Dutch agricultural authorities have ordered the immediate culling of nearly 120,000 chickens in the northern province of Friesland following the confirmation of a highly contagious strain of avian influenza. The outbreak, detected at a major poultry farm in the village of Drogeham, marks the latest challenge to the nation’s robust poultry industry.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality (LNV) announced the containment measures on Friday, November 8, 2025, after laboratory tests verified the presence of the highly pathogenic bird flu virus. To safeguard surrounding farms and prevent wider transmission, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) initiated the eradication of all birds at the infected facility.
Implementing Strict Biosecurity and Containment
The immediate response focuses on rigorous biosecurity protocols and movement restrictions to establish a buffer zone around the outbreak site.
The NVWA has enacted a comprehensive 10-kilometer restriction zone surrounding the farm. Within this area, the transport of all poultry, eggs, chicken manure, and used bedding materials is strictly prohibited. This measure is critical for breaking the chain of viral spread, which can occur through vectors ranging from contaminated feed to vehicles.
Furthermore, heightened surveillance is now underway for all poultry operations near Drogeham:
- Intensive Monitoring: One farm located within a 1-kilometer radius of the infected site is undergoing mandatory testing and will be monitored intensively for a 14-day period.
- Screening: Three additional farms situated within a 3-kilometer radius are undergoing routine screening for potential infection.
This rapid-response strategy aims to detect and neutralize any secondary outbreaks before they can escalate.
Continuing National Indoor Housing Mandate
This recent outbreak underscores the persistent threat posed by avian influenza, often carried by migrating wild birds. The Netherlands had already implemented nationwide measures to shield commercial flocks, a strategy that remains in effect across the country.
Since October 16, all commercial poultry farms have been required to keep their birds housed indoors. This mandatory stalling obligation was extended to non-commercial owners, who must take precautions to prevent their birds from coming into contact with local wildfowl. This directive forms the cornerstone of the national biosecurity effort, designed to minimize exposure to viruses actively circulating in the environment.
Despite these preventative steps, the detection of the virus at the Drogeham facility demonstrates the highly adaptive nature of avian influenza strains and the constant vigilance required by the agricultural sector.
The culling of 120,000 birds represents a significant economic loss and a difficult operational challenge for the local farming community. While the focus remains on containment, Dutch authorities continue to stress the importance of immediate reporting of any signs of illness by farmers to limit future damage and protect the viability of the country’s essential poultry supply chain. Consumers are reminded that these measures are standard protocol for managing highly pathogenic outbreaks and food safety is not currently deemed at risk.