An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, known as H5N1, has been detected at a large poultry farm in Kaposvár, located in the southwest part of Hungary. The news was confirmed by the National Food Chain Security Office, signaling a serious animal health incident with potential implications for human health if exposure occurs. Local authorities have moved quickly to contain the spread and to protect nearby farms and communities.
In response to the outbreak, officials ordered the destruction of the entire turkey flock at the facility, totaling thirty nine thousand birds. The goal is to eliminate the source of infection and prevent any further transmission to other poultry farms in the region. The elimination process has been completed, and the farm is now subject to stringent monitoring to ensure the disease does not reappear.
To prevent the spread of the virus, authorities established a protection zone with a radius of three kilometers around the site and a surrounding surveillance zone extending ten kilometers. These measures are in line with standard procedures for avian influenza outbreaks and are designed to monitor poultry farms, wild birds, and any potential points of contact that could sustain transmission pathways.
Ongoing epidemiological investigations aim to identify the origin of the outbreak and to determine whether the virus entered the flock through contact with wild birds, farm equipment, personnel, or other vectors. The investigation is conducted by national veterinary health teams in collaboration with relevant animal health agencies, with a focus on tracing movements and assessing biosecurity practices across the region.
Over the past months, the global health community has continued to monitor outbreaks of avian influenza in various countries. In December, the World Organization for Animal Health reported an incident in Belgium involving a highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. Earlier communications noted infections in different regions, including instances in Israel where the H5N1 strain was identified in turkey populations. These events underscore the ongoing vigilance required to protect poultry industries and to minimize any risk to human health that could arise from close contact with infected birds.
Across several regions, authorities have also considered how outbreaks influence egg prices and poultry supply. In some cases, producers and markets have experienced fluctuations that reflect the impact of disease control measures on production schedules and harvest timelines. The focus remains on rapid containment, transparent reporting, and sustained surveillance to safeguard both animal and human health while supporting the resilience of the food system.