News item | 15-04-2022 | 07:46
In Barneveld (Province of Gelderland) bird flu H5 was diagnosed on a poultry farm with laying hens. It is probably a highly pathogenic variant. To prevent the virus from spreading, the approximately 34,000 chickens on the infected farm are culled.
Seven other poultry farms are located in the 1 kilometer zone around the infected company. These companies are being removed as a precaution to prevent spread to the surrounding companies. The company is located in a poultry-dense area. If preventive culling is not carried out, the contamination in this area can quickly spread to surrounding companies. The clearances are carried out by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
Within the 3 kilometer zone are 19 other poultry farms that are sampled by the NVWA for research into bird flu. In addition, these farms will be intensively monitored over the next 14 days for symptoms of disease that may indicate bird flu.
There are 229 other poultry farms in the 10 kilometer zone, and the transport ban applies to this zone with immediate effect.
Minister Staghouwer: “After a few weeks without bird flu infections, the infection in Barneveld – the heart of the poultry sector – and earlier this week in Lunteren, came as a major setback. The impact is great for the company concerned and the companies in the immediate vicinity, their families, and the many animals that have to be culled. We remain committed to limiting the impact of bird flu, with research into an effective vaccine and strengthening biosecurity measures.”
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.
Because the infected company is located in a poultry dense area – and in order to minimize the risk of further spreading – there is also a transport ban for high-risk birds in the ‘region 10’ Gelderse Vallei Zuid (see the RVO). animal disease viewer for that region). Under strict conditions, an exception applies to transport to slaughter and the transport of day-old chicks.
In addition, additional rules apply to hunting, for example in this area it is forbidden 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.
The national confinement and screening obligation is also still in full force. 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. More information about how this can best be done can be found on the NVWA website. A ban has also been imposed on the display of poultry, waterfowl and ratites.
Tracking Investigation
In the context of the contamination at the location in Barneveld, 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.