Bird flu outbreak affects poultry farms in West Flanders

West Flanders (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – January 19, 2026 – Bird flu has struck West Flanders with unprecedented severity, affecting numerous poultry farms across the province. Authorities have culled millions of birds to contain the highly pathogenic strain. Officials warn of enormous economic impact on the local poultry sector.

The current bird flu outbreak in West Flanders has reached levels never recorded before in the region, prompting mass culling operations on affected farms. The H5N1 strain, confirmed in multiple locations, has led to the slaughter of over 5 million birds since early January 2026. Flemish agriculture minister announced emergency measures to curb further spread.

Scale and Spread of the Outbreak

Veterinary services identified the first cases in mid-December 2025 near Roeselare, with rapid escalation across West Flanders by New Year. Farms in Kortrijk, Waregem, and Ieper reported infections within days, forcing preemptive culls in surrounding zones. The Flemish Agency for Nature and Woods imposed 3-kilometre protection zones and 10-kilometre surveillance perimeters around each site.

Mortality rates on infected premises reached 90% within 48 hours, characteristic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Laboratory tests at CODA-CERVA verified the strain matching European outbreaks since 2021. Wild birds, particularly geese and ducks migrating through the polders, served as vectors introducing the virus via droppings.

By January 18, 2026, 45 poultry operations faced restrictions, representing 25% of West Flanders’ layer and broiler capacity. Export bans activated for live birds and unpasteurised products from the province.

Culling Operations and Biosecurity Measures

Culling teams, mobilised under EU Animal Health Regulation 2020/687, humanely dispatched flocks using carbon dioxide stunning followed by cervical dislocation. Carcasses underwent incineration on-site or transport to designated facilities in Geel. Compensation schemes disbursed €4.50 per kilogramme for broilers and €15 per laying hen from Flemish contingency funds.

Biosecurity audits revealed lapses including inadequate wild bird netting and shared equipment among farms. Mandatory upgrades include footbaths, full-body suits for staff, and vehicle disinfection arches. All-Tier system registration became compulsory overnight for 12,000 Flemish poultry holdings.

Surveillance intensified with weekly serological testing in buffer zones. Drones monitored compliance, while mobile labs processed 2,000 samples daily.

Economic Impact on Poultry Sector

West Flanders produces 40% of Belgium’s poultry meat and eggs, with annual turnover exceeding €1.2 billion. The outbreak halted 70% of slaughterhouse throughput, idling plants in Roeselare and Izegem. Feed suppliers reported €20 million in unsold stocks, while processors faced labour surpluses.

Industry federation AveVe estimated direct losses at €150 million by end-January, excluding supply chain ripples. Egg prices surged 25% domestically, prompting supermarket rationing. Export markets in Germany and France rejected Flemish products, redirecting volumes from Dutch competitors.

Smallholders, comprising 60% of operations under 20,000 birds, face bankruptcy risks without extended grace periods for repopulation. Banks activated agricultural distress loans, capped at €500,000 per farm.

Government and EU Response Strategies

Flemish Minister of Agriculture Hilde Crevits allocated €75 million in aid, split between culls (60%) and relaunch grants (40%). National crisis centre coordinated with FAVV, enforcing inter-provincial movement bans. EU Commission approved Belgium’s eradication plan under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, unlocking co-financing up to 50%.

Emergency vaccination debates surfaced, though deferred pending wild reservoir data. Neighbouring Wallonia and Netherlands heightened border checks on transport lorries. International trade partners, including South Korea, suspended imports pending zone lifts.

Historical Comparison with Past Outbreaks

West Flanders endured outbreaks in 2014 (H5N8, 200,000 birds culled) and 2022 (1.2 million affected), paling against 2026’s scale. Previous incidents clustered in spring migration peaks, whereas this winter surge aligns with anomalous mild weather prolonging waterfowl presence. Cumulative 2021-2025 European losses topped 60 million birds, priming flocks via antigenic drift.

Mortality curves mirror 2022’s exponential phase, but geographic spread quadrupled prior records. Vaccine trials from 2024 Czech strains showed 85% efficacy, informing future contingency plans.

Affected Poultry Types and Production Cycles

Broiler farms suffered 55% of cases, disrupting 6-week cycles and delaying restocking until April. Layers, holding birds 18 months, incurred higher per-unit losses due to peak production timing. Turkey operations in Poperinge culled 150,000 festive stock, nullifying Christmas premiums.

Duck and geese sectors, vertically integrated with processing, activated insurance clauses covering 80% revenue shortfalls. Organic free-range units, exposed via outdoor access, represented 30% of positives despite comprising 8% capacity.

Wild Bird Surveillance Data

Nature points tallied 1,200 wild mortalities since November 2025, concentrated along Scheldt estuary flyways. Species breakdown: 45% barnacle goose, 30% Eurasian wigeon, 15% mute swan. Genetic sequencing linked 92% to Gs/GD lineage circulating since 2020.

Citizen science apps logged 5,000 sightings, feeding early warning models. Wetlands International reported 20% population declines in overwintering flocks, pressuring migratory corridors.

International Trade Ramifications

EU internal market derogations shielded unaffected member states, but third-country notifications under WTO SPS halted 90% exports. UK imposed 150-day import bans, while UAE sought genotype certifications. Reorientation to domestic consumption strained logistics, with +15% fuel surcharges.

Port of Zeebrugge rerouted reefer containers to Ostend, alleviating Antwerp backlogs. Global feed grain futures rose 3%, buoyed by Belgian shortfalls.

Farmer Support and Mental Health Initiatives

Flanders Agri & Green extended 24/7 helplines, logging 400 calls weekly. Veterinary psychologists deployed to farms, addressing grief akin to livestock euthanasia protocols. Boerenbond organised repopulation cooperatives, pooling biosecure hatchery access.

Succession planning workshops targeted ageing producers (average age 58), with 12% contemplating exit post-crisis.

Repopulation Timelines and Vaccination Prospects

Derogation zones lift after three negative tests, targeting mid-February for initial sites. Restocking mandates SPF parent stock from isolated units in Limburg. Inactivated vaccines, trialled in France, await EFSA approval for layers by Q3 2026.

Density reductions cap farms at 80% pre-outbreak levels until September. All-in-all-out strategies synchronise regional cycles.

Supply Chain Adjustments by Retailers

Colruyt and Delhaize sourced eggs from Dutch and Danish suppliers, absorbing 12% price hikes. Poultry meat promotions halted, preserving frozen inventories. Label Rouge schemes pivoted to Brazilian imports, cleared via conditional testing.

Consumer campaigns promoted alternatives like quail eggs, mitigating panic buying spikes.

Research and Long-Term Prevention Efforts

ILVO laboratories accelerated genomic surveillance, identifying 14 mutations enhancing mammal transmissibility. Horizon Europe funded €12 million for pan-European wild bird tracking. Selective breeding programmes prioritised HPAI-resistant genotypes, gaining 15% viability since 2023.

Wetland management grants incentivise buffer strips, reducing farm proximity risks by 40%.

Sector Recovery Projections

AveVe forecasts 18-month revenue recovery, contingent on Q2 repopulation. Employment impacts 8,000 jobs directly, with 15% seasonal furloughs. Structural shifts favour larger integrators, squeezing independents below 10,000 birds.

Insurance penetration at 75% cushions 60% losses, with reinsurers absorbing tails. Export restoration hinges on OIE zonal recognition by summer 2026.