Avian flu situation deteriorates in Europe

In the past few days, France has reported its first highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) case of the 2021-2022 winter.

Avian Influenza word cloud, made with text only
Avian Influenza word cloud, made with text only

In the past few days, France has reported its first highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) case of the 2021-2022 winter. Affected was a commercial layer flock in the department of Nord, according to the national agriculture ministry. Located in the north of the country, this department borders Belgium. 

So far this winter, the ministry has recorded one HPAI outbreak at a commercial premises, three in backyard flocks and four in wild birds.

Last year, HPAI linked to the H5N8 HPAI virus variant caused more than 470 outbreaks in French poultry. Duck and goose production in the southwest of the country bore the brunt of the losses. 

First outbreaks reported in four European states

Veterinary authorities of these countries have notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about first cases of HPAI in poultry.

For Austria, Croatia, the Republic of Ireland and Slovakia, these represent the first cases of HPAI anywhere in their respective territories so far this winter. 

Following a seven-month hiatus, HPAI has returned to the Austrian poultry sector. Affected was a flock of hobby chickens in the northeastern state of Lower Austria. Birds tested positive for the H5N1 serotype. 

Croatia’s first outbreak was in a backyard flock of 93 birds in mid-November. The presence of the virus was confirmed after a spike in mortality was observed. 

Meanwhile, Ireland has registered with the OIE its first cases in poultry for almost one year. Again, presence of this virus serotype was detected in a commercial flock of 36,500 meat turkeys last week. Mortality was reported to be elevated in the flock, which was in County Monaghan. 

Confirmation of the infection led the Irish Farmers’ Association to warn of a “real possibility of turkey shortages.” If the virus spreads, there could be massive losses for turkey growers, said the association’s Organics Team chairman. 

Within days, Irish Times reported the infection in a second flock in the same county. Affected in this case was a commercial chicken flock. 

Meanwhile, Slovakia has registered its first HPAI outbreak in poultry for seven months. Affected was a non-commercial unit with 14 birds in the western region of Trnava, according to the OIE report. Presence of the H5N1 HPAI virus serotype was confirmed for the first time since 2006. 

Spread to new regions of Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, and Russia

Authorities in the Czech Republic have officially registered three new outbreaks of HPAI in poultry to the OIE. All were in the southern region of Southern Bohemia, Affected have been two flocks of breeding geese — totaling around 2,200 birds — and one of hobby poultry. 

HPAI has also returned to the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. In mid-November, a flock of meat turkeys tested positive for the H5N1 virus serotype, according to the OIE report.

From Hungary has come notification of the presence of the same virus for the first time in four regions. Affected were a flock of more than 19,000 broiler breeder in in the northeastern region of Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, and around 14,000 meat ducks in neighboring Hajdu-Bihar in the east of the country. Meanwhile, the first cases in the southern county of Csongrad were detected in 17,500 meat ducks prior to slaughter. A mixed backyard flock is the first in the western country of Zala to test positive for the same virus serotype. 

In mid-November, first cases of HPAI in Hungarian poultry were identified in the southern region of Bacs-Kiskun. Based on reports to the OIE, the number of outbreaks there is now six. Directly impacted have been more than 332,000 birds.

In Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, an HPAI virus of the H5 family has been detected at four large farms. In mid-November, birds tested positive from two commercial flocks of geese, one of ducks, and one of quail. In total, almost 143,000 birds were affected. 

Meanwhile, the first cases in poultry for three and four years, respectively, have been registered with the OIE in Russia’s Kursk region, and in Kaliningrad.  In each case, a backyard flock has tested positive for an H5 HPAI virus.  

Overview of avian flu situation in Europe’s poultry flocks

Since the start of November, 10 states have registered new outbreaks in their respective poultry sectors. This is according to the latest update of the Animal Disease Information System of the European Commission (EC).

As of November 21, a total of 1,315 HPAI outbreaks in poultry had been reported by 20 European states so far this year. This is a rise of around 70 since the previous update 8 days previously.

For comparison, a total of 442 outbreaks of HPAI in poultry were registered through the EC system in 2020. In that year, cases were reported by 16 states, and Hungary was the worst affected (273 outbreaks).

Since the start of November, the following countries have registered at least one HPAI in poultry with the EC: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Poland.  

Outbreaks in Italy pass 100

On November 26, Italian health authority and research organization for animal health and food safety IZSVe reports that the number of confirmed HPAI outbreaks has reached 102. This is an increase of 37 over a period of 10 days. 

