Bird flu: Crane die-off shows first alarming consequences in MV!

Bird flu: Crane die-off shows first alarming consequences in MV!

A dead crane was discovered on a property in a small village on the northern shore of Lake Ticino. This sad event is linked to the spreading H5N1 bird flu, which has already caused 18,000 dead cranes in Germany this year. Regions such as Brandenburg are particularly affected, where over 1,000 cranes died in a bird sanctuary. However, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the location of the most recent discovery, remains somewhat spared compared to other federal states, as nordkurier.de reports.

As a migratory bird, the crane is particularly susceptible to the H5N1 virus. An alarmingly high mortality rate among these birds was recorded in the fall, indicating the spread of the virus via bird migration. It is estimated that up to 10% of Western European migratory birds are affected. In the Rostock district in particular, 105 cranes were found dead, and a total of around 560 of these majestic birds died in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The first case in the region was reported on October 3, 2025

Impact on animal husbandry

The H5N1 virus not only impacts the crane population, but also causes serious problems in animal breeding. In Germany, 400,000 farm animals, including chickens and ducks, have had to be killed because of the virus since the beginning of October after outbreaks were detected in poultry farms. Strict hygiene measures, protection and surveillance zones are intended to defuse the situation. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture is also calling for the EU to increase financial compensation for the affected companies from 50 to 110 euros per valuable animal.

Extensive safety measures are required to contain bird flu, including the closure of affected populations for 21 days and the implementation of protection zones with a radius of three kilometers. Livestock farmers must ensure that contact between wild birds and their poultry is prevented. NABU asks the population not to touch dead or sick birds themselves and to immediately report them to the veterinary office, as deutschlandfunk.de points out.

Long-term perspectives

The long-term effects of bird flu on the crane population are currently uncertain. While experts report that the crane population overall is resilient and able to recover from these threats, the risk of new infections remains high. In addition, there are currently no uniform strategies from the veterinary offices, which leads to confusion and overwhelm. Suggestions for improvement include, among other things, providing protective clothing and setting up a crisis team.

With over 2,000 cranes already dead in Germany, the need for action is clear. The population and farmers must work together to contain the spread of the H5N1 virus and prevent loss of cranes and livestock. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute is monitoring the spread and expects a further increase in cases among wild birds.

Although transmission of the virus to humans is considered extremely unlikely, it is still important to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions. Over 400,000 animals in poultry farms have been and are being killed to combat bird flu to ensure the health of both humans and animals. The initial hope for a quick recovery in the crane population could be repeatedly called into question by ongoing risks in poultry farming, which threatens the future of many animals, as zeit.de reports.