Avian influenza in the Göttingen district: crane discovered with virus!

Avian influenza in the Göttingen district: crane discovered with virus!

Avian influenza is currently causing excitement in the Göttingen district. On October 24, 2025, a dead crane in the South Harz area tested positive for the virus. The district administration announced this in a statement. The carcass was recovered by the Veterinary and Consumer Protection Department and handed over to the State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES) for further examination. The current virus variant is considered harmless to humans, but the situation remains serious. “We are monitoring the situation closely and assessing it regularly,” said those responsible. However, confirmation of the virus by the Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI) is still pending, which creates additional uncertainties.

With the spread of bird flu in Germany, which is gaining momentum, especially during the autumn bird migration, thousands of wild birds, including many cranes, have already died in the last few weeks. “Bird flu continues to spread rapidly,” emphasizes Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer, who calls for increased protective measures. In other federal states, such as Baden-Württemberg, 15,000 animals were killed in a poultry farm to prevent larger outbreaks. The situation is worrying for agriculture and damage should be prevented as much as possible. Tagesschau reports that 200,000 farm animals have been killed because of bird flu since the beginning of the year.

Precautions for poultry farmers

The district administration of the Göttingen district is now examining possible protective measures for poultry farming. Poultry farmers are legally obliged to follow strict hygiene rules. The goal? Avoid contact between domestic poultry and wild birds. Areas with high bird migration and high wild bird populations are particularly affected. As the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food explains, strict measures to reduce the risk of infection are essential.

The following applies to the population and domestic animals: Wild birds found dead, such as cranes, geese and swans, should be reported. The report should be made to the Veterinary Department on 0551 525-2493. “Touching dead animals should be absolutely avoided,” advise the experts. Pets should also be kept away.

In this tense situation, it is important to remain calm and heed official information. The FLI has also raised the risk of further outbreaks to “high”, underlining the importance of preventive measures. “We have to look out for each other and protect each other,” is the appeal to all citizens.

The situation remains tense and is being continually assessed by the responsible authorities. Stay informed and help stop the spread of bird flu.