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Bird flu alarm signals: First outbreak in the Vechta district!
An outbreak of H5N1 bird flu was detected in turkeys in the Vechta district, which led to extensive biosecurity measures.
Bird flu alarm signals: First outbreak in the Vechta district!
There is currently alarming news from the Vechta district in northern Germany: the first officially confirmed outbreak of bird flu in a farm poultry population was announced on Sunday. The suspicion of the dreaded avian influenza arose on Friday when some turkeys in a fattening farm with around 14,600 turkey roosters showed symptoms. A rapid test showed a positive result for the virus, which was identified in the virus strain group “HPAI H5N1”. The official veterinarian at the Vechta Veterinary Office then examined the business, which was immediately temporarily closed.
The affected turkeys must now be killed, and the responsibility for the killing measures lies with the Society for Epidemic Prevention (GESEVO-GSV GmbH), which began killing the animals on Sunday afternoon. The district has also issued a general animal health order to curb the spread of avian influenza. This includes the establishment of restriction zones: a protection zone with a radius of three kilometers and a monitoring zone of ten kilometers around the affected stock.
Wild birds under pressure
The situation is not isolated, as bird flu has been spreading in Germany since September 2025. What is particularly striking is the high mortality rate in cranes, which is probably due to the H5N1 virus. According to reports, over 1,000 cranes died in Brandenburg, further increasing concerns about the population of these sensitive birds. There are similar developments throughout Germany, with numerous animals also having to be culled in North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg - a total of over 19,000 in North Rhine-Westphalia and more than 9,000 in Brandenburg.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture has therefore even requested an increase in EU compensation payments for affected animal owners in order to cushion the financial losses. But it's not just poultry farms that are affected; Since a citizen's telephone was set up in the Diepholz district, there have been over 140 reports of dead wild birds, including numerous cranes and other species.
Security measures and education
In order to minimize the risk of infection, strict safety measures are required: protection and surveillance zones are set up, disinfection protocols are mandatory and contact between wild birds and poultry must be prevented at all costs. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute warns of an increased risk of infection, especially during bird migration. Virologist Martin Beer expects the disease to spread further, but at the same time calls for the all-clear when it comes to caring for people; The risk of human-to-human transmission is currently considered to be extremely low.
The public is still advised not to touch dead or sick birds and, if in doubt, to inform the responsible district. The risks are not only an issue for the affected companies, but also affect the local wildlife.
In summary, bird flu is becoming a serious threat to animal husbandry and wild wing populations in the region and beyond. The coming weeks will be crucial to control the spread of this virus and potentially prevent it from spreading to other poultry flocks. While farmers must respond carefully to the loss of their stocks, the hope remains that strict measures and education can prevent further penetration of the disease into other areas.
For more detailed information on the outbreaks and current developments, visit reports from OM Online, Deutschlandfunk and Friedrich Loeffler Institute.