Authorities in the Netherlands have reported a case of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza in six white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) found dead in a wetland near Utrecht on August 3rd.  The diagnosis was confirmed by the Wageningen Bioveterinary Research National Reference Laboratory using rtPCR.

Free-living birds are responsible for introduction of HPAI into Europe, resulting in a prolonged epornitic extending from the third quarter of 2020 through 2021 to date.  It is evident that free- living anseriformes are reservoirs of infection and represent a risk to all free-range poultry.