Bird flu in Saxony-Anhalt: Red alert for poultry farmers!

Bird flu in Saxony-Anhalt: Red alert for poultry farmers!

Bird flu is back in Saxony-Anhalt! The current figures are alarming, and several districts have already ordered compulsory housing for poultry. On November 3, 2025, the media reported that the situation in the Mansfeld-Südharz district remains critical. 40,000 laying hens had to be culled there because of avian influenza. The federal task force has already met to discuss coordinated measures and contain the rapid spread of the virus. MDR reports that there are around 27,000 poultry farms with over 14 million animals in Saxony-Anhalt and that the stable requirement now covers almost all districts.

The current situation should not be underestimated. In Anhalt-Bitterfeld, compulsory stables will be ordered from November 4th after avian influenza was found in dead cranes. In Halle and Jerichower Land, the stables were also ordered due to the positive tests on wild birds. The pressure on fattening and poultry farmers is increasing because over 500,000 animals in Germany have already been killed because of bird flu. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute calls for the utmost attention and strict hygiene regulations to prevent the spread of the H5N1 virus, which has been detected in ten federal states. The number of cases could even spread southwards The time reported.

Situation in the individual districts

• Anhalt-Bitterfeld: Stallpflicht ab 4. November.
• Halle: Stallpflicht seit 30. Oktober, 410 Geflügelhalter betroffen.
• Saalekreis: Vier bestätigte Fälle, keine Stallpflicht, aber dringende Aufstallungsempfehlung.
• Magdeburg: Stallpflicht seit 29. Oktober.
• Burgenlandkreis: Verdachtsfall bei totem Kranich.
• Mansfeld-Südharz: Sperrzone eingerichtet.
• Dessau-Roßlau: Ein bestätigter Fall, Empfehlungen zum Schutz der Tiere.
• Landkreis Stendal: Stallpflicht seit 28. Oktober.
• Altmarkkreis Salzwedel: Stallpflicht seit 28. Oktober.
• Börde: Stallpflicht seit 24. Oktober; Sperrzone im Unesco-Biosphärenreservat Drömling.
• Salzlandkreis: Bestätigte Fälle, aber keine Stallpflicht.
• Landkreis Wittenberg: Zwei bestätigte Fälle, Appell an die Halter.
• Harz: Stallpflicht seit 24. Oktober.
• Jerichower Land: Stallpflicht seit 30. Oktober.

Bird flu is a highly contagious disease that has fatal consequences, especially for birds and poultry. There is usually no danger to humans, which is why dead birds should not be touched but should be reported immediately. Meanwhile, poultry farmers' wings are becoming increasingly difficult in the face of the looming and ongoing threat. The federal government is being called upon to introduce a nationwide requirement for stables, which has so far only been implemented at state level.

A look at the statistics shows: the situation has worsened dramatically in the last few months. From the beginning of September to the end of October, around 50 outbreaks were recorded in commercial poultry farms, the number doubling within a week. Loud The time This year's spread of avian influenza is the third highest since 2017.

Another worrying detail: In Mansfeld-Südharz, hundreds of dead cranes were found around the reservoir. The request to rescue the dead wild birds is of great importance, despite the veterinary authorities already being busy. The need to drastically contain the virus requires a good hand from everyone involved in order to secure poultry farming in Germany.

The upcoming Christmas season is unlikely to be in jeopardy, as 80% of the geese and ducks come from abroad. Nevertheless, the situation remains tense and points to serious challenges in animal husbandry in Germany. The fight against bird flu is far from over.