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Last winter European nations saw a major reduction in HPAI H5 outbreaks (see ECDC/EFSA chart below), but over the past few weeks we've seen signs suggesting that this year may prove more active.
Last weekend the Norway Veterinary Institute Reported their 1st Outbreak of HPAI H5N5 In Domesticated Birds, and earlier this month we looked at two outbreaks in the UK (H5N1 in Yorkshire, and H5N1 in Cornwall).
While this pales in comparison to what we've seen in Canada and the United States this fall (roughly 100 outbreaks combined), it is an uptick. And with the surge in the HPAI H5N5 subtype, concerns are growing.
Yesterday, the Minster of Agriculture for the Netherlands announced a nationwide confinement order, due to a newly released (and elevated) risk assessment. A reminder that HPAI is a global problem, and not just confirmed to the United States and Canada.
The full (translated) statement follows:
National confinement and screening obligation imposed due to bird flu outbreaks
News item | 20-11-2024 | 17:30
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature has decided to introduce a nationwide obligation to keep animals indoors and to screen them off. This decision was taken after a new risk assessment by the Expert Group on Animal Diseases, which estimates the risk of bird flu outbreaks to be moderate to high.
Minister Wiersma of LVVN: “Implementing a national obligation to keep poultry indoors and screened off is a drastic measure that must be taken with due consideration. Also because of the effect on the animal welfare of poultry. Because the expert group on animal diseases has estimated the risk of bird flu outbreaks to be moderate to high, I have decided to take this measure. I realise that poultry owners with outdoor access and hobby owners are hit the hardest by this, but we must do our utmost to prevent more outbreaks. The safety of our animals is paramount.”
Risk assessment
On 18 November, bird flu was detected in Putten, Gelderland. On 20 November, another infection was detected close to the border with the Netherlands, namely in Kleve (Germany). Based on these 2 infections and all available information about outbreaks in other member states of the European Union, the risk of infection of a poultry farm in the whole of the Netherlands has been estimated as moderate to high (on 29 October this was low to moderate).
Obligation to confine and screen animals
The housing obligation applies to all commercially kept birds and the screening obligation applies to non-commercially kept risk birds (for example, chickens kept as a hobby). Pheasants and ratites (such as ostriches, rheas, emus and kiwis) are also risk birds, but for these birds the only exception is a screening obligation.
The obligation to screen and house birds is an effective preventive measure to prevent new infections, as it reduces the chance of contact between wild infected birds and captive birds.
Documents
Letter to Parliament introducing national confinement and screening obligation
Minister Wiersma (LVVN) informs the House of Representatives about the introduction of a national obligation to keep poultry indoors and shielded. ...
Parliamentary document: Letter to Parliament | 20-11-2024
Regulation of measures surveillance zone highly pathogenic avian influenza Kleve, Germany 2024
Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature of 20 November 2024, no. WJZ/94346249, containing ...
Regulation | 20-11-2024
Regulation to introduce the obligation to keep animals indoors and to screen them off
Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, no. WJZ/94346915 amendment to the Regulation ...
Regulation | 20-11-2024
