Avian influenza confirmed at German turkey holding

A low pathogenic form of avian influenza has been detected at a turkey fattening holding in Langen, Germany, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reported.
Of a total 23,500 turkeys at the farm, 100 were reported to have died. Diagnostic tests conducted on March 3 at the Friedrich-Loeffler Institute’s national laboratory proved positive for an outbreak of H7N7 avian influenza.
The remaining 23,400 turkeys at the holding have been destroyed and safely disposed of, according to the OIE. Other control measures used included screening, zoning and disinfection of the infected premises.
The cause of the outbreak remains inconclusive at this time. The OIE report stated that no poultry or poultry meat has been moved to other regions in Germany, EU member states or third countries.
The avian influenza outbreak in Langen follows an earlier outbreak at another turkey holding in November 2014. In that case, an estimated 1,880 turkeys were infected with H5N8 avian influenza, with culling efforts following. That outbreak led Russia to impose temporary trade restrictions on live poultry, eggs and poultry products from Germany.
OIE stated that it will conduct weekly follow-up reports on the latest German case of avian influenza until it has been resolved.

Avian influenza at UK broiler operation confirmed as H7N7

An outbreak of avian influenza detected at a broiler breeder farm in Hampshire, U.K., has been confirmed to be of the low pathogenic H7N7 serotype. The outbreak was initially reported by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency (Defra), on February 2, with the serotype confirmation being announced on February 6.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reported that the farm housed about 10,000 40-week-old housed broiler chickens. Fifty-two of those birds had died as a result of contracting the virus.
Defra stated there is no link between the H7N7 outbreak and the H5N8 avian influenza outbreak that was found at a Yorkshire duck farm in November, 2014.
A 1-kilometer poultry movement restriction zone has been imposed and all birds at the commercial chicken breeding farm have been culled to prevent the potential spread of infection.
“We have taken immediate action to contain this outbreak as part of our robust procedures for dealing swiftly with avian flu. This is a low severity form of the virus and we are taking action to ensure that the disease does not spread or develop into a more severe form. We are investigating the possible sources of the outbreak,” said Nigel Gibbens, chief veterinarian.

H7 avian influenza confirmed at UK broiler breeder farm

A low severity case of avian influenza has been confirmed at a broiler breeder farm in Hampshire, U.K., the Department for Environment, Food& Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency (Defra) stated.
Tests have confirmed the outbreak as a low severity H7 strain of the disease, a much less severe form than the H5N8 strain found at a Yorkshire duck farm in November, 2014. There are no links between the two cases.
A 1-kilometer poultry movement restriction zone has been imposed and the birds at the commercial chicken breeding farm are to be culled as part of Defra’s procedures for responding swiftly and thoroughly when an outbreak occurs.
Chief veterinarian Nigel Gibbens said: “We have taken immediate action to contain this outbreak as part of our robust procedures for dealing swiftly with avian flu. This is a low severity form of the virus and we are taking action to ensure that the disease does not spread or develop into a more severe form. We are investigating the possible sources of the outbreak.
“I would urge poultry keepers in the surrounding area to be vigilant for any signs of disease and to ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises.”

State of Washington sets quarantine amid avian influenza worries

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  The State of Washington has established a quarantine zone in hopes of curbing the spread of avian influenza.

  From WATTAgNet:
  The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) on January 7 adopted an emergency rule to establish a quarantine zone for avian influenza that includes parts of Benton and Franklin counties, covering an area of roughly 20 miles around two locations where avian influenza has been identified in flocks of mixed poultry and other birds.
  The quarantine area restricts the movement of eggs, poultry or poultry products out of the identified zone. Exemptions will be made for operations that obtain special permits and meet specific criteria.
  On January 2, WSDA activated a multi-agency response plan following the confirmation of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza in domestic birds in a Benton County flock. Later, a second infected flock was identified in the area. Work was completed January 6 at both locations to control the spread of the virus. The joint team of WSDA and USDA officials will now work to clean and disinfect the two sites.
  USDA plans to increase the amount of testing of poultry and other domestic birds within an area identified as 10 kilometers around the two flocks.
  WSDA has not identified any new cases of avian influenza. The virus has not been found in commercial poultry anywhere in Washington or the United States. Washington’s commercial poultry industry has a robust avian influenza testing program and WSDA conducts weekly surveillance testing and health inspections at live bird markets in the state.
  The biggest risk continues to be the presence of two highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza (H5N2 and H5N8) in migratory wild waterfowl populations. WSDA is encouraging bird owners to protect their domestic birds from contact with wild waterfowl and remain vigilant in their biosecurity measures. 

