Avian influenza detected in Csongrád-Csanád county
In Szentes, Csongrád-Csanád county, the animal health authority confirmed the presence of the virus in turkey flocks numbering 4,800 and 18,800 birds. Suspicion of avian influenza arose due to increased mortality in the flocks. From samples taken from the affected populations, the Nébih laboratory detected the H5N1 subtype of the virus.
The culling of the flocks and the epidemiological investigation are underway, and the authority's experts have designated 3-kilometre protection zones and 10-kilometre surveillance zones around the farms.
In mid-October, the national chief veterinary officer had already ordered mandatory closed housing for commercially kept poultry, while for other poultry holdings (such as backyard flocks), closed feeding and watering of poultry was prescribed.
Nébih again draws the attention of animal keepers to the fact that strict and consistent compliance with disease control regulations is crucial in preventing the introduction of the virus, as
the pathogen is still present in wild birds.
"Farmers must do everything possible to minimise the possibility of direct and indirect contact between poultry and wild birds," Nébih writes.
Information on avian influenza is available on Nébih's continuously updated subpage.
According to ECDC data, Germany had by far the highest number of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) between 6 September and 28 November 2025, as well as in the 2024-2025 epidemiological year that started on 1 October 2024.
In the former period Hungary had 10 cases and a total of 350 cases between 1 October 2024 and 28 November 2025.
Poultry
Between 6 September and 28 November 2025, 368 HPAI outbreaks in poultry were reported in 19 countries in Europe. Germany had the most (138), followed by France (68), the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland) (39), and Italy (24).
During that reporting period, two primary A(H5N1) outbreaks in poultry were reported in Hungary via the Animal Disease Information System (ADIS). The first outbreak was confirmed on 28 October in a commercial establishment keeping ducks for fattening. The second outbreak was confirmed on 11 November in a commercial establishment keeping turkeys for fattening.
Captive birds
Between 6 September and 28 November 2025, 74 HPAI outbreaks in captive birds were reported in 18 countries in Europe. Germany had the most (16), followed by the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland) (10), Czechia (9), France (9), etc. Most outbreaks occurred in non-commercial establishments keeping poultry for hobby purposes. In addition, HPAI outbreaks in captive birds during the current reporting period involved birds kept in wildlife parks (e.g. in Ireland) or zoos (e.g. in the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain), as well as collection (e.g. peacocks, cranes, and ducks) and exhibition birds (Portugal).
Wild birds
During the reporting period from 6 September to 28 November 2025, a total of 2,454 HPAI virus detections in wild birds (with one HPAI virus detection potentially representing a mixed-species outbreak) were reported in 27 countries in Europe. The wild bird species in which HPAI viruses were detected belonged mainly to two orders: Gruiformes (1,132 birds) and Anseriformes (1,118).
The overall number of HPAI virus detections reported in wild birds was 13 times higher than during the previous reporting period (193).
Germany topped the ranking with 1,521 cases, followed by the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland) (193), France (171), and the Netherlands (122). Hungary had eight cases.
Cover photo (for illustration purposes only): Getty Images
