The outbreak of avian influenza among wild birds began in November 2024 and continued in 2025. The virus is still found in wild dead animals in 2026. The DWHC is working together with Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) in the research on avian influenza. The DWHC regularly receives reports of dead wild birds. Some of these birds were suitable for research and were collected and tested for infection with avian influenza at the WBVR. On this page you can follow the latest updates on avian influenza test results in 2026 per month.
July
July 1st until 20th, the DWHC sent 18 dead wild birds to the WBVR for avian influenza testing. Up until now, 2 birds have tested positive: a Greylag Goose and a Mute Swan found in the province of Gelderland. Birds are still being collected and tested. When new test results are in, this page will be updated.
Table: birds collected for avian influenza testing 1-20 July
Figure: results of all birds tested for avian influenza 1-20 July
June
In June, the DWHC sent 61 dead wild birds to the WBVR for avian influenza testing. Up until now, 15 tests came back positive: 13 Greylag Geese, a Black-headed Gull, and one Great Crested Grebe. These birds were found in the provinces of Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, North-Holland, and South-Holland.
Figure: results of all birds tested for avian influenza in June
Table: birds collected for avian influenza testing in June
Distribution map of wild birds tested for bird flu in June
May
In May, the DWHC sent 18 dead wild birds to the WBVR for avian influenza testing. Of these birds, 9 tests came back positive. These birds were found in the provinces of Friesland, Gelderland, North-Holland, and South-Holland.
Figure: results of all birds tested for avian influenza in May
Table: birds collected for avian influenza testing in May
Distribution map of wild birds tested for bird flu in May
April
In April, the DWHC sent 19 dead wild birds to the WBVR for avian influenza testing. Of these birds, 3 tests came back positive: a Barnacle Goose and Greater Canada Goose from the province of South-Holland, and a Eurasian Curlew from Groningen.
Figure: results of all birds tested for avian influenza in April
Table: birds collected for avian influenza testing in April
Distribution map of wild birds tested for bird flu in April 2026
March
In March, the DWHC sent 53 dead wild birds to the WBVR for avian influenza testing. Of these birds 13 tests came back positive: 11 ducks, geese, and swans; 1 other waterbird; 1 bird of prey.
In March, avian influenza was found in poultry farms in the provinces of North-Brabant, Gelderland, and Drenthe. The national government has taken various measures against avian influenza. A nationwide indoor and outdoor screening requirement has been in effect in the Netherlands since October 16th 2025. In the event of a bird flu outbreak in poultry, the government imposes a transport ban to prevent the spread of the virus. Click here for a current overview of the areas where a transport ban is in effect. It is not possible for the DWHC to collect wild birds from these areas for research. For more information about avian influenza in captive animals, visit the Dutch government website.
Figure: results of all birds tested for avian influenza in March
Table: birds collected for avian influenza testing in March
Distribution map of wild birds tested for bird flu in March 2026
Distribution map of reports of dead wild birds in the Netherlands
The DWHC, together with Sovon, Waarneming.nl, and the Bird Flu App, monitors where dead wild birds have been found in the Netherlands. The focus is mainly on bird species at risk for avian influenza, but other bird species are also included. The map below provides a national overview of bird mortality in March.
Additionally, Erasmus MC has found the following positive test results in March:
| Bird species | Location | Province | Status (alive/dead) | Sampling date |
| Barnacle Goose | Ameland | Friesland | Alive | 10-3-2026 |
| Eurasian Teal | Zwaagdijk | North-Holland | Alive | 12-3-2026 |
| Common Buzzard | Oosterkwelweg | North-Holland | Dead | 12-3-2026 |
| Black-headed Gull | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 12-3-2026 |
| Common Gull | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 12-3-2026 |
| Common Gull | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 12-3-2026 |
| Hybrid Caspian Gull x European Herring Gull | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 12-3-2026 |
| Hybrid Caspian Gull x European Herring Gull | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 12-3-2026 |
| Hybrid Caspian Gull x European Herring Gull | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 12-3-2026 |
| Barnacle Goose | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 12-3-2026 |
| Barnacle Goose | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 12-3-2026 |
| European Herring Gull | IJmuiden | North-Holland | Dead | 23-3-2026 |
February
In February, the DWHC sent 77 dead wild birds to the WBVR for avian influenza testing. Of these birds 31 tests came back positive: 15 ducks, geese, and swans; 7 other waterbirds; 8 birds of prey; and 1 other landbird.
