Dutch authorities have ordered the culling of about 71,000 chickens at a poultry farm in the north of the Netherlands after detecting a new case of bird flu. It is the country’s first outbreak since March, prompting renewed vigilance among poultry producers and animal health officials.

According to a government statement released on 7 October, all affected birds will be culled to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus. While the exact strain of avian influenza has not been disclosed, the Ministry of Agriculture emphasized that immediate containment measures were underway at the infected site and nearby farms were being monitored closely.

The government has not yet reintroduced a nationwide indoor housing order for poultry, stating that the current situation does not justify such restrictions. However, an expert panel on animal diseases will convene in the coming days to reassess the risk and determine if additional biosecurity measures are necessary.

The Netherlands, one of Europe’s largest poultry exporters, has faced recurring outbreaks of bird flu in recent years, often resulting in mass culls and significant economic losses for the poultry sector.