France reports decline in avian flu cases in poultry

Since January, the number of days elapsing between new highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in French poultry flocks has been increasing.

digital illustration of colorful avian flu virus
digital illustration of colorful avian flu virus
designersart | BigStockPhoto.com

Since January, the number of days elapsing between new highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in French poultry flocks has been increasing. Over the period February 13 to March 13, 16 new outbreaks were confirmed, according to the latest disease situation update from the agriculture ministry

Total outbreaks in this category stands as 314 in mainland France since the start of the current HPAI “season” on August 1, 2022 (as on March 16). This is just one more outbreak over the previous week. However the affected premises was the season’s first for the department of Eure-et-Loir in the Centre-Val de Loire region in central France. It brings to 32 the number departments in all 12 regions registering one of more HPAI outbreaks since August. Of these, the ministry reports that just nine departments are still affected by the H5N1 HPAI virus. 

Among the French wild bird population, mortality from HPAI remains high, but the number of outbreaks is also slowing, according to the government.

Germany's farms, zoos to remain on high avian flu alert

In the latest assessment of HPAI risk in Germany, the national veterinary reference laboratory, Friedrich-Loeffler Institute (FLI) has reduced the threat level to “moderate” for the risk of transmission between poultry farms (including those with waterfowl). One month previously, these risks were assessed as “high”. 

By contrast, FLI says that the risks of HPAI virus spreading in other environments in Germany remains high. With a recent spike in cases among wild birds, particularly seagulls, and seasonal movements of these populations, German poultry farms and zoos are at no less risk of infection than before. Furthermore, FLI also assesses live bird sales and poultry shows as representing a continued threat to other commercial and captive birds. 

In a recent assessment of the disease situation in Europe, the food safety agency warned of a possible future resurgence of HPAI in the region. This was based on the continued high rate of infections detected in wild birds as spring migrations begin. 

Europe’s commercial poultry outbreak total passes 200

So far in 2023, 208 outbreaks have been reported in commercial poultry flocks, according to the Animal Disease Information System from the European Commission (EC; as of March 10). 

One or more outbreaks have occurred in 17 countries covered by the EC since the start of the year. This includes Italy, where the country’s first outbreak of the year was confirmed earlier this month. 

Based on information supplied to the EC, France has the highest number of outbreaks (63 so far this year), followed by Poland (56). Next comes Hungary, whose total has risen by 11 since the previous update (on March 3), and now stands at 29. 

These three nations are followed by the Czech Republic with 20 outbreaks since the start of 2023, and Germany with 15. Each of the other countries has a total so far of no more than four outbreaks.

HPAI returns to commercial poultry in Denmark, German state

Over the past week, animal health agencies of three European states have registered new cases of HPAI in commercial poultry with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). 

In Germany, the first cases on a farm have been confirmed in Rhineland Palatinate since 2017. In mid-March, presence of the H5N1 HPAI virus was confirmed after almost 100 of the 817 laying hens died in this western German state. A few days previously, outbreaks were reported in a flock of more than 20,000 meat turkeys in the southeastern state of Bavaria, and in a mixed flock of around 75,600 poultry in Schleswig-Holstein in the north of the country.

Following a brief hiatus, the H5N1 virus serotype has been detected again in Denmark. According to the WOAH notification, affected was a small flock of poultry at a farm in Gribskov. This municipality is located in the Capital Region in the northeast of the island of Zeeland. 

From the United Kingdom (U.K.), the veterinary authority has informed WOAH that the same virus variant was detected earlier this month on a farm with 160,000 broilers in Cumbria. This outbreak — in the northwest of England — brings the U.K.’s total outbreaks in poultry so far this year to 20. 

Further outbreaks recorded in captive birds

As of March 10, 10 European nations have notified the EC’s System of HPAI cases in “captive birds” since the start of 2023. Covering backyard and hobby poultry flocks as well as premises such as zoos, the total stands at 71 across the region for the year so far.

Affected since the start of January have been 26 premises in Germany, 24 in France, and eight in Belgium. Each of the other seven countries has recorded no more than four outbreaks in this category.

Over the past week, two new outbreaks in this category have been registered with WOAH by the German authorities. Affected premises were located in Baden-Wurttemberg in the south-west of the country, and in the eastern state of Saxony.

Not covered by the EC system is the disease situation in Russia. In recent days, the authorities have declared to WOAH that the H5N1 HPAI situation has been resolved in Belgorod. In this region of the Central federal district, one backyard flock tested positive for the virus at the end of January. No further cases have been reported since that time. 

The agriculture department, Defra is currently consulting stakeholders in the U.K. on a proposal requiring all owners of poultry in Great Britain to register their flocks.

Currently, only those owning 50 birds or more need register. However, the authorities say that wider inclusion would help in the control of diseases such as HPAI by improving communication about disease risks and biosecurity advice. As well as all backyard poultry, the expanded register is also proposed to cover captive pigeons and birds of prey. 

Europe’s wild bird outbreak total this year approach 1,300

So far this year, a total of 1,293 outbreaks of HPAI have already been registered through the EC’s System by 22 European states (as of March 10).

With 345 since the start of January, Germany has confirmed the most outbreaks in this category. This is an increase of 75 compared with the EC’s previous report dated March 3. 

France’s total has risen by 94 over the same period to 256. Next come Belgium (131), the Netherlands (121), Austria (84), Italy (77), Switzerland (57), and Denmark (53). Each of the other countries reporting outbreaks has a total of between one and 37 outbreaks so far this year.

Also confirming one or more new cases in the wild population with the EC over the previous seven days were Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. 

Of the U.K., the EC only monitors the animal disease situation in Northern Ireland. Seven more wild birds found dead at two locations in England have tested positive for the H5N1 virus serotype. 

HPAI in other species reported in Belgium, U.K.

Across the globe, animals other than birds have tested positive for the H5N1 HPAI virus. Among these cases have been several species of mammals. 

Recently, the authority in Belgium has notified WOAH about a number of cases in wild animals. Testing positive for the HPAI virus at several locations across the country since April of last year have been wild polecats and red foxes, as well as six domestic Mustelids. This family includes ferrets. The virus serotype has not yet been identified.

So far this year, another two wild animals in the U.K. have been infected with the same virus, according to Defra. Latest cases were in dolphins — one in Wales, and one in southwest England. 

Since the start of 2023, six wild mammals have tested positive for this virus serotype across the U.K.

View our continuing coverage of the global avian influenza situation.

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