The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV) has imposed strict precautionary measures on professional and hobby poultry keepers in the surveillance zone around Lommel, due to the highly contagious nature of bird flu in birds. These measures are intended to prevent further spread of the virus to other poultry and ornamental birds.
For those keeping poultry or hobby poultry within the surveillance zone, specific guidelines are in place. Poultry must be kept indoors or screened in such a way that contact with wild birds is impossible, with the exception of ground-dwelling birds. Food and drinking water must be provided indoors or in a screened area to prevent wild birds from accessing them. The use of surface water or rainwater accessible to wild birds is prohibited as drinking water for your own birds, unless the water has been treated.
Furthermore, it is forbidden to move poultry, hobby poultry, other kept birds, and hatching eggs from or to a bird facility within the surveillance zone. Markets, fairs, exhibitions, competitions, and other gatherings involving poultry or kept birds are also prohibited in this area.
Keepers who notice signs of illness, a notably higher mortality rate, or a sharp decline in production among their birds must report this immediately to the FAVV. More detailed information on the measures in the surveillance zone is available on the FAVV website.
The bird flu virus is highly contagious, painful, and deadly for birds. It is easily transmitted through contact with wild birds or their droppings. The Agency for Nature and Forest also provides an FAQ with answers to common questions, such as which birds are susceptible, what to do when finding a dead bird, and guidelines for waterfowl keepers.
If you find one or more dead wild birds, you can contact the bird flu call center at 0800 99 777 (during weekdays from 9 AM to 12 PM) or email influenza@favv-afsca.be.
