The wave of avian flu that is hitting Italy is not stopping: new outbreaks are added to those already confirmed in recent weeks, forcing health authorities to order mass culling and restriction zones to avoid the spread of the virus. The latest case, in order of time, comes from the province of Brescia, but the emergency now affects several regions of the North.
In the Brescia area, 34 thousand turkeys were killed
The most important outbreak occurred in Seniga, in the province of Brescia, where a turkey farm was hit by the avian influenza virus, forcing the Brescia ATS to issue a culling order for 34 thousand animals.
The area around the infected farm has been declared a protection zone (3 km radius) which also includes the municipalities of Alfianello, Milzano and Pralboino, while a wider surveillance zone extends to Bassano Bresciano, Cigole, Gambara, Gottolengo, Leno, Manerbio, Pavone del Mella, Pontevico, San Gervasio Bresciano and Verolanuova.
The province of Brescia, the heart of the Italian poultry supply chain, is home to over 360 farms and almost 10.4 million animals. A very high-density territory, where every new outbreak risks turning into a real health and economic crisis.
The Ministry’s alert: six outbreaks already confirmed in October
According to an official press release from the Ministry of Health – Department of Animal Health and Ecosystem (One Health) – as of 20 October 2025 in Italy there were already six confirmed outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1.
Here’s where they occurred:
The Ministry also reports that a second Piedmontese farm, located near the first, was already awaiting official confirmation from the National Reference Center for Avian Influenza of Padua. And a second breeding farm in the province of Alessandria was also awaiting official confirmation from the National Reference Center for Avian Influenza (CRN-IA) of Padua.
The epidemiological situation is therefore constantly updated and new outbreaks are reported as checks continue in the area.
Restriction zones and new biosecurity measures
To limit the spread of the virus, the General Directorate of Animal Health has ordered the creation of a Zone of Further Restriction (ZUR) between Veneto and Lombardy, with exceptional measures:
Genetic analyzes conducted by the National Reference Center show that the viruses involved do not coincide with those circulating in Europe during the summer, a sign of new primary introductions, probably due to wild birds. Among the main risk factors identified: proximity to wet areas and poor compliance with biosecurity measures in some factories.
The Ministry reiterated the need to strengthen controls and promptly report any increase in mortality, even minimal, in industrial and domestic poultry houses.
New outbreak also in Emilia-Romagna: 150 chickens killed
On November 2, another outbreak was identified in the Forlì plain, in an area bordering the province of Ravenna.
Here, as reported by the Romagna Local Health Authority, 150 broiler chickens were killed and the plant was seized and disinfected.
The virus identified is not linked to the outbreaks in Northern Italy, and even in this case the most likely origin appears to be wildlife.
Local authorities have started checks on all farms within a 10 km radius, results so far negative.
The role of intensive farming
This autumn’s outbreaks confirm once again how avian influenza is a direct consequence of a livestock system that is too fragile and unbalanced. The extreme density of intensive farming, the continuous circulation of animals and vehicles, and the difficulty in guaranteeing truly effective biosecurity standards create the perfect terrain for the spread of the virus.
When thousands of turkeys or chickens are raised in closed spaces, with recycled air and high stress, it only takes one entry of the virus to turn into an emergency. And the bill is paid not only by the animals – often slaughtered en masse – but also by the farmers and the entire supply chain.
Recurring avian flu epidemics remind us how fragile and unsustainable the current intensive model of animal production is. Reducing the density of farming, promoting systems that are more respectful of animal welfare and orienting food choices towards sustainable and conscious models is not only an ethical issue but also a priority to prevent and contain the spread of avian influenza.
Sources: Giornale di Brescia / Ansa / Ministry of Health