South Korea bans US poultry due to avian influenza

South Korea has temporarily banned imports of all poultry products, including live birds, from the United States following an outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza at one of its chicken farms.
The ban, effective as of December 20 for three weeks, affects inbound shipments of any live birds and eggs, as well as poultry products that have not been heated over 30 minutes at a temperature of higher than 70 degrees Celsius within the past 21 days, said the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The ban comes after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported bird flu outbreaks in Oregon and Washington state to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). 
"The local production of chicken rose 17.5 percent on-year in 2014, and the amount of inventory also stands at 9,000 tons," a ministry official said. "There will be no problem in the supply of chicken as we are also importing it from Brazil and Thailand."

Chinese poultry destroyed in Hong Kong due to avian influenza

Authorities in Hong Kong have destroyed 15,000 live chickens at a poultry market and suspended imports from mainland China on December 31, 2014, after birds were found to be infected with avian influenza, according to a report from the Associated Press.
The market in Cheung Sha Wan in Hong Kong's Kowloon district is closed and imports are suspended for 21 days, Health Secretary Ko Wing-man announced.
Some chickens at the market supplied by a farm in Guangdong province on mainland China tested positive for the H7 variety of bird flu. Authorities are most concerned about preventing the spread of the H7N9 strain but Wing-man gave no indication whether that was found.
On December 30, 2014, the Hong Kong government announced that tests showed some birds from the farm in Huizhou in Guangdong were previous infected with the H7 flu, and Wing-man said another round of tests confirmed the birds were still infected. 

State of Washington seeks help with avian influenza testing

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking the public’s help in testing waterfowl and other wild birds for a type of avian influenza that has killed tens of thousands of chickens and domestic turkeys in British Columbia and has recently been detected in wild birds in Washington. An infected domestic guinea fowl has also been confirmed in Oregon.
Although the virus poses no apparent threat to human health, highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza can be deadly to domestic poultry and, rarely, wild birds.
State wildlife managers ask that anyone who sees a wild bird that is sick or dead call WDFW at +1.800.606.8768. They are particularly interested in waterfowl and birds such as eagles, hawks, falcons, ravens, and gulls that prey on them or scavenge their carcasses.
In addition, field staff from WDFW and two federal agencies will ask hunters' permission to collect samples from birds they have harvested to test for the disease in several counties. Those efforts will be focused in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston and Clark counties.
"The sampling procedure takes less than a minute per bird, and will help us determine the prevalence of the disease in wild birds," said Don Kraege, WDFW waterfowl section manager. "Waterfowl are carriers of the disease, but often don't show symptoms. The primary risk is to domestic chickens and turkeys."
Kraege noted that WDFW tested more than 10,000 wild birds for bird flu viruses from 2005 to 2011, and found bird flu viruses in about 10 percent of all birds tested. None, however, were associated with any illnesses or mortality.
WDFW is part the state's multi-agency response to highly pathogenic H5 bird flu that also includes the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) the Washington Department of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Wildlife Health Center, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Canadian inspectors first confirmed the highly pathogenic H5N2 strain of avian influenza at two British Columbia poultry farms during the first week of December. Aware of that finding, WDFW had two birds - a gyrfalcon and northern pintail duck - found dead in Whatcom County tested for bird flu the following week.
The gyrfalcon, used for hunting and fed wild duck by its owner, was found to have a highly pathogenic H5N8 form of the virus. Another duck found dead at Wiser Lake was infected with H5N2, similar to the strain found in poultry in British Columbia.
On December 18, the USDA confirmed the presence of the H5N8 virus in guinea fowl and chickens in a backyard poultry flock in Winston, Oregon.
State and federal agriculture officials strongly recommend that poultry producers prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. Migratory waterbirds (ducks, geese, shorebirds) are now migrating southward from Alaska along the Pacific Flyway, making domestic birds especially susceptible to contracting the disease.
WDSA asks that anyone who spots sick or dead domestic poultry report their observations at +1.800.606.3056.
While it is extremely unlikely that hunters or people feeding wild birds could contract bird flu from wild birds, the following common-sense precautions are always recommended to reduce the risk of contracting any wildlife disease:


• Do not harvest or handle wildbirds that are obviously sick or found dead.
• Wear rubber gloves whilecleaning game or cleaning bird feeders.
• Do not eat, drink or smokewhile cleaning game.
• Wash hands with soap and wateror alcohol wipes immediately after handling game or cleaning bird feeders.
• Wash tools and work surfacesused to clean game birds with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10percent solution of chlorine bleach.
• Separate raw meat, and anythingit touches, from cooked or ready-to-eat foods to avoid contamination.
• Cook game birds thoroughly.Meat should reach an internal temperature of 155 to 165 degrees Fahrenheitto kill disease organisms and parasites.

