In the Dachau district of Bavaria, authorities have reported an outbreak of avian influenza, also known as bird flu or Geflügelpest, at a chicken farm in Wiedenzhausen, located in the municipality of Sulzemoos. Several chickens were found dead, prompting the veterinary office to investigate. The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut confirmed the presence of the H5N1 subtype of the virus, which poses a significant threat as it can spread easily among bird populations. Previously, cases of the virus had already been detected in wild birds in the district in late 2025.

In response to the outbreak, the Dachau district office has taken immediate action by implementing legally mandated measures. This includes the establishment of a three-kilometer quarantine zone around the infected farm and a ten-kilometer surveillance zone, where strict rules are in place. Within these zones, all poultry must be kept indoors, and transportation of poultry products, including eggs, has been temporarily banned to prevent further spread of the virus. These measures impact the local poultry industry significantly.

The outbreak affects approximately 400 poultry farms in the region, housing around 120,000 birds, highlighting the widespread implications of such diseases on agriculture. Such incidents not only threaten animal health but can also disrupt food supply and economic stability for farmers in the impacted areas. This situation underscores the importance of monitoring and controlling avian influenza to safeguard both animal and public health.