Bird flu confirmed in Zuidwolde and Wildervank

An animal health order has been issued by the Dutch Food and Product Safety Commission NVWA after two new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) were confirmed in the northern villages of Zuidwolde and Wildervank. The order restricts the transportation and mixing of poultry, Dagblad van het Noorden report.

A 3 km protection zone and a 10 km surveillance zone have been placed around each affected facility. 28,000 broilers at the Zuidwolde farm and 15,000 hens at the Wildervank laying farm have been killed by Safety Commission officials to prevent the spread of a contagious viral disease.

New cases of bird flu confirmed in the villages of Drenthe and Groningen have deepened concern for threatened poultry farms in the region.

A bird flu epidemic in the Netherlands about 4 million Domestic and farm birds have been euthanized since the outbreak began last October, government veterinary officers said.