News item | 08-12-2024 | 08:13
In Blija (municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân, province of Friesland), bird flu has been detected on a broiler farm. To prevent the spread of the virus, the more than 63,000 chickens at the location are being culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). This is the second bird flu infection on a poultry farm in the Netherlands this year.
The broilers are housed in three stables. There is another poultry farm in the 1-kilometer zone. This company is sampled for the presence of bird flu virus and intensively monitored for 14 days. Within the 3-kilometer zone there are 2 other poultry farms that are screened by the NVWA. There are 10 poultry farms in the 10-kilometer zone.
Transport ban
A transport ban applies immediately in the entire 10-kilometer zone. This means that poultry and breeding and consumption eggs may not be transported from locations with birds in this zone. There is also a ban on the disposal of bird manure and used litter, and on other animals and animal products from farms with birds. These measures are necessary to prevent spread to other parts of the country.
Where the 10 kilometer zone is located can be seen on the animal disease viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
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).
National measures
There has been a national cage and shielding obligation in the Netherlands since November 20, 2024. The cage obligation applies to all commercially kept birds and the shielding obligation applies to non-commercially kept risk birds (for example chickens kept as a hobby). The shielding and enclosure obligation is an effective preventive measure to prevent new infections, because the chance of contact between wild infected birds and kept birds is reduced. As indicated in the letter to Parliament of November 20, 2024, the animal diseases expert group will meet approximately 4 weeks after the last risk assessment (November 20) for a new risk assessment.