Avian influenza of the H5N1 strain has been detected in a commercial duck breeding flock in the moshav of Sde Ya'akov in the Jezreel Valley, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry said. It is the first confirmed case of bird flu in commercial poultry facilities in the current 2025–2026 season.
The outbreak was identified after unusual mortality was recorded at the farm, which houses about 2,000 ducks aged 41 weeks. Samples sent to ministry laboratories confirmed the presence of the virus. Veterinary services declared a quarantine zone with a radius of 10 kilometers (6 miles) around the affected site.
The ministry said it is acting in accordance with guidelines set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) to prevent the spread of the disease. Measures include restrictions on the movement of poultry, a ban on restocking coops within the quarantine zone and the enforcement of strict biosecurity requirements. Active monitoring is continuing at all poultry facilities in the area.
The ministry warned that avian influenza poses a risk to egg-producing farms and urged owners of backyard poultry, ornamental birds and free-range flocks to keep birds indoors and prevent contact with open areas, reducing the risk of infection from wild birds during the migration season.
During the previous flu season in 2024–2025, the ministry handled 16 outbreaks of avian influenza in commercial poultry facilities. Multiple cases were recorded in Nahalal, Tzora, Maayan Zvi and Kfar Vitkin, along with single outbreaks in Ram-On, Alonim, Emek Hefer, Mishmar HaEmek and Hibat Zion.
The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry emphasized that poultry meat and eggs should be purchased only from regulated retail outlets. Eggs must be properly labeled and packaged, and consumers should eat eggs and poultry products only after thorough cooking, baking or frying to avoid health risks.