News item | 14-10-2022 | 22:03
Bird flu was diagnosed at a broiler farm in Blija (municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân, province of Friesland). To prevent the virus from spreading, the approximately 80,000 broilers at the location are culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
This company in Blija was culled earlier in January 2022 due to a bird flu infection. Within a zone of 1 kilometer there is 1 other poultry farm, which is currently empty due to an earlier infection with bird flu at the beginning of September 2022. Within 3 kilometers are 3 other poultry farms. These companies are examined for bird flu by the NVWA. There are 9 other poultry companies in the 10 kilometer zone. The transport ban applies immediately 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 shielding obligation applies to keepers of zoos, petting zoos and owners of hobby birds – insofar as this concerns gallinaceous/chickens, waterfowl and ratites. The obligation to shield 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).