Bird flu found in fox

On January 11, 2025, a fox showing neurological symptoms was found in Hoofddorp. The animal remained in the same place and turned in circles. The animal could no longer be saved and thus was euthanized. The fox showed symptoms that are similar to birds infected with bird flu. It was therefore decided to have the dead fox tested in the laboratory of Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR). Their research showed that this fox was infected with bird flu, the highly pathogenic H5N1 variant.

This is the first wild mammal since February 2024 to test positive for bird flu.

Bird flu in mammals

In addition to birds, mammals can also be infected with bird flu. Carnivores and scavengers have the chance of becoming infected with bird flu by eating infected wild birds. The areas where bird flu has been detected in wild birds are recorded on the NVWA distribution map.

Cleaning up and reporting sick or dead animals

Animal carcasses are usually left in nature, after which scavengers eat the carcasses. The scavengers that eat carcasses infected with bird flu can also become infected themselves.

The NVWA has created two manuals for cleaning up carcasses: one for cleaning up wild mammals, and one for cleaning up wild birds.

You can report scavengers with abnormal neurological behaviour before death to the NVWA by calling 045 – 546 31 88.

If you want to report a dead wild animal for research into bird flu, please fill in our form. Based on this, you may be contacted about sending the animal in for research. You can also report dead wild birds and mammals via the Bird Flu app, which will then be visible on the bird flu dashboard.