Bird Flu Alert: Netherlands Bans Poultry Transport

The transport of poultry in the Netherlands has been officially banned after the discovery of a highly infectious strain of bird flu.

The "highly pathogenic" form of avian influenza discovered at a farm in the centre of the country is very dangerous to birds, and "contamination can occur from animals to humans," the Dutch government said in a statement.

Avian Influenza / Bird Flu-Causes-Symptoms-Treatment- FAQs
Bird flu (avian influenza/avian flu) is a disease caused by an influenza virus (H5N1) that primarily affects birds but can infect humans also.

About 150,000 chickens at the farm in Hekendorp are to be destroyed by Dutch health authorities, which for the moment have not identified the exact strain of flu.

Avian influenza is fatal for chickens, and poses a health threat to humans, who can become sickened by handling infected poultry.

The H5N1 strain of bird flu has killed more than 400 people, mainly in Southeast Asia, since first appearing in 2003. Another strain of bird flu, H7N9, has claimed more than 170 lives since emerging in 2013.

Swine Flu | Swine Influenza | Hog Flu | Pig Flu
Swine flu, a type of influenza caused by a new strain of the H1N1 Type A influenza virus has originated from the pigs. Winter always brings along the chills and the flu, make sure you're safe this season.

The Dutch transport ban is to last a maximum of 72 hours and includes moving poultry, eggs and bird manure.

However, in a 10-kilometre (six mile) ring around the affected farm, the ban could last up to 30 days.

Gastroenteritis / Stomach Flu - Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Prevention
Gastroenteritis or Stomach Flu or Gastric flu is highly contagious and infectious inflammation of stomach, small and large intestines that causes diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and abdominal cramps.

The authorities were to perform testing at 16 other farms in the area and new restrictions were being set up for visitors.

Hunting has also been banned for now across the country.

According to Dutch media, the H7N7 strain of avian flu severely hit the Netherlands in 2003 with health authorities destroying some 30 million birds in an effort to quash an outbreak.

Source-AFP