Slovenia confirms first H5N1 case of the year

Slovenia Confirms First H5N1 Case of the Year

Slovenia has reported its first case of H5N1 bird flu this year, according to Reuters. The virus was detected in a dead mute swan near Lake Velenje, roughly 80 kilometers northeast of Ljubljana, the capital city.

The National Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection announced the discovery on its official website. Farmers in the surrounding area are now required to keep their poultry indoors to reduce the risk of further spread.

Resurgence Across Europe

Europe is currently seeing a resurgence of bird flu. Between August and mid-October, 56 outbreaks were recorded across 11 European nations. Most of these occurred in Poland, Spain, and Germany, according to France’s animal health agency ESA.

Belgium and Slovakia also confirmed their first cases of the season last week, marking a broader regional trend of infections reappearing earlier than expected.

“It was detected in a dead mute swan near Lake Velenje, about 80 km northeast of the capital Ljubljana,” reported Slovenia’s National Administration for Food Safety.

Preventive Measures and Monitoring

Authorities have heightened monitoring protocols and advised farmers to follow strict biosecurity guidelines to prevent the virus from entering commercial poultry farms.

Globally, concerns remain that migratory birds may carry the virus through multiple regions during the coming winter months.

Author’s summary: Slovenia confirmed its first H5N1 bird flu case of the year in a swan near Lake Velenje amid rising outbreaks across Europe and tightened biosecurity rules.

The Poultry Site — 2025-11-01