Bird flu was diagnosed at a broiler farm in Uitwijk on Wednesday. A total of 80,000 chickens have been culled in the Brabant village. The spread of bird flu must be prevented. In this article we answer seven questions about the bird flu outbreak.
What is bird flu?
Bird flu is a highly contagious virus and occurs in almost all bird species. Infected birds become very ill or die due to the virus.
How does bird flu spread?
According to the RIVM, the bird flu virus can spread between animals through direct contact, through the air or through contaminated material such as manure. Wild birds often play an important role, because they carry the virus with them during their migration routes and can thus infect other birds.
Is bird flu dangerous for pets?
The NOS reported last week that eight Dutch young kittens died from bird flu. It is therefore possible that your loyal pet will become ill.
According to the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) you can pay attention to, among other things fever, wheezing, lethargy, eye inflammation and red eyes. It is not yet known exactly which animals are susceptible to bird flu, but the NVWA knows that the virus also occurs in rabbits, ferrets, sheep and goats.
Are you getting sick from bird flu?
The RIVM reports that ‘in rare cases’ bird flu viruses can pass to humans. So this almost never happens. In such a case, there must be close and frequent contact between people and infected animals. If people do become infected, they often do not become ill at all or only slightly. In humans, bird flu feels like a normal winter flu with fever, headache, muscle aches and coughing.
People who have been in contact with birds that have been diagnosed with bird flu in the past 14 days and develop flu-like symptoms should contact the GGD or their GP.
Does the flu shot protect against bird flu?
“No”, is the short answer from the RIVM. A flu shot can ensure that someone does not get the regular flu in addition to bird flu.
What does the virus do to birds?
So-called highly pathogenic bird flu can cause serious illness or death in birds. “Other types of bird flu are mild or even without symptoms. This is called low pathogenic bird flu,” the RIVM explains.
Sick birds can suffer from complaints such as lethargy, diarrhea, eye infections and breathing problems.
Who is affected by the housing obligation?
All farmers, zoos and petting zoos have been obliged to shield their poultry and waterfowl since mid-October. This also applies to owners of hobby birds and chickens. In addition, holding competitions and exhibitions with such animals is currently prohibited.
Can bird flu be transmitted through food?
According to the Nutrition Center, no meat or eggs from infected animals end up in stores. And anyone who happens to eat a piece of contaminated chicken or an egg does not have to worry.
There is so far no evidence that bird flu has been transmitted to humans through eating contaminated foods, such as milk, meat or eggs.