Thirty-five farms in Belgium have been affected by a strand of avian influenza that is harmless to humans, the country's agriculture department says.
Since the beginning of April, a few dozen poultry farms have been affected by a bird flu virus.
The farms are mainly located in West Flanders.
The Federal Minister for Agriculture Denis Ducarme emphasises that the virus in question is 'completely harmless to human health'.
Moreover, the virus in question - bird flu virus of the H3 type - is not on the list of regulated and notifiable diseases.
The virus can cause symptoms in poultry, ranging from a fall in production to death.
Currently 35 poultry farms have been affected. The H3 strain was confirmed for 27 of them.
Together with the sector, the government is working on measures to curb the further spread of the disease.
Animals infected or showing symptoms of the virus will be slaughtered. The poultry farmers involved will be compensated.
