Avian Flu: Many Hessian Districts Lift Poultry Ban - H5N1 avian flu outbreak triggers mass culling of 19,000 chickens in Hesse
A poultry farm in Hungen, Central Hesse, is facing a confirmed outbreak of avian flu. Authorities in the Gießen district ordered the culling of around 19,000 chickens after tests detected the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. Movement restrictions and indoor confinement rules have now been reinstated in the area to contain the spread.
The outbreak was confirmed on January 16, 2026, at a farm in the Utphe district. The veterinary office of the Gießen district administration immediately issued an emergency culling order for all 19,000 broiler chickens on the site. A three-kilometre protection zone and a ten-kilometre surveillance zone were also established around the affected facility.
The move comes as several other districts in Hesse had recently relaxed their own avian flu measures. Kassel district, the city of Kassel, Frankfurt, and Rheingau-Taunus lifted restrictions on January 14. Earlier in January, Schwalm-Eder, Bergstraße, Marburg-Biedenkopf, Groß-Gerau, Darmstadt-Dieburg, and Werra-Meißner had also ended confinement orders. In December, Main-Taunus, Hochtaunus, Vogelsberg, and Limburg-Weilburg followed suit. Despite the easing of measures elsewhere, the Gießen district administration has now reintroduced strict controls. Poultry and poultry products can no longer be moved freely in the affected zones, and all birds must be kept indoors.
The culling of the flock aims to prevent further spread of the H5N1 virus. Movement restrictions and confinement rules will remain in place until authorities confirm the situation is under control. The outbreak marks a setback after multiple Hessian districts had already lifted similar precautions in recent weeks.
