Austria and Germany are grappling with a sweeping outbreak of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, that has rapidly spread across both wild and domestic bird populations since early September 2025. The situation has triggered sweeping government measures, culling operations, and a wave of concern throughout Europe’s agricultural sector, as authorities scramble to contain the highly contagious H5N1 variant and prevent further devastation.
According to Ukrinform, Austria will implement a high-risk regime starting November 3, 2025, after confirming cases of avian influenza among wild birds in several federal states. The Federal Ministry of Health issued an official notice declaring the entire territory of Austria a high-risk zone after mass outbreaks in neighboring Germany and the first local cases in Carinthia, Lower Austria, and Upper Austria. The first infections in Austria were detected in late September in Carinthia, with further cases emerging in Lower Austria at the start of October. In Upper Austria, the virus was discovered in four dead swans in the city of Enns, underscoring the virus’s reach among wild bird populations.
In response, Austrian authorities have introduced a ban on feeding birds outdoors, a measure that came into effect during the week leading up to November 1. While there is not yet a general requirement to keep all domestic poultry indoors, farms are now required to maximize the isolation of their birds from wild avian carriers. This includes the use of nets or coverings to prevent contact. Additionally, strict protocols for cleaning and disinfecting vehicles, loading sites, and equipment have been mandated to further curb the risk of transmission. Experts are urging constant vigilance and strict adherence to these preventive measures, warning that any lapse could have severe consequences for the country’s livestock sector.
Germany, meanwhile, has been hit even harder by the outbreak. As reported by dpa and other sources, the country has seen avian influenza sweep through commercial poultry farms in 10 out of its 16 federal states since the beginning of September. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), Germany’s leading authority on animal health, stated that a total of 48 farms have reported outbreaks so far, with three new infections confirmed just since October 30. To contain the virus, more than 525,000 animals have been culled at affected farms, a staggering figure that reflects the seriousness of the crisis. In fact, Germany has culled more than half a million birds since September, according to multiple reports.
Lower Saxony has borne the brunt of the outbreak, with 17 poultry farms infected. Brandenburg, which surrounds Berlin, has seen eight farms hit, while Mecklenburg-Vorpommern reported six. The FLI has officially confirmed the H5N1 variant in 248 carcasses of wild birds, though the actual number of deaths is believed to be far higher. In Brandenburg alone, several thousand cranes have perished from the disease, a loss that is both ecologically and emotionally significant for the region.
The highly pathogenic H5N1 strain is notorious for its ability to leap quickly between wild and domestic birds, often with fatal consequences. The virus is circulating widely among wild birds across Europe, with Germany highlighting the extent of its spread. The FLI, through its spokesperson, has urged continued caution, noting that the number of cases could rise further due to the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the outbreak.
To shield domestic flocks from the epidemic, several German states have enacted tough restrictions. Saarland and Hamburg have imposed statewide bans on free-range poultry farming, seeking to prevent the virus from infiltrating breeding, fattening, and domestic poultry stocks. Other states have followed suit with their own regional bans, reflecting the urgency and seriousness of the threat. These restrictions are not taken lightly; for many farmers, the shift from free-range to enclosed systems is both economically and logistically challenging, but authorities insist it’s a necessary sacrifice to protect the broader industry.
The ripple effects of the outbreak are being felt well beyond the farm gates. Experts and officials across Austria and Germany emphasize the critical importance of prevention, containment, and constant monitoring. As one FLI spokesman put it, the situation remains highly dynamic: "Cases could rise further due to the dynamic nature of the outbreak." This sense of uncertainty is echoed by Austrian authorities, who have called on farms to remain vigilant and to implement every possible measure to separate domestic poultry from potential wild bird carriers.
While Austria has stopped short of ordering all poultry to be kept indoors, the government’s new high-risk regime signals just how seriously the threat is being taken. The ban on feeding birds outdoors is seen as a crucial step, as feeding sites often attract large gatherings of both wild and domestic birds, increasing the risk of cross-species transmission. The mandatory cleaning and disinfection protocols for vehicles and equipment are similarly designed to close off potential routes for the virus to spread between farms.
For German farmers, the cost of the outbreak is already immense. More than 525,000 animals have been culled, representing not just a blow to individual businesses but also a potential threat to the country’s food supply and export markets. The psychological toll is also high, with many farmers facing the heartbreak of losing entire flocks and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.
Across the continent, the outbreak is a stark reminder of the challenges posed by zoonotic diseases—those that can jump between animals and, in rare cases, humans. While the current H5N1 strain is primarily a threat to birds, past outbreaks have shown that vigilance is essential to prevent any possibility of wider transmission. The coordinated response by Austrian and German authorities, including bans, heightened surveillance, and strict hygiene measures, reflects lessons learned from previous epidemics and a determination to avoid the devastating consequences seen in earlier years.
With winter approaching, the risk of further spread may only increase as migratory birds travel across Europe, potentially carrying the virus to new regions. Both Austria and Germany are bracing for what could be a long and difficult battle against avian influenza. For now, the message from officials is clear: strict biosecurity, rapid response, and ongoing vigilance are the best defenses against a disease that shows no signs of slowing down.
As the outbreak unfolds, all eyes will remain on the affected regions, where the stakes for farmers, wildlife, and the broader public could hardly be higher.
