News item | 18-09-2022 | 21:59
Bird flu was diagnosed at a breeding company for parent stock in Oldekerk (municipality of Westerkwartier, province of Groningen). It is probably a highly pathogenic variant. To prevent the virus from spreading, the total of approximately 38,000 animals are culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
In the 1 kilometer zone around the infected company, there is 1 other company that is vacant. There is also 1 other poultry farm within the 3 kilometer zone. That company is screened for bird flu by the NVWA. There are 13 other poultry farms in the 10 kilometer zone. A transport ban applies to these companies with immediate effect. Oldekerk is located in a region where the regional obligation to shelter and shield is still in full force. Within the 10 kilometer zone, the confinement and screening obligation applies immediately, even where it was not yet in force.
Transport ban
A transport ban applies to all birds and hatching and table eggs from a location with birds. The ban also applies to bird manure and used litter, and to other animals and animal products from poultry farms. In addition, hunting rules apply, for example in this area it is forbidden to hunt ducks or to hunt in areas where this could disturb waterfowl. Look at the current infections on the map in the Animal Disease Viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
National measures
There are still national measures in place, such as a ban on visiting bird roosts of risk birds, unless absolutely necessary. Birds at risk include kept gallinaceous birds (such as chickens), waterfowl and ratites.
In a number of regions, including the region where this infected company is located, the confinement and screening obligation is still in full force. In these regions the house keeping obligation applies to commercially kept birds, these are brought indoors (except pheasants, ornamental waterfowl and ratites). A screening obligation applies to non-commercially kept high-risk birds (fowls/chickens, (ornamental) waterfowl and ratites), for example in zoos, petting zoos and owners of birds and chickens, and for commercially kept pheasants, ornamental waterfowl and ratites. The NVWA website states: more information about the confinement and screening obligation. A ban has also been imposed on the display of poultry, waterfowl and ratites.
Traceability Investigation
In the context of the contamination at this location in Oldekerk, a tracing investigation is being carried out into high-risk contacts, as is usual. If necessary, additional measures are taken in response to the results of the investigation. These possible additional measures will be reported via an update in this press release and via the online channels of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV).