Drastic measures against bird flu: Meißen district sounds the alarm!

Drastic measures against bird flu: Meißen district sounds the alarm!

Avian influenza, a serious threat to bird farming, is currently causing unrest in Germany. On November 7, 2025, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (subtype H5N1) was detected in a poultry flock in Ebersbach. This event followed a suspected case that had already been declared the day before due to many dead animals in the turkey population. The finding was confirmed by the Friedrich Löffler Institute (FLI) on the evening of November 7, 2025. This now has consequences for animal husbandry in the region, as MeiDresden reports.

In order to prevent the spread of the virus, the food control and veterinary office of the Meißen district has issued two general orders. The first regulates the definition of protection and surveillance zones: a protection zone with a radius of 3 km and a surveillance zone of 10 km around the outbreak operation. Animal-keeping businesses must immediately report to the veterinary office not only the number of birds they have, but also any dead animals.

Stables and bans

The second general decree includes a strict stable requirement for all birds kept in the Meißen district. This means that poultry and other species covered by the regulations must be kept in closed houses or under protective structures. Smaller flocks with fewer than 50 animals are exempt from this obligation, but it is still recommended that the birds be housed safely. In addition, there are bans on events for poultry exhibitions and markets in order to avoid human transmission and further infections.

These measures come against the background of increased risk elsewhere. For example, an outbreak of the same form of the virus was officially detected in the Harburg district on November 1, 2025. The geographical proximity to neighboring districts requires cross-district measures and stringent action against the spread of the virus, as the [district Rotenburg]. ngszone-exclusion zones-and-other-epidemic-control-measures-to-protect-against-avian-influenza-avian-pest–900007445-23700.html) explained.

Be careful with wild birds

Walkers and nature lovers should exercise extreme caution when interacting with wild birds. Anyone who finds dead or sick wild birds is required to report them to the veterinary office and not to touch them themselves. Trained emergency services ensure that the animals are properly disposed of and examined to prevent the virus from spreading further.

It is important to monitor current developments, as avian influenza has repeatedly caused a stir in recent months. In January 2024, 9 outbreaks in domestic poultry were already identified in Germany. This welcome fact is also reflected in the results of a study that shows how serious the situation is: isolation measures and strict hygiene regulations are essential to prevent the spread of this disease, which can cause significant economic losses, as the information from Friedrich Löffler Institute confirm.

For further information or if you have any questions, please contact the Food Inspection and Veterinary Office on 03521 725-3502.