Bird flu alarm in Hamburg: poultry must be kept in stables from Friday!

Bird flu alarm in Hamburg: poultry must be kept in stables from Friday!

In Hamburg, a stable requirement will be imposed from Friday, October 31, 2025 due to bird flu. The Authority for Justice and Consumer Protection confirmed this to NDR today. This primarily ensures the protection of animals kept in captivity such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and the like. There are currently three cases of bird flu in wild birds and a total of 14 suspected cases registered in Hamburg.

The purpose of the stable requirement is to minimize the risk of infection from wild birds. This is particularly alarming because three dead cranes have already been detected in Hamburg in connection with the spread of the H5N1 virus, which causes bird flu. “The situation in northern Germany is becoming increasingly serious,” explains the authority. Exhibitions and markets with poultry and pigeons are now prohibited throughout the city in order to further contain the spread of the disease.

Bird extinction and risk assessment

Bird flu is spreading not only in Hamburg, but also throughout northern Germany. In Lower Saxony, there could also be a requirement to have stables in the districts. The animal disease is also present all year round in other parts of Germany, particularly due to the autumn migration of birds. In Baden-Württemberg, 15,000 animals have to be killed in a poultry farm, while in the Cloppenburg district, Lower Saxony, 20,500 turkeys were culled.

How ZDF today According to reports, 29 outbreaks in wild birds have already been confirmed across Germany, with an estimated 2,000 cranes having died of the flu. In some federal states, such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, almost 150,000 animals were killed in two large laying hen farms. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) has raised the risk of new outbreaks to “high” and recommends avoiding contact with dead birds.

Vaccinations and precautions

While bird flu does not currently pose a risk to the population, it is still advised to take precautionary measures. According to experts, there is a risk of transmission with a high infection dose, but to date there are no known cases of H5N1 in humans. Even though vaccines against bird flu have not been approved in the EU for a long time, special vaccines for poultry are supported in France. However, the vaccination is subject to strict monitoring measures and is not suitable for all poultry species.

In Hamburg, the Alster swans are brought to their winter quarters as a precaution to protect them from possible infection. The local population is asked to be vigilant and adhere to the authorities' instructions in order to contain the spread of the virus as best as possible. “We all have to work together to protect the animals,” said the responsible authorities.