Netherlands records first bird flu outbreak in a year

In Putten (Gelderland province) in the Netherlands, the first outbreak of avian influenza since December 2023 has been detected on an organic farm for laying hens. This is reported on November 18 on the website of the country's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature.

To prevent the spread of the virus, the Dutch Food and Consumer Products Safety Authority slaughtered about 23,000 chickens.

"I can imagine what a heavy blow this is for poultry farmers. We are taking appropriate measures and are closely monitoring the situation," the country's agriculture minister Femke Marie Wiersma is quoted as saying on the website.

It is specified that there are 13 poultry farms at a distance of 3 km from the hotbed zone, where inspections are being carried out. The ministry also added that in the 10-kilometer zone there is a ban on transport, according to which birds and eggs can not be taken from the farm.

"These measures are necessary to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of the country", - added in the Ministry.

Earlier, on October 30, it became known that outbreaks of influenza diseases among poultry in the European Union (EU) countries may lead to a viral epidemic. Citing data from the World Health Organization (WHO), journalists reported that bird flu has covered 64 poultry farms in European countries since the beginning of the migration season on August 1. The flu has been particularly active in eastern Europe. Humans and other mammalian species, including dairy cattle and pigs, could also become infected. There are fears that the virus, as a result of mutation, will become easily transmissible between humans, triggering a pandemic.

Earlier, on September 27, Russian virologists expressed fears that avian and swine flu can overcome the interspecies barrier, threatening humans. Experts emphasized that citizens can protect themselves from influenza viruses by timely vaccination.