Jump directly to main navigation Jump directly to content

Animal Disease Situation

Avian Influenza (AI) / Fowl Plague

Information on the current animal disease situation can be found in the respective latest issue of the monthly newsletter Radar Bulletin (in German language).

Avian Influenza (derived from the Latin word avis, bird), colloquially also called bird flu, is an infectious disease caused by viruses whose natural reservoir hosts are wild waterbirds. These viruses occur in two variants (low/highly pathogenic) and different subtypes (H1-16 in combination with N1-9). Low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIV) of the subtypes H5 and H7 cause almost none or only mild symptoms of disease in domestic poultry, particularly ducks and geese. However, these viruses have the capacity to evolve spontaneously into a highly pathogenic form (highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, HPAIV), which then clinically manifests as fowl plague. 

Fowl plague is highly contagious for domestic poultry and causes severe general symptoms of disease. Upon exposure to a high infectious dose, HPAIV, but also some LPAIV, can be transmitted to humans and have the potential to cause fatal human disease.

Messages

Rapid Risk Assessment, 14.03.2024

Between 1 and 29 February 2024, six HPAIV H5 outbreaks were detected in domestic poultry in Germany. The outbreaks affected laying hen farms (2), private chicken farms (2) and two turkey fattening flocks in relation to each other (Table 1, Fig. 1).

HPAIV H5N1 was detected in two "wild turkeys" at Cologne Zoo on 12 February 2024. 

Overall, there was an increase in the number of cases in wild birds (n=63) in February, although the reporting frequency decreased from mid-February onwards. In addition to Schleswig-Holstein (n=44), seven other federal states reported a small number of cases in wild birds (Fig. 1, Table 2). The main species affected were barnacle geese in the Wadden Sea area and occasionally other bird species. The H5N1 subtype was confirmed in all but two cases. H5N5 was detected in a herring gull that died on Sylt and an unidentified gull in Norden (Tab. 2).

A total of six HPAI genotypes have been characterized in Germany since November 2023. Two genotypes (Ger-11-23-N1.3_euDG and Ger-11-23-N1.2_euAB) dominate the situation in poultry farms and wild birds in Germany. Two genotypes (Ger-11-23-N1.1_euDB and Ger-11-23-N1.4_euDA) were only detected in November/December, while two others (Ger-01-24 N1.1_euDJ and Ger-01-24-N1.2_euDO) were only detected once each in January in a wild bird in Schleswig-Holstein and a fox in Baden-Württemberg (see January issue).

No HPAIV H5N1 infections in mammals were reported from Germany for the month of February. 

_______________________
For Download

Rapid Risk Assessment on highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 (HPAI H5) clade 2.3.4.4B, Version of March 14, 2024 (PDF)

Rapid Risk Assessment, 09.02.2024

Between 1 and 31 January 2024, 9 HPAIV H5 outbreaks were detected in domestic poultry in Germany. Affected were laying hen farms (4); private holdings (4) and a turkey fattening flock (Tab. 1, Fig. 1).

A total of 31 cases of HPAIV H5 in wild birds were reported to the German Animal Disease Notification System (TSN) in January. The main species affected were barnacle geese in the Wadden Sea area and occasionally other goose and bird species in Bavaria, Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Hesse and Thuringia (Fig. 1, Table 2). The H5N1 subtype was confirmed in all but one case. On Heligoland, subtype H5N5 was detected in a dead great black-backed gull (Fig. 1, Tab. 2).

A total of four new HPAI genotypes have been detected in Germany since November 2023. The previously dominant genotype (Ger-02-23-N1.1, EU BB) was last detected in September 2023 and has not reappeared since then. The new genotypes each show their own distribution patterns. One genotype (Ger-11-23-N1.1, EU DB) dominated the occurrence in wild birds and poultry until December 2023 and only occurred in the area of the countries on the North Sea coast. The genotype Ger-11-23-N1.4 (EU DA) was only sporadically detected in Germany in November 2023. In December 2023 and January 2024, two genotypes (Ger-11-23-N1.3, EU DG and Ger-11-23-N1.2) dominated events in poultry farms and wild birds in Germany.

In Germany, an HPAIV H5N1 infection was reported in January in a red fox from Karlsruhe, which was killed with disease symptoms on a company premises. 

