Avian Influenza Detected in Lottum

The location hosts a wide variety of bird species. According to European regulations, it is possible to deviate from the obligation to cull all animals at an infected location if the animals have high genetic, cultural, or educational value or if they are endangered species. Culling all present birds is not proportional in this case. Therefore, careful consideration is given to which animals will be culled and which will not. Birds that are not culled are kept separately and retested at a later time.

Within the entire 10-kilometer restriction zone around the infected location, there are 29 commercial poultry farms. Some of these farms are also located in the restriction zones around Veulen (December 24, 2025), Ysselsteyn II (December 26, 2025), Ysselsteyn III (December 29, 2025), and Weeze (January 6, 2026).

A transport ban applies immediately throughout the entire 10-kilometer zone.

This means that no birds, hatching eggs, 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. These measures are necessary to prevent spread to other parts of the country. Animals other than birds and their products may be transported to and from locations with birds provided this is done according to the strict conditions of the hygiene protocol.

The location of the 10-kilometer zone can be seen on the animal diseases viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

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

Since November 26, 2025, the national visiting ban has been tightened for bird enclosures that are part of a facility with commercially kept birds. Visits to these facilities are only allowed if necessary for public health, animal health, animal welfare, or the health of persons present in the barn.

The NVWA conducts tracing investigations into risky contacts. This investigates whether products or poultry have been transported to and from this location in the period prior to the report. If necessary, additional measures will follow, such as extra sampling or blocking a risky contact company. 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).