News | Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (DWHC)

Update bird-flu in the Netherlands

23 December 2016

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 has been making headlines again in Europe since the end of October 2016. The first reports in the Netherlands were of increased death amongst wild tufted ducks and several other species of waterbirds in the Gouwzee and Wolderwijd. Subsequently, high death rates were

Toxoplasmosis in red squirrels, an update

1 December 2016

In the summer and autumn of 2014 hundreds of dead squirrels were reported to the DWHC; observers described them as literally falling dead out of the trees. Investigations carried out by the Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (DWHC) and the Zoogdiervereniging (the Dutch Organisation for Native Mammal Research and

Highly pathogenic H5N8 in waterbirds in the Netherlands

11 November 2016

On the 10th of November Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) reported that the bird flu detected earlier this week in tufted ducks and great crested grebes in the Netherlands belongs to the highly pathogenic H5N8 form of the virus.

Toxoplasmosis in red squirrels; keep reporting dead red squirrels to the DWHC

2 April 2016

The DWHC will continue to monitor the health status, and in particular, the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in the Dutch squirrel population and you can help by reporting finding a dead squirrel via the submission form on our website.

Research into the public health risk posed by raccoon dogs and raccoons to continue in 2016

3 March 2016

Help us by reporting finding a dead raccoon or raccoon dog Raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonides) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) are spotted with increasing frequency around the Eastern border of the Netherlands. Both animals can carry pathogens that can cause disease in humans. For example, raccoon dogs may be

The green finch – DWHC focus species in 2016

26 January 2016

In 2016, the green finch was selected as the focus species of the Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (DWHC) and together with partner organisations we ask you to help us research this common garden bird by reporting findings of dead birds. to the DWHC.

Changes to tularemia testing program in 2016

15 January 2016

Since 2011 all hares submitted to the Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (DWHC) for post-mortem investigation have also been tested for the presence of talremia bacteria by the Central Veterinary Institute (CVI). As of January 1st 2016 the DWHC will no longer be collecting non-fresh (i.e. dead for more than 24 hours)

Grey seals prey on harbour porpoises

23 November 2015

The mystery of the severely wounded harbour porpoises has been solved thanks to researchers working at the University of Utrecht Veterinary School’s Pathology Department in conjunction Imares Wageningen UR and the NIOZ. Microscopic analysis of the bite wounds showed that the porpoises were alive when the

Zoonotic parasites found in raccoon dogs in the Netherlands – results from RIVM study

16 November 2015

As part of research being carried out by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in 2014 the DWHC called on the public to report all findings of dead raccoon dogs. The researchers are investigating the occurrence of several zoonotic parasites (Echinococcus and Trichinella) in raccoon

Common minke whale carcase found on ship’s bow in Rotterdam harbour

9 November 2015

Post-mortem was performed on a common minke whale at the University of Utrecht after it was found dead on the bow of a ship in Rotterdam harbour. The cadaver was relatively fresh suggesting that it had only been picked up by the boat shortly before it arrived at Rotterdam. Provisional findings point towards the

Category: News