H5N1 infections in foxes have been previously observed in other parts of the world and recently in England. Extensive spread of the virus among foxes is unlikely as foxes generally live in families and not in large groups. In addition, an infected fox develops serious symptoms within a few days, which avoids moving for far distances. Therefore, the risk of extensive spread within the foxes is rated as low. The foxes are thought to be unlikely to transmit the virus to other wild animals. However, other wild animals such as seals, dogs and cats are known to be susceptible to bird flu. Recently, HPAI H5N8 virus, to which the HPAI H5N1 virus is genetically related, has been detected in seals in England and Sweden.

Advice to leash dogs in parts of Friesland and Groningen

Avian influenza has recently only been diagnosed in dead wild birds in wetlands in the Dutch provinces Friesland and Groningen. Therefore, the advice from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality is to keep dogs on a leash in these provinces to prevent dogs from coming into contact with infected dead birds. It remains important not to touch or move dead and sick birds yourself. If you find dead birds, you can report this via the site of the Dutch Wildlife Health Center or the National Animal Diseases Reporting Center. More information can be found on the NVWA website.

Importance of monitoring

Dead barnacle geese and birds of prey that are infected with HPAI H5N1 viruses are still found in the provinces of Friesland and Groningen. Most migratory birds have now left the Netherlands, but barnacle geese - the species in which the bird flu virus mainly circulates during the recent outbreak - is currently gathering in the north of the Netherlands before continuing to their breeding grounds in Siberia. On the other hand, there will be an increase in young birds in the near future. These young birds have never come into contact with avian influenza viruses before and are therefore susceptible to infections. It is unclear what influence this will have on the extent to which the virus continues to circulate within wild birds populations. Bird flu monitoring is important to determine whether the virus is still present in wild birds in the Netherlands. In addition, it is useful to monitor other sensitive animal species.

Extension of the confinement obligation

The Dutch expert group on animal diseases carried out a risk assessment of the risk of contamination of Dutch poultry farms with bird flu on 21 May 2021. The recent contamination on the turkey farm in Weert, the Netherlands, was not yet known at that time. The experts estimated the risk of a Dutch poultry farm becoming infected with HPAI at that time as moderate to high. They estimated the risk in the Northern Netherlands to be higher (high) than in the rest of the Netherlands (moderate to high). After the recent contamination in Weert, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality has decided that the risk that a Dutch poultry farm will become infected with HPAI virus has not yet decreased sufficiently to withdraw the confinement and protection obligation. The Dutch expert group on animal diseases will continue to evaluate the risk on a weekly basis in the coming period.

WBVR tests foxes positive for bird flu (H5N1)