Avian Influenza Detected in Border Area of Germany

Avian influenza has been detected in Goch, Kreis Kleve, North Rhine-Westphalia, just across the border in Germany. German authorities have established a protection and surveillance zone that partly extends into the Limburg province of the Netherlands. A surveillance zone was also set up on November 18 by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature due to an earlier outbreak in Goch.

Transport Ban

The restriction zone established due to the avian influenza outbreak in Germany partly extends into the Netherlands. There are no poultry farms in the Dutch part of the 10km zone. A transport ban is immediately in effect within the 10-kilometer area. This means that no poultry, hatching, or consumption eggs may be transported from locations with birds in this zone. There is also a ban on the removal of bird manure and used litter, as well as other animals and animal products from businesses with birds. These measures are necessary to prevent spread to other parts of the country. The exact location of the restriction zone can be seen on the animal disease viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

National Measures

Since October 16, 2025, a national housing and screening obligation applies in the Netherlands. The housing obligation applies to all commercially kept birds. The screening obligation applies to non-commercially kept risk birds (e.g., hobby chickens).