Authorities in Germany have reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 on a farm in eastern Saxony close to the border with the Czech Republic.  The case was diagnosed in Muldenhammer affecting a small flock of less than 200 birds, presumably multispecies and free range.

Last week, EGG-NEWS reported on an outbreak of H5N1 in a flock of 20,000 birds in Lubusz  Province in Western Poland adjoining the common border with Germany.  In addition, a case of H5N1 was diagnosed in Breznice in Central Bohemia in the Czech Republic.

It is apparent that wild birds are now disseminating H5N1 in Europe with implications for both backyard and commercial egg and poultry meat production with free-range flocks susceptible.

Given that vaccination is an acceptable WOAH adjunct to biosecurity as a method of preventing infection, and the intention of the Netherlands to vaccinate laying hens in high risk areas, it is possible that vaccination will be adopted by other nations especially in eastern Europe.