The Netherlands is expected to slaughter another 300,000 chickens on a farm in the south of the country. The government reported last week the detection of a highly infectious strain of avian influenza in the region.

About 30 lethal cases of influenza have been reported in the Netherlands since the beginning of September, after dozens of cases earlier in the year. Almost 6 million birds have been slaughtered in the European country since the new variant of the disease was first detected in October 2021, Reuters news agency reported.

France also has problems with avian flu

According to Reuters, the Netherlands is not the only country in Europe to face problems with avian influenza. Last week, France's Ministry of Agriculture announced that it will step up precautionary measures to combat local spread of the disease.

On French soil, the increase in the disease was recorded in farms located in two regions: in western Brittany and the Loire Country.

According to a statement from the French Ministry of Agriculture, last Friday (21), the two regions detected 17 clusters of avian influenza. According to the statement, additional checks and order for farms to keep their birds indoors have been implemented as testing for the virus is being carried out.

Source: Canal Rural