Highly contagious Newcastle disease has been detected at a poultry farm in the Bavarian district of Erding. Veterinary authorities have ordered the culling of approximately 40,000 laying hens to prevent the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, other German states, Thuringia and Rhineland-Palatinate, are reporting new outbreaks of another dangerous poultry disease – avian influenza. Sanitary services are imposing restrictions on farmers.

Disease Detection in Bavaria

The presence of the highly contagious Newcastle disease, also known as avian paramyxovirus, was confirmed at a farm in the Erding district of Bavaria. The decision to cull the entire flock of approximately 40,000 chickens was made on February 26.

Restrictions and Disposal

Protection and surveillance zones have been established around the infected farm. The transport of poultry, eggs, and feed is prohibited. The chickens are being culled and disposed of in accordance with regulations on combating infectious animal diseases.

Parallel Avian Influenza Outbreaks

Independently of the situation in Bavaria, at least 34 new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been confirmed in recent days in backyard and farm poultry in Thuringia and Rhineland-Palatinate.

Risk to Economy and Health

Newcastle disease poses a serious economic threat to the poultry industry, although the virus rarely transmits to humans. Avian influenza also causes significant losses and carries a certain, albeit low, zoonotic risk.

In Germany's Bavaria, veterinary services have ordered the culling of an entire flock of around 40,000 chickens in the Erding district. The reason is the detection of the highly contagious Newcastle disease, also known as avian paramyxovirus. The decision was made on Wednesday, February 26, following laboratory confirmation of the virus's presence. Mandatory zones have been established around the outbreak site: a three-kilometer-radius protection zone and a ten-kilometer-radius surveillance zone. Strict restrictions have been imposed within these zones, including a ban on the movement of poultry, eggs, litter, and feed. The culling and safe disposal of the animals is underway.Newcastle disease, also known as avian paramyxovirus, is a highly contagious viral disease of birds, known since the 1920s. Although the virus rarely infects humans, it causes severe symptoms and high mortality in poultry, resulting in significant economic losses. In many countries, including member states of the European Union, it is subject to mandatory control programs. Almost simultaneously with the situation in Bavaria, other parts of Germany are reporting further cases of another dangerous poultry disease – highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). In Thuringia, new virus outbreaks have been confirmed at several private poultry farms. Local authorities have ordered the culling of infected animals and disinfection of the farms. In Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, as of February 26, a total of 34 cases of avian influenza have been detected since the beginning of the year. Most of these concern small backyard flocks. Veterinary services are urging all poultry farmers to exercise particular biosecurity caution, isolate poultry from wild birds, and immediately report any concerning symptoms, such as sudden drops in egg production, lethargy, or increased mortality. The current outbreaks of both diseases indicate ongoing epizootic tension in the German poultry sector. While Newcastle disease in Europe is subject to eradication programs, avian influenza remains an endemic problem, whose occurrence intensifies seasonally, especially during periods of wild waterfowl migration. The German Ministry of Agriculture emphasizes that meat and eggs from commercial production remain safe for consumers, as they come from strictly controlled, closed farms, and all products undergo rigorous veterinary checks. However, the scale of the current interventions shows how fragile supply chain stability can be in the face of sudden biological threats.40 000 — Laying hens to be culled in Erding