#12,169
Yesterday's report Germany: HPAI H5N5 Detected At Two More Poultry Farms has raised concerns that a second HPAI H5 virus - a reassortant of H5N8 - may be starting to spread in Europe. Until this past week, this novel subtype had only been reported in a handful of wild birds found in Italy, The Netherlands, and Montenegro during the month of December.
Today Slovenia's Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection reports that 3 swans found dead along the river Krka in the Brežice municipality have tested positive for H5N5.
Previously Slovenia had reported HPAI H5N8 in wild birds (see OIE Report). It isn't clear from this (translated) report exactly when these swans were collected, but some translated media reports seem to suggest sometime in November.
Hopefully we'll get more precise dates from the OIE. Regardless, the repeated detections of HPAI H5N5 - literally hundreds of kilometers and weeks apart - suggests this new subtype continues to make inroads into Europe's wild bird population.
Press release
The emergence of a new subtype of HPAI H5N5 in wild birds
Appearance of a new subtype of HPAI in wild birds H5N5
Today, 27. 1.2017, us National Veterinary Institute (NVI) informed on the positive results of the tests for avian influenza at three found dead labodih grbcih (Cygnus olor). All swans have been found along the river Krka in the Brežice municipality (Krška vas, Župeča VAS and Boršt). In the case of all three labodih was established a new subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N5.
This subtype in Slovenia so far haven't been able to figure it out. In several countries by the wild birds: in the Netherlands, in Italy, Germany, Croatia and Montenegro. Germany is the first country that has reported the first emergence of HPAI H5N5 in poultry in the European Union.
The disease appeared in the area of the new town, on which the OU from the 4. 1.2017 is subject to measures adopted by the National Center for disease control as a result of the emergence of the avian influenza virus subtype H5N8: poultry and captive birds indoors or, in a way, avoid contact with wild birds, especially water (due to the welfare of the water poultry, access to water, but is necessary to prevent contact with wild birds, in particular water) and feeding and watering in enclosed or indoor. As a result of the emergence of a new subtype of HPAI so far do not have to accept new or additional measures, but carried out measures already taken.
The greatest risk of transmission of avian influenza to poultry and captive birds represents a direct contact with an infected animal, and with the virus contaminated feed and water. Transmission is possible even with footwear, clothing and equipment that come into contact with infected material (Marlin birds, wild birds, secretions, etc.).
Therefore, holders of the poultry recalled the consistent implementation of bio-security measures, which are the Foundation for the prevention of introduction of AI.
