Bavaria in the grip of bird flu: poultry farmers on alert!

Bavaria in the grip of bird flu: poultry farmers on alert!

Concerns about bird flu have increased in Bavaria in recent weeks. The Eichstätt district is particularly affected, where Alexandra Hüttinger looks after a farm with around 3,000 laying hens, geese and ducks. With new cases daily in wild birds, particularly wild geese, swans and wild ducks, she is raising concerns that infected birds could bring the virus into their flock. To minimize the risk, the waterfowl were kept indoors for two days before being released due to dissatisfaction. In contrast, free-range laying hens remain in the barn permanently to protect them.

As the managing director of the Bavarian Poultry Industry Association, Felipe Soto, emphasizes, the reaction of poultry farmers to the situation is of utmost importance. It is crucial to maintain high biosecurity measures. Environment Minister Thorsten Glauber also appeals to poultry farmers in Bavaria and emphasizes that hygiene measures to protect against infection should have the highest priority.

Current situation and protective measures

Four farms in Bavaria are currently affected by bird flu, while the Friedrich Löffler Institute has registered 1,527 cases in wild animals and 142 in kept animals nationwide since the beginning of October (as of November 26, 2025). In Bavaria, 147 cases were reported in wild birds and four in kept animals. The confirmed cases are concentrated in the districts of Dingolfing-Landau, Straubing-Bogen, Fürstenfeldbruck and Unterallgäu.

In order to contain the spread of the virus, there are currently three active protection zones in which the transport of live animals, eggs or fresh meat is prohibited. Particularly in the districts of Starnberg, Passau, Rottal-Inn, Landsberg am Lech and Haßberge, it was also mandatory for poultry to be kept in stables in order to prevent contact between wild birds and farmed poultry. This affects all types of poultry, including chickens, turkeys and ducks.

The background of bird flu

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a disease that can be fatal to birds and is spreading rapidly. However, since the danger to humans is very low, farm animals must be brought into the stable immediately as soon as wild bird deaths are detected. Consumers should not worry about price increases for poultry meat or eggs at the moment, as these are not expected for the time being. The H5N1 virus may have established itself among wild birds and protective measures are considered particularly important.

Overall, Europe has been fighting bird flu for almost 20 years, which poses an increased risk of infection in the autumn and winter months. The most recent reports show virus detections in the Augsburg district in mute swans and a great egret and in the Lindau district in a dead rook. However, the experts in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture estimate that the majority of the bird migration is already over, which could mean some relief for Bavaria.

In any case, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop further. It is crucial for farmers in the region to have a good hand in implementing the necessary measures to ensure the health of their stocks and thus also to ensure exports and security of supply in the region.

Further information on the bird flu situation can be found at BR, dem Bavarian Farmers' Association as well as the Consumer advice center.