Category: News

By now it is clear that there is an increased mortality in wild birds due to high-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), mainly within populations of black-headed gulls. Halfway through February the DWHC and partner organizations published an article about the signs of this trend ( Read more

At this moment – February 2023 – there are signals of high-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) causing death in black-headed gulls in France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. We want to call on everyone to keep a look-out and to report findings of sick or dead black-headed gulls. Roosts and  breeding colonies,

This winter, the DWHC has received more reports on dead pigeons. These reports came from different parts of the country. Most reports concern wood pigeons, but collared doves and stock pigeons were also reported.

Foto: Femke Koedijk Earlier in december, the DWHC was notified of a European polecat found in a rabbit pen. The polecat was still breathing, and it looked as if the polecat was sleeping next to the dead rabbit (see picture). The polecat died an hour later and was collected for post-mortem examination.

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has confirmed avian influenza H5N1 in two fox cubs found in the province of Groningen.

Since October 2020 The DWHC and Sovon have collected more than 400 dead wild birds to be tested for avian influenza virus at WBVR in Lelystad, The Netherlands.  Most of the collected birds were individuals, because the NVWA deal with the reports of 3 or more dead waterbirds.

Overview of test results of submissions via DWHC and Sovon between October and December 2020

Every week, the NVWA* creates a new map with the locations of dead wild birds that tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) H5N8.

In the undermentioned wild birds is highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 or HPAI  H5N1 confirmed.
This list is based upon reports of the Dutch government to OIE this autumn/winter until November 17.

Update: October 31, 2020
The measures regarding avian influenza (bird flu) are adjusted. The full overview can be found Read more