Approximately 67,000 chickens and hens must be culled after a highly contagious bird flu in Denmark was detected at a poultry farm near Aarup on the island of Funen, Denmark. Authorities say the virus poses a significant risk of further spread.
Mass Culling to Curb Bird Flu Outbreak
Denmark’s Veterinary and Food Administration has confirmed a new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a poultry farm housing around 67,000 chickens and hens. The infected facility is located near the town of Aarup on the island of Funen. The authorities, in collaboration with the Danish Emergency Management Agency, began culling the entire flock on Sunday in an effort to contain the outbreak. The chickens and hens are being culled to stop the virus.
The outbreak was first suspected on Friday following routine testing. Confirmation came Saturday from the Statens Serum Institut, Denmark’s official public health authority. Officials stressed that immediate action was essential to reduce the risk of the virus spreading to other farms or wild bird populations. Quick action helps protect other farms and birds.
Threat Level Raised and New Regulations Enforced
In response to the outbreak and similar detections in wild birds across Denmark and neighboring countries, the Veterinary and Food Administration raised the thread of bird flu in Denmark from “medium” to “high” on Friday.
Starting Monday, new mandatory containment measures take effect nationwide. All domestic poultry and captive birds must now be kept indoors or under protective covers. These rules aim to prevent contact between domestic and wild birds, a primary source of viral transmission.
Additionally, two containment zones have been established around the affected premises. A protection zone with a 3-kilometer radius and a surveillance zone extending 10 kilometers from the infected site have been put in place. Within these zones, farmers must register all poultry and birds, and the movement of live birds, eggs, or poultry products is strictly prohibited without official approval.
Poultry Owners Urged to Follow Biosecurity Guidelines
To ensure maximum preventative efforts, Danish authorities are urging all poultry keepers to implement stringent biosecurity practices. One of the important recommendations is for farm workers to change shoes before entering poultry enclosures, as bird flu can be spread through contact with contaminated droppings or materials.
Bird flu in Denmark typically spreads through migrating wild birds or indirectly through human contact with infected birds or surfaces. The virus is particularly dangerous because it spreads quickly among birds and is often fatal.
In October alone, the Veterinary and Food Administration has overseen the culling of nearly 278,000 birds, including both chickens and turkeys, across four separate farms in Denmark.
Monitoring and Restrictions to Remain Until Threat Subsides
The temporary protection and surveillance zones will remain in place until health officials determine that the threat of further infections has passed. Surveillance and analysis are ongoing in wild birds across the country to monitor the spread of the virus more effectively.
So far, no human cases related to the current outbreaks in Denmark have been reported. However, European health agencies are monitoring the situation closely due to concerns about bird flu strains mutating and potentially infecting humans, as seen in isolated incidents abroad.
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration continues to work closely with both local and national agencies to contain the outbreak and protect the country’s poultry industry. The public is urged to report any sightings of sick or dead wild birds and to follow updates from official channels.
With Denmark intensifying its containment measures, authorities hope to prevent further escalation and avoid the need for broader culling across the industry.
