Strikingly many dead seagulls in Nieuwpoort

It also occurs in France and the Netherlands. The virus is not dangerous for humans. In order to contain further spread, Natuurpunt calls on you to report dead and sick gulls. Luc David, West Coast Nature Point: “In France they have already counted 1,000 terns that have lost their lives. In the Netherlands, on Texel, there are already hundreds. It is a virus that has a huge impact on colony animals such as terns, gulls, cormorants, spoonbills. They have their nests close together, which allows the virus to spread quickly.”

In order to map out the problem and to limit the further spread of the virus, it is important to report dead gulls to the Federal Food Agency via the toll-free number 0800/99 777. For sick gulls, there is the Bird Shelter Center in Ostend. .

Luc David, Natuurpunt Westkust: “If you see a gull that doesn’t have too much life in it, you can always contact the Bird Sanctuary Center in Ostend. Either you pick up the seagull with disposable gloves, or you call the VOC and they will send a volunteer to do it themselves. In the VOC they do what they can, but usually they will put the seagull out of its misery.”