Dutch Ban Poultry Transport Over ‘Highly Pathogenic’ Bird Flu Strain

The Netherlands has discovered a “highly pathogenic” bird flu virus that can be transmitted to humans. The authorities have banned poultry transport throughout the country.  The strain of avian influenza, or bird flu, was found at a battery poultry farm in the village of Hekendorp, in the central province of Utrecht (population 300,000 people), late on Saturday, according to authorities.  "This highly pathogenic variant of avian influenza is very dangerous for bird life," the government said in a statement. "The disease can be transmitted from animals to humans."

No details have been revealed about the exact strain of bird flu the Netherlands is dealing with, but it’s known the variant endangers birds and is lethal for chickens.  The highly contagious H5N8 strain, confirmed on Saturday, was detected in Europe less than two weeks ago. The strain was found at a farm in northeastern Germany on November 4...