News item | 26-11-2025 | 07:15
Bird flu has been detected on a laying hen farm in Helden (municipality of Peel en Maas, province of Limburg). To prevent the spread of the virus, the approximately 85,000 animals at the location are being culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
There are no other poultry farms in the 1-kilometre zone. There is 1 other poultry farm within the 3-kilometer zone that is screened by the NVWA. There are 43 poultry farms in the 10-kilometer zone. Part of the 10-kilometer zone falls on German territory, the German authorities have been informed about this.
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).