News item | 23-05-2026 | 09:47
In Marrum (municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân, province of Friesland) bird flu has been detected on a broiler farm. To prevent the spread of the virus, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature has decided to have the approximately 80,000 animals at the location culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
A restriction zone of 10 kilometers will be established around the infected company, in which there are 11 commercial poultry farms. There is 1 other commercial poultry farm within the 3 kilometer circle around the infected farm.
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. These measures are necessary to prevent spread to other parts of the country. 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. A cage and shielding obligation will also be imposed in the restriction zone.
You can see where the 10-kilometer zone is located the animal disease viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
National measures
On April 21, 2026, the national cage and shielding obligation was withdrawn and only applies in the Gelderse Vallei. This contamination is no reason to reintroduce a national containment and shielding obligation. The situation is being closely monitored.
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).
