Bird Flu Outbreak Intensifies Near Dutch-German Border, Thousands of Birds Culled

Widespread Bird Flu Detections Prompt Urgent Action

A concerning outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected on several poultry farms and a petting zoo in the Netherlands, primarily in areas adjacent to the German border. The Dutch government confirmed late Wednesday, November 27, 2025, that the virus was found on a poultry farm near Kleve, Germany, a border town, alongside three additional Dutch poultry farms and a petting zoo in the Netherlands near the frontier. This follows earlier confirmations in the Dutch provinces of Overijssel and Limburg, marking a rapid escalation of the virus's spread.

The re-emergence of bird flu in the Netherlands in October 2025, after an approximate six-month absence, has led to a nationwide mandate for poultry farmers to keep their birds indoors since October 16, 2025, in an effort to contain the virus.

Mass Culling and Strict Containment Measures Implemented

Authorities have initiated extensive culling operations to prevent the further transmission of the highly contagious virus. In the province of Limburg, outbreaks on poultry farms have resulted in the culling of approximately 270,000 birds. Another significant case in Bornerbroek, Overijssel, saw 18,000 chickens culled. At a petting zoo in Nijmegen, Gelderland province, located near the German border, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is culling 52 chickens. All birds at the affected sites are being culled as a necessary measure to control the outbreak.

To contain the spread, stringent measures have been put in place:

• A 10-kilometer transport ban has been imposed around the infected farms, restricting the movement of poultry, eggs, manure, and bedding materials.
• The Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature has established additional restricted zones around Millingen aan de Rijn and east of Groesbeek.
• Germany has also set up its own restricted area, which partly extends into Dutch territory, demonstrating cross-border coordination.
• A surveillance zone had already been in effect in the region since November 21st due to a previous avian influenza incident in Kleve.

Ongoing Investigations and Economic Concerns

The NVWA is actively conducting tracing investigations to identify any high-risk contacts linked to the infected farms. Authorities have indicated that additional measures, such as increased sampling or restrictions on high-risk businesses, may be implemented if deemed necessary.

The rapid spread of the virus across the Netherlands is raising significant concerns within the agricultural sector. There are growing fears about the potential impact on egg and poultry prices, which could affect both consumers and farmers.