Due to the current outbreaks of avian influenza (highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI) in Rees and several regions of Germany and Europe, the district of Kleve, in consultation with neighboring districts and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, has ordered a district-wide obligation to keep poultry in stables. Poultry exhibitions and markets or similar events are prohibited. The measures come into force on October 31, 2025 and apply until further notice. This means that poultry in the entire district of Kleve must be kept indoors with immediate effect.
The aim is to prevent the highly contagious virus from entering other flocks and thus protect poultry farms. In recent days, increased evidence of the virus has been detected in wild birds in the district and in neighboring districts.
All keepers of poultry - regardless of the size of the flock - are obliged to keep their animals in closed stables or under a device that reliably prevents contact with wild birds, for example by means of a tight roof and side fencing with a close-meshed net. The animal species concerned are chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, quails, pigeons, pheasants, partridges and ratites. This also includes small private holdings, for example so-called "hobby chickens".
The corresponding general decree issued by the district of Kleve on October 30, which contains further information and all regulations in detail, has been published on the district's website(www.kreis-kleve.de/bekanntmachungen).
Kleve district appeals to all poultry farmers to comply with "biosecurity"
Private poultry farmers, including small flocks, are also strongly recommended to take biosecurity measures:
- Store feed, litter and other objects that may come into contact with poultry in such a way that they are not accessible to wild birds
- Strict separation between street and stable clothing
- Watering the poultry with tap water (not with rainwater or other surface water)
- Regular rodent control
All commercial and private poultry farmers are still obliged to register their poultry farms with the NRW Animal Disease Fund.
Animal owners are asked to report sick or dead animals to the Kleve district veterinary office immediately.
Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease, the outbreak of which can cause great animal suffering with high animal losses and have immense economic consequences.
Further information can be found on the Kleve district website at https://www.kreis-kleve.de/gefluegelpest and on the Friedrich-Löffler-Institut website at www.fli.de.
Source: District of Kleve