Bird flu outbreak strikes again: Israel's northern turkey farm faces second wave
In a recent development, Israel has reported a second outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu strain this season, affecting a commercial turkey farm in Moshav Nahalal, located in the northern region of the country. This outbreak has impacted 8,000 turkeys, posing a significant challenge to the poultry industry.
The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry of Israel revealed that this incident follows a previous bird flu outbreak in early January at a duck breeding site in Sadeh Yaakov, approximately 5 km from Nahalal. The ministry has taken swift action by implementing a 10-km quarantine zone around the affected area, urging bird owners to keep their flocks indoors, especially ornamental birds, backyard poultry, and free-range birds. The public is advised to purchase poultry and eggs only from regulated retailers to prevent further spread.
The ministry emphasized that turkeys are particularly sensitive to the virus, and an infection in a commercial coop can lead to rapid mortality, affecting the entire farm within a few hours. This highlights the critical need for proactive measures to control and contain the outbreak.
In 2025, Israel experienced 16 bird flu outbreaks, with Moshav Nahalal being the site of four of them. The H5N1 virus, as explained by the World Health Organization, is a subtype of the influenza virus that can infect both birds and mammals, including humans in rare cases. Migratory birds are identified as the primary vectors for the virus, and contact with infected wild birds can trigger outbreaks in commercial poultry operations.
This recent outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by bird flu and the importance of implementing robust preventive measures to safeguard the poultry industry and public health.
