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Red alert: Lower Saxony is threatened with a shortage of poultry and eggs!
Cloppenburg is fighting against the spread of avian influenza: compulsory stables, high losses and scientific measures informed.
Red alert: Lower Saxony is threatened with a shortage of poultry and eggs!
The poultry population in Germany is currently facing a serious challenge. The focus is on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which has reached alarming proportions in recent weeks. Loud Top agricultural The Lower Saxony Poultry Industry Association (NGW) is calling for a nationwide obligation to keep livestock in order to ensure the survival of the animals and the supply of poultry meat and eggs to the population.
In Lower Saxony, where around 106 million poultry animals live - around 62 percent of the total population in Germany - chairman Friedrich-Otto Ripke emphasized the responsibility of animal owners. They have already invested in biosecurity measures to optimize their stables and straw storage against the entry of the virus. But despite these precautions, outbreaks of epidemics cannot be completely ruled out.
Current situation in Germany
Since October 1, 2025, an incredible 16 HPAI outbreaks have been confirmed in various commercial poultry flocks in Germany in just three weeks. A worrying development, as 241,000 animals have now had to be killed to prevent the virus from spreading further. Not only Lower Saxony is affected, but also the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Thuringia, Schleswig-Holstein, Bavaria, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, as well Animal disease information for Lower Saxony reported.
The Cloppenburg and Diepholz districts in particular are affected by the recent HPAI outbreaks. Restriction zones have been set up here to contain the progression of the virus. The risk assessment makes it clear that the risk of HPAIV H5 entries in poultry farms is considered high, especially as the virus continues to circulate worldwide, especially in Asia and North America.
A look into the past
The situation has changed dramatically since September 2025. Previously, there were no known outbreaks from April to August 2025, but 25 detections were recorded in wild birds. The recent surge in HPAI cases is leading to increased alertness among poultry farmers and relevant authorities. Loud FLI From January to September 2025, 9 outbreaks have already been identified in domestic poultry, which further underlines the urgency of the measures.
The disease affects both poultry flocks and wild birds. A study of over 800 birds in 2024 identified 16 HPAI detections. This makes it all the more important to have strict biosecurity measures to ensure that poultry farmers avoid contact with wild birds and closely monitor the health of their animals.
Given these developments, it is crucial that everyone involved pulls together to prevent further losses. A coordinated compulsory housing obligation appears to be essential in order to get the highly pathogenic avian influenza under control and to stabilize the poultry industry in Lower Saxony and beyond.