Oregon poultry subjected to numerous trade bans

In response to the recent positive detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard poultry flock in Oregon, a number of countries have issued trade restrictions on poultry from Oregon.
According to information provided by the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC), trade restrictions have been put in place by Korea, European Union, South Africa, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, Thailand, Singapore, Barbados, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Belarus, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).


Korean ban
The Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) banned all imports of raw U.S. poultry, eggs, live chicks and hatching eggs, effective December 20. In a press release issued on December 21, MAFRA said that the ban applies to raw poultry slaughtered and eggs laid on or after November 25.


European Union ban
The EU has imposed transit restrictions on all U.S. poultry, effective December 19, presumably because of the detection of avian influenza in Oregon. This has major implications for transshipped product for Kazakhstan and other markets that must transit European ports.


South Africa
The South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) issued a letter to importers that it is also banning all imports of U.S. poultry and poultry products because of the Oregon HPAI detection. The DAFF ban applies to products shipped on or before December 24, with a production date cutoff of November 25.


Japan
Japan’s ban is limited to Oregon-originated poultry product slaughtered before November 24.


Taiwan
Taiwan has issued a ban that applies to product originating in Oregon and loaded on or after December 19.


Hong Kong
Hong Kong has issued a ban that applies to product originating in Douglas County, Oregon, slaughtered on or after December 19.


Canada
Canada, which has also been dealing with cases of avian influenza, has issued a ban that is limited to poultry from Oregon.


Thailand
The Thai government has notified USDA that it intends to ban all U.S. poultry products, most likely effective December 22. No U.S. chicken is shipped to Thailand, but the ban will affect some turkey exports. It’s unclear whether cooked products will be permitted.


Singapore
Unofficially, Singapore has limited its restrictions to poultry from Oregon.


Other trade restrictions
Other countries issuing restrictions include Barbados, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Belarus and the UAE. Effective dates vary.

USDA: Avian influenza cases confirmed in US

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in Whatcom County, Washington. Two separate virus strains were identified: H5N2 avian influenza was found in northern pintail ducks and H5N8 avian influenza was found in captive gyrfalcons that were fed hunter-killed wild birds.
Neither virus has been found in commercial poultry anywhere in the United States, the agency stated.
The avian influenza findings in Whatcom County were quickly reported and identified due to increased surveillance for avian influenza in light of the H5N2 avian influenza affecting commercial poultry in British Columbia, Canada, which is directly north of Washington. Whatcom County borders Canada.
The State of Washington, USDA, and other federal partners are working jointly on additional surveillance and testing of birds in the nearby area.
APHIS encourages all bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, to practice good biosecurity, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and to report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state or federal officials, either through your state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free number at +1.866.536.7593.
Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found on the APHIS website.

Study examines avian influenza’s path into Europe

The precise route of introduction of the H5N8 avian influenza virus into Europe still remains uncertain, says a scientific report of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that has been generated in collaboration with member states and the EU Reference Laboratory. 
It is plausible that the virus has entered poultry farms in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom indirectly, through material contaminated by infected wild birds - such as human activities, movement of vehicles or equipment, according to the study. However, since all affected farms use indoor housing facilities, experts conclude that a direct transmission from wild birds to farmed poultry is unlikely. 
Experts say that there are no known direct migration routes from East Asia to Europe. One hypothesis is that infected migratory birds from East Asia transmit the virus to other species at breeding and stopover places in Eurasia, but this hypothesis needs further investigation. 
As of the December 15 release of the study, the highly contagious avian influenza virus has been reported in Republic of Korea, Japan, China, Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The first outbreak was reported in Republic of Korea in January 2014. In Europe, the first affected holding was reported on November 4 in a turkey farm in Germany. The virus was then confirmed at a duck farm in the United Kingdom, and at five poultry farms (four chicken farms and one duck farm) in the Netherlands. 
Since the study was released, another avian influenza outbreak was reported at a fattening turkey holding in Italy.
EFSA recommends assessing biosecurity procedures at farms and improving them where necessary. The agency also recommends implementing targeted surveillance of wild birds in high risk areas and further investigation of possible entry routes of H5N8 into Europe. National and European laboratories and risk assessment institutions should continue to ensure timely analyses of the situation within the EU, the agency advised.

