On October 6, the highly pathogenic bird flu was confirmed at a poultry farm in Gasselternijveenschemond in Drenthe. To prevent further spread of the virus, approximately 71,000 animals at that location were culled by the NVWA. A transport ban and a confinement and shielding obligation were also established in the 10-kilometer restriction zone.
On October 13, the Expert Group on Animal Diseases met to conduct a new risk assessment based on the recent outbreak in Gasselternijveenschemond and the available information on outbreaks in other EU member states. The risk of infection for a poultry farm in the Netherlands is now assessed as moderate. This was previously low to moderate. Therefore, the decision follows for a national confinement and shielding obligation and the withdrawal of current exceptions for exhibitions of at-risk birds.
The confinement obligation applies to all commercially kept birds, and the shielding obligation applies to all holders of at-risk birds (chickens, waterfowl, or game birds) and commercially kept pheasants, game birds, or ornamental waterfowl.
This national measure aims to reduce the risk of infection of kept birds, as it decreases the level of contact between kept birds and wild birds. It is a heavy measure for poultry keepers with outdoor access and hobbyists, but the measure is necessary for the prevention of outbreaks. The safety of our animals is paramount.
Stay Alert
In recent years, we have seen that bird flu is very unpredictable. For this reason, the ministry continues to closely monitor the situation. It is important that poultry farmers and holders of other bird species remain alert, observe safety and hygiene measures, and report any suspicions to the NVWA as soon as possible.
