AMSTERDAM - The Netherlands is to cull around 201,000 chickens on a farm in the northern city of Emmen after the detection of a highly infectious strain of bird flu, the government said on Monday.

Twelve cases of the highly lethal form of avian flu have been reported in the Netherlands in September, following dozens of cases earlier in the year.

France has also seen a resurgence in cases after experiencing its worst-ever bird flu wave earlier this year.

The spread of bird flu around the globe has raised concerns among governments and the poultry industry due to its ability to ravage flocks, generate trade restrictions and the risk of human transmission.

The risk to humans is considered low, but past outbreaks among farm birds have needed extensive culling programmes to contain them. REUTERS