News item | 05-07-2022 | 19:38
Bird flu was diagnosed on a small-scale farm in Watergang (province of North Holland). It is probably a highly pathogenic variant. To prevent the virus from spreading, the approximately 550 ornamental chickens and waterfowl at the location are culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
There are no other poultry farms in the area of 1 kilometre, the 3 kilometer and 10 kilometer zone around the infected farm. Zoo Artis is located in the 10km area. The measures have no consequences for visitors to the zoo. The transport ban for this zone is effective immediately.
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 prohibited to hunt ducks or to hunt in areas where this could disturb waterfowl.
National measures
National measures still apply, 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 there is also still an obligation to keep and shield in full. The confinement obligation applies to commercially kept birds, these are brought indoors (except pheasants, ornamental waterfowl and ratites). For 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, a shielding obligation applies. on the website of the NVWA you can find more information about how this can best be done. A ban has also been imposed on the display of poultry, waterfowl and ratites.
Tracking Investigation
In the context of the contamination at the Watergang location, a tracing investigation is carried out into high-risk contacts, as is usual. If necessary, additional measures will be taken in response to the results of the investigation. Any additional measures will be reported in an update in this press release and via the online channels of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.