_______________________
For Download

Rapid Risk Assessment on highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 (HPAI H5) clade 2.3.4.4B, Version of February 09, 2024 (PDF)

Rapid Risk Assessment, 12.01.2024

Between 1 and 31 December 2023, 13 HPAIV H5 outbreaks were detected in domestic poultry in Germany. 

On 31 December 2023, HPAIV H5N1 was detected in Black-necked swans and an Eider duck at Cottbus Zoo (Brandenburg). 

The number of cases in wild birds continued to rise in December. A total of 29 cases of HPAIV H5 in wild birds were reported to the Animal Disease Notification System (TSN). Barnacle geese were particularly affected (n=10) and Grey cranes (n=6) in central and southern Germany (Thuringia, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg) at the beginning of the month (Table 2). The virus detections were distributed throughout Germany (Fig. 1), with six federal states newly affected in December. 

The H5N1 subtype was confirmed in all cases. A total of four new HPAI genotypes have been detected in Germany since November 2023. The previously dominant genotype (Ger-02-23-N1.1, EU BB) was last detected in September and has not reappeared since then. The new genotypes each show their own distribution patterns. One genotype (Ger-11-23-N1.1, EU “DB”) currently appears to dominate in wild birds. Another genotype Ger-11-23-N1.3, EU “DG” has so far only been found in poultry farms. 

No HPAIV infections in mammals were reported from Germany for the month of December.

_______________________
For Download

Rapid Risk Assessment on highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 (HPAI H5) clade 2.3.4.4B, Version of January 12, 2024 (PDF)

Rapid Risk Assessment, 07.12.2023

Between 1 November and 1 December 2023, eight HPAIV H5 outbreaks were detected in domestic poultry in Germany (Tab. 1, Fig. 1). 

The number of cases in wild birds rose again in November. A total of 26 cases of HPAIV H5 in gulls (n=8), ducks (n=6), geese (n=4), cranes (n=4), a bird of prey, and a swan were reported to the Animal Disease Notification System (TSN) (Tab. 2, Fig. 1). The H5N1 subtype was detected in 24 cases. One great black-backed gull from the Wadden Sea was HPAIV H5N5-positive (Tab. 2). 

No HPAIV infections in mammals were reported from Germany for the month of November. Four new HPAI genotypes have been detected in Germany so far in November. 

One genotype, which also circulates in the Netherlands and Denmark, was detected in wild birds and in a poultry farm in Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. Another genotype with a similar distribution pattern was identified in a barnacle goose in Schleswig-Holstein. A third genotype, possibly attributable to these viruses, has so far only been detected in poultry in a private farm in Schleswig-Holstein and a turkey farm in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The fourth new genotype was detected in a breeding flock in Thuringia and a crane in Hamburg.

_______________________
Zum Download

Rapid Risk Assessment on highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 (HPAI H5) clade 2.3.4.4B, December 7, 2023 (PDF)

Rapid Risk Assessment, 15.11.2023

No outbreaks of HPAIV H5 in domestic poultry or captive birds were detected in Germany between 1 and 31 October 2023.
The number of cases in wild birds continued to fall significantly in October. A total of three HPAIV H5 cases in gulls from Lower Saxony were reported to the Animal Disease Notification System (TSN) (Table 1).

_______________________
Zum Download

Rapid Risk Assessment on highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 (HPAI H5) clade 2.3.4.4B, November 15, 2023 (PDF)

Rapid Risk Assessment, 25.10.2023

No HPAIV H5 outbreaks have been detected in domestic poultry or captive birds in Germany between 01 and 30 September 2023.  The number of cases in wild birds has continued to decline. A total of ten HPAIV H5 cases were reported to the Animal Disease Notification System (TSN). Nine of the ten cases involved wild birds from the coastal federal states of Lower Saxony (n=7) and Schleswig-Holstein (n=2), and one case came from Saxony. Affected wild birds were gulls (n=6), birds of prey (n=2), a cormorant and a swan (Tab.1). 

