BRUSSELS, March 30 (Xinhua) -- An outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, also known as bird flu, has been detected in a poultry farm in Meulebeke in the province of West Flanders, Belgium, according to an official report published Wednesday by the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (AFSCA).

       For security reasons, chickens raised on the farm have been culled, confirmed the report.

       Measures in accordance with European and Belgian legislation have been taken to contain the spread of the virus, such as establishing a protection zone with a radius of three kilometers and a surveillance zone with a radius of 10 kilometers.

       Within these two areas, additional measures to those in place throughout the country are being taken to counter the bird flu virus.

       Moving poultry and other birds, as well as hatching eggs, is prohibited, except for transit through the area.

       If a farmer notices any sign of disease among his poultry or birds, the AFSCA has recommended that a veterinarian be consulted.