The Dutch poultry sector is closely following the news about the bird flu outbreak in Heeten. At a hobby farmer, including ducks and swans, 665 animals have been culled today. “As far as is known, it is currently the only outbreak of bird flu in the Netherlands,” says Bart Jan Oplaat of the Dutch Trade Union for Poultry Farmers. “Of course that causes a lot of unrest within our sector.”
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“We do not yet know exactly which variant is involved. It is certain that for the time being a transport ban has been imposed for 36 companies in the perimeter of 10 kilometers around the infected location. The NVWA will inspect all companies within a radius in the coming days. of 3 kilometers for the presence of the virus,” said the shocked union leader.
blood test
“They do this on the basis of blood tests on the animals. In this way the NVWA can determine whether there are more infections. In principle, animals do not have to become ill, but can be carriers of the bird flu virus. going to be cleared.”
“Of course it is a shock for our profession,” explains Oplaat. “We are creating new nature everywhere and that entails enormous risks. The virus always comes from outside. It is brought to us via wild (water) birds.”
Strict protocols apply to commercial poultry farmers, but not to hobby farmers. That does come with a risk, says Oplaat. But forcing hobby farmers to comply with the same protocols, he says, is not workable.
Wild animals
“Usually the risks are greatest in spring and autumn in connection with bird migration, but we now know that wild animals in Poland and Germany are carrying the virus in increasing numbers throughout the year. Of course that also benefits us. land is increasingly at risk, as more and more wild birds overwinter.”
According to Oplaat, migratory birds are not the cause of the bird flu in Heeten. “Previously with young animals that came out of the nest here and grow up and carry it with them. And so now spreading it. We thought we would be off by the summer, but not yet…”
Imposing the transport ban within a radius of ten kilometers will cause considerable damage to the poultry farms in the area. They cannot sell their products at the moment. How long the transport ban will be in force also depends on the degree of contagiousness of the virus found and the number of companies that appear to be infected. “Experience shows that a ban can easily last between three weeks and forty days,” says Oplaat.
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