Avian influenza and humans: what you need to know about NOS

in Addition to the ophokplicht apply there since yesterday, more measures to prevent the spread of the bird flu. The poultry sector expects that the ophokplicht months is going to take.

The measures follow the discovery of dead, infected birds around the lake IJsselmeer and in Rotterdam. But what is bird flu and what should you keep in mind? Explanation in six questions.

Influenza in birds?

Avian influenza is a virus that can be transmitted by poultry or wild birds. This fall, the virus during the migration taken to other parts of the world. Unlike the name suggests, are many species not sensitive to, they wear it only with themselves. In contrast, the virus for poultry dangerous, however, this can be fatal.

The avian flu has many different variants. The virus that now in the Netherlands there is a descendant of the H5 virus that has been all over the world circulates.

Where does the flu come from?

This H5 virus is most likely to arise in Asia, says virologist is in order Thijs Kuiken of the Erasmus MC. “Two years ago, there is also an outbreak of the same type. We then can determine that the virus occurred in Korea and in countries in the region,” says Chick.