Netherlands starts bird flu vaccination program at hen farm

The Netherlands, a major egg-exporting nation, has initiated a pilot project at a laying-hen farm to vaccinate birds against avian influenza, aiming for widespread vaccination, the government announced on Monday.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza, often known as bird flu, has resulted in the deaths or culling of hundreds of millions of poultry worldwide in recent years, primarily laying hens, causing a surge in egg prices. It can also transmit to humans and other animals, increasing concerns about a new pandemic.

The Dutch pilot adheres to field experiments that showed the efficacy of two vaccines last year. Initially, it will take place at a single farm and may later be extended to additional ones, according to a government statement. The Netherlands chose to implement a phased approach as large-scale vaccination necessitates changes in veterinary infrastructure and could have trade repercussions, the government noted, without specifying them.

Bird flu vaccination initiatives may occasionally result in export bans due to concerns that vaccinated birds, which appear healthy, might endanger the uninfected birds in the importing nations. France’s nationwide vaccination initiative for ducks in 2023 led multiple countries to prohibit French poultry due to these worries.

Chicks will receive vaccinations at Dutch hatcheries prior to their transfer to laying farms, where eggs will be sold exclusively in the Netherlands. The program is set to continue until the beginning of 2027.