Red alert: Avian influenza hits Oldenburger Münsterland hard!

Red alert: Avian influenza hits Oldenburger Münsterland hard!

Concerns about avian influenza are increasing in Oldenburger Münsterland, with new cases being reported every day. The situation has developed particularly dramatically since the end of October 2025, when the first outbreaks were detected in the Vechta and Cloppenburg districts. On October 24th, a crane with the dangerous H5 virus was detected in Goldenstedt. A short time later, on October 28th, 13,400 turkeys in Garrel and Bösel had to be killed due to the disease. The situation escalated further when a total of 41,000 turkeys were affected in Bösel and Garrel on October 30th, followed by serious losses in Vechta, where 143,150 animals were reported infected on October 31st.

Yesterday, November 4th, the number of affected poultry farms increased dramatically again. In Spreda there were around 175,000 laying hens, while in Bösel 11,400 turkeys were affected. In response to the outbreaks, several districts in Lower Saxony have ordered stables. The obligation to keep stables was introduced in the districts of Vechta, Cloppenburg, Ammerland, Diepholz, Emsland, Oldenburg and seven other cities, with the exception of only small animal husbandries. These measures are intended to help stop the further spread of avian influenza and protect existing populations, reports OM Online.

From avian influenza to bio-based products: a rethink is required

But poultry farmers aren’t the only ones facing challenges. Against the backdrop of avian influenza, the potential that lies in a bio-based economy is also evident. The use of biomass could be a ray of hope here. After an article on PMC There is a great focus on the sustainable use of agricultural products, which can serve as a basis for the production of bio-based products. These products not only enable recycling of waste streams, but also help alleviate environmental damage.

The development of new technologies for implementing biotechnological processes could revolutionize the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients in the future. What is important is the production of the active pharmacological ingredients (APIs), which are mainly manufactured in the USA, Europe, China and India. These ingredients, used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, face challenges due to their environmentally harmful production despite increasing demand. Thanks to microbiological fermentation, a more sustainable solution could open up here, meaning that industry can also benefit from the advantages of bio-based approaches.

Technical center for the development of bio-based products

In addition, innovative research to increase the sustainability of technical products is offered by the Fraunhofer Institute research-intensive services. In the IVV The pilot plant has extensive options available to take bio-based materials into account in product development. From the identification of suitable plant raw materials to the evaluation of the individual process steps - this is where we work on the future of biomass utilization.

These developments can not only provide an answer to the current challenges posed by avian influenza, but also contribute to the creation of new markets and the promotion of locally produced products. The connection between sustainable agriculture and innovative technology is the key to the responsible use of our resources.