H5N8 bird flu strain detected at Dutch poultry farm

23 Feb 2021 --- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) has confirmed another introduction of bird flu at a Dutch poultry farm. It concerns the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain on a laying hen farm in Sint-Oedenrode, the Netherlands.

To prevent the virus from spreading, the farm was culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). 

In the one kilometer zone around the infected farm, there are two other poultry farms that were culled to prevent viral spread. In total, this concerns approximately 132,000 animals.

There are seven other poultry farms in the three kilometer zone, and these farms have been tested negative for bird flu.

In the 10 kilometer zone, there are 26 other poultry farms. In this zone, a transport ban applies. This ban covers poultry, eggs, poultry manure and used bedding, as well as other animals and certain products from commercial poultry companies.

The latest outbreak concerns the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain on a laying hen farm in Sint-Oedenrode, the Netherlands.Bird flu infections on the rise
All current national measures, such as the obligation to house commercially kept poultry, will remain in full force. As of this week, for keepers of laying hens, breeding animals and broilers, a stricter reporting obligation is in place. They must report the loss of animals to the NVWA sooner. This allows bird flu infections to come to light earlier and reduces the risk of spreading.

In addition, zoos, petting zoos and hobby bird owners are required to shield their poultry and waterfowl so that these animals do not come into contact with wild waterfowl and their droppings.

This can be done, for example, by keeping the animals in an aviary or by placing them in a run. Furthermore, a ban has been imposed on the display of ornamental poultry and water birds.

In particular, in the north and west of the Netherlands, sick or dead wild birds are currently being found that test positive for avian flu. 

At the start of the year, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) confirmed the occurrence of multiple bird flu strains at a Dutch poultry farm. The highly pathogenic H5N8 strain was among the identified pathogens on a turkey farm in Moergestel, in the south of the country. 

The H5N1 or H5N5 viruses were also detected in a few birds at the time. In total, this concerned approximately 18,000 animals.

Mark Den Hartog, general secretary of the Netherlands’ poultry meat association NEPLUVI, explains that avian viruses have been found across Europe and are not solely a Dutch concern, as they are spread through the migratory patterns of infected wild birds. 

“The outbreaks of avian flu is because the virus has been carried with wild birds from Russia or Kazakhstan. The virus has now been found among many wild birds in all kinds of European countries,” he told FoodIngredientsFirst.

Edited by Elizabeth Green