Avian influenza has been detected at a laying hen farm in Helden (municipality of Peel en Maas, Limburg province). To prevent the spread of the virus, approximately 85,000 animals at the location are being culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
There is no other poultry farm within the 1-kilometer zone. Within the 3-kilometer zone, there is 1 other poultry farm being screened by the NVWA. Within the 10-kilometer zone, there are 43 poultry farms. Part of the 10-kilometer zone falls on German territory; the German authorities have been informed.
Transport Ban
A transport ban applies immediately throughout the entire 10-kilometer zone. This means that no poultry or hatching and consumption eggs may be transported from locations with birds in this zone. There is also a ban on the removal of manure from birds and used litter, as well as other animals and animal products from farms with birds. These measures are necessary to prevent spread to other parts of the country. 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 Rijksoverheid 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.
