Avian influenza kills 15,500 ducks in India

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  Andrea Gantz

  Avian influenza has killed thousands of ducks at two sites in India.

  From WATTAgNet:
  Avian influenza has been confirmed at two locations in the Kerala state of India. The virus has killed an estimated 15,500 ducks between the two sites, with tens of thousands more birds susceptible.
  The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reported that at one site, 15,000 ducks out of a susceptible 228,807 susceptible birds died from the virus. At the other location, 500 ducks out of a susceptible 13,000 died.
  The exact serotype is not yet known, although it has been confirmed to be a form of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza.
  Samples from both sites were sent to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal, where they were confirmed positive for avian influenza on November 24.
  The source of the outbreaks has not yet been determined.
  Culling efforts have been started. Other control measures implemented include quarantine, movement control inside the country, screening, dipping and spraying. The affected premises will also be disinfected, according to the OIE.
  Concerns about avian influenza have been widespread in the global poultry industry in November. Outbreaks of H5N8 avian influenza have also been reported in flocks in The Netherlands, Germany, U.K. and Japan. Several other countries have subsequently implemented trade bans involving countries affected by avian influenza.