Germany is currently facing an unprecedented outbreak of bird flu spreading rapidly among wild birds and poultry, according to the Friedrich-Loeffler Institute (FLI), the country’s leading research center for animal health.
The institute, based in Greifswald in northeastern Germany, reported a sharp surge in infections among poultry farms throughout October, prompting it to raise the risk level from “low” to “high” for both domestic flocks and wild bird populations.
🔍 Mass Bird Deaths Reported in Several Regions
Authorities in eastern Germany have reported alarming die-offs of cranes, with more than 100 dead birds found last week near Lake Kelbra, on the border between Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.
Dozens more were discovered over the weekend near Lake Müritz in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, according to local reports.
Laboratory tests have confirmed suspected cases of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus (HPAIV) in samples collected from multiple states, including Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia.
⚠️ Experts Warn of Wider Spread
FLI experts cautioned that the virus could continue to spread extensively in the coming weeks, noting that not only cranes but also other wild waterfowl such as ducks and geese may become infected — often showing milder symptoms due to partial immunity developed from previous outbreaks.
Known also as the “avian plague,” bird flu is an extremely contagious and often fatal disease among many bird species.
However, scientists reassured that the current strains do not pose a significant threat to humans at this stage.
