Bird flu in Vestby. Protection zones and rules for residents
Bird flu has been confirmed at a commercial poultry farm in Vestby, Akershus. Mattilsynet announced the outbreak on 14 November, after receiving confirmation the previous evening. Three- and 10-kilometre zones have been established around the farm. For residents, the most important rules now concern contact with birds and keeping their own poultry.
Chickens by a henhouse. Illustrative photo from 2016; it does not show the farm in Vestby.
Karl Thomas Moore / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
What has been confirmed in Vestby?
According to a Mattilsynet announcement of 14 November, all birds at the infected farm are to be culled to limit the spread of the disease. The authority is investigating possible routes of further transmission. This is another outbreak following the detection of the virus at a farm in Klepp, Rogaland.
In its direct announcement about Vestby, the authority did not state the number of birds in the flock. Therefore, numbers circulating publicly should not be regarded as confirmed by this document.
In its direct announcement about Vestby, the authority did not state the number of birds in the flock. Therefore, numbers circulating publicly should not be regarded as confirmed by this document.
Do you keep a few chickens? Check your zone
A protection zone with a radius of 3 kilometres and a surveillance zone with a radius of 10 kilometres have been established around the outbreak. The restrictions apply to keeping birds, including in small backyard flocks. They are not a general restriction on residents' movement.
Check your address on the current map and read the rules that apply to your zone. Mattilsynet publishes the current status of outbreaks and links to local restrictions. People keeping birds within the affected area should also ensure that they are registered. Do not automatically apply rules described for Rogaland to a farm in Akershus.
Check your address on the current map and read the rules that apply to your zone. Mattilsynet publishes the current status of outbreaks and links to local restrictions. People keeping birds within the affected area should also ensure that they are registered. Do not automatically apply rules described for Rogaland to a farm in Akershus.
What should you do with a sick or dead bird?
FHI assesses the risk of human infection as very low. However, rare infections may occur after close contact with a sick bird without adequate protection. The institute therefore recommends:
Read also: Full FHI recommendations on preventing infection – in Norwegian
- do not touch sick or dead birds if you suspect infection;
- keep dogs and cats away from them;
- after contact with birds, droppings or contaminated equipment, wash your hands with soap and water;
- report the suspicion to Mattilsynet and follow the authority's instructions.
Read also: Full FHI recommendations on preventing infection – in Norwegian
Current rules instead of old alerts
Before transporting birds, visiting another poultry farm or changing how you keep them, check the authority's latest announcement. Note the date of information you share with friends — archived reports about wild birds in the north of the country do not describe the current situation in Vestby.
Information status: 14 November 2026. The photo is illustrative, from 2016; it does not show the infected farm in Vestby. Photo: Karl Thomas Moore / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes: cropped to article format.
Information status: 14 November 2026. The photo is illustrative, from 2016; it does not show the infected farm in Vestby. Photo: Karl Thomas Moore / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes: cropped to article format.
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