The Netherlands has introduced a nationwide housing and shielding requirement after avian influenza was confirmed at three sites within three days. The outbreaks were reported at a laying-hen farm in Lutjegast on 26 October, a care farm in Middelie on 27 October and another laying-hen farm in Grootegast on 28 October. Around 96,000 birds are set to be culled across the three sites.
The Lutjegast farm in Groningen had about 45,000 birds. A 10-kilometre restriction zone was established around the site, covering 21 poultry farms; a transport ban applies within the zone. The following day, avian influenza was confirmed at a care farm in Middelie, North Holland, where about 150 chickens are being culled. The third outbreak was at a laying-hen farm in Grootegast, also in Groningen, where about 51,000 birds are being culled. Sixteen poultry farms are located within 10 kilometres of that site, and the NVWA is screening farms in the 1- and 3-kilometre zones.
Under the new nationwide measures, commercially kept birds must be housed indoors. Commercially kept pheasants and ratites are exempt from this requirement but must be protected from contact with wild birds. Non-commercial keepers of at-risk birds must also protect their animals from wild birds. The government has imposed a nationwide ban on exhibitions involving at-risk birds and tightened visitor rules at bird-keeping sites. Visits are allowed only when necessary for public or animal health, animal welfare, or the health of people present in the poultry house; hygiene requirements and visitor registration apply.
The previous nationwide housing and shielding requirement was lifted on 11 June, although some local restrictions remained around outbreak sites. The government is working with the poultry sector on a plan to require vaccination of laying hens and expects to send it to Parliament at the end of the year.
The Lutjegast outbreak was the first in the Netherlands since July and the first of the 2026/27 season. In Denmark, avian influenza was confirmed at turkey farms in Bøgelunde and Stokkemarke on 23 and 25 October, respectively, prompting the culling of about 40,000 and 27,000 turkeys.
