Bad surprise from our Belgian neighbors. On a farm in the north-west of Belgium, an outbreak of avian flu was detected, near the border with France. This outbreak was detected on a farm in Diksmuide, in West Flanders. “In order to avoid any further spread of the virus, and in accordance with European and Belgian legislation, the poultry still present are euthanized,” said the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (Afsca) in a press release.
“A protection zone of 3 km, as well as a surveillance zone of 10 km, are established around the outbreak,” said the Belgian agency.
Several homes in Europe
In these areas, strict biosecurity measures have been imposed. All poultry owners (including individuals and amateur breeders) have a particular obligation to protect their animals.
No infected wild birds have been discovered in Belgium for two months and the last infection in a poultry farm dates back to February. But “the evolution of recent weeks in neighboring countries (…) where several outbreaks have recently been identified in poultry farms, shows that the virus is still circulating in north-west Europe”, explained Afsca .
Not dangerous for humans
The highly pathogenic nature of this outbreak of avian flu, confirmed by a laboratory, results in Belgium losing its status as a “free country”.
Avian Influenza or avian flu is a highly contagious viral disease to which all species of birds are susceptible. There is no scientific indication that this virus is also dangerous for humans, however, the Belgian agency recalled in its press release.