Alarm in Saxony: First bird flu cases discovered in wild birds!

Alarm in Saxony: First bird flu cases discovered in wild birds!

Bird flu continues to spread and is causing worried faces among farmers and poultry keepers in Germany. Today, October 29, 2025, the first suspected cases of wild birds were reported in Saxony. The Free State has so far been spared from affected farm animals, but Health Minister Petra Köpping (SPD) urges caution. The risk of the dangerous virus entering the poultry population is increasing, which is why she urgently recommends that poultry farmers be required to have stables in order to protect their animal friends. These measures not only include stables, but also strict hygiene rules, which are essential to keep the virus at bay, according to n-tv.

Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a highly contagious infectious disease that can be fatal in many species of birds and poultry. In Germany, 35 outbreaks have already been documented in commercial poultry farms since September, and events are anything but stable. There are new reports every day, and the federal states of Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg are particularly badly affected.

Mandatory stables in Magdeburg and the surrounding area

The situation is particularly precarious in the city of Magdeburg. Here, due to a proven case of the avian influenza virus in a wild bird, a comprehensive stable requirement was issued. This general order applies to the entire city until revoked. Events involving poultry and pigeons are also prohibited to minimize the risk of further spread. The city of Dessau had already decided on similar measures last week, which once again underlines the alarming situation, reports Zeit.

The affected regions are also faced with the challenge of acting quickly when sick or dead wild birds are sighted. These birds should not be touched and the relevant health and veterinary authorities should be informed immediately. According to current findings, the risk to the human population of becoming infected with the H5N1 virus can be classified as low, but caution is still advised, especially when coming into contact with dead animals.

Dynamic spread in Germany and Europe

Bird flu doesn't just affect Saxony and Magdeburg. The situation is also tense in other parts of Germany. In Baden-Württemberg, 15,000 animals were killed on a farm to prevent the disease from spreading further. Thousands of birds, especially cranes, die every day because they fall victim to the virus. It is estimated that around 2,000 cranes have already died, with over 1,000 recovered in northern Brandenburg. While almost 150,000 animals had to be killed in two large laying hen farms in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the Cloppenburg district in Lower Saxony ensured that 20,500 turkeys were culled, as ZDF reported.

As the spread continues, the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) has increased the risk of further outbreaks to “high”. This means that it remains clear: Even in autumn, when the birds are on their migration route, special measures and caution are required. Vaccines against bird flu are rarely approved in the EU, but there are special vaccines for poultry that are used in France, for example.

Poultry farmers are called upon to be particularly vigilant and to immediately report any abnormalities such as increased deaths to the veterinary office. At a time when bird flu is an increasing threat, community cohesion is crucial to preventing anything worse from happening.