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Fight against avian influenza: Lower Saxony is threatened with a nationwide compulsory enclosure!
Potsdam-Mittelmark: Current HPAI outbreaks in Lower Saxony require biosecurity measures and nationwide poultry housing.
Fight against avian influenza: Lower Saxony is threatened with a nationwide compulsory enclosure!
In the last few weeks, the situation in poultry farming in Germany has worsened dramatically. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is spreading at an alarming rate, especially in Lower Saxony, where the poultry population of 106 million animals makes up around 62% of the total population in Germany. Again Lower Saxony Poultry Industry Association (NGW) reported that since October 1, 2025, 16 confirmed outbreaks of the H5N1 virus have been recorded in poultry in just three weeks.
The alarming outbreaks have resulted in 241,000 animals having to be killed and disposed of to prevent the disease from spreading further. Friedrich-Otto Ripke, the chairman of the NGW, is therefore calling for a nationwide obligation for poultry to be kept in order to protect the animals and maintain the supply of poultry meat and eggs.
Animal owners under pressure
The pressure on animal owners is increasing as the responsibility for the survival of the animals and the essential care of civil society is enormous. Many owners have already invested in better biosecurity measures and secured their stables against viral infections. Despite these efforts, outbreaks cannot always be prevented, as current figures show. The epidemic spread relatively early in the year and shows no signs of abating.
Loud Animal disease information for Lower Saxony Since September 2025, numerous HPAI-H cases have occurred in Germany, particularly in commercial laying hens, geese, ducks and broilers. The virus, which is circulating worldwide in Asia and North America, is once again calling for alert.
The danger of HPAI
The current risk assessment shows a high risk of HPAIV H5 entries in poultry farms. However, it should also be noted that the risk for people of becoming infected with HPAI H5 viruses is classified as very low. Fewer than ten human infections have been documented in Europe since 2020.
In addition to poultry herds, monitoring in dairy herds was also intensified. However, so far there is no evidence of HPAI in cattle or in milk production. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute provides information about the spread of the virus and shows that the virus continues to be active in dairy and poultry herds in the USA, which is fueling additional concern among livestock farmers.
Biosecurity and measures
In order to cope with the epidemic, comprehensive biosecurity measures are required by law for all poultry farmers. The NGW warns that without additional measures even more animals could die. Ripke appeals to the authorities to act quickly and order a comprehensive deployment, similar to the one in the Netherlands, to reduce the pressure in the system.
The developments in Lower Saxony are not only of great importance for animal farmers, but also affect the entire society, which depends on safe and healthy food production. It remains to be seen what steps the government will take to get the situation under control and this is making those affected feel uneasy.