Hekendorp – Credit Wikipedia
*** UPDATED ***
Reuters is now reporting the subtype has been identified as HPAI H5N8, the same strain that was reported at a German Poultry Farm 10 days ago.
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From the central government site for the Netherlands (Rijksoverheid.nl) this morning we get the first official statement on a large outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu (HPAI) at a poultry farm in Hekendorp, which has resulted in the immediate culling of 150,000 chickens.
Although the exact subtype is not identified, this statement calls this outbreak `severe’, `very contagious among poultry’ and a zoonotic risk to human health.
This is the second high profile HPAI outbreak in Europe in just over a week (see Germany Reports H5N8 Outbreak in Turkeys), and while we don’t know if these two are related, the recent surge in the number of newly emerging avian flu strains in Asia (H7N9, H5N6, H5N3, H5N8, H10N8) has all of Europe’s poultry industry on alert.
This strongly worded announcement from the Dutch Economic Ministry.
News | 16-11-2014
This morning has been determined that the bird flu highly pathogenic variant appears at a poultry farm in Hekendorp (municipality Oudewater) are. The highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza is very contagious among poultry. This version is for chickens fatal. Avian flu is a zoonosis, which means that contamination of the animal can be transmitted to humans. Protective measures for that reason made for people who can come into direct and close contact with infected poultry. A temporary standstill for poultry and mixed farms with poultry also proclaimed in the Netherlands.
As reported yesterday, the company is cleared. It is a six poultry houses with a total of around 150,000 laying hens. This company has no outdoor access. The depopulation is by the Dutch Food and Consumer Authority (NVWA).
Standstill poultry transport throughout the Netherlands
From Sunday, November 16th, 2014 at 11.30 am a total transport ban applies to poultry and other poultry, eggs, poultry manure and used bedding from poultry farms. For mixed farms with poultry applies these bans also for other animals and manure from other dierenvan those companies. This prohibition applies to up to 72 hours. Is also a ophok- and cover requirement for poultry and other poultry in the Netherlands set. For this period , this standstill period set Due to the high risk of infection. In this period also applies a rating scheme on all poultry farms and mixed farms with poultry. Also applies to the Netherlands a ban on hunting the animals. Too, and a collective exhibition ban ban for poultry and other birds. The obligations also apply to hobby farmers of poultry and other birds.
For poultry farms in a zone of 10 kilometers around the holding in Hekendorp physical movement of poultry, eggs, poultry manure and used bedding applies in principle to 30 days. Within this area are 16 other poultry farms. The restrictions also apply to mixed farms with poultry. The ban also applies here for other animals from other animals. And manure These companies are sampled and tested for bird flu. For these companies, applies to this period a visitor control and should also be extra hygiene observed here.
As we saw repeatedly in 2006 and 2007 with the introduction of H5N1 into Europe, the arrival of HPAI to countries where it is not endemic can cause considerable economic and public health concerns. We’ll be waiting eagerly to see what subtype of avian influenza is involved.
For more on the rise of new flu strains in Asia, and the ability of migratory birds to carry this virus to countries thousands of miles away, you may wish to visit these recent blogs:
China: H5 AI Rising
FAO-EMPRES Report On The Emergence And Threat Of H5N6
Bird Flu Spread: The Flyway Or The Highway?
Japan: H5N8 In Migratory Bird Droppings
