Watch out for bird flu – De Heemsteder

Zandvoort – While we are still dealing with restrictive measures related to the corona virus, the bird flu virus has unfortunately also surfaced in the Netherlands. And because many people now go into nature for a brisk walk, we would like to let you know what you can and should not do if you find a sick or dead bird. Bird flu can be contagious to humans (zoonosis). Until now, the variants identified in birds (H5N8 and H5N1) are not variants with a high risk to humans. There are therefore no infections in humans at the moment. This only happens with direct and intensive contact with infected birds.

How do you recognize bird flu?
Waterfowl that are infected get sick quickly and can die after just a few days. The symptoms are: breathing problems, neck and head turning, not being able to stand or not opening the wings properly. Waterfowl such as ducks, gulls, coots, waders, moorhens, guillemots, swans and geese are particularly affected by the infection of birds. There is a lesser risk for birds of prey and corvids, but they can also be infected. Other birds such as pigeons, small songbirds and woodpeckers are not at risk.

What should you pay attention to?
Because it is sometimes not immediately clear whether the bird is infected or not, the Animal Protection advises not to touch high-risk birds with bare hands. You see one zie­ke of ge­won­de bird from the risk group, call the animal ambulance (088 – 811 36 80). You meet one do­de bird, please contact the special number of the Dutch Wildlife Health Center (DWHC) 030 – 253 7925 (for 1 or 2 birds) or the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) 045 – 546 31 88 (for 3 or more birds). This number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Photo provided by Dierentehuis Kennemerland.

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