Bird Flu Outbreak at Dutch Farm

An avian flu outbreak has been identified at an egg farm in Barneveld with around 30,000 chickens, reported economics ministry of Netherlands. However, it is likely to be a low risk H7 strain, informed Ducth officials.

As a precautionary measure all the 30,000 birds were culled over fears that the H7 form can mutate into a highly pathogenic strain. Authorities have imposed a 3-week ban on transporting poultry within 1-kilometre radius around the farm. About 17 other poultry farms in the vicinity are being tested for the virus.

Several Dutch farms were hit by a bird flu outbreak of the highly infectious H5N8 strain in November and December last year.

Source: Medindia