected. The daily news highlights that in other federal states such as Baden-Württemberg over 15,000 animals were killed and in Mecklenburg farms even 150,000 animals had to be culled as a precautionary measure. These figures are alarming and show that bird flu poses a serious threat to poultry production in Germany.

Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer has called for increased protective measures and classified the risk of further outbreaks as “high”. The epidemic situation could worsen, particularly during bird migration in the autumn months, especially with falling temperatures encouraging the spread of the virus.

The population should therefore strictly adhere to the hygiene rules and avoid contact with sick or dead wild birds. Infections from poultry intended for consumption have generally not been detected, but it is important to be careful and report any findings to the authorities immediately.

It remains to be hoped that the comprehensive protective measures will soon have an effect and that poultry farming in Germany can be secured again so that the population can continue to benefit from these high-quality products. However, the situation remains tense and we will continue to monitor developments closely.