New outbreaks of bird flu have been confirmed in several European countries, raising concerns about the spread of the virus and the impacts on the agri-food sector.
In the Netherlands, authorities have ordered the slaughter of around 161,000 chickens on a farm in the central-eastern part of the country after a new outbreak of the virus was discovered. To curb the spread, a 10-kilometer (6-mile) lockdown has been imposed around the farm, affecting 26 other farms in the area. The Ministry of Agriculture has ordered farmers to keep their poultry indoors.
A similar measure has been taken in Belgium, where from tomorrow, October 23, all poultry must remain closed. The decision comes after an outbreak of H5N1 influenza was confirmed on a French-owned farm. According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), 319 birds have died, while another 67,110 will be destroyed.
A new outbreak has also been reported in Slovakia near the border with Poland. So far, 27 dead birds have been confirmed, while 197 chickens, ducks and geese kept on the farm will be slaughtered as a preventive measure.
The spread of bird flu has raised alarm across Europe. In addition to the risk to animal health, the outbreak of the virus has had consequences for the supply chain and increased food prices. Experts are concerned about the possibility of a new pandemic if the virus jumps to humans.
