Bird flu has been detected at a poultry farm in the East Flemish town of Sint-Gillis-Waas, announced the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) on Tuesday.
The type H5 bird flu was detected at a laying hen farm. To prevent the spread of the bird flu virus, the poultry present there is being culled. A 3-kilometre protection zone and a 10-kilometre surveillance zone will also be established around the infected farm.
Strict biosecurity measures apply in these zones, explained FASFC. For instance, all poultry farmers, both professional and private, within the 10-kilometre zone must shield their poultry. In the 3 km zone, this obligation also applies to other birds.
In the rest of the country, birds and poultry of private keepers do not have to be compulsorily fenced. However, they must be fed and watered indoors or shielded.
Compulsory coop
"In recent weeks, the number of infections in wild birds has been increasing. This points to the presence of the disease in Belgium, which poses a high risk for outdoor poultry. The FASFC therefore strongly recommends protecting your animals as much as possible by fencing off the chicken run or aviary from wild birds. This can be done, for example, by spanning it with nets," said FASFC spokesperson Hélène Bonte in a press release.
Additionally, the food agency warns not to touch dead or sick animals Anyone noticing symptoms in their animals should contact their vet. People who find a dead bird in the wild should report it via the free phone number 0800/99 777. This way, the animal can be collected and examined.
Since November, compulsory caging has again been in force for poultry and birds of professional keepers. Previously, there was a compulsory coop until April 2024.
Credit: Belga/Yves Boucau
In late January, early February, the FASFC detected infections in three hobbykeepers near the city of Liège. The food agency established a protection and surveillance zone there too. The outbreaks in Liège were followed by the decision to temporarily stop giving approvals for poultry gatherings (fairs, shows, prize camps, exhibitions, fairs...).
Avian flu is a highly contagious viral disease to which almost all bird species are susceptible. The severity of the disease varies from one animal to another and depends on the virus strain, the environment and any other infections, the FASFC further explains.
Contamination can occur through direct contact with sick animals or infected material, such as manure or dirty crates. Indirect infection via the air is also possible, but over relatively short distances.
