Denmark has decided to cull 150,000 chickens after they detected an outbreak of a highly contagious H5N1 bird flu virus.

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration came out with this announcement along with the news that the bird flu virus was found in a flock in the southeastern part of the country's Jutland Peninsula.

The State Serum Institute confirmed that the contagious disease has officially broken out, and increased death rates and disease symptoms have been found among the animals. The culling of the animals is set to begin as soon as possible to avoid the disease spreading any further.

They said that the outbreak is the first in a Danish poultry flock since April, when they lifted restrictions on poultry farming which was first imposed in December 2024. Back in December, it was said that owners of poultry and other birds must keep their animals indoors, or at least under cover, as there could be an increased risk of infection otherwise.

Similarly, the Netherlands face the same issue, with the government confirming that 71,000 chickens will be culled at a farm in the northern part of the country after the bird flu was also detected there. This is the first Dutch outbreak since March.

Many European countries are now stepping up their biosecurity measures before the winter migratory season begins, as contact between wild birds and domestic ones increases the chances of the virus being transmitted.

Nevertheless, both Denmark and Dutch governments have expressed the fact that this outbreak doesn't put any risk on food safety, and poultry products from unaffected farms should be completely safe for consumption.