USDA vaccine stockpile prepares US for HPAI outbreak

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making preparations to turn back and stop another outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). One of the most powerful tools in fighting another U.S. outbreak of HPAI may be the USDA’s stockpile of poultry vaccines.
During the WATT Global Media webinar, "Vaccination as Part of an Avian Flu Eradication Plan," Dr. David Suarez, research leader for exotic and emerging avian viral diseases research at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), spoke about a stockpile of vaccine the agency is building. The National Veterinary Stockpile would only be tapped in the event of a widespread outbreak of HPAI – like the one that spread across the country between December 2014 and June 2015 – but it is a key part of the USDA’s response plan.
Suarez, who’s been with the ARS since 1995, said empirical research from two decades of fighting HPAI outbreaks around the world proves that vaccines in combination with other biosecurity measures are an effective way to both stop outbreaks and reduce viral shedding, or the transmission of the virus from one infected bird to an entire flock. So, the agency has decided to stockpile as many as 500 million doses of poultry vaccines in the event of an outbreak. 
However, in accordance with U.S. regulations, the USDA can only use vaccines approved and licensed by its Center for Veterinary Biologics. This limits its access to experimental vaccines that have shown promise against extant strains of HPAI. The USDA has limited options because drug companies have very little economic incentive to independently research and produce HPAI vaccines.
“We’re certainly constrained by what the commercial companies are willing to get licensed in the U.S.,” Suarez said. “Because we don’t vaccinate for avian influenza on a routine basis, there’s very little economic incentive for these companies to license in the U.S. because obviously, they don’t want to go through the expense of licensing unless they have a product that can be sold that they can make a profit on.
“That really has constrained what is available in the U.S. In some countries, like in China and Mexico, they actually have some products available there that are not available here.”
In order to encourage drug companies to produce newer, more-effective vaccines that the USDA can stockpile in the event of a mass immunization, the agency released a request for proposals for avian influenza vaccines in 2015.
The two avian influenza vaccines purchased by USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for the stockpile had different costs. The vaccines are being added to the stockpile at costs to USDA of $0.06 and $0.125 per dose by Ceva Animal Health and Harrisvaccines, respectively.
The agency released a second request in November. Suarez said the USDA may issue three more similar requests in the near future where APHIS may purchase additional doses of vaccine. So far, the agency has purchased 148 million doses for $12 million.
Beyond the vaccines already stockpiled, Suarez said he thinks there are new vaccines being developed that will be released soon. He believes the existence of the National Veterinary Stockpile has played a positive role in advancing the development of new vaccines in the U.S. The stockpile, at the very least, he said, gives the USDA the option to immunize with proven and reliable vaccines in the face of another HPAI outbreak.
The USDA has not yet made any decision on mass immunization. However, it has established a criteria for how it would immunize if that decision is made in the future.

Iowa's ban on poultry exhibitions lifted

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has announced that the order cancelling all live bird exhibitions at county fairs, the Iowa State Fair, livestock auction markets, swap meets, exotic sales and other gatherings of birds due to avian influenza has been lifted.
“This is very good news and another sign that we continue to recover from this devastating animal health emergency. We know the ban on exhibitions caused some real challenges for those anticipating showing or selling birds, but we appreciate everyone cooperating as we worked to stop the disease and then allow the industry to recover,” said Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.
The Department issued the order prohibiting poultry exhibitions on May 21 in the midst of the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The ban was put into place to minimize spread of HPAI and protect the state’s domestic bird population. Lifting the poultry exhibition ban comes as a result of no new cases of HPAI in Iowa since June and the lifting of the final quarantine on Dec. 1. Iowa is now considered free of HPAI.
A total of 77 premises and 31.5 million birds were affected with the disease in Iowa. There are 35 commercial turkey flocks, 22 commercial egg production flocks, 13 pullet flocks, one chicken breeding flock, one mail order hatchery, and five backyard flocks.

Michigan poultry exhibition ban lifted

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) lifted the statewide ban on poultry exhibitions on Dec. 23. MDARD implemented the ban as a precautionary measure in June 2015 in response to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak happening across the U.S.
MDARD evaluated the disease risk and current national status and decided it’s appropriate to lift the ban on poultry exhibitions. MDARD continues to monitor the national HPAI situation and may reinstate the poultry exhibition ban if the disease re-emerges. Although not limited to the following situations, these are some specific situations in which MDARD would consider reinstating the ban:

1. Detection of HPAI in a wild bird in the Mississippi flyway.
2. Detection of HPAI in domestic flocks in states surrounding Michigan or nearby areas of Canada.
3. Cases of HPAI in wild or domestic birds in other flyways, if the cases appear to be spreading.

