News item | 17-11-2025 | 07:45
Bird flu has been detected on a broiler farm in Opende (municipality of Westerkwartier, province of Groningen). To prevent the virus from spreading, the approximately 56,000 animals at the location are being culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). The location in question is close to the infections identified in Drogeham on November 7 and 14. The set 10 kilometer zones largely overlap.
There are no other poultry farms in the 1-kilometer zone. Within the 3-kilometer zone there are 3 other poultry farms that are screened by the NVWA. There are 29 poultry farms in the 10-kilometer zone.
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 place 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). National cage and shielding obligation imposed due to bird flu | News item | Rijksoverheid.nl
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).