News item | 14-11-2025 | 14:43
In Assendelft (municipality of Zaanstad, province of North Holland), bird flu has been detected at a location with small-scale poultry farming. To prevent the virus from spreading, the approximately 220 birds at the location are being culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). There is 1 commercial poultry farm in the entire 10 km restriction zone around the infected location.
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
Since October 16, 2025, there has been a national cage and shielding obligation in the Netherlands. The cage requirement applies to all commercially kept birds. The shielding obligation applies to non-commercially kept risk birds (for example chickens kept as a hobby).
Traceability research
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).