_______________________
Zum Download

Rapid Risk Assessment on highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 (HPAI H5) clade 2.3.4.4B, October 25, 2023 (PDF)

Rapid Risk Assessment, 25.09.2023

Between 1 July and 31 August 2023, an HPAI H5N1 outbreak was detected in geese in the north of the district of Schleswig-Flensburg in Schleswig-Holstein in Germany on 7 July, which is presumably due to an entry by wild birds.  As expected, the number of cases in wild birds decreased in July (n=83) and August (n=17). Most cases were reported from the coastal federal states of Lower Saxony (n=56), Schleswig-Holstein (n=17) and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (n=8), followed by North Rhine-Westphalia (n=8), Saxony (n=4), Bavaria, Berlin, and Hamburg (2 each) and Saxony-Anhalt (n=1) (Tab. 1, Fig. 1). Similar to the previous months, the reports most frequently concerned gulls (n=45) and terns (n=42), birds of prey (n=2) and only occasionally alcids (n=2), wild geese (n=2) and gannet (n=1) (Tab.1). 

_______________________
Zum Download

Rapid Risk Assessment on highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 (HPAI H5) clade 2.3.4.4B, September 25, 2023 (PDF)

Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza H5N1: Infected cats in Poland

To the short message

Rapid Risk Assessment, 13.07.2023

No further HPAI outbreaks in poultry or kept birds were detected in Germany between 1 and 30 June 2023.
Case numbers in wild birds remain high, with a total of 151 HPAIV H5 cases recorded in wild birds in June (193 in the previous month). Most cases were reported from Schleswig-Holstein (n=34), followed by Lower Saxony (n=26), Bavaria (n=24), Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (n=22), and Brandenburg (n=20) (Tab. 1, Fig. 1). Similar to previous months, the reports most frequently concerned gulls (n=63) followed by terns (n=48), guillemots (n=23), and only occasionally birds of prey (n=4), owls (n=2), ducks (n=4), geese (n=5) and gannets (n=2) (Tab.1). 

_______________________
Zum Download

Rapid Risk Assessment on highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 (HPAI H5) clade 2.3.4.4B : Update for the period 1. to 30. June 2023 (PDF)

Rapid Risk Assessment, 13.06.2023

Between 1 and 31 May 2023, 2 HPAI outbreaks were detected in poultry in Germany (Table 1). In one case, the outbreaks affected a broiler farm in the district of Regensburg (Bavaria) with 61,000 birds and a holding with just under 5,000 chickens in the district of Vorpommern-Greifswald (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania; Fig. 1). These outbreaks were caused by the HPAIV subtype H5N1. 

_______________________
For Download

Rapid Risk Assessment on highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 (HPAI H5) clade 2.3.4.4B : Update for the period 1. to 31. May 2023 (PDF)

Rapid Risk Assessment, 10.05.2023

Between 01 and 30 April 2023, 3 HPAI outbreaks were detected in poultry in Germany (Table 1). The outbreaks affected two private mixed holdings, including a small holding, in Jerichow, Saxony-Anhalt, where chickens and ducks were affected, as well as a turkey fattening farm with approx. 9,000 birds (Schwäbisch Hall district, Baden-Württemberg) (Tab. 1, Fig. 1). All outbreaks were caused by the HPAIV subtype H5N1.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, HPAIV H5N1 was detected in a juvenile crane in a zoo in Rheine on 13 April 2023.

_______________________
For Download

Rapid Risk Assessment on highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 (HPAI H5) clade 2.3.4.4B : Update for the period 1. to 30. April 2023 (PDF)

Rapid Risk Assessment, 14.04.2023

Between 1 March and 5 April 2023, seven HPAI outbreaks in poultry including non-commercial poultry holdings were reported in Germany (Tab. 1). The outbreaks affected three small mixed farms and two turkey fattening farms with approx. 20,000 birds each (Parchim district, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Ansbach district, Bavaria) and two laying hen farms with 11,400 (Dithmarschen district, Schleswig-Holstein) and 800 hens (Cochem-Zell district, Rhineland-Palatinate; Tab. 1, Fig. 1). All outbreaks were caused by HPAIV subtype H5N1 and occurred between 1 and 19 March 2023; no further outbreaks have been reported in poultry in Germany since then.

In Baden-Wuerttemberg, HPAIV H5N1 was detected on 6 Mar 2023 in two Nandus in the Walldorf Zoo, Rhein-Neckar district.

