Overview
- Authorities confirmed avian influenza at a Terschuur laying‑hen farm and the NVWA depopulated all 62,000 birds while enforcing a regional transport ban.
- Separately, about 56,000 meat chickens were culled at an Opende farm on November 17, with NVWA screening of three nearby farms and a 10‑kilometer movement restriction.
- Wildlife cases are surging, including dozens of infected swans in the Nieuwe Driemanspolder near The Hague and frequent reports of sick waterbirds and raptors on the Noord‑West Veluwe; rescue groups urge the public not to touch affected birds.
- The agriculture ministry says culling typically costs around €500,000 per commercial farm, compensation is paid from the Diergezondheidsfonds with roughly 20% EU co‑funding, and sector levies adjust within a €97.8 million five‑year ceiling.
- Researchers report no evidence of human‑to‑human transmission and note promising vaccine‑pilot results through 2027, while nationwide housing and shielding rules remain in force since October 16.