Situation in Belgium

 On the 23^rd of May 2025, WOAH approved Belgium’s self-declaration on the recovery of the free status of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses in poultry. Belgium was free of HPAI in poultry from 3^rd of April 2025 to 21^st of October 2025. This status was lost following an outbreak in a poultry farm on the 22^nd of October 2025.

With the migration of birds from northern Europe to (North) Africa, a period of increased risk for highly pathogenic avian influenza started in November 2021. This increased risk period is still in force but the measures were adapted depending on the evolution of the situation in Belgium and in neighbouring countries. With the return of migratory birds to Europe and the increasing number of outbreaks in poultry in Europe, the measures were strengthened on the 23^rd of October 2025. For more information on the measures implemented due to the establishment of the increased risk period, see the “Preventive measures” section below.

For more information on the measures implemented due to the establishment of the increased risk period, see the “Preventive measures” section below.

Poultry

The first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry in 2025 has been confirmed on the 18^th of February 2025. Additional outbreaks have since been confirmed in poultry.

The control measures provided for by the European legislation (under which a stamping out in the outbreaks, the immediate delimitation of a 3 km protection zone and a 10 km surveillance zone, movement restrictions within the zones and an increased surveillance within the zones) have been implemented.

In 2022, highly pathogenic H5 virus infections were detected in 11 poultry farms.

In 2023, highly pathogenic H5 virus infections were detected on 8 poultry farms.

In 2024, there were no outbreaks in poultry farms.

Information relating to all confirmed outbreaks in poultry in 2025 is detailed in the table hereunder.

^(*) All restriction zones have been established from the moment the HPAI outbreaks were confirmed.

(**) This is the provisional date. The actual date of lifting will depend on the results of the final monitoring in the zone.

¹ Outbreak located in other countries under 10 km from the border with Belgium and where the control measures provided for in European legislation are also implemented.

• WOAH (ex OIE) follow-up report for the 2021 outbreaks

• WOAH (ex OIE)  follow-up report for the 2022-2023 outbreaks (from 2022 to February 2023)

• WOAH (ex OIE) follow-up report for the 2023 outbreaks (since December 2023)

• WOAH (ex OIE) follow-up report for the 2025 outbreaks

Captive birds

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been confirmed in captive birds.

When such outbreaks are confirmed on premises where 50 birds or more are held (establishments of traders in captive birds for example), the same control measures are implemented as for outbreaks in poultry (stamping out, delimitation of 3km and 10 km zones, movement restrictions within the zones, targeted surveillance to verify absence of virus circulation prior to the lifting of the zones).

When such outbreaks are confirmed on premises where less than 50 birds are held and with a favorable risk analysis (isolated private households and no contact with poultry holdings for example), measures are limited to a stamping out of the birds present on the premises and a cleaning and disinfection of the premises. No zones are delimited.

The outbreaks of HPAI in captive birds do not have an impact on HPAI free status as stated in the WOAH Terrestrial Code (Chapter 10.4., article 10.4.1): 

“A notification of infection of birds other than poultry, including wild birds, with influenza A viruses of high pathogenicity, or of infection of domestic or captive wild birds with low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses does not affect the high pathogenicity avian influenza status of the country or zone. A Member Country should not impose bans on the international trade of poultry commodities in response to such notifications, or to other information on the presence of any non-notifiable influenza A virus in birds.”

In 2022, infections with the highly pathogenic H5 virus were detected in 7 bird traders, 10 hobby holders and 1 zoological park.

In 2023, highly pathogenic H5 virus infections were detected in 11 hobby holders.

In 2024, there were no outbreaks among captive birds.

Information relating to all confirmed outbreaks in captive birds in 2025 is detailed in the table hereunder.

⁽¹⁾ All restriction zones have been established from the moment the HPAI outbreaks were confirmed.

• WOAH follow-up report

Wild birds

Since the 15^th of  November 2021, cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza type H5 have been identified in wild birds in Belgium.

• WOAH follow-up report

Preventive Measures

• With the migration of European waterbirds back to Europe and the increased risk represented by the circulation of the AI virus in wild birds, Belgium decided to reinforce the biosecurity measures for poultry and captive birds. A period of increased risk was therefore implemented on 15^th November 2021. Measures have been adapted on several occasions to take account of changes in the epidemiological situation. The increased risk period is still in force and measures were reinforced on the 23^rd of October 2025 in response to the return of migratory birds to Europe and the increase of outbreaks in poultry in Europe.
  The following measures are applicable on the whole territory:
  • It is mandatory to confine or protect poultry or captive birds in registered establishments (e.g. with nets).
  • It is mandatory to water poultry and captive birds inside or under nets.
  • There is a ban on using untreated surface water for poultry and captive birds.
  • It is mandatory to feed all poultry indoors (or under nets) to limit the risk of contact with wild birds.
  • Increased surveillance in commercial poultry farms and current provisions concerning thinning of poultry for slaughter are maintained.  
     
• The following measures are applicable for gatherings throughout the year: all gatherings (exhibitions, contests, markets) of poultry and birds are prohibited, both for professionals and individuals, except non – commercial gatherings and public markets of captive birds organised by a local authority under the following conditions:
  • The following measures apply for the non-commercial gatherings of captive birds:
    • The simultaneous presence of registered poultry traders or hobby holders on the one hand and non-registered hobby holders on the other hand is prohibited;
    • The organizer of the gathering must register with the appropriate FASFC Local Control Unit at least 48 hours before the start of the event;
    • The organizer of the gathering keeps a list of the names and addresses of all keepers who participate to the gathering with their animals. This list must be kept at the disposal of the FASFC for at least 2 months;
    • The gathering is placed under the official supervision of an approved veterinarian appointed by the organizer of the gathering;
    • The organizer communicates the name of the appointed approved veterinarian to the Local Control Unit concerned before the start of the gathering;
    • Chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, quail (except dwarf quail), pheasants, partridges, ratites, Columba pigeons and peacocks present at the assembly must have been confined or protected in such a way as to prevent contact with wild birds for 10 days prior to the assembly.
  • The following measures apply for public markets of captive birds organised by a local authority:
    • The local authority must register with the appropriate FASFC Local Control Unit at least 3 months before the start of the market. In the case of a weekly market, this registration needs only to be done once;
    • The local authority keeps a list of the names and addresses of all sellers participating in the market. This list must be kept at the disposal of the FASFC for at least 2 months;
    • The market is placed under the official supervision of an approved veterinarian appointed by the local authority;
    • The local authority communicates the name of the appointed approved veterinarian to the Local Control Unit concerned before the start of the gathering.
    • Only registered traders and hobby holders may sell captive birds. The sale by not registered hobby holder keepers is prohibited.

Surveillance programmes

Since 2004 several surveillance programmes have been implemented by the FASFC in order to detect any possible introduction of avian influenza:

Official surveillance programmes in poultry

• A serological screening: with the aim of determining the prevalence of avian influenza viruses in poultry on farms. Blood samples are taken on poultry farms with more than 100 poultry of the species ducks, geese, partridges and pheasants.
• A passive monitoring: in which all cases of abnormal disease or mortality in poultry and all cases of a significant drop in egg laying, or sharply reduced feed and water intake, are examined by the farm veterinarian. If the veterinarian cannot rule out the possibility of infection with the avian influenza virus, no therapeutic treatment may be initiated before samples or carcasses have been submitted to an approved laboratory for autopsy and additional examination.

Official surveillance programmes in wild birds

• An active monitoring: in which cloacal or tracheal swabs are taken from wild birds and examined. Sampling shall take place at the same time as the ringing activities carried out by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) around the country, and to a lesser extent by hunters during the hunting season for water game.
• A passive monitoring: in which suspicious mortality among wild birds is investigated. In addition, dead birds that meet a number of criteria in terms of species and numbers shall be transferred to the laboratory for analysis. All samples are examined by the national reference laboratory for avian influenza Sciensano.