News item | 15-11-2023 | 21:27
Bird flu has been diagnosed at a petting zoo in Zaandijk (municipality of Zaanstad). To prevent the spread of the virus, approximately 40 risk birds that pose a risk of spreading the virus are being culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
There are no other poultry farms within the 1 and 3 kilometer zone. There is one broiler farm within the 10-kilometer area. A transport ban applies immediately within that zone. Where exactly this is can be seen on the animal diseases viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
A transport ban applies to all birds and breeding and consumption 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.
Lock-in obligation
Due to two infections in the Netherlands in a short period of time and an increase in infections in the European Union, the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality yesterday reinstated the containment and shielding obligation for the whole of the Netherlands. This 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 and reduce the chance of contact between wild infected birds and kept birds.
In addition, national measures apply, such as a ban on visiting bird habitats of risk birds, unless this is necessary. Risk birds include domesticated gallinaceous birds (such as chickens), waterfowl and flightless birds.
Tracing investigation
In the context of the contamination at this location, a tracing investigation into high-risk contacts is being conducted as usual. If necessary, additional measures will be taken based on 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).