News item | 07-10-2022 | 20:42
Bird flu was diagnosed at a laying hen farm in Wildervank (municipality of Veendam, province of Groningen). It is probably a highly pathogenic variant. To prevent the virus from spreading, the approximately 27,000 laying hens at the location are culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
There is 1 poultry farm in the 1-kilometre zone around the infected farm and 7 other poultry farms are located in the 3-kilometre zone, of which 6 have no animals in the barn at the moment. Both companies in the 1 and 3 kilometer zone are screened by the NVWA for bird flu. In addition, these farms are intensively monitored for 14 days for symptoms of disease that may indicate bird flu.
There are 27 other poultry farms in the 10-kilometre zone around the infected farm. Due to previous infections in this region, a transport ban already applies in this area.
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, rules apply to hunting. For example, in this area it is prohibited to hunt ducks or to hunt in areas where this could disturb waterfowl. Where exactly this is can be seen on the animal disease viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
National measures
Since October 5, 2022, the national confinement and screening obligation has been in force. The confinement obligation applies to keepers of commercially kept birds. The protection obligation applies to keepers of zoos, petting zoos and owners of hobby birds – insofar as this concerns gallinaceous/chickens, waterfowl and ratites. The shielding obligation means that these keepers are obliged to shield the said animals in order to prevent the birds as much as possible from coming into contact with sick wild birds or their droppings. This can be done, for example, by keeping the animals in an aviary. on the website of the NVWA you can find more information about how this can best be done.
Traceability Investigation
As usual, in the context of the contamination at this location, a tracing investigation is carried out into high-risk contacts. If necessary, additional measures will be taken in response to the results of the investigation. Any 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).