A great majority of the latest outbreaks have been, as before, in the Veneto region — mainly in province of Verona, but also in Padua — and in commercial meat turkey flocks. Recent cases have been detected also in broiler and layer chickens, pheasants, ducks, and guinea fowl. Furthermore, the virus has also now been detected in the Lombardy region province of Mantua and Cremona. 

With the first case of the season confirmed on October 19, the number of poultry impacted by HPAI in Italy so far stands at more than 4.08 million. 

Further outbreaks elsewhere in Europe

Elsewhere in Europe, additional H5N1 HPAI outbreaks have been reported in poultry to the OIE. 

Authorities in Norway have registered a second outbreak in the Rogaland area. Affected was a layer flock of 7,500 hens. 

In the Netherlands, the number of affected flocks has risen to eight. Most recent cases were in a flock of around 120,000 broilers in Friesland, and one with 19,000 laying hens near Utrecht. 

According to the chief veterinary office, Poland’s total of HPAI outbreaks in 2021 now stands at 363.  This includes more than 923,000 poultry impacted by 224 outbreaks confirmed since the start of November. While two of the latest outbreaks were in backyard flocks, the rest were in commercial birds — mainly in ducks. Recent cases have been confirmed in five provinces — Greater Poland, Mazovia, Lodz, Lubusz and Silesia. 

As well as in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany has confirmed further HPAI outbreaks in Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein.

The latest outbreaks in Lower Saxony brings the state’s total to eight outbreaks. Directly affected are more than 103,000 poultry as a result of mortality or culling. The latest outbreaks have affected three commercial flocks of meat turkeys, and one was a mixed flock of around 2,300 birds. Meanwhile, in Schleswig-Holstein, two additional outbreaks have brought the state’s total so far this winter to three. The latest to be infected were two mixed flocks of 16 and 3,275 poultry.

In the United Kingdom (U.K.), the number of outbreaks of HPAI is poultry has reached 21, based on official reports to the OIE. Most recent outbreaks confirmed have been in backyard flocks of 82 poultry in Lancashire (in northwest England), and eight birds in Norfolk (eastern England). 

Authorities in Kazakhstan, meanwhile, have declared to the OIE that the HPAI situation has been “resolved,” as of November 17. Between September 22 and October 4, five outbreaks in poultry linked to an H5 virus were reported to the OIE. Affected were a total of around 5,300 poultry in flocks described as “backyards” in four regions of the Republic.   

Housing orders in place in the United Kingdom (U.K.)

With effect from November 29, all poultry in Great Britain — in England, Wales and Scotland — must now be kept housed, according to the agriculture department, Defra, and the devolved government departments. All three nations have already reported cases of HPAI.

In Northern Ireland, the agriculture department DAERA has put in place similar rules. Although there have as yet been no confirmed HPAI cases, there have been multiple outbreaks in the rest of the U.K., and in the Irish Republic.

The housing orders require all poultry owners — whether commercial or hobby farmers — to keep their birds indoors or otherwise away from contact with wild birds. Strict biosecurity measures must also be followed.

Poultry and other birds near to confirmed outbreaks are required to follow additional restrictions. 

HPAI outbreak total in European wild birds approaches 2,000

So far this year, 30 countries in Europe have registered a total of 1,988 HPAI outbreaks in wild birds with the EC (as of November 21). This is an increase of 198 from the total just 8 days previously.

For comparison, a total of 756 outbreaks in 13 of the region’s states were registered with the EC over the whole of 2020.

So far in November, 16 states have confirmed one or more cases of HPAI in wild birds through this notification system.

Furthermore, Switzerland has now reported the country’s first virus-positive cases of this winter to the OIE. Affected were 30 birds at an animal sanctuary near Zurich. Of these, 22 died.

Also of note are three hobby farms in The Netherlands, where small pheasant flocks have tested positive for the virus.

The H5N1 serotype of the HPAI virus has been identified in the overwhelming majority of outbreaks in Europe so far this winter. This contrasts with the H5N8 variant, which was the dominant variant during the winter of 2020-2021.

However, authorities in Finland have registered with the OIE that 10 ducks from Western Finland have recently tested positive for the H5N8 virus subtype in Western Finland earlier in November.

The EC does not monitor the animal disease situation in Russia or in Great Britain.

In Russia’s Volga River Basin, two more wild birds have tested positive for an H5 HPAI virus. This is according to the latest report to the OIE from the national veterinary authority.

Involving 59 wild birds, the H5N1 HPAI virus serotype has been identified at 22 locations across England, Wales, and Scotland. Cases have been reported to the OIE by the United Kingdom’s animal health agency since mid-November. 

View our continuing coverage of the global avian influenza situation.
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