Archive: 2024

In the Netherlands, increased mortality is occurring again in waterbird, birds of prey and scavengers as a result of bird flu. Carnivorous mammals are also affected by bird flu (https://dwhc.nl/bunzing-en-vossen-besmet-met-vogelgriep/).

In recent weeks, there have been increasing indications that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is circulating among wild birds in the Netherlands. A poultry farm was infected as well. There seems to be little evidence of increased bird mortality, but it is important to monitor the situation closely.

This message was updated on December 6th, 2024; the map has been replaced by a map with the latest updates.

On Friday October 25th, a 2.5-year-old cat fell ill with European bat lyssavirus type 1 (EBLV-1). This happened a few weeks after she brough home a bat (https://www.uu.nl/nieuws/kat-besmet-met-european-bat-lyssavirus-1).

The Dutch Wildlife Health Centre has sent out blood sampling kits to game management units/hunters and managers responsible for coordinating found wild animal carcasses via the wildlife management units. In the figure below you can see the locations we received blood samples from. Up until now, 22% of the

Even though reports indicate that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is still circulating in wild birds in the Netherlands, this has not led to an increase in wild bird mortality in over 6 months. However, with the autumn migration of birds new variants of the virus might be introduced that can change the

From July to September 2024 increased disease occurrence and correlating mortality were noticed, especially in blackbirds. Reports to the DWHC and Sovon increased steeply (see also Read more

Since August 1st, the number of reports of sick and dead hares (Lepus europaeus) has increased. These reports are mainly from Gelderland and Overijssel.

At the end of last year, the DWHC received the first reports of stunned and weakened swans that behaved like “zombies”. At first, it was thought that there was a resurgence of bird flu (Avian Influenza, AI) among swans. However, investigation showed that they were not infected with it.

The annual report containing an overview of all activities of the DWHC for 2023 is now available. Click here to view the annual report.