News item | 02-12-2025 | 18:22
In Weert, province of Limburg, bird flu has been diagnosed at a breeding center for flamingos and cranes. To prevent the spread of the virus, approximately 120 flamingos and cranes are being culled from enclosures where animals have tested positive for bird flu. The animals susceptible to bird flu in the other enclosures are intensively monitored by the NVWA.
There are 3 other poultry farms in the 1-kilometer zone. There are 8 other poultry farms within the 3-kilometer zone. These companies are screened for the presence of the bird flu virus and intensively monitored for 14 days. There are 95 poultry farms in the 10-kilometer zone.
In total, there are more birds present that are susceptible to bird flu. Under European regulations, it is possible to deviate from the obligation to cull all animals at a contaminated location if it concerns animals of high cultural or educational value. In this case, culling all birds present is not proportional. That is why we carefully look at which animals are and are not culled. Birds that are not culled are kept separate and tested again at a later time. All birds present must also be shielded from the public for a period of 3 weeks.
Transport ban
A transport ban applies immediately in the entire 10-kilometer zone. This means that no birds, hatching eggs and/or eggs for consumption may be transported from locations with birds in this zone. There is also a ban on the disposal of bird manure and used litter. Animals other than birds and their products may be transported to and from locations with birds, provided this is done in accordance with the strict conditions of the hygiene protocol. These measures are necessary to prevent spread to other parts of the country. Where exactly this is 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).
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).