Avian flu outbreaks reported in Taiwan, China, Nepal

New cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been reported in poultry in China, Nepal and Taiwan, and a low-pathogenic virus has been detected again in the Dominican Republic.

(Roibu, Bigstock)
(Roibu, Bigstock)

New cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been reported in poultry in China, Nepal and Taiwan, and a low-pathogenic virus has been detected again in the Dominican Republic.

Over the last week, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has been informed by the veterinary authority of Taiwan about a further three outbreaks of HPAI caused by the H5N2 virus subtype, which led to the mortality or destruction of almost 19,000 poultry. Latest to be affected were 17,272 native chickens at Dongshi in the county of Yunlin, and 1,050 meat geese in Tainan city. A batch of 90 native chickens at a Taipei slaughterhouse was destroyed after the virus was detected following suspicious signs at post-mortem inspection.

A further outbreak of HPAI linked to the H5N1 virus has been reported to the OIE by Nepal’s Ministry of Livestock Development. Latest to be affected was a flock of 5,633 ducks of a backyard flock near to the capital, Kathmandu. Of these, 240 died and the rest of the flock has been destroyed, along with 3,720 eggs and 250kg feed, according to the report.

The ministry appears to be regarding the Kathmandu outbreak unrelated to cases linked to the same virus variant in Chitwan earlier in May. The outbreaks were in the neighboring zones of Bagmati and Narayani, respectively.

A new outbreak of HPAI in China’s poultry sector has been reported by news blog, Avian Flu Diary (AFD).

Citing information from the Chinese agriculture ministry, AFD states that HPAI of the H7N9 subtype hit a layer flock in the city of Shenyang in Liaoning province in the third week of May. Around 11,000 of the birds showed symptoms of the disease, and 9,000 died. Eight thousand hens were culled, and the epidemic has been brought under control, according to the ministry.

According to AFD, the nationwide campaign to vaccinate poultry with a new H5-H7 recombinant vaccine last year has been “remarkably successful,” with just three outbreaks reported this year (in Guangxi, Shaanxi, and Ningxia), and four human infections.

OIE has been informed by the animal health agencies of Iran and Japan that there have been no new outbreaks of HPAI caused by the H5N6 virus variant in wild birds. The Iran Veterinary Organization has confirmed just one outbreak causing mass mortality of wild ducks at a natural park near the Caspian Sea in January.

For Japan, the agriculture ministry reports no mortalities or detection of the virus in the wild bird population since the end of March, and has declared the disease situation “resolved.”

Caribbean: More cases of low-pathogenic avian flu in Dominican Republic

Early in May, a low-pathogenic avian influenza virus of the H5N2 subtype was detected at a farm with almost 23,000 laying hens in the Dominican Republic, according to the official report to the OIE. Fewer than 50 of the birds died, but the rest of flock was destroyed and the farm in the province of La Vega remains in quarantine.

These latest cases bring the Republic’s total outbreaks since September last year to nine—five of these in La Vega—with over 258,000 poultry lost to the disease through mortality or culling.

Africa: HPAI detected in South African wild birds

South Africa’s agriculture department has reported to the OIE that three water birds found dead in early May have tested positive for the H5N8 HPAI virus. The birds were found in the coastal area of Eastern Cape Province, and are the latest to be found in a series of outbreaks that began in July of 2017.

Europe: No new cases of HPAI in poultry or wild birds

Following previous cases of HPAI in the area in Bulgaria, Dobrich district has become the focus for efforts to control the spread of the H5N8 virus, reports Focus Information Agency. Veterinary oversight of biosecurity at poultry farms has been made permanent, and local hunters and fishermen have been asked to inform the authorities if they find dead or sick wild birds.

Over the last week, the veterinary authorities of Germany and Finland have confirmed to the OIE that there have been no new outbreaks of HPAI in wild birds. After one month without any new cases, the German Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL) has declared the disease situation resolved. This follows detection of the H5N6 HPAI virus in wild birds in three regions since March of this year, the most recent being in North Rhine Westphalia in early May.

The Welsh governments has lifted the controls put in place to control HPAI in January. The move came as the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone was lifted for England.

However, Wales’ chief vet, Dr. Christianne Glossop, has warned all keepers of poultry and captive birds to maintain high levels of biosecurity, and to remain vigilant for signs of the disease.

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