The ban prevented the commingling of birds from different locations, including exhibitions, swap meets, petting zoos at fairs, game bird and waterfowl fair displays, and Miracle of Life exhibits. MDARD partnered with Michigan State University Extension 4-H, Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, and other partners to inform youth of the announcement and identify ways to engage Michigan’s youth poultry exhibitors and allow them to showcase their knowledge and experience.
“I would like to thank MSU Extension and our youth leaders who created a meaningful educational experience out of an unfortunate situation,” said Dr. James Averill, MDARD’s state veterinarian. “Their partnership was invaluable in protecting all of Michigan’s poultry flocks statewide from this devastating disease.”
Concern for the possibility of a return of HPAI in the U.S still remains. Generally, heightened findings of influenza viruses in wild birds will begin in winter and go through spring as birds comingle and migrate south, and cold weather helps keep the virus alive. The last case of HPAI in domestic birds was documented in June; however, the domestic population is always at risk of influenza infection from wild waterfowl which may spread the virus in their droppings. MDARD continues to encourage poultry owners to practice proper biosecurity and contact their local veterinarian if they have sick birds. However, if a flock is experiencing severe illness or multiple death losses, contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 or for after-hours emergencies call 517-373-0440.

Myanmar avian influenza outbreak resolved

An outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza that hit Myanmar earlier in 2015 is over, according to a report received by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
The outbreak was first reported by Dr. Ye Tun Win, Myanmar’s chief veterinary officer, in May, after active clinical and serological surveillance began several weeks prior to that. A total of 90 chicken farms and 51 quail farms in Myanmar were infected and all poultry within the infected zone was immediately depopulated and movement of poultry and poultry products within the infected area was restricted.
Since the control measures – stamping out, movement control inside the country, disinfection, dipping and spraying, quarantine, and zoining – were implemented, surveillance activities conducted at 8,600 farms and wet markets were found to be clinically healthy and no evidence of highly pathogenic avian influenza was observed. The surveillance included backyard poultry, broilers, layers, breeder chickens and ducks.
Because three months have passed since the disinfection of all affected establishments has been completed with no new evidence of avian influenza, Myanmar now considers itself to be free of the virus. The OIE deems the avian influenza situation in Myanmar resolved and will no longer submit reports relating to it.

Poultry vaccines can stop the spread of avian flu

Dr. Leslie David Sims, a consultant for Asia Pacific Veterinary Information Service, Australia, said research collected since the first outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the 1990s demonstrates successful application of vaccination can be effective in controlling and stopping the spread of HPAI.
During the Watt Global Media webinar, Vaccination as Part of an Avian Flu Eradication Plan, Sims presented information on how the use of vaccination has controlled and eliminated avian influenza viruses in nations other than the U.S. in the past.
Sims, who’s worked as a consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Bank, has advised veterinary authorities in China, Thailand, Cambodia, North Korea, Mongolia, Indonesia and Vietnam. His presentation centered on lessons learned in almost two decades of fighting and studying the so-called “goose Quandong” strain of the HPAI virus in Southeast Asia.
Stamping out, culling of infected and susceptible flocks, has long been viewed as the only way to control the spread of HPAI. Sims said that’s not exactly true.
While this approach to stamping out does work if new cases are detected early and the response is rapid, it comes at a high cost. During the 2014-2015 HPAI outbreak in the U.S., he estimated 49 million birds were killed or culled. Sims said stamping out also depends on the density of poultry being low and is ineffective if the cull happens after the virus has already been transmitted to other flocks.
Vaccination, when used in combination with other biosecurity measures, can be just as effective in stopping the spread and eliminating the spread of HPAI. Sims noted that vaccination – without preemptive culling – was successful in stopping the spread of HPAI in Hong Kong in 2002. In 2003, vaccination, in combination with quarantine and depopulation of affected houses, was successful in stopping an outbreak that had already begun. More recently, Sims said, vaccination has been used successfully in Italy and with low pathogenic avian influenza in the U.S.
Vaccination works best when the vaccine’s antigen closely matches the genetic makeup of the pathogen, Sims said. An early response to an outbreak, as well as bio-secure administration by competent veterinary services is necessary to the success of an immunization program, too. Cooperation among government agencies and poultry industries and close monitoring of flocks are also needed.
“It’s great to have the vaccine and, hopefully, you won’t have to use it,” Sims said.
While empirical evidence demonstrates vaccination is successful, there is significant skepticism about the practice in the poultry industry. Sims said that likely comes from the inability to eliminate HPAI with vaccination in regions where it is endemic, concerns about the process of vaccination rather than the vaccine itself, concerns vaccines will be ineffective against new strains of HPAI, mistaken beliefs that only mass depopulation works and international trade concerns raised by wide-spread vaccination to prevent the spread of HPAI. Some countries, he said, will stop imports because of vaccination. However, China – where vaccination has been used for more than a decade – is still exporting poultry to Japan.
“They do this from areas where vaccine is not being used, but it shows it is possible for some countries to accept products from countries where vaccine is being used even though the product which is being exported is not subject to vaccination in those cases,” Sims said.