_______________________
For Download

Rapid Risk Assessment on highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 (HPAI H5) clade 2.3.4.4B : Update for the period 1 February to 14 April 2023 (PDF)

Rapid Risk Assessment, 13.03.2023

Between 1 February and 6 March 2023, 16 HPAI outbreaks in poultry including non-commercial poultry holdings were reported in Germany (Tab. 1). The outbreaks were distributed across the whole of Germany and affected both small holdings and large laying hen farms (n=3, in the districts of Emsland, Ostholstein and Paderborn) and one turkey fattening farm in the district of Cuxhaven (Tab. 1, Fig. 1). All outbreaks were caused by the HPAIV subtype H5N1.

_______________________
For Download

Rapid Risk Assessment on highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 (HPAI H5) clade 2.3.4.4B : Update for the period 1 February to 6 March 2023 (PDF)

Risikoeinschätzung, 08.02.2023

Vom 01.01. bis 06.02.2023 wurden in Deutschland 19 HPAI-Ausbrüche bei Geflügel einschließlich nicht gewerblicher Geflügel-Haltungen gemeldet (Tab. 1). Neben kleineren Mischhaltungen waren ein Mastentenbetrieb mit 70.000 Tieren in Bayern, sowie vier Putenmastbetriebe zwischen 8.000 und 15.000 Tieren in Niedersachsen (2x Landkreis Cloppenburg), Sachsen-Anhalt und Mecklenburg-Vorpommern betroffen (Abb. 1). Alle Ausbrüche wurden vom HPAIV Subtyp H5N1 verursacht.

_______________________
Zum Download

Ungekürzte Risikoeinschätzung zur Hochpathogenen Aviären Influenza H5 (HPAI H5) Klade 2.3.4.4B, Stand 08.02.2023 (PDF)

Risikoeinschätzung, 09.01.2023

Vom 01.12.2022 bis 06.01.2023 wurden in Deutschland 74 HPAI-Ausbrüche bei Geflügel einschließlich nicht gewerblicher Geflügel-Haltungen gemeldet. Die meisten Ausbrüche sind auf Verschleppungen von Betrieb zu Betrieb durch Geflügelausstellungen zurück zu führen. Alle Ausbrüche wurden vom Subtyp H5N1 verursacht. Mit Ausnahme des Saarlands sind mittlerweile alle Bundesländer betroffen.

_______________________
Zum Download

Ungekürzte Risikoeinschätzung zur Hochpathogenen Aviären Influenza H5 (HPAI H5) Klade 2.3.4.4B, Stand 09.01.2023 (PDF)

Risikoeinschätzung, 09.12.2022

Vom 01.11. bis 08.12.2022 wurden für den November in Deutschland 84 HPAI-Ausbrüche bei Geflügel einschließlich nicht gewerblichen Geflügel-Haltungen gemeldet. Alle Ausbrüche waren vom Subtyp H5N1. Im Vergleich zum Vormonat sind nun auch die Bundesländer Berlin, Brandenburg, Hessen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Sachsen-Anhalt, Sachsen und Thüringen betroffen.

_______________________
Zum Download

Ungekürzte Risikoeinschätzung zur Hochpathogenen Aviären Influenza H5 (HPAI H5) Klade 2.3.4.4B, Stand 09.12.2022 (PDF)

Steigende Fallzahlen bei Geflügelpest durch Geflügelschauen

Zur Kurznachricht

Risikoeinschätzung, 08.07.2022

Seit dem 06.01.2022 wurden in Deutschland 934 HPAIV-H5N1-infizierte Wildvögel und 31 Ausbrüche bei Geflügel und gehaltenen Vögeln gemeldet. Trotz eines deutlichen Rückgangs im Laufe des Frühjahrs 2022 erfolgen nach wie vor Nachweise von HPAIV H5N1 an den Küsten Deutschlands und Europas mit existenziell bedrohlichen Populationseinbrüchen bei koloniebrütenden Seevögeln. Ein weiteres Zirkulieren könnte zu einer enzootischen Situation und somit zu einem ganzjährigen Infektionsrisiko für Wildvögel, Geflügel und Säugetiere führen. Das Risiko einer Ausbreitung von HPAIV H5 bei Wildvögeln in Deutschland wird in der Küstenregion weiterhin als hoch eingestuft. Das Risiko eines Eintrags in Geflügelhaltungen und Vogelbeständen wird in diesen Regionen als hoch, ansonsten als gering eingestuft. Biosicherheit in den Geflügelhaltungen sollte weiterhin überprüft und optimiert werden.

