Balen Bird Flu Outbreak Triggers Zones in Lommel

An outbreak of the severe H5N1 strain of avian flu has been confirmed at a hobby breeder’s holding in Balen, according to local reporting by GVA. The detection has prompted health and food safety authorities to establish strict protection and surveillance zones spanning multiple municipalities in the region.

Balen Protection Zone Requires Indoor Poultry

GVA reported that a 3-kilometer red protection zone has been drawn tightly around the outbreak site in Balen, which also encompasses parts of neighboring Mol. Within this immediate perimeter, all poultry and captive birds must be brought indoors or kept under protective nets immediately. The FAVV, Belgium’s federal food safety agency, strongly advises all poultry keepers in the wider region to shield their coops and aviaries from wild birds to prevent rapid transmission via direct contact, contaminated manure, or equipment.

Surveillance Zone Extends Across Twelve Municipalities

A broader 10-kilometer blue surveillance zone extends across parts of Balen, Beringen, Dessel, Geel, Hechtel-Eksel, Laakdal, Leopoldsburg, Lommel, Meerhout, Mol, Retie, and Tessenderlo-Ham, as detailed by GVA and beeldignieuws.be. In Lommel, the restriction zone primarily impacts the southwest of the city, including parts of Werkplaatsen and Stevensvennen, where the city administration published an official border map. Bildignieuws.be reported that residents keeping chickens, poultry, or ornamental birds within this zone must keep their animals penned or shielded so that contact with wild birds is impossible. Feed and water must also be supplied indoors or in a protected area.

FAVV Regulations And Prohibited Bird Gatherings

Under the emergency measures outlined by beeldignieuws.be, rainwater or surface water accessible to wild birds is strictly banned as animal drinking water unless treated first. Moving poultry, other captive birds, and hatching eggs into or out of facilities within the surveillance zone is temporarily prohibited. Markets, exhibitions, and all other gatherings involving birds are banned across the entire zone to curb virus spread. Belgium maintains its disease-free status for the time being because the virus was detected at a hobby holding rather than a commercial farm.

Keepers Must Report Sick or Dead Birds

Avian influenza is highly contagious among birds and spreads easily through wild species and their droppings. Bildignieuws.be noted that keepers observing illness, high mortality, or sudden production drops must report them directly to the FAVV. GVA added that dead or sick birds must not be touched, and citizens who encounter a dead wild bird can report it on weekdays between 9 AM and 12 PM via the free hotline 0800 99 777 so the carcass can be collected and tested.