Some 230,000 chickens, ducks and other poultry have been killed since the start of the current outbreak of bird flu two weeks ago, broadcaster NOS reported.

Poultry farmers were ordered to keep their birds indoors two weeks ago after the discovery of the disease on a farm in Zeewolde.  Since then, the virus has been identified on five large farms and two small ones in the centre and north of the country.

Officials hope that by keeping poultry indoors wild birds will not be able to transmit the disease to other farms. Zoos, petting zoos and people who keep birds as a hobby will also have to make sure no contact is made with wild birds and their faeces.

The last time the government had to order farmers to keep poultry inside was in October 2020 and it took some eight months before the measure was lifted.

In winter 2020/21, more than 22 million birds in the EU died, either because they had the virus or in the mass culls.