Archive

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

The last couple of weeks, an above average amount of ill and dead common blackbirds has been reported to the DWHC from all over the Netherlands. A selection of these birds has been examined and tested positive for infection with the Usutu-virus. This virus has caused a higher mortality among common blackbirds

During the breeding seasons of 2022 and 2023, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) caused increased or even mass bird mortality among wild birds in the Netherlands. Certain waterbird species that breed closely together in colonies, such as gulls and terns, were particularly affected. To the relief of bird

On July 6th in Rheinland-Pfalz, near the city Gimbsheim, one sick and one dead wild boar were found. One of these boars was confirmed to be infected with African swine fever by the Friederich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) on July 9th. This area is located on the opposite side of the Rhine from the previously reported

The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris, hereafter referred to as the squirrel) is a protected species in the Netherlands. Research by the Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (DWHC) on dead squirrels has found that trauma is the most common direct cause of death. This trauma can be caused by a fall, but also by collisions or

As in 2023, the beaver (Castor fiber) is the focus species at DWHC in 2024. The choice for the beaver as the focus species is motivated by the desire to receive more dead beavers for research into their cause of death. This allows us to better investigate what health issues beavers may have and to gain more

In early March 2024, a hare (Lepus europaeus) was found in the village Callantsoog, province of North-Holland, with a large growth on its head. The hare was dying. A few months earlier, another dead hare had been found at the same location, but that animal showed no external abnormalities. The dead hare with the

Enetwild is an international European consortium in which research institutions specializing in wildlife and animal diseases collaborate with a large open network of partners, addressing questions posed y the European Food Safety Agency. The management and monitoring of wildlife populations are studied, mainly in

The RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) and the DWHC are repeating their research into tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in 2024. This virus is a zoonosis that is transmitted to humans by ticks. Tick-borne encephalitis is also

Since February 1st 2024, Judith van den Brand has been the new director of the DWHC. She has continued the work of Andrea Gröne who has been the director for 15 years and has played an important role in research into