Avian Influenza Detected in Border Area Belgium

In Sint-Gillis-Waas, East Flanders, just over the border in Belgium, avian influenza has been detected at a broiler farm. This outbreak is near a previous outbreak in Sint-Gillis-Waas on February 18. Belgium has established a restriction zone, part of which lies on Dutch territory. Therefore, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) has established a surveillance zone in the adjacent area in the Netherlands, under Hulst in the province of Zeeland. The farm in Belgium will be depopulated.

Due to the outbreak near the Dutch border, part of the 10-kilometer restriction zone is in the Netherlands. This part of the restriction zone almost completely overlaps with the previously established restriction area on February 18, following the earlier infection in Sint-Gillis-Waas. In the new restriction area in the Netherlands, there is one poultry farm, which is also in the earlier restriction area. A transport ban applies within the 10-kilometer area. This means that no poultry and hatching and consumption eggs may be transported from locations with birds in this zone. There is also a ban on the removal of manure from birds and used bedding, and for other animals and animal products coming from farms with birds. These measures are necessary to prevent the spread of the avian influenza virus. The exact location of the area can be viewed on the animal disease viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

Following this infection, Belgium will conduct a tracing investigation into the source and possible risky contacts.