_______________________
Zum Download

Ungekürzte Risikoeinschätzung zum Auftreten von HPAIV H5 in Deutschland, Stand 08.07.2022 (PDF)

Rapid Risk Assessment, 10.01.2022

Germany and Europe experienced the most severe avian influenza epizootic to date between 30 October 2020 and April 2021. Despite a significant decrease in cases and outbreaks during the spring of 2021, detections of HPAIV H5 in waterfowl and raptors occurred throughout the summer, mainly in the Nordic countries of Europe. Since mid-October 2021, hundreds of HPAIV-infected wild birds have again been reported from at least twelve federal states, as well as more than 50 outbreaks in poultry and captive birds from numerous federal states. The risk of HPAIV H5 spreading in wild birds and being transmitted to poultry and captive birds in Germany is still estimated high. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that biosecurity measures in poultry holdings be maintained at a high level and, if necessary, further improved.

_______________________
For Download

Full-length Rapid Risk Assessment HPAIV H5 in Germany, Version January 10, 2022 (PDF, barrier-free)

Risikoeinschätzung, 26.10.2021

Deutschland und Europa erlebte zwischen dem 30.10.2020 und April 2021 die bisher schwerste Geflügelpest-Epizootie. Trotz eines deutlichen Rückgangs von Fällen und Ausbrüchen im Laufe des Frühjahrs 2021 erfolgten Nachweise von HPAIV H5 bei Wasser- und Greifvögeln über den Sommer hinweg vor allem in den nordischen Ländern Europas. Seit Mitte Oktober 2021 gibt es in Deutschland wieder vermehrt Funde von HPAIV-infizierten Wildvögeln in Schleswig-Holstein, Niedersachsen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern und Bayern sowie erste Einträge bei Geflügel und gehaltenen Vögeln. Das Risiko einer Ausbreitung von HPAIV H5 bei Wildvögeln sowie einer Übertragung auf Geflügel und gehaltene Vögel in Deutschland wird als hoch eingestuft. Es wird dringend empfohlen, Biosicherheitsmaßnahmen in den Geflügelhaltungen zu überprüfen und, wenn nötig, zu verbessern.

_______________________
Zum Download

Ungekürzte Risikoeinschätzung zum Auftreten von HPAIV H5 in Deutschland, Stand 26.10.2021 (PDF, barrierefrei)

Risikoeinschätzung, 13.09.2021

Deutschland und Europa erlebte zwischen dem 30.10.2020 und April 2021 die bisher schwerste Geflügelpestepizootie. Während die letzten sporadischen Ausbrüche bei Geflügel in Deutschland am 25.06.2021 und in Europa am 06.09.2021 festgestellt wurden, erfolgten Nachweise von HPAIV H5 bei (brütenden) Wasser- und Greifvögeln über den Sommer hinweg konstant vor allem in den nordischen Ländern Europas. Dies zeigt, dass im Gegensatz zu früheren Einträgen das Geschehen nicht vollständig zum Erliegen gekommen ist. Daher wird das Risiko eines erneuten Auftretens von HPAIV H5 in Europa und Deutschland im Laufe der Herbstmonate insgesamt als hoch eingestuft. Es wird dringend empfohlen, Überwachungsmaßnahmen hinsichtlich toter oder kranker Wildvögel weiter zu intensivieren und Biosicherheitsmaßnahmen in den Geflügelbetrieben erneut zu überprüfen und gegebenenfalls zu verbessern.

_______________________
Zum Download

Ungekürzte Risikoeinschätzung zum Auftreten von HPAIV H5 in Deutschland, Stand 13.09.2021 (PDF, barrierefrei)

Risikoeinschätzung, 22.06.2021

In Deutschland sind seit dem 30.10.2020 über 1.350 HPAIV H5-Fälle bei Wildvögeln und 257 HPAIV H5-Ausbrüche bei Geflügel, davon sechs bei gehaltenen Vögeln (u.a. Tierpark), festgestellt worden. Außerdem meldeten 19 europäische Länder neue Ausbrüche bzw. Wildvogelfälle von HPAIV des Subtyps H5. In Deutschland wurde zuletzt am 27.05. ein Ausbruch bei Geflügel gemeldet. Das Risiko der Ausbreitung in Wasservogelpopulationen und des Eintrags in Geflügelhaltungen und Vogelbeständen wird, je nach Region, als gering bis mäßig eingestuft. Es ist von einem geringen Eintragsrisiko durch Verschleppung des Virus zwischen Geflügelhaltungen innerhalb Deutschlands auszugehen. Vorsicht ist beim innergemeinschaftlichem Verbringen in Bezug auf Länder mit derzeit aktiven Geschehen angezeigt (Tab. 4). Biosicherheit in den Geflügelhaltungen sollte weiterhin überprüft und optimiert werden.

