Museum farm Bokrijk reopens July 21 after Q fever outbreak in lambs

The Bokrijk museum farm is set to reopen its doors to visitors on July 21, welcoming them back with "extra cuddle moments" after a temporary closure due to a Q fever scare. The farm had been closed for several months after one of its lambs was diagnosed with the infection.

Q fever is a bacterial disease that can spread from animals to humans. While generally not dangerous for people, it can pose risks to individuals in vulnerable groups, such as those with heart conditions or pregnant women. The presence of the infection in a lamb necessitated the closure to ensure public safety and prevent further spread.

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Daar zijn we heel blij om, want daar kunnen mensen echt ontdekken hoe mens, dier en omgeving vroeger samenleefden.

According to Marjon Daemen of Bokrijk, "everything is safe again now." The adult sheep were allowed to leave the stable some time ago, and now the museum farm will fully reopen. Daemen expressed delight, noting that the farm allows visitors to "truly discover how humans, animals, and the environment lived together in the past."

The lambs have all received vaccinations, which could only be administered once they reached three months of age. This, along with a subsequent waiting period, contributed to the delay in reopening. The Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV) has mandated that the sheep at Bokrijk be vaccinated against Q fever for the next three years, ensuring continued safety. Daemen assured visitors that there is no need to worry about interacting with the lambs upon reopening, stating, "Everything is safe. We are very much looking forward to letting our 21 lambs loose again on July 21."

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Alles is veilig. We kijken er enorm naar uit om onze 21 lammetjes weer los te laten op 21 juli.