Outbreak detected in Lutjegast
Bird flu has been confirmed at a farm in Lutjegast, a village in the municipality of Westerkwartier in Groningen. The Dutch Agriculture Ministry described it as the country’s first detected bird flu infection since July. The 45,000 laying hens at the site are being culled.
Transport restrictions imposed
An immediate transport ban applies within 10 kilometres of the affected farm to limit further spread. Birds, eggs, manure and used litter cannot be moved within the zone, which extends across parts of Groningen and Friesland and contains 21 other agricultural businesses.
The ministry said the outbreak does not currently justify a national or regional order requiring poultry to be kept indoors. An earlier housing requirement was lifted in June, and the ministry said it was monitoring the situation closely.