_______________________
Zum Download

Ungekürzte Risikoeinschätzung zum Auftreten von HPAIV H5 in Deutschland, Stand 22.06.2021 (PDF, barrierefrei)

Rapid Risk Assessment, 26.04.2021

In Germany, around 1,200 HPAIV H5 cases in wild birds and 245 outbreaks in poultry and captive birds have been detected since 30. October 2020, six of them in captive birds. In addition, 20 European countries reported new outbreaks of HPAIV subtype H5 in captive birds and wild birds. However, in Germany, a reduction in the number of new outbreaks and cases has been observed in recent days. The risk of spread in waterfowl populations and disease introduction in poultry farms and captive birds is now considered to be moderate. Equally, there is a moderate risk of introduction of HPAIV subtype H5 through virus spread between poultry farms within Germany. Trade with live poultry, including movements between EU member states with high trade volumes, continues to carry a high risk. Biosecurity measures in poultry holdings should be reviewed and optimized where possible. 

_______________________
For Download

Rapid Risk Assessment HPAIV H5 in Germany, Version April 26, 2021 (PDF, barrier-free)

Rapid Risk Assessment, 25.03.2021

In Germany, around 1,000 HPAIV H5 cases in wild birds and 133 outbreaks in poultry and captive birds have been detected since 30. October 2020. In addition, many European countries continue to report outbreaks of HPAIV subtype H5 in captive birds and wild birds. The risk of spread in waterfowl populations and disease introduction in poultry farms and bird populations (e.g. zoological institutions) is considered high. Currently, there is a high risk of introduction of HPAIV subtype H5 through virus spread between poultry farms (secondary outbreaks). Utmost caution is indicated in (mobile) trade with live poultry. Biosecurity measures in poultry holdings should be reviewed and optimized where possible.

_______________________
For Download

Full-length Rapid Risk Assessment HPAIV H5 in Germany, Version March 25, 2021 (PDF, barrierefrei)

Rapid Risk Assessment, 22.02.2021

In Germany, more than 650 HPAIV H5 cases in wild birds, 66 outbreaks in poultry and captive birds have been detected since 30. October 2020. In addition, 25 Euro-pean countries reported wild bird cases or outbreaks of HPAIV subtype H5 in captive birds. The risk of spread in waterfowl populations and disease introduction in poul-try farms and bird populations (e.g. zoological institutions) is considered high. In areas with a high density of poultry farms, there is a high risk of introduction of HPAIV subtype H5 through virus spread between poultry farms (secondary out-breaks). Surveillance measures with regard to dead or sick wild birds should be in-tensified without delay and biosecurity in poultry holdings should be reviewed and optimized.

_______________________
For Download

Full-length Rapid Risk Assessment HPAIV H5 in Germany, Version February 22, 2021 (PDF, barrier-free)

Rapid Risk Assessments, 16.02.2021

In Germany, more than 600 HPAIV H5 cases in wild birds, 59 outbreaks in poultry and captive birds have been detected since 30. October 2020. In addition, 25 European countries reported wild bird cases or outbreaks of HPAIV subtype H5 in captive birds. The risk of spread in waterfowl populations and disease introduction in poultry farms and bird populations (e.g. zoological institutions) is considered high. In areas with a high density of poultry farms, there is a high risk of introduction of HPAIV subtype H5 through virus spread between poultry farms (secondary outbreaks). Surveillance measures with regard to dead or sick wild birds should be intensified without delay and biosecurity in poultry holdings should be reviewed and optimized. 

_______________________
For Download

Full-length Rapid Risk Assessment HPAIV H5 in Germany, Version February 16, 2021 (PDF, barrier-free)