Bird Flu Outbreak Threatens German Poultry Supply & Drives Price Concerns
Berlin, October 27th – A worsening bird flu outbreak across Germany is raising concerns about potential disruptions to poultry supplies and a notable increase in egg prices. Authorities are currently undertaking large-scale culling efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
Robert schmauk, head of the Bavarian poultry industry association, warned on Monday that egg prices could rise by as much as 50%. While he doesn’t anticipate empty supermarket shelves, Schmauk indicated that certain poultry products may become less readily available due to increased demand and reduced supply.
As of Sunday,the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI),Germany’s federal animal health agency,reported that approximately 400,000 poultry – including chickens,ducks,geese,and turkeys – have been culled nationwide across more than 30 commercial farms. FLI head Christa Kuehn stated that further outbreaks and cases are expected.
The eastern states of Mecklenburg-western Pomerania and Brandenburg are currently the hardest hit. Nearly 150,000 laying hens have been culled in two locations within Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and authorities in Brandenburg announced plans to cull an additional 130,000 animals on Sunday.
The FLI has elevated the risk level for poultry farms from “low” to “high,” attributing the surge in infections to the ongoing autumn bird migration season.This year’s outbreak began earlier than usual, and with the peak of migration still to come, the risk of further spread remains considerable.
Wild bird populations are also significantly affected, especially cranes. The FLI reports an “unprecedented level of infections” among cranes in Germany, with volunteers collecting approximately 1,500 dead birds in the Linumer Teichland wetlands in Brandenburg by Saturday.
While some media have labeled cranes as “super spreaders,” Kuehn clarified that while they are highly susceptible and shed significant amounts of the virus, they are not the only source of transmission. Outdoor-raised poultry, like ducks and geese, are especially vulnerable due to potential contact with wild birds, and the virus can also spread via contaminated footwear, vehicles, and equipment.
The Robert Koch Institute,Germany’s public health authority,assures the public that human infection remains rare,occurring only in isolated cases involving close contact with infected birds,such as farm workers. They advise avoiding direct contact with sick or dead wild birds.
This outbreak follows the country’s moast severe bird flu event on record during the 2020-2021 winter season, which resulted in the culling of over two million animals.
