So far this season, a total of 190 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks have been registered in 13 European Union (EU) member states (as on October 13).
According to the European Reference Lab for avian influenza, IZSVe, the total includes cases in 36 flocks of poultry and 31 of captive birds, as well as 123 outbreaks in wild birds.
In poultry, the most outbreaks have been confirmed in Germany (10), followed by France (9), and Belgium (8).
Since the start of autumn, H5N1 has been the virus serotype involved in the majority of outbreaks across the continent. However, analyses by the reference lab reveal wide heterogeneity in the genetic composition of the circulating viruses. Furthermore, it reports, recently isolated viruses vary in different degrees from those identified in previous disease waves.
It was only at the start of October that a warning was issued about a high risk of HPAI this coming winter in Europe.
U.K. confirms 28 HPAI outbreaks in one week
Over the past week (October 10-17), cases of HPAI linked to the H5N1 HPAI virus serotype have been confirmed at 28 locations in the United Kingdom (U.K.).
Announced by the agriculture department, Defra, they bring to 43 the number of outbreaks in England for the current HPAI “season,” which began at the start of this month.
Among the latest cases are the season’s first in domestic birds in both Scotland and Wales. From Northern Ireland, the agriculture department reports the first suspected case in wild birds over the same period.
Of the latest outbreaks in England, 17 were in commercial poultry, six in captive birds, and two in mixed flocks.
From October 12, the authorities in England extended restrictions on bird owners in part of eastern England. With few exceptions, housing of poultry and captive birds is now mandatory.
Of the 25 latest outbreaks in England, 20 were in locations covered by the housing order. While two were in regions nearby, the others were in north-western and western English counties.
Further details of outbreaks in England starting in the last week of September have been reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) over the past seven days.
According to the official notification, affected were five farms. Four were in counties now covered by the housing order, and the other was in Oxfordshire in South East England. With a total of around 36,700 poultry, affected flocks ranged in size from 120 to 14,440 birds, and included broilers, turkeys, geese, and layer ducks.
Further cases in western European poultry
Latest HPAI outbreaks in the Netherlands bring the country’s total number since October of 2021 to 73, directly impacting more than 4.2 million poultry.
Over the period September 28 and October 10, cases were detected in three flocks each of laying hens and broilers, and one of breeder ducks, according to a WOAH report. Five of the farms were in Groningen in the north-east of the country, one in neighboring Drenthe, and one in the eastern province of Gelderland.
More recently, the Dutch agriculture ministry has confirmed a further five outbreaks on poultry farms. Affected were a total of around 284,000 birds including three flocks of broilers, one of turkey, and one of broiler breeders. Confirmed on October 7-16, they were located in South Holland in the west, Limburg in the south, and Overijssel in the east of the Netherlands.
Since late November of last year, the number of HPAI outbreaks in poultry flocks in France stands at 1,400, based on notification to WOAH. Directly impacted have been more than 16.1 million birds.
Latest report from the national animal health agency covers seven outbreaks starting in the period September 21-October 9. Each involved a flock of 4,800-33,200 birds including turkeys, and meat and breeder ducks. While one of the farms was in Brittany in the north-west of France, the others were in the western region of Pays de la Loire.
Since August 1, the country has recorded 24 HPAI outbreaks in commercial poultry, and 29 in other flocks (including backyards and captive birds), according to the French agriculture ministry. Including recent first cases in Réunion (an overseas French territory in the Indian Ocean), affected have been commercial premises in 13 departments of eight regions.
Also registering with WOAH new farm HPAI outbreaks over the past week were Germany — three in two northern states — and one in Belgium.
For all of the outbreaks described in domestic birds above, tests were positive for the H5N1 serotype of the HPAI virus.
Overall situation in Europe’s commercial poultry flocks
As of October 7, 1,863 HPAI outbreaks have been recorded across Europe so far this year. This is based on the latest update of the Animal Disease Information System by the European Commission (EC). To date, one or more outbreaks have occurred in 21 European countries since the start of 2022. As the U.K. is no longer a member of the European Union, EC does not report on the disease situation there.
For comparison, this season’s figure has passed the total of 1,756 outbreaks registered with the EC by 24 European states over the whole of 2021.
This year, France is the nation reporting the most outbreaks to the EC (1,367). Next comes Hungary (205), the Netherlands (62), and Germany (59).
Further outbreaks among backyard flocks, captive birds
In its reporting system, the EC has recently introduced a separate category for HPAI outbreaks in captive birds. Covering non-commercial poultry flocks, zoos, and similar premises, this year’s total stands at 143 (as of October 7).
With 64 so far this year, France leads the region’s nations for this type of outbreak, followed by the Netherlands (37). Each of the 13 other countries reporting cases in this category in 2022 has registered between one and eight outbreaks.
Since October 1, France has confirmed with the EC 10 new outbreaks in backyard/captive birds, and Belgium one more.
To WOAH, four countries have reported new outbreaks in this category since October 10.
In France, outbreaks were confirmed at 25 locations between September 18 and October 9, affecting almost 3,700 birds in total. Meanwhile, there were cases at two locations in the U.K., and one each in the Netherlands and the Faeroe Islands.
HPAI outbreaks continue in wild species across Europe
For the year to October 7, a total of 2,750 HPAI outbreaks in wild birds have been reported to the EC. One or more outbreaks have now been confirmed in 32 European states in 2022.
Of the total, 1,135 outbreaks have been reported by Germany, followed by the Netherlands (581) and France (242). Since October 1, total cases have also risen for Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, and Slovenia.
For comparison, the EC disease system recorded a total of 2,437 HPAI outbreaks in captive and wild birds in 31 European states during the whole of 2021.
View our continuing coverage of the global avian influenza situation.