Avian influenza outbreak occurs at Italy turkey holding

An outbreak of H5N8 avian influenza has infected birds at a fattening turkey holding in Porto Viro, Italy. The outbreak marks the first time since August 2013 that the virus has been found in Italy.
According to a report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), high mortality rates were found at the holding, with 1,219 turkeys dying. A total of 31,985 birds were susceptible.
Culling was scheduled to begin on December 16. Other control measures implemented include movement control inside the country and zoning. The infected premises will be vaccinated.
While reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction tests proved positive for avian influenza, the results of intravenous pathogenicity index and gene sequencing tests are pending. All tests have been performed at a national laboratory.
The exact cause of the Italian avian influenza outbreaks has not yet been determined.
With the outbreak, Italy becomes the latest in a series of European countries to be affected by avian influenza in recent months, as outbreaks have also been reported in the Netherlands, U.K. and Germany. Outside of Europe, recent avian influenza outbreaks have occurred in Canada, Japan, India and Japan.
OIE stated that it would submit weekly updates on the avian influenza situation in Italy until it is resolved.

Rabobank: Avian influenza's impact on industry to be big in 2015

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  Avian influenza will have a huge impact on the global poultry industry in 2015, according to a new report from Rabobank.

  From WATTAgNet:
  Avian influenza will have a big impact on global poultry trade in 2015, according to a new report on the global poultry industry issued by Rabobank.
  In the report, published by Rabobank's Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory group, the bank stated regions affected by avian influenza outbreaks, like Europe and Canada, will suffer from lost export markets and this will affect local prices.
  However, Rabobank pointed out that the poultry industry outlook for 2015 for non-affected regions like Brazil and U.S. remains strong. Those regions could benefit from ongoing bullish market conditions such as strong demand, low feed costs and high competing meat prices, and therefore capture some export market share from Europe and Canada.
  "A key concern for the coming months is the spread of avian flu, which has become a global issue in recent months. Several avian flu strains are already endemic in several parts of Asia and Mexico, and the disease is increasingly spreading globally via wild birds," said Rabobank analyst Nan-Dirk Mulder.
  Rabobank said that avian influenza virus pressure will become a global issue for the industry after new high pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in the European Union, Canada, India and Egypt add to existing cases in East Asia and Mexico. Affected regions will therefore continue to suffer from economic damage and temporary lost export markets with lower local prices especially for dark meat. In the longer term, Rabobank advises, industries need to prepare for ongoing disease pressure, especially in times of bird migration. This will require higher levels of biosecurity and reconsideration of existing business models.

Avian influenza spreads in British Columbia; 7 farms affected

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  Avian influenza has now been detected on seven farms in British Columbia.

  From WATTAgNet:
  The H5N2 avian influenza outbreak in the Canadian province of British Columbia has continued to spread, as the virus has now been detected at seven farms. A total of 155,000 birds have died of the virus or will be culled, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
  The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on December 3 reported that avian influenza had been confirmed in two British Columbia farms. One was a turkey farm in Abbotsford and the other was a broiler breeding facility in Chilliwack.  Since that time, avian influenza has been detected at five other nearby farms, bringing the total to seven.
  Each affected farm has been placed under quarantine.
  "The identification of additional farms is not unexpected, given that avian influenza is highly contagious," Harpreet Kochhar, Canada's chief veterinary officer, told reporters.
  The cause of the outbreak has not yet been determined, but officials are looking into the possibility that it may have been started by migrating birds.
  The outbreak has prompted a number of countries to put trade restrictions on Canadian poultry and poultry products. Among those countries are the United States, Mexico, South Africa, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea.
  Avian influenza has been a big concern for the poultry industry within the past three months, with other outbreaks occurring in The Netherlands, U.K., Germany, Japan, India and Vietnam.

