Kinrooi (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Avian influenza hit Molenbeersel, Kinrooi, following the Dilsen-Stokkem outbreak. 28,000 birds will be culled. FASFC set 3km protection and 10km surveillance zones, urging poultry owners to report sick or dead birds.
As VRT News reported, Avian influenza has been confirmed at a poultry farm in Molenbeersel, Kinrooi, in the province of Limburg, Belgium. At the Kinrooi farm, 28,000 birds will be culled to stop the disease from spreading. They mentioned that Avian influenza is highly contagious among birds. Some strains can also be dangerous to humans.
What measures are being taken as the Avian Flu hits Kinrooi Molenbeersel?
The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) has created a 3-kilometre protection zone around the infected farm. A 10-kilometre surveillance zone will also be in place. Parts of these zones overlap with areas from the previous outbreak in Dilsen-Stokkem.
A large portion of the zones extends into the Netherlands. Roads near the protection zone will have barriers and warning signs. Special measures will apply to unregistered hobby farms. Poultry owners are asked to report sick or dead birds immediately.
The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) is asking poultry owners to protect their birds as much as possible.
“If you find a dead bird in the wild, report it immediately by calling the toll-free number 0800/99 777. The animal can then be collected and examined,”
the FASFC states.
The agency also warns people not to touch sick or dead birds. They mentioned that Avian influenza spreads very easily among birds, causes pain, and can be fatal. The virus is mainly passed through contact with wild birds or their droppings. Authorities say the virus does not pose a danger to humans, but it can seriously affect poultry and other animals.
Avian influenza has affected Belgium and nearby countries many times over the past 12 years. In 2003, a major outbreak forced the culling of tens of thousands of birds. Smaller outbreaks were reported in 2006 and 2010. The H5N8 strain caused serious infections in 2016 and 2017, hitting hundreds of farms and many wild birds.
In 2021, the H5N1 virus caused the culling of tens of thousands of poultry in Flanders and Wallonia. This year, the virus spiked again in October 2025 when three poultry farms and one hobby farm reported infections, and multiple wild bird tests were positive.
A farm in Dilsen-Stokkem had to cull 120,000 hens on November 15, 2025. In response, the Netherlands implemented a mandated shielding rule at the end of last month. The rule is applicable to all poultry owners, both professional and private.
