News item | 01-12-2025 | 19:44
In Hierden (municipality of Harderwijk, province of Gelderland), bird flu has been detected at a duck breeding farm. To prevent the spread of the virus, the approximately 10,000 animals at the location are being culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
There are 2 other poultry farms in the 1-kilometer zone. These companies are sampled for the presence of the bird flu virus and intensively monitored for 14 days. There are no other poultry farms within the 3-kilometer zone. There are 13 poultry farms in the 10-kilometer zone. The 10-kilometer zone partly overlaps with the restriction area that was established on November 30 in connection with a contamination in Zeewolde.
Transport ban
A transport ban applies immediately in the entire 10-kilometer zone. This means that no birds, hatching eggs and/or eggs for consumption may be transported from locations with birds in this zone. There is also a ban on the disposal of bird manure and used litter. Animals other than birds and their products may be transported to and from locations with birds, provided this is done in accordance with the strict conditions of the hygiene protocol.
These measures are necessary to prevent spread to other parts of the country. Where these measures apply can be seen on the animal disease viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
National measures
Since October 16, 2025, there has been a national cage and shielding obligation in the Netherlands. The cage requirement applies to all commercially kept birds. The shielding obligation applies to non-commercially kept risk birds (for example chickens kept as a hobby).
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).