Official announcement of the City of Chemnitz dated 31 January 2026
On 31 January 2026, highly pathogenic influenza A virus of subtype H5N1 was detected in two chickens found dead at Chemnitz Zoo. The outbreak of classical avian influenza has thus been officially confirmed.
The zoo's bird population has been barned.
Extensive investigations and disease control measures were initiated as soon as the first suspicion arose on 29 January 2026 to investigate the outbreak and prevent the further spread of the disease. If certain conditions are met, EU law allows exemptions from the requirement to cull the entire bird population of an animal facility affected by avian influenza. The city of Chemnitz would like to make use of these exemptions in order to protect the lives of the zoo animals.
The establishment of restriction zones to combat animal diseases is not currently planned.
The restrictions currently in place for visitors to the zoo must be maintained for as long as the animal disease situation requires. Classical avian influenza is an infection with the highly contagious avian influenza virus (HPAIV). These viruses can infect chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and wild waterfowl and other birds.
Affected wild birds can contribute to the introduction and spread of the disease in domestic poultry flocks or birds kept in human care. Wild waterfowl in particular are often asymptomatic carriers and excretors of the virus.
Infection with the HPAI virus in domestic poultry often leads to the death of the affected animals. The viruses are very easily transmitted and cause immense economic damage to the poultry industry. If avian influenza breaks out in a flock, the animals in the affected flock are usually killed immediately to prevent further spread.
Although humans can in principle contract avian influenza viruses, an infection usually requires very intensive direct contact with the infected animal.
City of Chemnitz
Food Monitoring and Veterinary Office
The official announcement was published on 31 January 2026 in a special electronic official gazette:
