Dutch Dairy Cow Tests Positive for Bird Flu Antibodies in European First
Wageningen, Monday, 2 February 2026.
A dairy cow in Friesland became the first recorded case of bird flu antibodies in European cattle, marking a significant milestone in cross-species viral monitoring. The cow survived the infection and poses no public health risk.
Groundbreaking Veterinary Discovery in Agricultural Surveillance
This development represents a significant advancement in agritech and veterinary medicine, demonstrating how sophisticated monitoring systems can detect cross-species viral transmission before it becomes a public health threat. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR), part of Wageningen University & Research, confirmed the presence of bird flu antibodies in a Dutch dairy cow on January 20, 2026 [1][2]. The discovery occurred at a dairy farm in the municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân in Friesland province [2][3]. Researcher Monika Ballmann from WBVR emphasized the significance of the findings, stating that while antibodies were detected, “all samples are negative so far, meaning these animals are not carriers of active virus” [1].
Timeline of Detection and Response
The investigation began on December 24, 2025, when the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) received reports of two sick cats at the dairy farm [2]. One cat tested positive for bird flu and died two days later [2][3]. This prompted authorities to screen the dairy cattle on January 15, 2026, when no sick animals were present [2]. The breakthrough came during follow-up testing on January 22, 2026, when the NVWA collected blood and milk samples from all cattle on the farm [2]. The affected cow had experienced mastitis and respiratory problems in mid-December 2025, symptoms consistent with bird flu infection in dairy cattle, but had since recovered [1][6]. Minister Femke Wiersma of Agriculture informed the Dutch Parliament about the situation on January 23, 2026 [2][6].
European First with Global Context
According to the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, this marks the first known case of bird flu antibodies detected in dairy cattle in Europe [3][4]. The discovery is particularly significant given that similar infections have occurred multiple times in the United States, making this a crucial development for European agricultural monitoring [4]. Later investigations revealed the scope was broader than initially thought - by January 29, 2026, Minister Wiersma announced that antibody testing had identified a total of five cows with bird flu antibodies on the same Friesland farm [8]. Marc Van Ranst, a prominent virologist, highlighted the gravity of the situation on social media, noting that “the H5N1 virus has been found in the Netherlands for the first time in a cow and a cat on the same farm” [7].
Innovation in Food Safety and Public Health Protection
The detection system demonstrates advanced agricultural technology safeguarding public health through multiple protective layers. Crucially, no active virus particles were found in any of the tested animals, meaning they pose no risk for viral spread [1][2]. The farm exclusively uses its milk for pasteurized products, and the milk from the infected cow during her December illness was never processed for human consumption due to her mastitis condition [2][6]. The Dutch Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) assessed the public health risk as very low [6]. As of February 2, 2026, comprehensive antibody test results for all samples are expected to be completed [1]. The Royal Netherlands Veterinary Association has called for heightened vigilance among veterinarians, providing specific symptoms to monitor including fever, loss of appetite, sudden milk production decline, and thick, discolored milk [6].