Crane with bird flu in Rottweil: Alarm for poultry farmers!

Crane with bird flu in Rottweil: Alarm for poultry farmers!

In the Rottweil district, a crane found infected with the dreaded H5N1 virus is causing worry lines. How swp.de reported, the affected bird was discovered near Neufra. However, the district administrator has given the all-clear because there are currently no poultry farms in the area that are exposed to an immediate risk of infection.

The discovery comes in a worrying context: H5N1 bird flu has been spreading in Germany since October 2025, particularly affecting the bird migration season. Deutschlandfunk reports high mortality among cranes, with dramatic figures from Brandenburg, where over 1,000 cranes died in a bird sanctuary.

Biosecurity measures urgently needed

To prevent further spread, agro-food safety measures were recommended. Poultry farmers in Baden-Württemberg are required to adhere to strict biosecurity measures. These include, among other things, avoiding contact between kept animals and wild birds and only entering animal holdings with specific clothing. Washing your hands and keeping away from people outside the company are other important points. The veterinary office is instructed to report sick animals immediately.

The situation is particularly delicate for the cranes, because the migratory birds now have to deal with the virus on their way to wintering areas in France, Spain and North Africa. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute has classified the risk of spread as high and provides information about the dangers to wild birds and the risks to farm animals in the affected regions.

Low health risk for people

However, the risk of infection for the general population is considered to be very low. Swp.de highlights that no human infections have been detected in Germany to date. Authorities emphasize that the public is urged not to touch dead or sick birds in the nearby area to avoid any risk.

The H5N1 virus has been circulating since 2016 and although it poses a threat to poultry flocks, the prospects of direct transmission to humans are limited. Experts believe a pandemic is unlikely, which is why preventative measures and monitoring of wild birds remain a central element in combating the current situation.

The situation remains tense and everyone involved is called upon to be vigilant and to notify the veterinary office immediately if they observe sick birds. Only by acting quickly can the spread of bird flu be effectively contained.