Highly contagious avian flu outbreak leads to culling of 14,000 chickens in Oudemolen
A highly contagious avian flu strain has been detected at a broiler farm in Oudemolen, Noord-Brabant, forcing the culling of 14,000 chickens. Residents and nearby poultry farms face transport bans and testing as authorities work to contain the outbreak.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Oudemolen, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands |
| Affected Farm | Broiler farm with 14,000 chickens |
| Action Taken | Chickens culled on-site (March 21, 2026) |
| 3-km Zone Farms | 2 poultry farms (under testing) |
| 10-km Zone Farms | 8 poultry farms (transport ban in effect) |
| Transport Ban | Poultry, eggs, manure, and related products |
| National Measures | Indoor housing obligation for commercial birds; tightened visit rules |
| Investigation | NVWA tracing high-risk contacts |
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) oversees animal health and disease control in the Netherlands, including responses to avian flu outbreaks. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) enforces these measures to prevent further spread and protect the poultry industry.
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Read the full translated article below
Avian flu confirmed in Oudemolen
Avian flu has been confirmed at a broiler farm with 14,000 chickens in Oudemolen. This involves a highly contagious variant of avian flu. To prevent the spread of the virus, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) has decided to have the broilers culled on-site by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). The broilers were culled on Saturday, March 21. Mayor Moerkerke has spoken to those involved to offer support.
In the 3-kilometre zone around the infected farm in Oudemolen, there are two other poultry farms. These farms are being sampled and tested for avian flu. In addition, there are eight other poultry farms within the 10-kilometre zone around this farm. A transport ban is in effect for this zone. For more information Rijksoverheid External link.
Transport ban
A transport ban is now in effect for poultry farms within a 10-kilometre zone around the avian flu-infected farm in Oudemolen. The transport ban applies to poultry, eggs, poultry manure and used litter, as well as other animals and animal products from farms with commercially kept poultry. For more information Rijksoverheid External link.
National measures
Since 16 October 2025, a nationwide indoor housing and biosecurity obligation has been in place in the Netherlands. The indoor housing obligation applies to all commercially kept birds. The biosecurity obligation applies to non-commercially kept high-risk birds (e.g., hobby chickens).
Since 26 November 2025, the national ban on visiting bird enclosures that are part of a facility with commercially kept birds has been tightened. Visits to these facilities are only permitted if the visit is necessary for public health, animal health, animal welfare or the health of people present in the shed.
Tracing investigation
The NVWA is conducting a tracing investigation into high-risk contacts. This involves examining whether products or poultry were transported to or from this location in the period prior to the report. If necessary, additional measures will follow, such as extra sampling or blocking a high-risk contact farm. These measures will be announced via an update in this press release and through the online channels of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN).