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Published Date: 2016-11-21 18:06:00
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (106): Europe, wild, poultry, HPAI H5N8, spread
Archive Number: 20161121.4645059
AVIAN INFLUENZA (106): EUROPE, WILD, POULTRY, HPAI H5N8, SPREAD
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Date: Mon 21 Nov 2016
Source: Just-Food [edited]
http://www.just-food.com/news/eu-urges-vigilance-to-contain-bird-flu-outbreaks_id135039.aspx
The European Commission today [21 Nov 2016] urged EU member states to "remain vigilant and enforce bio-security measures," following outbreaks of bird flu in poultry and wild birds across Europe.
The announcement comes after several international markets placed import restrictions on German poultry following an outbreak of bird flu in the country reported last week.
However, a commission spokesman for health, food safety, environment, maritime affairs and fisheries told Just-Food that there is, as yet, "no official confirmation" of any internal restrictions being placed on the trade in poultry between EU member states.
The spokesperson said that following the 1st reported bird flu outbreak in Hungary, which was notified to the commission on 4 Nov 2016: "There have been 6 further outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) of the subtype H5N8 in the same area."
In total, the spokesperson said that there have been 16 confirmed outbreaks of H5N8 in poultry in 5 EU countries: Hungary (7 cases), Germany (7), Austria (1), Denmark (1) and one case in a zoo in the Netherlands.
The virus has also been found, in wild birds only, in 7 EU states (Hungary, Poland, Germany, Croatia, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands) plus Switzerland, and investigations are ongoing. "All affected countries took the necessary measures," the spokesperson said.
"With the exception of Hungary, most outbreaks have occurred in backyard (domestic) flocks, where bio-security levels are generally lower," the spokesperson added. "Member states have been urged to be vigilant and to enforce bio-security measures to possibly prevent contact between wild birds and poultry by putting poultry indoors."
The spokesperson said tests conducted by the EU reference laboratory for avian influenza "concluded that the virus is still predominantly a bird virus without any specific increased affinity for humans."
[Byline: John Shepherd]
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[An updated outbreak assessment of HPAI H5N8 in Europe by DEFRA's Veterinary & Science Policy Advice Team (International Disease Monitoring) is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/570883/hpai-europe-uoa-update3.pdf. The team stresses that these viruses to date are still essentially bird viruses without any specific increased affinity for humans. Their main conclusions:
"The risk to the UK is MEDIUM for any incursion of H5N8 HPAI in wild birds. The migration season will generally peak at around December [2016] to January [2017], when our migratory birds will be present at wintering sites in the UK, but these birds are already arriving and have been for several weeks. The risk to poultry depends upon the level of biosecurity implemented on farm to prevent the direct or indirect contact with wild birds. It should be noted that the virus could potentially survive on pasture in wild bird faeces for several weeks at current ambient temperatures, emphasising the importance of these measures."
A map of HPAI H5N8 in Europe, updated on 18 Nov 2016, is included. This map should be seen in tandem with the recent, detailed, complementary map of HPAI H5N8 in Germany, included in ProMED post 20161119.4641281. - Mod.AS]
See Also
Avian influenza (105): Europe (Denmark) wild, poultry, HPAI H5N8 20161121.4644808Avian influenza (104): Europe (Germany) wild, poultry, HPAI H5N8, genotyping 20161119.4641281
Avian influenza (102): Europe, wild birds, poultry, HPAI H5N8, spread, control 20161115.4631139
Avian influenza (101): Europe, wild birds, poultry, HPAI H5N8, OIE 20161114.4628999
Avian influenza (100): Israel (HZ) poultry HPAI H5N8, new strain, OIE 20161114.4628359
Avian influenza (99): Switzerland (VD) wild, India (KA) poultry, H5N8 20161113.4626408
Avian influenza (98): Israel (HZ) poultry, H5N8, RFI 20161113.4626107
Avian influenza (97): India (Punjab) poultry, H5N8, spread, OIE 20161111.462135
Avian influenza (96): Europe, wild birds, HPAI H5N8, OIE 20161110.4620229
Avian influenza (94): India (HR) poultry, H5N8, spread, OIE 20161110.4617396
Avian influenza (93): Switzerland, Austria, wildfowl, H5N8, Croatia, susp, RFI 20161110.4618279
Avian influenza (92): Germany (SH) wild birds, H5N8, 1st cases 20161109.4617139
Avian influenza (91): Poland (ZP) wild, H5N8, OIE 20161108.4614616
Avian influenza (90): India (KL) poultry, H5N8, OIE, (HR) poultry, susp, RFI 20161105.4609424
Avian influenza (89): Hungary (BE,CS) poultry, wild bird, HPAI H5N8, OIE 20161104.4608240
Avian influenza (86): India (KL) poultry, H5N8, 1st outbreak, RFI 20161028.4591328
Avian influenza (82): India, Delhi zoo, H5N8, NOT H5N1 20161021.4576300
Avian influenza (81): H5N1, India, Delhi zoo 20161020.4573601
Avian influenza (79): Russia (TU) HPAI H5N8, migratory birds 20161011.4551755
Avian influenza (77): United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi) poultry (quail) 1st case, susp 20161005.4537271
Avian influenza (74): Russia (TU) HPAI H5N8 2.3.4.4., wild bird, intl alert, FAO 20160920.4501532
Avian influenza (65): Taiwan, poultry, HPAI H5N8, spread 20160725.4368474
Avian influenza (29): South Korea (KG) poultry, HPAI H5N8, OIE 20160331.4130267
Avian influenza (28): South Korea (KG) poultry, HPAI H5N8 20160329.4124502
2015
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Avian influenza (211): Taiwan (PT) poultry, HPAI H5N8, spread 20151210.3854407
Avian influenza (168): global, H5 HPAI evolution, control, RFI 20150704.3483531
Avian influenza (06): global, H5 evolution, new clade 2.3.4.4, WHO/OIE/FAO 20150114.3090250
Avian influenza (07): global, interaction with human viruses 20150317.3237174
2014
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Avian influenza (117): Europe, HPAI H5N8 & H5N1, routes of spread 20141227.3056665
Avian influenza (111): Europe, HPAI H5N8, EFSA scientific report 20141218.3040087
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