New outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Taiwan, China, Nepal and Nigeria have been reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Taiwan authorities hail poultry movement ban a success
With no new outbreaks of HPAI in poultry caused by the H5N6 virus since February 19, the Council of Agriculture (COA) has announced an earlier seven-day ban on poultry transportation and slaughter a success, reports Focus Taiwan. The number of outbreaks in Taiwan involving this virus remains at 11.
According to the COA, a total of 77 poultry farms have tested positive for HPAI this year, and almost 588,000 birds have been culled to halt the spread of infection.
Of these outbreaks, the H5N2 virus has been detected at 66 locations, which is an increase of 18 over the past week. The most recent cases have been confirmed on four duck farms in Yilan county, and more than 27,000 birds have been culled, reports Focus Taiwan.
In its latest report to the OIE, the COA has outlined 11 HPAI outbreaks caused by the H5N2 virus starting between January 13 and February 17. More than 115,000 poultry – including chickens, native chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese – died or were destroyed after the virus was confirmed.
COA also informed OIE about eight outbreaks of HPAI caused by the H5N6 virus and starting in the second week of February. More than 12,000 poultry – chickens, ducks and geese – died or were destroyed as a result of that infection.
Asia: HPAI returns to Nepal, China
According to the animal health authority in Nepal, H5N1 HPAI has returned to the country after an absence of almost three years. According to the official OIE report, a flock of almost 400 chickens and ducks in Pokhara city was hit by sudden death in mid-February after similar signs were seen in a neighboring flock.
Two weeks later, surveillance revealed that another flock was positive for the virus, and the 2,100 birds were destroyed to prevent the further spread of the disease.
China’s agriculture ministry has informed OIE that the H7N9 HPAI virus has been detected in chicken and/or environmental samples at a further six livestock markets in Guangdong province.
In Japan, the last restrictions have been lifted in the country, 21 days after a confirmed outbreak of HPAI in Saga prefecture, according to the report sent to the OIE by the national animal health agency.
Africa: new outbreaks in Nigeria
There have been six new outbreaks of H5N1 HPAI in the states of Nasawara and Plateau in central Nigeria. These involved pullets and/or laying hens on four farms and in one non-commercial flock. More than 13,000 birds were affected by the outbreaks.
Avian flu situation resolved in Mexico, Cambodia, Libya
In April 2015, the animal health director in the Mexican agriculture ministry reported to OIE the first cases of HPAI in poultry caused by the H7N3 virus. With the last confirmed case in May last year, the disease situation appears to be over.
Having reported the detection of a low-pathogenic H7N3 avian flu virus in a flock of village ducks in January 2017, the Cambodian veterinary authority has informed OIE that no further cases have been detected, and that the situation is now “resolved.”
Two years ago, an outbreak of HPAI caused by the H5N1 virus was reported in Libya. There have been no further cases in the meantime, the veterinary authority has reported to the OIE.
