Bird flu confirmed at Grootegast farm; 51,000 birds to be culled

Bird flu has been confirmed at a laying-hen farm in Grootegast, Groningen, where about 51,000 birds are to be culled. Dutch authorities have also imposed a transport ban across a 10-kilometre zone around the farm to limit the risk of the virus spreading.

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) will screen poultry farms in the three-kilometre zone and investigate potentially risky contacts, including whether birds or poultry products were moved to or from the site before the infection was reported.

The zone contains 16 poultry farms within 10 kilometres of the outbreak. Some are also inside the restriction zone set up after a separate outbreak in nearby Lutjegast on 26 October. The Lutjegast outbreak led to plans to cull about 45,000 birds.

The ban covers the movement of birds, hatching eggs and table eggs, as well as the removal of poultry manure and used litter. Other animals and their products may be moved to or from sites with birds if strict hygiene conditions are followed.

Authorities may impose further measures, such as additional sampling or blocking a farm identified as a risky contact, if needed.