Early bird flu surge across Europe sparks fears of new poultry crisis

Bird flu Europe 2025 — Health authorities across Europe are sounding the alarm as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) spreads faster and wider than in any early season over the past decade.

The European Surveillance for Animal Health (ESA) confirmed 56 outbreaks across 10 EU countries and the UK between August and mid-October — the highest number of early detections in at least ten years.

Major poultry producers Poland, Spain, and Germany have been hardest hit, raising concerns about potential mass culls, food price increases, and export restrictions if infections continue to rise.

Countries order poultry indoors

Since the ESA’s latest report, Belgium and Slovakia have each reported their first cases of the season, prompting Belgium to order all poultry to be kept indoors. France followed suit this week after confirming two new outbreaks, moving earlier than in past years to contain the virus.

“All these cases in Europe show that the virus is far from gone,” said Yann Nedelec, director of France’s poultry industry group Anvol.

France steps up duck vaccination campaign

France, one of the continent’s top poultry producers, has launched its third annual nationwide vaccination campaign for farm ducks — the first such program among major exporters. Officials credit the campaign with significantly reducing the scale of previous outbreaks.

Last year’s epidemic forced the culling of tens of millions of birds across Europe, disrupting egg and poultry markets. By comparison, this year’s total number of cases remains lower, but the unusually early spread is cause for concern.

In 2022, the EU experienced its worst-ever bird flu crisis, with record losses and widespread supply chain disruptions.

Monitoring the human and animal risk

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the risk to humans remains low, as most infections occur after direct contact with infected animals. However, the agency warns the virus’s increasing spread to mammals — including foxes and sea lions — warrants close monitoring.

“Each mutation that allows the virus to cross species boundaries increases its pandemic potential,” WHO officials said in a recent update.

Global impact and trade risks

The virus has already caused major losses worldwide, with more than 180 million birds culled in the U.S. and additional outbreaks reported in Asia.

Japan confirmed its first case of the 2025 season this week, while Brazil, the world’s largest poultry exporter, has declared itself free of bird flu after successfully containing earlier infections.

The economic impact could be severe if the European outbreak worsens. Poultry and egg prices are still recovering from previous waves, and further culling could trigger supply shortages and export restrictions across global markets.

Looking ahead

Farmers and governments are racing to protect flocks before winter migration peaks. Confined housing orders, active surveillance, and vaccination drives are now in effect in most high-risk regions.

“The virus may have evolved to survive in warmer months,” said one ESA researcher. “If that’s true, this could mark the beginning of a multi-seasonal cycle — something we’ve never seen before in Europe.”

For ongoing updates on global animal health and agricultural trade, visit WTFwire.com Health and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).