In February, avian influenza was found in poultry farms in the provinces of North-Brabant, Gelderland, and Groningen. The national government has taken various measures against avian influenza. A nationwide indoor and outdoor screening requirement has been in effect in the Netherlands since October 16th 2025. In the event of a bird flu outbreak in poultry, the government imposes a transport ban to prevent the spread of the virus. Click here for a current overview of the areas where a transport ban is in effect. It is not possible for the DWHC to collect wild birds from these areas for research. For more information about avian influenza in captive animals, visit the Dutch government website.
Figure: results of all birds tested for avian influenza in February 2026
Table: birds collected for avian influenza testing in February 2026
Distribution map of wild birds tested for bird flu in February 2026
Distribution map of reports of dead wild birds in the Netherlands
The DWHC, together with Sovon, Waarneming.nl, and the Bird Flu App, monitors where dead wild birds have been found in the Netherlands. The focus is mainly on bird species at risk for avian influenza, but other bird species are also included. The map below provides a national overview of bird mortality in February.
Additionally, Erasmus MC has found the following positive test results in February:
| Bird species | Location | Province | Status (alive/dead) | Sampling date |
| Common Gull | Waddenkust | North-Holland | Dead | 1-2-2026 |
| Yellow-legged Gull | Groningen | Groningen | Alive | 1-2-2026 |
| European Herring Gull | Slootdorp | North-Holland | Sick | 17-2-2026 |
| Common Gull | Zuiderdijk | North-Holland | Dead | 17-2-2026 |
| Barnacle Goose | Zuiderdijk | North-Holland | Dead | 17-2-2026 |
| Barnacle Goose | Zuiderdijk | North-Holland | Dead | 17-2-2026 |
| Mallard | Zwaagdijk-Oost | North-Holland | Alive | 19-2-2026 |
| Eurasian Curlew | Hippolytushoef | North-Holland | Dead | 19-2-2026 |
| Barnacle Goose | Hippolytushoef | North-Holland | Dead | 19-2-2026 |
| Common Buzzard | Someren | North-Brabant | Dead | 11-2-2026 |
| Greater White-fronted Goose | Maren-Kessel | North-Brabant | Alive | 12-2-2026 |
| Greater White-fronted Goose | Maren-Kessel | North-Brabant | Alive | 12-2-2026 |
| Greater White-fronted Goose | Maren-Kessel | North-Brabant | Alive | 12-2-2026 |
| Greater White-fronted Goose | Maren-Kessel | North-Brabant | Alive | 12-2-2026 |
| Greater White-fronted Goose | Maren-Kessel | North-Brabant | Alive | 12-2-2026 |
| Greater White-fronted Goose | Maren-Kessel | North-Brabant | Alive | 12-2-2026 |
| Greater White-fronted Goose | Maren-Kessel | North-Brabant | Alive | 14-2-2026 |
| Greater White-fronted Goose | Maren-Kessel | North-Brabant | Alive | 14-2-2026 |
| Greater White-fronted Goose | Maren-Kessel | North-Brabant | Alive | 14-2-2026 |
| Greater White-fronted Goose | Maren-Kessel | North-Brabant | Alive | 14-2-2026 |
| Caspian Gull | Almere | Flevoland | Alive | 20-2-2026 |
| Caspian Gull | Almere | Flevoland | Alive | 20-2-2026 |
| Barnacle Goose | Groningen | Groningen | Dead | 24-2-2026 |
| Ruddy Turnstone | Schiermonnikoog | Friesland | Alive | 25-2-2026 |
January
In January, the DWHC sent 82 dead wild birds to the WBVR for avian influenza testing. Of these birds, 40 tested positive: 24 ducks, geese, and swans; 8 other waterbirds; and 8 birds of prey.
