News item | 01-30-2026 | 13:31
In Wadenoijen (municipality of Tiel, province of Gelderland), bird flu has been detected at an animal trade with approximately 325 birds and several other mammals. To prevent the spread of the virus, the infected animals are culled from the location by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
A large number of bird species are kept at the location. Under European regulations, it is possible to deviate from the obligation to cull all birds at a contaminated location if it concerns animals with a high genetic, cultural or educational value or if animals are kept that are threatened with extinction. In this case, culling all birds present is not proportional. That is why we carefully look at which animals are and are not culled. Birds that are not culled are kept separate and tested again at a later time.
A containment zone is established around the contaminated location. There are 10 commercial poultry farms in the entire 10 km containment zone around the contaminated site. A number of these companies are also located in the restriction zone around Kesteren (January 2026).
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. These measures are necessary to prevent spread to other parts of the country. 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.
You can see where the 10-kilometer zone is located the animal disease viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
National measures
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).
Since November 26, 2025, the national ban on visiting bird roosts that are part of an establishment with commercially kept birds has been tightened. Visits to these establishments are only permitted if the visit is necessary for public health, animal health, animal welfare or the health of persons present in the stable.
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).
