News item | 10-11-2025 | 20:05
In Swifterbant (municipality of Dronten, province of Flevoland), bird flu has been detected on a laying hen farm. To prevent the spread of the virus, the approximately 47,000 animals at the location are being culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). There are 16 commercial poultry farms in the 10 km containment zone around the contaminated site.
Transport ban
A transport ban applies immediately in the entire 10-kilometer zone. This means that poultry and breeding and consumption eggs may not be transported from locations with birds in this zone. There is also a ban on the disposal of bird manure and used litter, and on other animals and animal products from farms with birds. These measures are necessary to prevent spread to other parts of the country.
Where the 10 kilometer zone is located can be seen on the animal disease viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
National measures
In the Netherlands, a national cage and shielding obligation has been in force since October 16, 2025. The cage obligation applies to all commercially kept birds and the shielding obligation applies to non-commercially kept risk birds (for example chickens kept as a hobby). Link: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/10/16/landelijke-ophok–en-afschermvuur-vanwege-vogelgriep-instelling.
Tracing investigation
The NVWA carries out tracing research into risky contacts. This investigates whether products or poultry were transported to and from this location in the period prior to the report. If necessary, additional measures will be taken, such as additional sampling or blocking a risky contact company. These measures will be reported via an update in this press release and via the online channels of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN).