Over the previous two weeks, veterinary businesses from 10 of the continent’s international locations have confirmed new instances of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) of their respective poultry flocks, whereas two extra have recorded outbreaks in yard or captive birds. In the meantime, wild birds have examined optimistic for HPAI in 18 nations throughout Europe.
Whereas the quantity of HPAI outbreaks amongst Europe’s poultry, captive and wild fowl populations stays comparatively low, new instances have been detected broadly throughout the area over current weeks.
In industrial poultry, complete outbreaks have reached 105 thus far this 12 months. That is in accordance to the most recent replace of the Animal Illness Data System from the European Fee (EC; as of February 23). Monitoring the animal illness scenario in European Union (EU) member states and neighboring international locations, the System has recorded a number of outbreaks thus far in 2024 in 15 states.
Since the earlier replace dated February 2, this represents a rise of 37 outbreaks, and first instances of the 12 months seem to have been confirmed in Italy, Northern Eire, and Norway.
So far registering the very best outbreak complete is Moldova with 35 for the 12 months to date, adopted by Poland (20), and Germany (9).
Of the not too long ago reported outbreaks, 13 have been in Poland, 5 in Moldova, 4 in Bulgaria and Denmark, three within the Czech Republic (Czechia) and Germany, and two in Slovakia.
First farm instances of the 12 months in Italy, Norway, U.Okay.
In accordance to the EC’s System, every of those three international locations has recorded its first instances of HPAI in poultry for 2024 over the previous three weeks. Notifications from the respective veterinary businesses to the World Organisation for Animal Well being (WOAH) provide additional particulars of the illness scenario. The presence of the H5N1 HPAI virus serotype was detected in every case.
The outbreak in Italy was confirmed after 50 meat turkeys died immediately at a farm within the province in Padua within the Veneto area earlier this month. Later, it was reported the affected flock comprised a complete of round 37,400 birds.
Based on the nationwide reference lab for avian influenza IZSVe, this was Italy’s sixth HPAI outbreak of the season, which started in mid-November of 2023.
Norway had skilled a 12-month hiatus from HPAI till round 70 birds at a farm in Rogaland county examined optimistic for an H5 virus earlier this month, in accordance with the WOAH report.
Affected was a complete of round 18,000 chickens, reported the Norwegian veterinary institute. The birds have been stored in two separate homes, and the an infection seems to be contained in one of many buildings. That group was culled instantly, however the destiny of the remaining birds just isn’t but reported.
Whereas the EC’s System seems to incorporate the primary outbreak of 2024 in Northern Eire, this could also be inaccurate. No instances of HPAI in poultry have been reported by the agriculture division there not too long ago.
Lately, the illness scenario in the remainder of the UK (U.Okay.) has not been monitored by the EC System. Nevertheless, it’s doable that the one outbreak recorded by the EC in Northern Eire was in actual fact that confirmed on February 12 within the northeast English area of East Yorkshire. In accordance to the WOAH notification, that affected a flock of round 48,000 laying hens.
Avian flu developments elsewhere in European poultry
Over the previous two weeks, Poland has registered HPAI instances at an additional 9 industrial premises to WOAH.
Up to now this 12 months, 23 outbreaks have been confirmed by the Polish chief veterinary workplace (as much as February 27). Complete birds impacted by these outbreaks has handed 529,000.
Because the first week of February, eight of the 13 confirmed outbreaks have occurred in the identical county — Ilawa – within the northeastern province of Warmia-Masuria. Primarily affected over this era have been meat turkeys and meat geese.
In Bulgaria, the 2024 outbreak complete has risen to seven with the affirmation to WOAH of three new affected farms. One among these represents the fifth of the 12 months within the central province of Plovdiv, whereas the others have been the primary in Veliko Tarnovo and Dobrich, that are additional north and east.
Outbreak complete within the Czech Republic presently stands at 5. Two outbreaks reported to WOAH in the midst of February concerned one flock of point-of-lay pullets, and one other of broiler breeders. Each have been positioned within the central-southern area of Vysocina.
Final week, WOAH acquired a report from the Danish authorities about nation’s fifth outbreak in industrial poultry. Affected was a flock of round 20,000 laying hens in the Zealand area.
France makes progress with duck vaccination program
The newest replace from the French agriculture ministry places the variety of industrial geese which have acquired their first dose of H5N1 HPAI vaccine at greater than 18.5 million (as of February 12). All mainland areas of France have now begun vaccination of business geese, in accordance with the nationwide coverage.
The nationwide authority has not too long ago declared to WOAH that the H5 HPAI scenario in poultry has been “resolved.” This declaration follows affirmation of outbreaks at 10 premises since November of final 12 months, however no additional instances have been detected since early January.
New instances in captive birds recorded in 7 states
Based on EC System, veterinary businesses of seven European nations have confirmed HPAI instances on this class thus far this 12 months.
Together with non-commercial poultry, zoos, and comparable premises, the entire has reached 41 (as of February 23). That is an enhance of 14 for the reason that version printed 21 days beforehand.
With a complete of 20, the Czech Republic has registered essentially the most outbreaks on this class thus far, adopted by Germany and Ukraine, every with seven.
First outbreaks of the 12 months have been recorded by Denmark and Poland, and the Austrian complete has risen by one for the reason that earlier version.
Additional HPAI instances in wild birds throughout Europe
As of February 23, 24 European international locations have reported HPAI instances of their respective wild fowl populations with the EC. This consists of first instances of 2024 for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus, Lithuania, and Slovenia.
Because the earlier replace on February 2, the outbreak complete has elevated by 144 to 289.
Of the entire, 91 have been reported by Germany, and 56 by Denmark. Every registering between 10 and 20 outbreaks on this inhabitants for the 12 months thus far have been Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.
View our persevering with protection of the international avian influenza scenario.
