Vietnam confirms new HPAI outbreaks in poultry

From Vietnam come official reports that nine new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been detected in poultry flocks. Meanwhile, two members of one family in China have been infected with an influenza virus of avian origin.

(bangoland | Bigstock)
(bangoland | Bigstock)

From Vietnam come official reports that nine new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been detected in poultry flocks. Meanwhile, two members of one family in China have been infected with an influenza virus of avian origin. 

According to the latest reports from the nation’s animal health agency to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), cases of HPAI in poultry continue to mount in Vietnam.

In the ongoing wave of outbreaks linked to the H5N6 virus subtype, three new outbreaks were confirmed in early July and early August. Affected were a total of just over 6,000 poultry in village flocks. These were located in different provinces and regions — Northeastern, North Central Coast, and Central Highlands regions. 

These bring to 59 the number of outbreaks reportedly caused by this virus in the country over the past 12 months.

Also circulating in the country is the H5N8 HPAI virus variant. This was detected among six village poultry flocks over the period July 7 to August 9, according to the most recent OIE report. Directly impacted were almost 11,000 birds, including 2,700 mortalities. Recently affected flocks were in the Red River Delta, North Central Coast, and Northeastern regions.

Linked to this virus, 10 outbreaks affecting 20,000 poultry have been confirmed to the OIE since May of 2020. 

Furthermore, the H5N1 HPAI virus is also present in Vietnam. This has been detected in 15 poultry flocks in the south of Vietnam. Most recent outbreak reported was in May of this year.

Since the start of this year, the agriculture ministry has reported a sharp rise in the illegal trade of poultry and products across Vietnam’s borders. More than 120,000 live birds and “tens of tons” of seized poultry products have been destroyed, reported Vietnam Net recently. Furthermore, 4% of samples from poultry markets test positive for the H5N6 virus, which is transmissible to humans.

Vietnam’s veterinary authority last registered HPAI outbreaks with the OIE around one month ago. 

No new cases of mild avian flu in Taiwan

Earlier this month, Taiwan’s animal health agency reported that no new cases of low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) linked to the H5N2 virus variant have recently been detected among the territory’s poultry population. 

Since January of 2015, more than 226,000 birds have died as a result of this virus variant at 59 locations across Taiwan. A further 836,500 poultry have been culled over this period to halt the spread of infection.

New human cases of avian influenza in China

Earlier this month, two new cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus have been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). Symptoms began on July 6 and July 13 in two members of the same household in the Chinese province of Hunan. Both had contact with, and had consumed poultry from a live bird market. One of the patients was admitted to hospital with severe pneumonia, while the other experienced milder symptoms.

According to WHO data, 40 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with this virus subtype — including 22 deaths — have been reported in the Western Pacific Region since 2014. 

View our continuing coverage of the global avian influenza situation.

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