Ohio lifts bird exhibition ban

With no confirmed cases in Ohio and no immediate threat of a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak, Ohio Agriculture Director David T. Daniels and State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Forshey have rescinded the order prohibiting bird shows in Ohio. Officials urge poultry and bird owners, however, to remain vigilant and cautious in order to protect the health of their flocks during migration seasons. 
The order, issued on June 2, was originally intended to remain in place until April 2016. The ban included county and independent fairs, the Ohio State Fair, and all other gatherings of birds for show or for sale, including auctions and swap meets. Throughout the nationwide outbreak, the department worked closely with Ohio’s poultry producers and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to provide training and to closely monitor the health of poultry in the state.  
“Ohio is home to more than 50 million domestic birds, which makes our state particularly vulnerable to an outbreak. Thankfully, the disease never took hold here. I believe this is a justification of the steps taken by our producers and exhibitors to mitigate the risk of an outbreak,” said Director Daniels.  
The USDA first confirmed the avian flu virus in the U.S. beginning in late 2014.  While there were no confirmed cases of the disease in Ohio, throughout the spring and summer of 2015 more than 48 million birds nationally were affected. On Nov. 18, the OIE issued its final report on the deadly avian flu which declared that the outbreaks in all affected states are now final, closed and resolved. This now makes the U.S. free of avian influenza for the time being. 
One of the ways avian influenza spreads is by direct contact with contaminated materials coming from other infected birds. Exhibitions, auctions and swap meets where birds are co‐mingling pose a high risk of unintentionally spreading disease. While the intention is to allow bird exhibitions to be held next year, an outbreak in Ohio or nearby states may require the reinstatement or even an extension of the ban.
“I would like to extend a sincere thank you to OSU Extension and the youth exhibitors for their understanding and to their advisors for turning this unfortunate outbreak into an important educational moment. As I travelled around the state this summer, I was overwhelmed with the maturity and understanding of the disappointed but supportive young people I spoke with who were unable to bring their poultry projects to the fair. It’s a real testament to the strength and importance our 4H and FFA programs in Ohio,” said Director Daniels.

Funding to help Canada step up avian flu surveillance

The governments of Canada and British Columbia are investing CA$300,000 (US$215,100) to strengthen the surveillance, early detection, and response measures to avian influenza.
The funding will be used to enhance the resources at the Canadian Ministry of Agriculture's Animal Health Centre in Abbotsford with specialized equipment to diagnose samples collected in the ministry's avian influenza surveillance efforts.
Ministry of Agriculture staff began a pilot surveillance project that collected sediment samples at ponds and wetlands used by wild waterfowl following the December 2014 avian flu outbreak in the Fraser Valley. A research group has worked at developing cutting edge technological advances to be able to test the samples collected from the pilot project for the presence of avian flu strains. Funds will be used to transfer this new technology to the Animal Health Centre. As the pilot project evolves into ongoing surveillance, the ability to diagnose the samples quickly at the Animal Health Centre will greatly enhance early detection efforts.
The Ministry of Agriculture will also be targeting owners of small poultry flocks by hosting workshops in different regions focusing on poultry health, and the sharing of information and resources such as the Small Flock Poultry Health Manual.
In addition, funding is being provided to support a rapid response to any future outbreaks by having mobile equipment to help any infected poultry premises with the humane depopulation of infected bird populations within the province at all times and to train more responders in its use.
The money is provided through the Biosecurity and Surveillance Program under Growing Forward 2, a five-year agreement launched in 2013 that provides a CA$3-billion, federal-provincial-territorial government investment in innovation, competitiveness and market development.

Novus revises bulk delivery SOPs to improve biosecurity

After the news of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) broke earlier this year, producers throughout the U.S. altered and heightened their on-farm biosecurity measures to prevent outbreaks. HPAI can cause high mortality in commercial poultry flocks and can be transmitted in various ways, often through direct contact between a healthy bird and an infected bird or its secretions and fecal material. It can also be transmitted by humans and equipment that have been in contact with infected material.
The customer supply chain organization at Novus International, quickly responded to all specific requests from customers receiving bulk ALIMET® and SANTOQUIN® deliveries who called for increased biosecurity procedures. Then, they decided to take it a step further and alter their delivery biosecurity procedures.
"We elected to be proactive and let our customers know we were taking steps to help protect their business as we continue to supply them products like ALIMET® to keep them productive," states Rick Kasmarick, executive customer supply chain manager at Novus. "Our drivers were happy to comply with the new policy. If customers request specific procedures above and beyond our revised measures, we will do our best to comply." 
The North America Customer Supply Chain organization has further refined delivery protocols this fall, and biosecurity procedures are continuing to be implemented by Novus to prevent the chance of spreading of HPAI or any other disease.
Novus' response to current and future outbreaks is implementation of the following biosecurity procedures:
1. Novus' customer service team will review and accommodate all customer biosecurity procedures to the best of their ability.
2. Truck drivers have been educated and recognize the significance of this disease and will follow the customer's individual biosecurity procedures such as:

• Utilizing truck wash/spray systems at customer locations
• Using disposable booties when requested and provided by customer
• Providing documentation of seal numbers when requested

3. All trucks and trailers will be equipped with sanitation kits including:

• Tek-Trol aerosol spray or equivalent product
• Hand sanitizer

4. All hose tubes and meter box doors must be resealed between deliveries.
5. Prior to re-entering the cab of the truck, drivers will:

• Spray shoes, pants, working jackets and other articles with Tek-Trol aerosol spray
• Apply hand sanitizer

APHIS discusses criteria for potential HPAI vaccinations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture isn’t planning on widespread vaccination of poultry and layer flocks, but its considering how it might do so in the event of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
During the Watt Global Media webinar, Vaccination as Part of an Avian Flu Eradication Plan, Dr. Lee Ann Thomas, director of the Avian, Swine & Aquatic Animal Health Center at the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), discussed what factors the agency would consider when making the decision of whether or not to approve use of the stockpiled avian influenza vaccines in the U.S.
Thomas said any decision to vaccinate will follow a science-based strategy focused on suppressing and eradicating the disease. With an established eradication plan and maintenance of enhanced biosecurity in mind, the agency would conduct a controlled vaccination of at-risk flocks, then monitor all vaccinated and at-risk birds before carrying out a repopulation plan.
Before making the decision to vaccinate, APHIS would consider the probability of containing the spread of the virus; the proximity of high-value genetic breeder birds to the outbreak; poultry density in the area that may be vaccinated; the possible increased risk of introduction of HPAI into uncontaminated flocks and the presence of HPAI transmitting waterfowl.
As for which birds would get vaccinated first, Thomas said APHIS would consider how effective a vaccine is in each species, which commodities would be impacted by an HPAI outbreak, how close farms are to one another, the outbreak pattern, and the type of flock.
Thomas stressed that no decision has been made to vaccinate birds in the U.S. The decision, she said, will ultimately lie with the agency’s administrator, Kevin Shea. If the decision is made, it would be supervised by incident command in the area, who would be charged with developing the plan for vaccination, reporting vaccine usage, permitting movements and monitoring all activities.
Logistically, Thomas said, immunizing millions of birds would be challenging. The efforts must be coordinated to ensure that national biosecurity is not compromised and that vaccination teams do not become unwitting transmitters of the virus. There would also need to be continuous monitoring of the immunized population to ensure there is no vaccine break.
The decision will not be made lightly, as widespread vaccination of the nation’s flocks could stymie foreign market’s appetite for U.S. poultry and eggs. Thomas said the December 2014 to June 2015 outbreak of HPAI led to the depopulation of 50 million birds and impacted the U.S.’s relationship with 17 trading partners, including China, Russia and South Korea.
While no decision has been made to immunize, USDA is already stockpiling millions of doses of vaccines that showed promise in preventing the spread the HPAI. Dr. David Suarez, the research leader for exotic and emerging avian viral disease research at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), said the U.S.’s options are limited because only licensed vaccines can be deployed by the USDA. In order to both incentivize the private sector to develop newer, more effective vaccines, and stock up for the event of a mass immunization, the USDA is building a stockpile of millions of doses of vaccine.
The two avian influenza vaccines purchased by USDA APHIS for the stockpile had different costs. The vaccines are being added to the stockpile at costs to USDA of $0.06 and $0.125 per dose by Ceva Animal Health and Harrisvaccines, respectively.
While there is some skepticism about the efficacy of vaccines in stopping HPAI outbreaks, Dr. Leslie David Sims, a consultant for Asia Pacific Veterinary Information Service, Australia, said empirical research gathered through decades of fighting HPAI outbreaks in Southeast Asia proves that vaccines, when properly administered, can be effective in halting the spread of the virus on specific farms and in wider geographic areas.

Avian flu spreads to new region of France

 According to the latest report from the agriculture ministry in France, dated December 18, avian influenza has been confirmed at 42 locations – 12 more than the previous report 2 days earlier. A sixth department (region) has been affected in the southwest of the country – Hautes Pyrénées – which borders Spain. Other regions affected are Landes (18 outbreaks), Dordogne (12), Gers (6), Pyrénées Atlantiques (4) and Haute Vienne (1).
The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus of an H5 subtype has been confirmed at most of the affected premises – generally prior to the birds being transported to the slaughterhouse - and the majority of birds affected so far have been ducks.
New cases in Landes were revealed at 4 locations when birds were tested prior to slaughter in the communities of Montaut, Saint Sever, Aubagnan and Eyres Moncube. In each case, samples taken tested positive for a highly pathogenic H5 form of the AI virus. In another outbreak in the region, both the H5N2 and H5N9 virus variants have been found in a domestic duck flock in Saint Cricq en Chalosse.
H5 HPAI has been detected in one new flock in Dordogne – at Lardin Saint Lazare, near a previous outbreak – prior to movement and slaughter.
The new cases in Gers, all also confirmed as H5 HPAI prior to transportation to the abattoir - are in ducks in Cazaubon, Eauze and Caupenne d'Armagnac.
Two duck flocks in Pyrénées Atlantiques tested positive in Maucor and Saint Jammes.
In Hautes Pyrénées, the HPAI virus was found at Labatut-Rivière during testing following an earlier outbreak nearby in Arroses.
Work is ongoing in each case to identify the variant(s) of the AI virus involved.

Update on global avian flu situation in humans

Official agencies in France are stressing that the HPAI in poultry flocks there poses no danger to human health through the consumption of poultry meat and other products.
The latest update from the World Health Organization (WHO) puts the total number of confirmed cases of influenza A (H5N1) since 2003 at 844, including 449 deaths.
Since the last update in November 2015, no new laboratory-confirmed human cases have been reported to WHO. So far in 2015, there have 143 cases, including 42 deaths, making it the worst year for this disease for the last 5 years. Worst-affected in 2015 was Egypt (136 cases, 39 deaths), with China (5 cases, 1 death) and Indonesia (2 cases, both died) also reporting outbreaks.
Commenting on the possible threat posed to human health of the latest outbreaks in French poultry, WHO states that, based on preliminary data, at least one of the viruses has different origins from the influenza A (H5) viruses that have caused human cases in the past. WHO says it is in contact with the animal health authorities to understand these viruses better and to assess the public health risk more accurately.
For avian influenza A (H7N9), WHO has received reports of two new confirmed human cases of infection in China, both of which reportedly had exposure to domestic poultry. This brings the total of confirmed cases of this virus in humans to 683, including at least 275 deaths. In 2015, the virus has been detected in the animal population in multiple provinces in China, indicating that the virus persists in the poultry population. If the pattern of human cases follows the trends seen in previous years, the number of human cases may rise over the coming months.
Since its previous update a month ago, WHO has been informed of 4 confirmed human cases of the avian influenza A (H9N2) virus infection in people in China. All of the cases were reported to have mild disease and none was hospitalized.

France confirms another 15 avian flu outbreaks

France has so far recorded a total of 30 outbreaks of avian influenza (AI), according to the country’s agriculture ministry – an increase of 15 new cases since a previous report just two days ago.
The same five regions (departments) in the south-west of the country west are affected: Dordogne (total of 11 outbreaks), Landes (13), Haute-Vienne (1), Gers (3) and Pyrénées Atlantiques (2).
Details of the latest outbreaks are understandably sketchy. In Dordogne, there were 2 new outbreaks in Campagnac-les-Querc and one in Saint Armand de Coly.
In Landes, the virus has been detected in three cases when birds were tested prior to slaughter in the districts of Saint Etienne d'Orthe, Bergouey and Monségur. There were also 6 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Momuy, Saint-Cricq-Chalosse, Montaut, Gaujacq, Serreslous-et-Arribans and Hauriet.
HPAI of the H5 variant has been detected at 2 new locations in the department of Gers: in ducks prior to slaughter in Panjas and in a flock of 2,000 guinea fowl and ducks in Mirande, which showed characteristic symptoms of the disease.
A second outbreak has occurred in Pyrénées Atlantiques, where a flock of 1,240 ducks has been affected.
Tests are on-going to determine the virus subtype and pathogenicity in each outbreak.
According to Thomson Reuters, a new subtype of the AI virus – H5N3 – has been detected at 3 locations in France (2 in Landes and 1 in Pyrénées Atlantiques) during enhanced surveillance. It is reportedly a low-pathogenic form. With the presence of H5N1, H5N2 and H5N9 already confirmed, the latest revelation would mean that 4 different subtypes of the AI virus are circulating in France at the present time.

New avian flu cases reported in France, Asia and Africa

In its latest report dated December 14, the French agriculture ministry puts the total number confirmed outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at 15 in five regions, all in the southwest of the country – Dordogne (8 cases), Landes (4) and one each in Haute Vienne, Le Gers and Pyrénées Atlantiques.
Outbreaks reported recently to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) [include one outbreak caused by the H5N1 variant of the virus in Bosset in Dordogne at a farm with 1,070 ducks.
H5N1 was also confirmed at an HPAI outbreak in poultry recently at Les Billangues in Haute-Vienne.
ANSES, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, has confirmed that the H5N1 virus detected in France is of European origin and not from Asia.  It also gives thetwo most likelyhypotheses on the originof the infection as a low-pathogenic form of the virus that has mutated into a highly pathogenic form, most likely in poultry or possibly within the wild bird population.
The H5N9 variant of HPAI has been detected recently at Arroses in Pyrénées Atlantiques in a flock of 500 ducks and in a mixed flock of 21,060 birds at Hosarrieu in the region of Landes. In the latter outbreak, the first signs were sudden mortality in the guinea fowl.
At other premises in Doazit (Landes) and Manciet (Le Gers), the highly pathogenic form of the H5N2 virus was detected. In the former outbreak, 1,700 ducks were tested prior to transportation to the abattoir following a previous outbreak nearby. Abnormal mortality had been observed among the 8,300 ducks at the farm in Manciet.
As a result of increased surveillance, the low-pathogenic form of the H5N2 virus has been detected in duck flocks at Castelnau Tursan and Sainte Colombe in Landes and at Castelnau de Mandailles in Aveyron.

Asia: HPAI outbreaks reported in Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea and China

So far in December, Vietnam has reported three new outbreaks of HPAI. The H5N6 subtype of the virus affected a backyard flock of 705 mixed poultry in Quang Ninh province in the north-east of the country and 4,000 quails in Quang Nam in central Vietnam. In addition, what is described as a backyard flock of 42,000 birds were affected in Ba Ria-Vung Tau in the south of the country; the H5N1 variant of the virus was identified as the cause of that outbreak.
OIE has received a report from South Korea about 3 outbreaks of HPAI in mid-November caused by the H5N8 virus at neighbouring farms in South Jeolla province. More than 70,000 ducks were affected.
Taiwan has reported two outbreaks dating back to September of 2015 – one in Chiayi county and one in Tainan city – both affecting goose flocks and lading to the death or destruction of 3,000 birds. The H5N8 virus was confirmed there.
In November, abnormal mortalities were observed at two poultry farms in Pingtung County, and in two abattoirs in Pingtung and Hualien counties, Taiwan. Samples sent to the National Laboratory (AHRI) were confirmed positive for the H5N2 subtype HPAI virus. Three flocks of native chickens and one of ducks were involved, a total of 26,878 birds. All animals on the infected farms and abattoirs were culled and the premises have been placed under movement restriction. Thorough cleaning and disinfection have been conducted after stamping out operation. Surrounding poultry farms within a three kilometer radius of the infected farms and abattoirs are under intensified surveillance for three months.
In its first HPAI cases since August, China has reported an outbreak at a farm with more than 5,800 peacocks at Huaihua in Hunan province in the second week of December. After 381 birds died, samples tested positive to the H5N6 virus and the rest of the flock was destroyed.

Further H5N1 outbreaks in Nigeria and Ghana

So far in December, Nigeria has reported three new casess of HPAI, all caused by the H5N1 variant of the virus. In the south of the country, one mixed poultry flock in Edo state and one of layer in Lagos state were affected, leading to the death or destruction of 4,950 poultry. The authorities report that enforcement of movements of birds/birds products from infected to non-areas remains problematic.
In Kaduna state in central Nigeria, 1,500 layer pullets died and a further 6,000 were destroyed in another outbreak just last week.
The Ghanaian veterinary authority has reported to OIE one outbreak of HPAI in mid-November in greater Accra, which affected a backyard flock of 600 chickens.

Bad timing for avian flu woes in France, Germany, Italy

News of the latest outbreaks of avian influenza in Europe comes at the worst time ahead of the holiday season when demand for special poultry products reaches a peak. Despite justifiable assurances that these products are safe for consumers, some may be making other choices and significant export trade is under threat.
Already this week, there have been seven new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in France, detected in the department of Dordogne, two in Landes and one in Haute Vienne, the agriculture ministry reported on December 9. The first confirmed outbreak was in a backyard flock in Dordogne on November 24. The total number of outbreaks in poultry to 10, all of which have been in the southwest of the country.
Further details of these and previous outbreaks are revealed in reports from the French government to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Of the four latest cases, three were detected in the Dordogne and one in Haute-Vienne. The first of the Dordogne outbreaks was at a farm with 14,000 ducks. Samples were taken as part of the scheduled national surveillance; initially, the H5N1 virus was isolated but additional sampling revealed an H5N9 strain virus. Following the deaths of nine birds in a mixed backyard flock at another premises in Dordogne, the H5N1 HPAI virus was isolated and the remaining hens, ducks and geese were destroyed. In order to leave the control area, samples were taken from a third farm in Dordogne; all the birds were destroyed. At a small farm in Haute Vienne, samples taken after the death of 3 birds tested positive for the H5N1 variant of the HPAI virus.
On December 1, samples were taken from another farm in the Dordogne department to allow the poultry to leave the restriction zone around the previous outbreak at Domme. Around 1,000 ducks and 4,000 hens there were slaughtered on December 7 after the H5N2 highly pathogenic virus was identified.
On the same day, France’s ministry of agriculture reported to the OIE a third variant of the HPAI virus. The H5N9 subtype was confirmed at three farms – two in the department of Landes and one in Dordogne - between November 18 and December 2. Ducks at the first farm in Landes were tested as part of the enhanced surveillance program. A spike in mortality raised the alarm for the 630 ducks at the second premises, which was in Dordogne. The most recent outbreak was at another farm in Landes with 24,500 guinea fowl and capons; around 700 birds died and the rest have been destroyed.

Low pathogenic avian flu in three countries

A low pathogenic H5N2 virus has been isolated from two ducks farms in Dordogne after samples taken on November 18 from two duck farms in Landes were tested by the National Reference Laboratory.
In its latest update, the French Ministry of Agriculture says it is cooperating with the authorities in all regions on the use of appropriate protective measures to prevent the risk of the disease spreading further.
Eight countries have banned imports of French poultry meat and products, reports Reuters. Among them is Japan, which is France's biggest export market for foie gras. All the outbreaks have been in France's major foie gras producing region and just before demand peaks over the holiday season.
In Bavaria in southeast Germany, a mixed flock of 9,500 laying hens, 2,000 ducks, 100 turkeys and 1,500 free-range geese has tested positive for the H5N2 low-pathogenic avian influenza virus. In its report to the OIE, the federal agriculture ministry says that all the poultry have been destroyed and safely disposed of. The holding has been under restriction since December 4, and no poultry, poultry meat or eggs have been moved outside the region.
From Italy, Ravenna Today reported on November 11 that sampling carried out by the Department of Public Health for the region of Romagna had revealed a low pathogenic virus of the H5N2 subtype at a poultry farm during routine surveillance.

Minnesota lifts ban on poultry exhibitions

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has lifted the ban placed on poultry exhibitions and other gatherings of birds. They will be permitted at fairs, swap meets, exotic sales, petting zoos and other events where birds are gathered or commingled.
The directive to prohibit birds from exhibition was made on May 15 in the midst of the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The ban was put into place to minimize spread of HPAI and protect the state’s domestic bird population. Lifting the poultry exhibition ban comes as a result of no new cases of HPAI in Minnesota since June 5.
During the spring 2015 outbreak, 108 farms spanning 23 counties were infected with HPAI in Minnesota. All infected farms have completed cleaning and disinfection of their facilities as of Nov. 13, and 104 farms have been cleared to restock their barns with birds.
West Virgina has lifted a similar ban; for more information, click here.

Export restrictions as France battles avian influenza

Following the discovery of the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Dordogne region of southwest France recently, disease control measures were put in place. As a result of increased surveillance, the French agriculture ministry announced on November 30 that two more cases of the disease had been detected in the same region.  More than 1 subtype of the virus has been identified, according to a statement on December 3.
H5N1 was confirmed at the first outbreak - the result of mutation of the low-pathogenic form of European origin into a highly pathogenic form - but H5N2 was detected at the second farm and testing from the third outbreak is still in progress.The second HPAI-positive farm had 1,338 ducks and geese; three goslings died and one of the samples taken from others in the flock tested positive for the H5N2 variant of the virus. An estimated 14,000 ducks and 1,000 geese have been culled at the farms affected in the second and third outbreaks.
Le Monde reports that the government has banned shipments of live birds and eggs from the department of Dordogne to other EU member states or third countries. More than one-third of French production of poultry meat (excluding offal and foie gras) is exported, mainly to the Middle East and the EU, according to Le Monde citing data from FranceAgriMer. Exports so far this year have reached 583,000 tons worth more than EUR1.1 billion (US$1.2 billion).
Veterinary authorities in Vietnam have reported further outbreaks of HPAI to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) involving two H5 variants of the virus. Over the past 2 weeks, H5N1 has been confirmed as the cause of 2 outbreaks in backyard flocks in the central provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh, leading to the loss of 1,169 birds. Four outbreaks caused by the H5N6 subtype resulted in the death or destruction of 7,539 poultry in Nghe An and Quang Ngai in central Vietnam and in Lai Chau province in the far north, near to the border with China.
A highly pathogenic H5N6 virus was detected recently in a wild bird in Hong Kong that was found dead. Intensified surveillance did not bring to light further cases.
Over the last 2 weeks, Nigeria has reported to OIE one new outbreak of HPAI – at a farm in Lagos state in the south-west of the country bordering Benin. An estimated 2,000 pullets died or were destroyed after the H5N1 subtype of the virus was confirmed.
The same variant has hit 2 flocks in the Greater Accra region in southern Ghana since early October, affecting a mixed village poultry flock and a layer farm. In all, 3,837 birds died or were destroyed.
Taiwan has belatedly reported to OIE five outbreaks of avian flu affecting almost 95,000 chickens and native chickens in January of 2015. Samples sent to the Animal Health Research Institute have only recently been tested and found to be of the H5N2 variant of low pathogenicity, killing less than 75 percent of birds on which they were tested. In the meantime, the affected farms were depopulated, cleaned and disinfected, and subjected to intensive surveillance for a period of 3 months.

New African swine fever reports in central, eastern Europe

According to reports received and published over the past month by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) from the respective country’s veterinary authority, new cases of African swine fever in domestic pigs have been reported in Russia and Ukraine.
In Russia, 3 backyard herds have been hit by confirmed outbreaks of the disease – one each in the oblasts of Saratov, Bryansk and Moscow – resulting in the death or destruction of a total of 11 animals. The disease has also been confirmed in 11 wild boar in the oblasts of Ryazan, Krasnodar and Kaluga. African swine fever was first reported in the country in January 2014.
Four new outbreaks reported in Ukraine were all in small “village herds.” One was in the region of Chernigov in the north of the country, bordering Russia, while the others were in the southern regions of Nikolaev and Odessa. In total, 34 animals died or have been destroyed after confirmation of the disease.
Worst affected in terms of new outbreaks was Estonia, with 98 new outbreaks of African swine fever reported during November, affecting 148 wild boar. The cases were widespread across the east and central parts of the country, but no domestic pigs were involved. First reported in the country in September 2014, these outbreaks occurred mainly during October.
Latvia has also reported outbreaks only in wild boar and in areas known to be infected with African swine fever. Fifty-five outbreaks were recorded in November, with 76 animals affected. After classical swine fever was first reported in the country in October 2012, a program of wild boar vaccination was put in place in the affected area and there have been no positive cases of that disease since March 2015.
Thirteen wild boar in Lithuania have tested positive for African swine fever, according to reports received by the OIE during November. The animals were found or shot dead in 5 different regions, all affected by previous outbreaks.
Poland has reported just one wild boar that tested positive for the virus during November. It was found dead in a forest in the Podlaskie region the previous month.

Poultry growers vulnerable as fall migration threatens avian flu

Contract poultry growers in the U.S. remain vulnerable as they await the possible arrival of the avian flu to make its appearance in the fall migration. Having started in September, the migration could continue through March 2016, and the avian flu is likely to appear in all U.S. flyways. Two Mississippi senators recently made a call to action knowing the issues poultry growers and the industry face.
U.S. Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker, along with eight other senators from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Georgia, signed a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requesting action be taken to guarantee the sustainability of the poultry industry should outbreaks of avian flu occur this fall. These actions touch on the financial vulnerability growers face due to indemnity payment regulations; and request financial flexibility to growers in devastating cases and offer special remedies to prevent foreclosures. The letter was signed November 5, and submitted as the U.S. Department of Agriculture implements its Fall 2015 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Preparedness and Response Plan.
Under current USDA regulations, there is no compensation for poultry growers in the event of destruction of flocks due to infection of HPAI. The USDA compensates owners for such losses; however its current regulations do not take growers into consideration, in the case of contract broiler operations.
The USDA delivered over $190 million in indemnification payments to producers from the HPAI outbreaks earlier this year. However, contract poultry growers were not reimbursed for their losses under the indemnification program.

Poultry industry warned not to let guard down amid delayed migration season

At the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. (DPI) National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing, and Live Production, held on October 13, Tom DiLiberto of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spoke on the role of wildlife regarding HPAI. During his presentation DiLiberto discussed the importance of migratory patterns of birds and how patterns are not just dependent on species but the year and the environmental conditions that persist. Movements of birds are not as simple as often portrayed, he added.
“This year we have an abnormal environmental year from a migratory bird stand point. Much warmer summer and fall; we have yet to see big arctic air masses pushing south, thus migration has been delayed. Reality is we are early in migration season to let down our guard and should keep that in mind as we move further into the season. The longer the birds are intermingling in Canada, the greater the chance for transmission among larger number of birds that could increase prevalence of [highly pathogenic] viruses as they move south,” said DiLiberto.
In June Vilsack addressed a congressional oversight committee regarding allocating funds for an insurance program for farmers affected by avian influenza. Vilsack said he thinks such an insurance program was left off the most current farm bill for budgetary reasons.
Poultry growers have the option to purchase an avian influenza business interruption and loss of income insurance policy. Each policy should be reviewed to ensure it covers all subtypes of HPAI. The DPI has provided this, and other tips for poultry growers who are considering avian influenza business interruption and loss of income insurance.
The USDA has continued to stress the importance of prevention as part of avian flu preparedness, urging growers to implement a biosecurity program with their flocks as a preventative measure.

Avian flu reported in backyard poultry flock in France

An outbreak of avian influenza (AI) was confirmed on November 24 in a backyard flock in Dordogne in south-west France, according to the French agriculture ministry. The announcement followed abnormal mortality in the birds and analysis of samples taken from the flock by the Departmental Directorate of protecting populations.
Confirmation came on November 24 from the National Agency Risk Assessment (Anses) and strain of the virus was identified as the highly pathogenic H5N1. Sequencing of the strain is underway but it is thought the strain has already been detected in Europe as a low-pathogenic form.
French agriculture minister, Stéphane Le Foll, has instructed his department to set up a national health emergency response plan in accordance with European and international rules. The plan includes the setting up of a 3-kilometer protection zone and 10-kilometer surveillance zone around the affected premises. Monitoring of poultry and wildlife will be stepped up.
Le Foll and health minister, Marisol Touraine, have called on Anses to make an assessment of the threat of the strain to people.
All industry stakeholders have been mobilized and urged to take protective measures as it is understood that the speed of the implementing these measures is vital to limit its spread and consequences of disease, especially for exports.
According to the official report from the agriculture ministry to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) the outbreak started in the flock on November 14. A total of 22 birds in the backyard flock of broilers and laying hens, and the remaining 10 have been destroyed. The last AI outbreak in France was in 2007.

Oman lifts avian flu-related ban on US poultry

Oman has lifted its ban on poultry imports from the United States. The ban had been in place since May in response to the avian influenza outbreak that infected flocks in Western and Midwestern states.
Officials from the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) confirmed on November 24 that the ban had been lifted.
The last confirmed case of avian influenza in the United States was reported in June, when a layer flock in Iowa was hit by H5N2 avian influenza.  Oman’s lifting of its ban on U.S. poultry follows a recent report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), which stated the H5N2 avian influenza is resolved and the U.S. can declare itself free of the virus.
While avian influenza was not reported in any of the U.S. states in the Atlantic flyway, numerous eastern states, such as Virginia, were affected by the ban.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe recently returned from Oman during his trade and marketing mission to India and the Middle East to celebrate the lifting of the country’s ban on poultry imports from Virginia and many other states.
"This is another great win in the international market for Virginia's agriculture industry," McAuliffe stated in a press release. "As we begin to place a strategic focus on the Middle East, I am pleased to open access once again for our poultry producers to a growing export destination. I want to thank Ambassador Al-Mughairy and the government of Oman for working with us and our federal partners at the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) to end the country's ban on poultry from Virginia.  It's  steps like these that will keep Virginia agricultural producers competitive in the world market and lead Virginia to become the East Coast capital for agricultural and forestry exports."

OIE: US can declare itself free of H5N2 avian influenza

The highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza outbreak that first struck the United States in December 2014 and continued to affect U.S. poultry flocks through June is considered to be resolved, according to the the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
According to a recent OIE report, the H5N2 avian influenza outbreaks in Arkansas, California, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin are now “final, closed, and resolved.” OIE further stated that in accordance with its Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapter 10.4, the U.S. has completely fulfilled the necessary actions and surveillance requirements to self-declare itself free of H5N2 avian influenza.
The virus was first confirmed in the U.S. in December 2014 in wild pintail ducks found in Whatcom County, Washington, while the last case of H5N2 avian influenza was discovered in June a layer flock of about 1 million birds in Iowa.
While it has been more than five months since any new cases of the virus have been reported, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is preparing for its possible return in the coming weeks as wild birds make their southward migration. Officials with APHIS, as well as various state agriculture and wildlife agencies, continue to conduct surveillance in poultry and in wild birds.