No more bird-flu risk in Netherlands; poultry allowed outside again

Poultry farmers in the Netherlands no longer have to keep their animals caged. The bird flu risk in the Netherlands is officially gone and State Secretary Martijn van Dam of Economic Affairs decided to lift this and other measures, which have been in place for five months, RTL Nieuws reports.

The risk of the bird flu virus being transmitted by wild water birds has decreased to such an extent that extra safety measures are no longer necessary, according to expert assessment. No poultry farm in the Netherlands has been infected since Christmas, according to the broadcaster.

It's been over a month since a wild water bird with bird flu was last found in the Netherlands. The neighboring countries are also not struggling with the virus any longer.

While most measures are being lifted, Van Dam wants to keep the strict hygiene rules in place.