Wild ducks to blame for bird flu infecting the Netherlands

The agriculture ministry in the Netherlands has announced new measures to combat a particularly virulent strain of bird flu virus that has entered the country via wild ducks.

A no-go zone around infected farms are in place as the government attempts to curb the spread of avian flu which first emerged last month.

The Netherlands is divided into areas, to contain the recent outbreaks of avian influenza and to prevent the further spread of the virus.

Measures in accordance with EU regulations in the 10 km and 3 km zones around infected farms are in force.

And restrictive measures, such as the total transport ban for all poultry, eggs, poultry manure and used litter, also are in force in the west of the Netherlands. A hunting ban is also in effect in those areas.

Minister for Agriculture Sharon Dijksma said the ministry is heeding advice from experts.

We’re doing everything possible to halt the spread of the virus.”

The recent discovery of the highly pathogenic strain of the bird flu virus in two Eurasian wigeons suggests the virus entered the Netherlands via wild ducks. Experts also concluded that the various cases of bird flu in all regions have been caused by separate sources of infection.

Officials have killed about 28,000 birds infected with avian flu.

 

 

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Peg Fong is also in recovery from newspapers

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