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Red alert in Hesse: bird flu is spreading rapidly!
In the Werra-Meißner district, measures against the H5N1 bird flu take effective protective strategies for poultry farmers.
Red alert in Hesse: bird flu is spreading rapidly!
In Hesse, poultry farmers are worried about their animals. The outbreak of bird flu, more precisely the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1, has already shaken healthy operational structures. The situation is tense and many farmers are looking intently at developments in the coming days. How FFH Reportedly, the first evidence of two mute swans and a great egret has been documented in the Groß-Gerau district. In this context, too, Inga John, the managing director of the Hesse Poultry Industry Association, announced that further evidence can be expected this week.
Since October 25, 2025, the Groß-Gerauer district has been required to have stables for six months. This measure was taken to protect poultry flocks from the highly contagious pathogen. Loud LLH The scientific staff at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) assesses the risk of the entry and spread of HPAI H5 viruses into the waterfowl and poultry populations in Germany as high. This means: caution is advised!
Safe stables for poultry flocks
The obligation to set up stables does not only affect companies in the Groß-Gerauer district. Some poultry farmers in northern Hesse have also been instructed by veterinary offices to bring their animals into the stable. The Hesse Poultry Industry Association, which includes 75 member companies with around 90,000 laying hens, fears significant effects from a possible outbreak of H5N1 in livestock. There is also an enormous need for action for companies that are not organized in the association.
A look at the general recommendations shows that it is important to avoid direct contact with wild birds. This is especially essential in times like these, as the virus no longer only occurs in the cold season, but can also be detected all year round. The FLI highlights that the rapid removal of wild bird carcasses by expert teams is urgently needed to contain the spread of the disease.
A worrying result
The outbreaks of HPAI H5 reported so far and their number are worrying. Between September 1 and October 20, 2025, 15 HPAIV H5N1 outbreaks were detected in poultry in Germany, including chickens, geese, ducks and turkeys in several federal states. FLI deals intensively with the regions that may be affected and provides information about current developments and the situation in Europe and worldwide. This can have far-reaching consequences not only for animal husbandry in Hesse, but also for agriculture as a whole.
Overall, the situation remains tense and poultry farmers in Hesse have to prepare for further challenges. It remains to be hoped that the measures taken will quickly take effect and the situation will soon be defused. Until then: always be careful, have a good hand and make sure that the animals are well protected!