The Federal Agency for Food Chain Safety (FASFC) announced on Monday that H5 avian influenza had been detected at a poultry farm in Deer Lake, West Flanders. This is the latest case at a poultry farm in Belgium amid a rise in bird flu infections.

According to FASFC, the spread of avian influenza has intensified in recent weeks. Since autumn 2025, outbreaks have been recorded in 20 poultry farms and two hobby farms in Belgium. A large number of infections have been detected in wild birds, and large numbers of infected people have been reported in neighboring countries as well.

To prevent further spread, Belgium requires infected farms to kill poultry. All poultry farmers within a 10km radius of the outbreak must quarantine their livestock. The same obligation applies to other birds within the three kilometer zone.

Obligations to protect poultry were also reintroduced in October to curb further outbreaks. This measure applies to all professional farmers and registered hobby breeders. Privately owned birds do not need to be kept indoors, but they should be provided with food and water in a protected area.

Infection spread accelerates in winter

“Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that affects almost all bird species,” explained FASFC spokesperson Hélène Bonte. “The severity of the disease varies from animal to animal and depends on the virus strain, environment, and other infections. Infection can occur through direct contact with sick animals or contaminated materials such as manure or dirty boxes.”

According to FASFC, this winter has been a particularly severe season for bird flu. “This type of virus thrives in cold weather,” Bonte said. “The freezing temperatures and the high number of cases in neighboring countries meant that the virus could spread rapidly in Belgium as well.”

The agency stresses that human infections remain an exception. To date, no human-to-human transmission has been observed worldwide. FASFC continues to warn the public against touching dead or sick birds.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Photo © Jaime Reyna/AFP}

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