News report | 27-01-2026 | 08:57
Avian influenza has been detected at a petting zoo in Alphen aan den Rijn (province of South Holland) with 73 birds. To prevent the spread of the virus, the infected birds on site are culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
Various types of birds are present at the location. Under European regulations, it is possible to deviate from the obligation to cull all birds at an infected location if they have high genetic, cultural, or educational value. There are 26 chickens of a rare breed present; these are not killed. These chickens are housed separately and will be retested at a later time. Culling all birds present is not proportional in this case.
Within the 1 and 3 km restriction zones around this infected location, there are no poultry farms. Within the 10 km restriction zone, there are two commercial poultry farms.
Transport Ban
A transport ban applies immediately throughout the entire 10-kilometer zone. This means that no birds, hatching eggs, and/or consumption eggs may be transported from locations with birds in this zone. A ban also applies to the removal of manure from birds and used litter. These measures are necessary to prevent spread to other parts of the country. Other animals 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 disease viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
Read the full report on the Government website.
For questions about the culling, journalists can contact the NVWA press team at (088) 22 33 700.
For questions about avian influenza policy, journalists can contact the spokespersons of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature.