France’s technique to vaccinate farmed geese towards extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus is reported to be a success to date, and working forward of schedule. Over the previous 2-3 weeks, simply two extra outbreaks in poultry have been confirmed throughout Europe, and the illness scenario has been declared “resolved” in three international locations. Nonetheless, ongoing circumstances in wild populations signify a continued risk to human well being, in accordance with a brand new examine from the meals security company.
As France handed the half-way level in its year-long HPAI technique earlier this month, the nation’s agriculture minister has welcomed the progress achieved as far as a hit.
Minister March Fesneau highlighted that the nationwide vaccination marketing campaign was unprecedented. He acknowledged the engagement and participation of the administration and the varied sectors on this progress. Within the months to come back, he dedicated to sustaining vigilance, and efforts to proceed with the vaccination technique.
Following devastating losses to HPAI in latest years, France started a focused HPAI vaccination marketing campaign in October of final yr. Administration of the vaccine is necessary for business duck flocks throughout mainland France.
Newest replace from the French agriculture ministry places the variety of geese which have acquired a primary dose of vaccine at greater than 26 million (as of April 2). A second dose has been administered to over 21 million birds, in progress that’s forward of schedule.
Together with the appliance of biosecurity measures and a decrease viral strain than in earlier years, the ministry stories that the vaccination program has contributed to a big drop within the variety of HPAI outbreaks in France. In contrast with 315 outbreaks within the 2022-2023 season, simply 10 have been confirmed in France for the reason that fall/autumn.
2 European nations file new outbreaks in poultry
As of April 5, 16 international locations within the area have collectively recorded 135 HPAI outbreaks in business poultry flocks for the reason that begin of 2024.
That is in accordance to the Animal Illness Info System from the European Fee (EC), which screens the illness scenario in European Union (EU) member states and adjoining international locations.
In contrast with the earlier version dated March 22, the outbreak complete has risen by two. That is the results of a ninth outbreak in Bulgaria, and a primary of the yr for The Netherlands.
Highest nationwide complete since January 1 is 55 recorded by Moldova, adopted by Poland. Neither nation has added to its complete since early March.
In a separate class of “captive birds” the EC System data HPAI outbreaks in non-commercial poultry, zoos and related premises.
Seven European international locations had registered a complete of 46 outbreaks affecting these populations in 2024 (as of April 5). No new circumstances have been reported since mid-March.
Primarily based on official notifications to the World Organisation for Animal Well being (WOAH), three European states have formally declared that the HPAI scenario of their respective poultry sectors have been “resolved” over the previous 10 days.
These self-declarations adopted seven confirmed outbreaks on this inhabitants in Denmark since final fall/autumn, six in Nice Britain, and 31 in Poland.
In The Netherlands, the agriculture ministry lowered the HPAI threat stage for poultry from reasonable to low on the finish of March, based mostly on recommendation from an knowledgeable panel.
With the exception of some areas of significantly excessive poultry density, the nationwide order for necessary housing of poultry — in place since November of final yr — has been lifted.
Minister Piet Adema stated this transformation will come as excellent news for poultry house owners whose interest and business birds can once more entry out of doors ranges.
Continued rise in circumstances amongst wild birds in Europe
Newest replace of the EC’s System signifies that HPAI virus continues to flow into extensively throughout the European continent in wild birds.
For 2024, a complete of 373 outbreaks have been registered with the EC System on this inhabitants by 25 international locations (as of April 5).
In contrast with the earlier replace dated March 22, this is a rise of 14 outbreaks, of which 9 had been detected in Germany. One additional case was confirmed by every of Belgium, Denmark, France, Moldova, and Romania.
Moreover, extra circumstances have been registered with WOAH over the previous 10 days by Latvia, Moldova, The Netherlands and Norway.
EFSA examine explores HPAI threat to human well being
“One Well being” measures have the potential to mitigate the danger of avian influenza (AI) viruses adapting to people and different mammals. These goal to deal with limiting publicity and stopping unfold, in accordance with a brand new report revealed by the European Meals Security Authority (EFSA).
Supporting these conclusions, EFSA states that AI viruses are nonetheless prevalent in European wild fowl populations, inflicting vital mortalities, and viral transmission happens between birds and mammals.
On account of this transmission, AI infections have been confirmed in fur animals within the area, in addition to extra extensively in different species — most not too long ago in U.S. dairy cattle and different animals.
Because the viruses proceed to evolve, there may be potential for strains to emerge which can be higher tailored to mammalian transmission.
For EFSA, key choices to scale back this threat embrace enhanced surveillance of each folks and animals, and better collaboration between the veterinary and medical sectors. It additionally urges the enforcement of biosecurity on farms, lowering contact between wild and home animals, and avoiding poultry and fur farming in areas that appeal to wild waterfowl.
Moreover, EFSA introduces the choice to think about AI vaccination of poultry as a illness prevention measure.
View our persevering with protection of the international avian influenza scenario.