Avian influenza resurfaces in Vietnam

Avian influenza has resurfaced in Vietnam, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reported December 12.
Three locations within the southern part of Vietnam have been tied to the latest avian influenza outbreak, with the first suspected case being reported on November 29. Tests conducted at a national laboratory were found to be positive for an H5 form of avian influenza, but the exact serotype has not yet been determined.
A total of 1,207 birds were susceptible in the outbreaks between the three sites, with 760 deaths. The remaining 447 birds will be culled.
The affected properties are being disinfected.
The avian influenza outbreaks mark the first for Vietnam since August, when two farms were affected. Between the two farms an estimated 900 birds died from the virus, while an additional 2,100 susceptible birds were culled. The OIE in October determined the situation to be resolved.
The latest Vietnamese avian influenza outbreaks come at a time when the poultry industry has been on high alert for avian influenza. Outbreaks of the virus have recently been reported in The Netherlands, U.K., Germany, Japan, India and Canada.
OIE stated that it would submit weekly updates on the avian influenza situation in Vietnam.

Two avian influenza outbreaks in Canada confirmed

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  Avian influenza has been confirmed at a broiler breeder operation and a turkey farm in British Columbia, Canada.

  From WATTAgNet:
  Avian influenza has been detected at two poultry operations in the Canadian province of British Columbia, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reported.
  The affected operations include a turkey farm in Abbotsford and a broiler breeding facility in Chilliwack. The two farms are about eight kilometers away from each other.
  Preliminary tests show the virus found is of the H5 variety, according to Dr. Harpreet Kochhar, chief veterinary officer with the CFIA, but the exact serotype is not known at this time.
  The source of the avian influenza outbreaks has yet to be identified, said Kochhar.
  Of the nearly 11,000 turkeys at the Abbotsford operation, about half have died. The farm in Chilliwack is the home of about 7,000 birds, with an estimated 1,000 having died. Culling efforts will be conducted with the remaining susceptible birds at both properties, and quarantines have been established.
  The CFIA will also lead on required depopulation of birds, while the Province of British Columbia will provide technical support on required carcass disposal. Once all birds have been removed, the CFIA will oversee the cleaning and disinfection of the barns, vehicles, equipment and tools to eliminate any infectious material that may remain.
  The government entities, the owners of the infected birds, and the Canadian poultry industry are working together to manage the situation, stated Chicken Farmers of Canada. Both levels of government will work with the poultry industry to address issues as they emerge.
  Avian influenza has been a big source of concern for the global poultry industry in recent months, as outbreaks have also been confirmed in The Netherlands, U.K., Germany, India and Japan.

APHIS amends bird importation rule regarding avian influenza

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)  issued a final rule amending its regulations for importation of poultry and poultry products from regions where highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is considered to exist. The final rule amends the interim rule that was made effective and published in the Federal Register in 2011.
The rule is on display at the Federal Register and will publish on December 1.
The 2011 interim rule prohibited imports of live birds, poultry and hatching eggs, as well as poultry/bird products, from any region where HPAI is considered to exist.  It also placed restrictions on imports of live birds and poultry that have been moved through regions where HPAI is considered to exist, as well as on birds and poultry that have been vaccinated for avian influenza. In addition, the interim rule updated cooking requirements to specifically include carcasses, parts, or products of poultry or other birds from regions where HPAI is considered to exist.
This final rule amends the interim rule to allow the importation of live AI-vaccinated zoological birds and poultry and the importation of HPAI-resistant pigeons, doves, and other Columbiform species under certain specific conditions to minimize disease risk.  The rule will also allow avian carcasses and products imported as trophies to move to establishments approved to treat them for HPAI.
Avian influenza (AI), commonly known as “bird flu,” is caused by an influenza type A virus. Avian influenza viruses occur naturally in birds. Wild bird species (such as ducks, swans and geese) can carry the viruses but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza in birds is very contagious and can make some domesticated birds (chickens, ducks, quail, pheasants, guinea fowl and turkeys) very sick or even cause death. HPAI virus strains are extremely infectious, usually fatal to domestic poultry and spread rapidly from flock to flock.

Avian influenza kills 15,500 ducks in India

• 

  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.

