Archive: 2024

In the Netherlands, increased mortality is occurring again in waterbird, birds of prey and scavengers as a result of bird flu. Carnivorous mammals are also affected by bird flu ( Read more

In recent weeks, there have been increasing indications that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is circulating among wild birds in the Netherlands. A poultry farm was infected as well. There seems to be little evidence of increased bird mortality, but it is important to monitor the situation closely.

This message was updated on December 6th, 2024; the map has been replaced by a map with the latest updates.

On Friday October 25th, a 2.5-year-old cat fell ill with European bat lyssavirus type 1 (EBLV-1). This happened a few weeks after she brough home a bat (https://www.uu.nl/nieuws/kat-besmet-met-european-bat-lyssavirus-1).

The Dutch Wildlife Health Centre has sent out blood sampling kits to game management units/hunters and managers responsible for coordinating found wild animal carcasses via the wildlife management units. In the figure below you can see the locations we received blood samples from. Up until now, 22% of the

Even though reports indicate that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is still circulating in wild birds in the Netherlands, this has not led to an increase in wild bird mortality in over 6 months. However, with the autumn migration of birds new variants of the virus might be introduced that can change the

From July to September 2024 increased disease occurrence and correlating mortality were noticed, especially in blackbirds. Reports to the DWHC and Sovon increased steeply (see also Read more

Foto: © vinder In November 2023 a young wolf was found dead in the mud in the woods of the Northern Veluwe, a nature reserve in the centre of the Netherlands. The animal could not free itself and died. It was brought to the Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (DHWC) in Utrecht where it was investigated by ecologists

Since the last major outbreak of bird flu in 2023, mainly among gulls and terns, the spread of bird flu among wild birds in the Netherlands has been relatively little. However, the virus is still around. It is important to stay vigilant on sick and dead birds.

Bird flu is still present among wild birds in the Netherlands. The virus is now endemic in wild bird populations and still causes mortality, although fortunately less than last summer. Some birds have built up partial protection (immunity) against the disease, which means they die less quickly but are also sick