Bird flu is spreading unusually early and rapidly in Germany this autumn. Some fear that the consequences could soon also be felt in supermarkets.
Oct 27, 2025, 4:52 p.mOct 27, 2025, 4:52 p.m
Since the beginning of September, 30 outbreaks of bird flu in poultry farms and 73 cases in wild birds have been registered in Germany. More than 500,000 chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys have been affected and killed so far. According to the responsible authority, there is usually an increase in the number of infections at the beginning of November during bird migration.
Cranes are particularly affected.
The numbers are only a snapshot because the situation is currently changing so quickly, said a spokeswoman for the German Press Agency. The data therefore represented the current dimension rather than the absolute numbers. 23 additional suspected cases are currently being examined – 22 in wild birds, one in kept poultry. “More can be expected.”
Cases also in southern Germany
The responsible office reports particularly high numbers of outbreaks of the disease, also known as avian influenza, from Lower Saxony (8), Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (6), Brandenburg (5) and Thuringia (4). But there was also a case in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, which borders Switzerland to the south. Around 150,000 laying hens were culled in two farms in Western Pomerania, and a further 130,000 animals were culled in Märkisch-Oderland in Brandenburg.
When it comes to wild birds, most cases occur in Thuringia (15), Brandenburg (14) and Lower Saxony (12). Cranes are particularly hard hit this fall. In northern Brandenburg, emergency services had to rescue thousands of dead animals from fields. The state investigation office in Rhineland-Palatinate speaks of an “unusual dynamic” – New suspicious activity reports are received every day.
The peak of bird migration is still to come. This means that livestock farmers are still at great risk of bird flu being introduced into their livestock. The companies were warned by the responsible authorities and politicians to strictly adhere to the hygiene measures. To contain the epidemic, protection zones with additional requirements apply in many regions.
Poultry and eggs are hardly more expensive because of the epidemic
Despite mass culling, the poultry industry is not yet expecting any significant price increases. Association President Goldnick said in the ZDF morning magazine, he doesn’t think “that we will have short-term price explosions”. Most of the geese in Germany came from imports, for example from Hungary and Poland. However, if the situation worsens further, the price level could change.
An expert fears that eggs could become more expensive by up to 40 percent. (symbol image)Image: keystone
Robert Schmack, chairman of the Bavarian Poultry Industry Association, was more concerned. He believes an increase in egg prices by up to 40 percent is possible – a pack of ten could then cost around 3.50 euros instead of 2.50 euros. A limited product selection in stores is also to be expected, he said on Bayerischer Rundfunk.
An outbreak can threaten the existence of individual companies. “Bird flu is the fate of the industry”says Georg Heitlinger, farmer and chairman of the Baden-Württemberg Poultry Industry Association. In Öllingen (Alb-Donau district), around 15,000 animals were culled after a suspected case was confirmed.
Also transferable to humans
In principle, the virus can also be transmitted to humans at high infection doses. According to the Robert Koch Institute, no human case of H5N1 has yet been reported in Germany.
To contain the virus, the authority advises avoiding resting areas, not touching dead birds and not bringing contaminated objects such as shoes or equipment into animal enclosures. Scavengers such as crows or birds of prey could also carry the virus. (dpa/chmedia)