FAO, OIE urge increased avian influenza prevention efforts

An avian influenza strain detected in Europe which is similar to strains reported to be circulating in 2014 in Asia poses a significant threat to the poultry sector, especially in low-resourced countries situated along the Black Sea and East Atlantic migratory routes of wild birds, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) warned.
Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have confirmed the new avian influenza virus strain H5N8 on poultry farms, and German authorities have also found the virus in a wild bird.
Earlier in 2014, the People's Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea reported outbreaks of H5N8 in poultry as well as findings in migratory birds and waterfowl. The fact that the virus has now been found within a very short time interval in three European countries, both in a wild bird and in three very different poultry production systems, suggests that wild birds may have played a role in spreading the virus, FAO and OIE experts said.
H5N8 has so far not been confirmed to infect people. However, it is highly pathogenic for domestic poultry, causing significant mortality in chickens and turkeys. The virus can also infect wild birds, which show little signs of illness. It is known from other influenza viruses that wild birds are able to carry the virus long distances.
Should poultry systems with low-biosecurity conditions become infected in countries with limited veterinary preparedness, the virus could spread through farms with devastating effects, both on vulnerable livelihoods as well as on country economies and trade. The best way for countries to safeguard against these impacts is to encourage better biosecurity and to maintain surveillance systems that detect outbreaks early and enable veterinary services to respond rapidly.
The new virus strain provides a stark reminder to the world that avian influenza viruses continue to evolve and emerge with potential threats to public health, food security and nutrition, to the livelihoods of vulnerable poultry farmers, as well as to trade and national economies. Therefore extreme vigilance is strongly recommended while progressive control efforts must be sustained and financed.
In particular, to protect poultry-related livelihoods and trade, FAO and OIE are recommending at-risk countries to:
Increase surveillance efforts for the early detection of H5N8 and other influenza viruses;


• Maintain and further strengthen rapid response capacities of veterinary services;
• Reinforce biosecurity measures, with particular emphasis on minimizing contact between domestic poultry and wild birds;
• Raise awareness of hunters and other individuals who may come into contact with wildlife in order to provide early information on sick or dead wild birds.
The new strain of avian influenza has not resulted in human cases. Nevertheless it is related to the H5N1 virus, which is known to have spread from Asia into Europe and Africa in 2005-2006. The H5N1 epidemic, in which wild birds have also been implicated, has caused the deaths of nearly 400 people and hundreds of millions of poultry to date. Therefore prudent and precautionary interventions at the animal level are warranted.

Germany: Keep poultry indoors to prevent spread of H5N8

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  German authorities are ordering that poultry be kept inside to prevent the spread of avian influenza.

  From WATTAgNet:
  German authorities are ordering poultry farmers to keep their birds inside farm buildings to keep them from becoming infected with avian influenza that might be carried in migrating birds.
  The poultry industries in Europe have been on alert since early November when H5N8 avian influenza was detected at a turkey holding in Germany. In that outbreak, an estimated 1,880 birds were infected with culling efforts following.
  Another H5N8 avian influenza outbreak occurred in Yorkshire, U.K., with an estimated 338 ducks dying after contracting the virus.
  Two outbreaks of H5N8 avian influenza have been reported in the Netherlands, with the first killing about 1,000 layer and breeding hens with an additional 149,000 susceptible birds at the farm being destroyed. A second outbreak killed thousands of chickens at a farm located about 15 miles away from where the initial Dutch avian influenza outbreak occurred.
  The most recent case of avian influenza occurred when the virus was found in a wild duck on November 22, prompting the German government to issue the order, saying all poultry should remain indoors, regardless of whether they have a high risk of contact with migrating birds.
  Authorities from the U.K. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) have stressed that H5N8 avian influenza does not pose a great threat to human health and does not impact the food chain.

Second avian influenza outbreak reported in The Netherlands

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  Two outbreaks of avian influenza have been confirmed in The Netherlands in less than one week.

  From WATTAgNet:
  A second Dutch farm has been infected with avian influenza, less than one week after avian influenza struck a layer farm in Hekendorp, Utrecht, The Netherlands, according to authorities.
  On November 20, thousands of chickens were culled at a farm in Ter Aar in South Holland, about 15 miles away from the farm where the first avian influenza outbreak occurred.
  Tests are being conducted to determine the serotype of the virus detected at the Ter Aar farm. The previous outbreak of avian influenza was determined to be of the H5N8 serotype. In that outbreak, reported by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on November 16, about 1,000 layer and breeding hens were found dead. An additional 149,000 susceptible chickens at that farm were destroyed.
  H5N8 avian influenza has also struck two other European farms in November. On November 6, an estimated 1,880 birds died at a fattening turkey holding in Germany. On November 17, the virus was detected at a duck farm in Yorkshire, U.K., where 338 birds died.
  The outbreaks have prompted the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ukraine to impose bans on the import of poultry and poultry products from The Netherlands, Germany and the U.K.
  Authorities from the U.K. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) have stressed that H5N8 avian influenza does not pose a great threat to human health and does not impact the food chain.