Following on from the news on Friday that a housing order for all poultry has been put in place in the Netherlands, authorities have confirmed that it was an outbreak of HPAI H5N6 in a flock of 15,985 fattening ducks in Biddinghuizen, about 70 kilometres (45 miles) east of Amsterdam. The H5N6 subtype is a reassortment linked to H5N8 and not the Asian zoonotic H5N6.
On 8 December 2017, a 3 km surveillance zone and a 10 km protection zone have been established. In the 3 km zone there are four other premises. All susceptible animals on the infected premises have been killed. All premises in the 3 km zone have been screened. All samples of the screened premises were tested negative.
We will keep you informed on any further developments.
If you have any questions regarding Avian Influenza and biosecurity measures on your site, please speak to your vet or contact the practice on 01392 872932.