HPAI found in wild birds and poultry
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.
It is important to remember that bird flu is not found in all bird species and that suspicious behaviour of birds can have multiple explanations. A sick bird is not always infected with bird flu. However, it remains important to report animals for research into bird flu and other possible causes of death. Note: not all reported animals can be collected. We keep closely monitoring the situation regarding bird flu.
Number of reports
A total of 460 dead waterbird were reported to the DWHC and Sovon in October and November 2024, including 89 Eurasian wigeons, 67 European herring gulls, 63 Eurasian woodcocks, 42 Common shelducks, 34 Black-headed gulls, 32 Eurasian teals and 25 Barnacle goose. This shows an increase in the number of reports compared to previous months, but compared to the same period in 2021, 2022 and 2023 it was relatively quiet. At that time 908, 697 and 877 dead waterbirds were reported respectively.
An increase in worrying signals
On November 18th, infection with HPAI had been confirmed on an organic laying hen farm in Putten, Gelderland. To prevent the virus from spreading, the approximately 23,000 chickens at the location were cleared. It was the first outbreak on a poultry farm in the Netherlands since December 2023. At about the same time, there was an outbreak on a farm just across the border near Kleve, Germany as well. This among other things led the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature to decide on November 20th to impose a national obligation to keep commercially kept birds indoors and shielded from the public (“ophokplicht” and “afschermplicht”).
Wild birds
On November 23th and 28th, two sick Barnacle geese were found at Stedum in Groningen and Marrum in Friesland respectively. Both tested positive for HPAI.
Outbreak of bird flu in poultry: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/vogelgriep/nieuws/2024/11/18/vogelgriep-vastgesteld-in-putten
Confinement obligation (‘ophokplicht’):
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/vogelgriep/maatregelen-tegen-vogelgriep
Situation in surrounding countries
An increasing number of cases of HPAI were also detected elsewhere in Europe among both captive and wild birds. In October/November, there were approximately 200 cases at locations with captive birds, and approximately 260 with wild birds. Many reports came from a zone stretching from Poland and Germany to Italy.
More information on the situation abroad: https://eurlaidata.izsvenezie.it/epidemio.php
The upcoming period
The fact that the Netherlands is currently coloured red in the Bird Flu Radar is not surprising based on these events. Our waters and marshes attract large numbers of waterbird every year. Our waters are strategically located along important migration routes and usually just southwest of the frost area in January. Although the autumn migration is now behind us, bird movements can also occur during the winter in response to possible winter weather (‘frost migration’). Alertness in the field will therefore remain of great importance in the coming months.
European bird flu map: https://app.bto.org/mmt/avian_influenza_map/avian_influenza_map.jsp
Please keep reporting
Everyone who has taken the time to report dead birds or send them in for research is very much appreciated. They provide us with indispensable signals about what is going on in nature. Freshly dead birds can be interesting for further research. Reports of sick and dead wild mammals are also appreciated and, depending on the circumstances, can be tested for the presence of the bird flu virus.
To discuss the possibilities, we advise you to contact the Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (dwhc@uu.nl). A report can be made via the reporting form “report a dead animal”: Report a dead animal | Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (DWHC)
V. Caliendo, Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, R. Slaterus, Sovon Vogelonderzoek Nederland
