Netherlands imposes lockdown after bird flu detected in Drenthe
Around 71,000 chickens culled as avian influenza resurfaces across Europe
NETHERLANDS – The Netherlands has ordered a nationwide lockdown for poultry farms after confirming a new case of bird flu on a farm in the northern province of Drenthe.
The Agriculture Ministry announced that all poultry must now be kept indoors and bird exhibitions are suspended following the detection of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus.
Authorities said about 71,000 chickens at the affected farm were culled last week to contain the spread, marking the country’s first outbreak since March.
Avian influenza has re-emerged across Europe in recent weeks, affecting both commercial and backyard poultry in several countries.
Bird flu cases spreading across Europe
Data from the European Commission’s Animal Disease Information System shows that 295 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been confirmed in commercial flocks across 20 European countries so far this year.
Hungary leads with 105 confirmed cases, followed by Poland with 94, Germany with 19, and Bulgaria and Spain each with 12.
The H5N1 strain has been identified in nearly all affected farms, with a few cases linked to other H5 variants.
For comparison, there were 451 outbreaks reported in 2024, indicating that the current resurgence could surpass last year’s total if it continues at this pace.
New infections have been recorded in 10 countries since the start of October, including Germany and Spain with six additional outbreaks each, and Poland with five.
Single or double cases have also been reported in Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Northern Ireland.
National and regional containment measures
In response to the Drenthe outbreak, the Dutch government has raised the national risk level for the poultry sector to “moderate” and expanded screening requirements for chickens, turkeys, and other susceptible birds.
All exemptions for outdoor bird displays have been revoked, and poultry keepers are required to house their birds indoors to prevent contact with wild birds.
“This national measure is essential to protect farmed birds from infection,” the ministry said, acknowledging the challenge for poultry owners with outdoor systems.
France has also elevated its HPAI risk level to “moderate” after confirming new cases in both commercial and backyard flocks since early October.
Recent detections include outbreaks in partridges and pheasants in the Hauts-de-France region, a backyard flock in Normandy, and new cases at a turkey farm in Pays de la Loire.
In the United Kingdom, three more outbreaks have been reported in northwest England, raising the country’s total for 2025 to 65.
Across Europe, 19 countries have also confirmed 83 HPAI cases among captive birds, while 743 infections have been recorded in wild species this year.
New detections of the H5N1 and H7 virus strains in wild birds in countries including Denmark, Italy, and Portugal’s Madeira region point to a continued risk as migration season peaks.
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