Germany culls nearly one million birds Amid widespread avian flu outbreak
Germany has culled close to one million birds following a major outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1), a highly contagious strain that has affected poultry farms across the country since early September.
According to the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), infections have been confirmed in 66 poultry farms nationwide, prompting large-scale preventive culling to stop the virus from spreading further. Additionally, around 300 wild birds found dead have tested positive for the same virus.
Health authorities warn that the current outbreak resembles the severe 2021 wave, when over two million farm animals were slaughtered after the virus spread to 286 poultry farms, zoos, and private holdings.
“The wave of infections began unusually early in 2025, and it remains to be seen whether it will also decline earlier than in previous years,” an FLI spokesperson stated.
Experts caution that if the virus continues to spread at its current pace, similar numbers of infections and culls could be recorded by the end of the year.
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