Germany, Portugal report new bird flu outbreaks
Cases involve H5N1 detections in poultry farms in northern Germany and near Lisbon, Portugal
EUROPE – Germany is reporting a new case of highly pathogenic bird flu in the north of the country, according to information released by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
The incident involves the H5N1 strain, which was identified on a farm in the town of Schenefeld in northern Germany.
Authorities confirmed that the virus was detected among 2,800 laying hens, with 100 birds dying as a result of the infection.
The WOAH said the information was provided by the German veterinary authorities, who are monitoring the situation closely.
The outbreak in Germany comes as European nations face a seasonal rise in avian influenza cases, a trend that has previously had severe consequences for poultry production.
Over the past years, bird flu has repeatedly disrupted the poultry sector across multiple regions, reducing supplies, putting pressure on food prices, and raising concern over possible human transmission.
At the same time, Portugal has reported a separate outbreak of the H5N1 virus in the town of Samora Correia near Lisbon, the WOAH said in its update.
The Portuguese case was confirmed on a farm with 257,650 fattening ducks, where 1,011 birds have died since the detection.
Reports from the Portuguese authorities indicate that veterinary teams have already identified the extent of the outbreak and notified the international animal health body.
Both developments underline the continuing challenges European poultry farmers face in containing bird flu as the colder months encourage the spread of the virus.
The poultry industry remains on alert, as recurring outbreaks not only affect food supply but also have ripple effects on trade and public health monitoring.
While the current cases are limited to farms, the H5N1 virus continues to attract close attention from governments and health bodies worldwide due to its potential to spread beyond bird populations.
The WOAH is expected to continue publishing updates as member states share information on outbreaks, with Germany and Portugal now among the latest countries to be affected this season.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
