Dutch farmers told to keep poultry indoors to limit spread of bird flu
Commercial farms across the Netherlands were ordered to keep all poultry inside after a bird flu case was reported on a layer farm.
27 October 2021
3 minute read
By: According to Reuters and Wageningen University and Research, the case of highly pathogenic H5 bird flu was identified in an organic layer farm in Zeewolde, Flevoland.
Around 36,000 animals on the farm will be culled to limit the spread of the disease, the Netherlands agriculture ministry said.
Dutch animal health authorities have established movement restrictions on poultry farms in the 10km area around the affected farm. The restrictions apply to birds, eggs, poultry manure and litter as well as other animal and animal products from poultry farms. Authorities are also testing poultry farms within a 3km radius of the original outbreak for the virus.
Poultry farmers have been ordered to keep their birds indoors to limit the contagion. Zoos, petting zoos and hobby farmers are required to fence off their poultry and waterfowl to prevent contact between these birds and diseased wild birds or their droppings. A ban also applies to exhibiting poultry and waterfowl.
