Avian influenza cases continue at Taiwan farms

Avian influenza outbreaks continue in Taiwan, with the latest cases impacting a flock of turkeys and a flock of geese. Both cases, located in Yunlin County, were confirmed to be H5N2 avian influenza.

The turkey farm, in Yunlin County’s Kouhu Township, had 2,500 susceptible birds, all of which died as a result of contracting the virus. The flock of geese, in Yunlin County’s Shuilin Township, had 3,000 susceptible birds. Of those, 2,112 died and the remaining 888 were destroyed, according to an April 14 report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

After abnormal mortalities were observed at both farms, samples were sent to a national laboratory for diagnosis, with samples from both farms testing positive for H5N2 avian influenza. The source of the outbreaks has not yet been determined.

Both locations have been put under movement restrictions and surrounding poultry farms within three kilometers of the infected farms will be under intensified surveillance for a period of three months.

Because of the numerous outbreaks of avian influenza that have resulted in the deaths of more than 4 million birds in Taiwan, the country’s government has stated that effective in September, it will require that all poultry be raised in enclosed spaces to help stop the spread of the virus.