Avian influenza outbreak in Uckermark: protective measures urgently needed!

Avian influenza outbreak in Uckermark: protective measures urgently needed!

In the last few days there has been worrying news from animal husbandry in Germany. On November 3, 2025, an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus, subtype H5N1, was officially detected in a poultry flock in Lychen, Uckermark district, Brandenburg. The outbreak has significant consequences for the affected regions, especially for neighboring agriculture in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

The establishment of protection and surveillance zones was immediately initiated. These measures now also affect the Mecklenburg Lake District district. The town of Mechow in the municipality of Feldberger Seenlandschaft lies within the 3 kilometer protection zone around the site of the outbreak. In the 10-kilometer monitoring zone, the communities of Wokuhl-Dabelow, Carpin, Grünow and parts of the Feldberg lake landscape are also affected. An overview of the exact geographical restrictions is available on the district's website under the “Animal diseases” tile, where the corresponding general order can also be found.

Precautionary measures taken

Strict biosecurity measures are required to contain avian influenza. The risk of avian influenza entering domestic poultry is currently classified as “medium”. Although Austria has so far been spared from outbreaks, the first detections of H5N1 in wild birds have recently been reported in Carinthia since the end of September and in other federal states since the beginning of October. The health authorities emphasize that contact between wild birds and domestic poultry must be prevented in order to protect domestic populations.

Requirements for keeping poultry in Austria are clearly defined: every poultry farmer must report his animals - even if they have only one type of keeping - within one week and strictly adhere to biosecurity measures. If you see dead birds or suspect cases, you should immediately report them to the district administration authority.

A serious risk for animal husbandry

Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that particularly endangers chickens and turkeys. Symptoms such as mass illness, high mortality or a decline in egg production are common signs of illness. There is currently an increase in outbreaks in wild birds and domestic poultry in Europe, with Germany and Italy seeing an increase in such cases since the beginning of October. The Czech Republic and Slovakia are also registering outbreaks in small holdings. Horror scenarios such as the previous outbreaks in autumn 2024 in the Amstetten district, Lower Austria, where protection and surveillance zones had to be set up, are still vividly in the minds of poultry farmers.

The situation is particularly dangerous for hobby owners, whose stocks also fall under the requirements. Even if a vaccine against avian influenza is currently neither available in Austria nor in the EU, the authorities are required to react preventively with monitoring and intensive educational campaigns. Apart from the health risks for animals, there are currently no proven human diseases caused by H5N1 in Austria or Europe.

Poultry farmers are called upon to further strengthen their safety precautions in order to slow the dangerous spread of avian influenza. In this sense, the warmer months are a critical time when migratory bird sightings will increase. Responsible handling of stocks is not only a duty, but ultimately also protects one's own existence.

A look at the current situation as an opportunity to take timely measures: Only if everyone involved works together and realistically assesses the risks can the survival of domestic poultry farming be ensured. As usual, further information on current developments and safety guidelines can be found on the websites of the official health authorities.

It is important to always keep an overview and react in a timely manner. Because as the saying goes: caution is the mother of the china box.

Current information can be found at Strelitzius, Consumer Health and Animal disease information for Lower Saxony.