Taiwan, Philippines affirm additional HPAI outbreaks in poultry

First ever instances of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been reported in poultry in the Japanese Visayas area of the Philippines, whereas Taiwan has confirmed latest outbreaks in a number of counties. Vietnam has registered the nation’s first human an infection with a typical flu virus of avian origin.

Newest official replace on the HPAI state of affairs in Taiwan’s home poultry covers 22 outbreaks instantly impacting greater than 317,000 birds.

Beginning between January 18 and March 18, these outbreaks linked to the H5N1 HPAI virus serotype had been reported earlier this month to the World Organisation for Animal Well being (WOAH).

Every affected flock comprised between round 200 and 33,800 poultry — primarily native chickens, but additionally meat chickens, laying hens, and breeding geese. Whereas the bulk concerned farms, two outbreaks had been detected at slaughterhouses, and one at an unidentified location. Premises had been positioned in seven counties/cities.

Based mostly on WOAH knowledge, 32 HPAI outbreaks linked to this virus variant have been confirmed in Taiwan since November of final yr. These have concerned round 408,500 poultry.

Extra lately, Taiwan Information has reported two additional outbreaks. These concerned two flocks of laying hens — comprising round 36,800 birds in Chiayi county, and 20,000 in Changhua.

In late February, yet one more wild hen examined constructive for the H5N1 HPAI virus in Taiwan, in accordance to a separate report back to WOAH. 

India confirms HPAI in 2 states

On the finish of February, presence of HPAI of the identical virus serotype was detected at a regional poultry hatchery in Nagpur — one of many largest cities within the western state of Maharashtra.

In keeping with the official report acquired final week by WOAH, 2,650 of the round 11,400 poultry on the premises died, and the remaining have been culled.

Authorities have additionally formally confirmed to the company particulars of two earlier outbreaks in poultry in Andhra Pradesh. Instances on this state in southern India had been reported beforehand by native media.

Within the first week of February, the H5N1 virus variant was detected at two areas within the district of Nellore. Affected had been first a farm with round 10,000 birds, after which a yard flock at a distance of greater than 20km.

In neither Andhra Pradesh nor Maharashtra has the supply of an infection been recognized. 

Philippines confirms first HPAI in Japanese Visayas area

Final month, native media reported the primary ever outbreak of HPAI linked to the H5N1 virus serotype within the Japanese Visayas island area of the Philippines.

In keeping with the official notification despatched lately to WOAH, affected was a farm with round 60,500 poultry in province of Leyte. Nearly 4,500 of the birds died, and the remaining had been culled to stop additional unfold of an infection. Supply of an infection is thru to be wild birds or fomites, and the farm is surrounded by rice paddies that entice wildlife.

In the meantime, three extra outbreaks linked to the identical virus variant within the Luzon space have additionally been registered with WOAH by the Philippines’ authorities.

These began between February 20 and March 10 and concerned flocks described as “backyards.” The 2 earlier outbreaks had been within the province of Pampanga, and the newest was positioned in Kalinga.

This HPAI outbreak sequence started in January of 2022, and now includes 259 outbreaks involving virtually 2.1 million poultry.

To WOAH the authorities within the Philippines have lately declared a separate H5N1 HPAI outbreak sequence “resolved.” This coated broadly the island of Mindanao, and instances detected between February of 2022 and January of 2023. Instantly impacted over this interval had been round 102,400 poultry at 27 areas.

Newest replace on the illness state of affairs within the nation from the Bureau of Animal Trade places the variety of ongoing outbreaks at 4 (as of April 12).

Within the Central Luzon area, outbreaks have occurred at one farm with quails within the province of Pampanga, as properly as two premises in Nueva Ecija — one with quails and one with sport birds. The outbreak in Leyte, Japanese Visayas concerned broiler breeders.

Earlier this month, Philippine Star reported that authorities had seized portions of unauthorized avian influenza vaccine. This was discovered — in plastic cups containing dry ice — in hand baggage of incoming passengers from Vietnam and different Asian nations. 

HPAI developments in poultry elsewhere in Asia

This week, the HPAI state of affairs in South Korea has been declared “resolved” to WOAH.

The declarations cowl instances involving each poultry and wild birds, and the H5N1 and H5N6 virus serotypes. Since December of final yr, six outbreaks involving the H5N1 variant had been confirmed in home poultry, and birds examined constructive for the H5N6 virus at 26 farms.

In the meantime, WOAH has been notified that motion restrictions linked to the newest HPAI outbreak in Japan have been lifted. This implies there aren’t any ongoing outbreaks within the nation. 

Two additional human infections in Asia

Over latest weeks, the World Well being Group (WHO) has recorded two additional infections with avian influenza A virus in individuals within the Western Pacific area.

In China, a 51-year-old poultry farmer in Yunnan province has a confirmed an infection with avian influenza A(H10N3) virus, in response to WHO. His signs started on the finish of February, and he was admitted to hospital in early March.

Moreover, Vietnam recorded its first ever human an infection with a low-pathogenic avian influenza A(H9N2) virus final week. The affected person was a 37-year-old man, in response to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

Supply of the man’s an infection is unsure. Though he lived close to a poultry market, no sick or useless birds have been reported there. The affected person has underlying well being circumstances, and was admitted to hospital. This virus variant is thought to flow into in poultry in lots of areas, and is the kind most frequently recognized in Vietnam.

On the finish of March, the dying was confirmed to WHO of a beforehand reported case involving the H5N1 virus variant in Vietnam. The 21-year-old man had no recognized contact with contaminated poultry, however had been concerned in trapping wild birds previous to the onset of his signs.

View our persevering with protection of the international avian influenza state of affairs.