Belgium is the latest European country to introduce stricter measures to curb bird flu following detections on a commercial site and a hobby holding.
The country’s Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) said yesterday (22 October) it was “strengthening protective measures” from today after an “increasing number of infections in wild birds” in recent weeks.
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H5N1 avian influenza was confirmed at a commercial poultry farm in Houthulst, West Flanders, and at a hobby premises in Welkenraedt, Liège, the agency said.
Birds at the Houthulst site are being culled to limit further spread.
Authorities have established a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone around the Houthulst outbreak.
Under the new restrictions, effective today (23 October), all commercial and Sanitel-registered farms in Belgium are required to confine poultry/birds, feed and water them indoors or under nets, and must not use untreated surface or rainwater for poultry/wild bird watering.
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By GlobalDataDavid Clarinval, Belgium’s Minister of Agriculture, said: “This first infection on a commercial farm, as well as the contamination in a hobby keeper, clearly shows that avian flu is back in our country.
“The season is starting and viral pressure will accelerate/increase in the coming months. I therefore call for everyone’s vigilance and the rigorous application of biosecurity measures.”
According to the FASFC, infections among wild birds have climbed again in recent weeks, first along the coast and now across the country.
“At the end of last week, the first case of infection of the season was detected in a hobby breeder in Welkenraedt,” it added.
Germany, the Netherlands and France are also reporting more cases in wild birds and outbreaks in poultry.
On Tuesday (21 October), France announced a similar move, which came after measures in the Netherlands last week.
FASFC described avian influenza as a highly contagious viral disease affecting almost all bird species.
Disease severity varies by strain, environment and concurrent infections.
Transmission can occur through contact with infected birds or contaminated materials, such as manure or soiled crates.
It noted that mammals can be infected in rare instances, for example after consuming carcasses of infected birds or through close exposure to the virus.
“Contamination in humans is exceptional,” the agency said, adding: “To date, no cases of human-to-human transmission of the virus have been observed anywhere in the world.”
