Category: Research Results

In August 2024, the Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (DWHC) received the first reports of

Between March 2024 and April 2025, hunters, wildlife managers, and game coordinators could submit blood samples from roe deer to the Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (DWHC). The blood samples were collected for research by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) into areas where the

Since August last year, the number of reports of sick hares with swollen eyes that often appeared blind and collapsed has increased (see https://dwhc.nl/en/2024/11/current-situation-of-the-research-on-hares/). After post-mortem

This message was updated on December 6th, 2024; the map has been replaced by a map with the latest updates.

From July to September 2024 increased disease occurrence and correlating mortality were noticed, especially in blackbirds. Reports to the DWHC and Sovon increased steeply (see also Read more

Since August 1st, the number of reports of sick and dead hares (Lepus europaeus) has increased. These reports are mainly from Gelderland and Overijssel.

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

At the end of January 2024, the DWHC received a report of a dying fox by the roadside in the city Groesbeek, which was picked up by the animal ambulance of Nijmegen. The fox was taken to a veterinarian, who euthanized the suffering animal. The DWHC collected the fox for examination.

In recent years, we have repeatedly faced increased or even massive bird mortality among wild birds as a result of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). However, this was not the case in the first quarter of 2024. Although there were occasional indications that HPAI was still circulating among wild birds,