In January, avian influenza was found in poultry farms in the provinces of Drenthe, Flevoland, Gelderland, North-Brabant, and South-Holland. The national government has taken various measures against avian influenza. A nationwide indoor and outdoor screening requirement has been in effect in the Netherlands since October 16th 2025. In the event of a bird flu outbreak in poultry, the government imposes a transport ban to prevent the spread of the virus. Click here for a current overview of the areas where a transport ban is in effect. It is not possible for the DWHC to collect wild birds from these areas for research. For more information about avian influenza in captive animals, visit the Dutch government website.
Figure: results of all birds tested for avian influenza in January 2026
Table: birds tested for infection with avian influenza virus in January 2026
Distribution map of wild birds tested for bird flu in January 2026
Distribution map of reports of dead wild birds in the Netherlands
The DWHC, together with Sovon, Waarneming.nl, and the Bird Flu App, monitors where dead wild birds have been found in the Netherlands. The focus is mainly on bird species at risk for avian influenza, but other bird species are also included. The map below provides a national overview of bird mortality in January.
Additionally, Erasmus MC has found 13 positive test results in January (see table below).
| Bird species | Location | Province | Status (alive/dead) | Sampling date |
| Mallard | Zwaagdijk | North-Holland | Alive | 1-1-2026 |
| Eurasian Teal | Zwaagdijk | North-Holland | Alive | 9-1-2026 |
| Eurasian wigeon | Hippolytushoef | North-Holland | Alive | 11-1-2026 |
| Mallard | Lithse | North-Brabant | Alive | 14-1-2026 |
| Mallard | Hippolytushoef | North-Holland | Alive | 14-1-2026 |
| Mallard | Hippolytushoef | North-Holland | Alive | 14-1-2026 |
| European Herring Gull | Groningen | Groningen | Alive | 17-1-2026 |
| Eurasian Teal | Asten | North-Brabant | Alive | 17-1-2026 |
| European Herring Gull | Waddenhaven | North-Holland | Dead | 18-1-2026 |
| Mallard | Lithse | North-Brabant | Alive | 19-1-2026 |
| Barnacle Goose | Rhoon van Buijtenland | South-Holland | Dead | 20-1-2026 |
| Greylag Goose | Rhoon van Buijtenland | South-Holland | Dead | 20-1-2026 |
| Barnacle Goose | Strijen | South-Holland | Dead | 23-1-2026 |
| Mallard | Hippolytushoef | North-Holland | Alive | 20-1-2026 |
| Greater White-fronted Goose | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Alive | 22-1-2026 |
| Barnacle Goose | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 22-1-2026 |
| Barnacle Goose | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 22-1-2026 |
| Barnacle Goose | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 22-1-2026 |
| Barnacle Goose | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 22-1-2026 |
| Barnacle Goose | Enkhuizen, | North-Holland | Dead | 22-1-2026 |
| Barnacle Goose | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 22-1-2026 |
| Black-headed Gull | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 22-1-2026 |
| Common Gull | Enkhuizen | North-Holland | Dead | 22-1-2026 |
| Eurasian wigeon | Hippolytushoef | North-Holland | Alive | 25-1-2026 |
| Eurasian wigeon | Stolwijk | South-Holland | Alive | 25-1-2026 |
| Eurasian wigeon | Stolwijk | South-Holland | Alive | 25-1-2026 |
| Eurasian Teal | Zwaagdijk | North-Holland | Alive | 28-1-2026 |