Bird flu investigation underway at Emmen zoo amid dead bird findings
Residents and visitors in Emmen should be aware of potential bird flu risks as authorities investigate suspected cases at a local zoo. The area remains closed to the public while animals are monitored, impacting local tourism and animal welfare.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Emmen, Drenthe |
| Authority Involved | Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) |
| Duration of Monitoring | 3 weeks |
| National Measures | Indoor housing obligation for commercial birds, tightened visitor bans |
| Start of National Measures | October 16, 2025 (indoor housing), November 26, 2025 (visitor ban) |
| Zoo Section Status | Closed to the public |
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is responsible for monitoring and controlling animal diseases, including bird flu outbreaks. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature sets national policies to prevent the spread of such diseases, ensuring public and animal health.
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Research into bird flu in Emmen
In Emmen, province of Drenthe, research is being conducted into bird flu at a zoo following indications of the virus in several dead birds.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has not yet confirmed the presence of bird flu in live birds at the zoo. The NVWA will closely monitor the situation in collaboration with the zoo over the coming period. The animals will be monitored for three weeks. The relevant section of the zoo will remain closed to the public during this time.
National measures
Since October 16, 2025, a national indoor housing and biosecurity obligation has been in effect 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 poultry).
Since November 26, 2025, the national ban on visiting bird enclosures has been tightened. Visits to these facilities are only permitted if necessary for public health, animal health, animal welfare, or the health of people present in the stables.
Read the full report on the Rijksoverheid website.
For questions about culling, journalists can contact the NVWA press office at (088) 22 33 700.
For questions about bird flu policy, journalists can contact the spokespersons of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature.