Thus far, round one-third of French business geese has acquired at the very least one dose of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) vaccine.
The most recent replace from the agriculture ministry places the variety of business geese which have acquired their first dose of H5N1 HPAI vaccine at greater than 21.6 million (as of March 4). That is three million greater than it reported on February 12.
All mainland areas of France have now begun vaccination of economic geese, based on the nationwide coverage. Finishing up essentially the most vaccinations thus far have been the western and southwestern areas of Pays de Loire, Nouvelle Aquitaine, and Occitanie.
Following a number of waves of HPAI lately which have devastated the nation’s duck sector in specific, France determined to start vaccination of economic geese in October of final yr. Goal variety of geese was 64 million, masking the principle species, in flocks of medium and enormous dimension, and producing merchandise that weren’t meant for export.
Regardless of the latter pledge and the progress made, France has suffered a backlash from worldwide markets over its resolution to hold out the vaccination program.
Between November of final yr and mid-January, 10 HPAI outbreaks in French poultry flocks have been confirmed by the ministry. All have been linked to the H5N1 HPAI virus serotype. Simply three of the outbreaks concerned geese, whereas the opposite affected six flocks of turkeys, and one in every of laying hens.
In late February, the authorities formally declared the outbreak “resolved” to the World Organisation for Animal Well being (WOAH).
HPAI outbreak whole in European poultry flocks rises once more
Among the many area’s business birds, whole outbreaks have reached 130 for the yr so far.
That is in accordance to the newest replace of the Animal Illness Info System from the European Fee (EC; as of March 1). It displays the animal illness state of affairs in European Union (EU) member states and neighboring international locations.
The system has recorded a number of outbreaks so far in 2024 in 15 states — a quantity unchanged from the earlier version dated February 23.
With the best whole thus far this yr is Moldova with 55, adopted by Poland (24). For the reason that earlier replace, these totals have elevated by 20 and 4, respectively. Moreover, yet another outbreak in Slovakia has raised its whole to 5.
Additional element on a few of these developments are supplied in notifications from the nationwide animal well being businesses to WOAH.
Poland’s two newest outbreaks occurred within the first days of March in two meat turkey flocks, based on the WOAH report. With round 8,000 and 44,700 birds, the farms have been positioned in the identical district within the northeastern province of Warmia-Masuria. They carry to 25 the variety of confirmed outbreaks on Polish poultry farms thus far in 2024, straight impacting 565,000 birds.
In Bulgaria, the variety of outbreaks this yr has risen by one to eight.
The most recent to check constructive for HPAI was a flock of nearly 40,000 poultry in Haskovo. These have been the primary circumstances within the present outbreak collection on this southern province, and so they convey the entire birds affected to greater than 120,700.
A second poultry unit at a beforehand contaminated premises within the Czech Republic (Czechia) has been depopulated as a consequence of HPAI.
In keeping with the WOAH report, the unique outbreak concerned round 11,700 mother or father inventory birds, which confirmed medical indicators of illness, examined constructive for HPAI, and have been culled. Individually managed and positioned at a distance of 100 meters have been 13,400 grandparent birds. Initially they displayed no signs, however subsequent exams confirmed they too have been contaminated, and so they have additionally been culled.
Circumstances in captive birds in 4 states
Lined by this class underneath the EC System are HPAI outbreaks in non-commercial poultry, zoos, and related premises.
As of March 1, whole outbreaks in captive birds stands at 45. With a complete of twenty-two, the Czech Republic has registered essentially the most outbreaks in this class for the reason that begin of 2024, adopted by Germany (eight), and Ukraine (seven).
In contrast with the earlier version dated February 23, the Czech whole has elevated by two, and by one for every of Germany and Poland.
Moreover, the Romanian authority has notified WOAH of an extra outbreak in a yard flock within the northeast of the nation.
In keeping with WOAH reviews, presence of the H5N1 HPAI virus serotype has been detected in all these outbreaks — in each poultry and captive birds.
11 international locations register new HPAI circumstances in wild birds
As of March 1, 24 European international locations have reported HPAI circumstances of their respective wild chook populations with the EC.
Whereas the quantity of countries is unchanged from the earlier replace dated February 23, the outbreak whole has elevated by 25 to 314.
Of the newest whole, 104 outbreaks have been confirmed in Germany, 59 in Denmark, and 19 in Sweden. Totals for every of those states elevated for the reason that earlier EC replace, alongside with these of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Ukraine.
Moreover, the authorities in Romania and Slovenia have every notified WOAH over the previous week about one extra wild chook that had examined constructive for HPAI.
With the exception of Northern Eire, the animal illness state of affairs within the United Kingdom (U.Okay.) just isn’t monitored by the EC.
Nevertheless, the U.Okay. authorities have notified WOAH about two extra wild birds which have examined constructive for HPAI, and that this was recognized as belonging to the H5N5 serotype. They carry to 5 the nation’s whole variety of contaminated birds testing constructive for this variant since September of final yr.
In northern Germany, two wild birds have examined constructive for a similar HPAI virus serotype. One was a first detection in additional than three years within the state of Decrease Saxony.
The nice majority of different circumstances amongst European wild birds have been linked to the H5N1 variant.
View our persevering with protection of the world avian influenza state of affairs.
