Dutch Cows Test Positive for Bird Flu Antibodies in European First

2026-02-10 bio

Wageningen, Tuesday, 10 February 2026.
Five dairy cows in the Netherlands have tested positive for H5N1 bird flu antibodies, marking the first confirmed case of avian influenza exposure in European cattle. The discovery occurred after infected cats were found on the same farm in northeast Friesland, prompting authorities to test the entire herd. While the cows showed antibodies indicating past infection, no active virus was detected, meaning they pose no current public health risk. This breakthrough finding provides crucial insights into cross-species transmission patterns as bird flu continues spreading across Dutch poultry farms.

Agricultural Innovation in Disease Detection

This discovery represents a significant advancement in veterinary medicine and agritech, specifically in disease surveillance and cross-species pathogen monitoring. The research conducted by Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, part of Wageningen University & Research, demonstrates sophisticated antibody detection capabilities that could revolutionize how agricultural authorities monitor zoonotic diseases [1]. The innovation lies not in treatment, but in early detection systems that can identify past infections even when animals show no active virus circulation. This technology provides crucial epidemiological data for understanding how avian influenza spreads between species, offering valuable insights for preventing future pandemic scenarios.

Timeline of Discovery and Testing Protocol

The investigation began in December 2025 when two cats were found infected with bird flu, with one cat originating from the dairy farm in northeast Friesland [4][6]. Following this discovery, authorities decided to monitor the farm in mid-January 2026, leading to the detection of antibodies in the first cow [4]. The affected cow had experienced mastitis and breathing problems in December, with reduced milk production, but had fully recovered by the time of testing [4]. On January 23, 2026, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) conducted comprehensive testing of all remaining milk cows on the farm, with results proving negative for active virus [1]. Additional testing revealed four more cows with antibodies, bringing the total to five animals that had been exposed to the H5N1 virus [6][7].

Research Institution and Location Details

Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, operating under Wageningen University & Research, serves as the Dutch national reference laboratory for avian influenza and conducted this groundbreaking research [1]. The institution is led by Monika Ballmann, a WBVR researcher who heads the Netherlands reference laboratory for avian influenza [1]. The affected dairy farm is located in northeast Friesland (Noardeast-Fryslân), though specific farm details remain confidential for biosecurity reasons [4][6]. This represents the first documented case of H5N1 antibodies in European cattle, though similar cases have been previously recorded in the United States [6].

Food Safety Measures and Public Health Response

The milk from the affected cow during its December illness was kept separate and never entered the human food supply chain [4]. All milk from the farm continues to be processed only into pasteurized products, which completely inactivates any potential virus particles [1][4]. According to Ballmann, all current samples test negative, confirming that the animals are not carriers of active virus [1]. The Dutch government issued a parliamentary letter on January 23, 2026, detailing the situation and emphasizing that pasteurization renders any potential virus harmless [1][4]. People working and living on the farm have tested negative for the virus, and there are no signs of spread to other dairy operations [6]. The risk of human infection through consumption of beef, pork, eggs, or pasteurized milk products remains extremely low according to health authorities [6].

Bronnen

veterinary research avian influenza