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| Avian Flu Since Nov 2015 |
#11,562
After a very busy winter, which saw numerous outbreaks of new strains of HPAI H5N1, H5N2, and H5N9, along with LPAI H5N2 and H5N3, reports slowed in March and ended three months ago with the 77th outbreak in Tarn.
Today, the French Ministry of Agriculture reports two new outbreaks, bringing the total to 79 outbreaks since last November.
The first, in the department of Dordogne - which reported 15 outbreaks over the winter - an outbreak of HPAI H5N1 in outdoor chickens. The last reported outbreak from Dordogne was on February 23, 2016.
And the second in the department of Aveyron - is reported as HPAI H5 in ducks. This is the first report of bird flu from Aveyron.
Exactly how so many new strains came to evolve and emerge in southern France last winter remains a mystery although LPAI viruses often circulate wild birds, and on occasion can mutate into HPAI strains - particularly when introduced into poultry operations.
It should be noted that all of these new subtypes are described as being of `European lineage' - have not infected humans - and not descended from the more dangerous Asian H5N1 virus.
That said, after 90 days without a new report, today's double announcement will no doubt be viewed as a setback for France's poultry industry.
The update from the MOA reads:
The current situation in France (updated on 07/19/2016)
In total, to date, 79 of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry were detected in 10 southwestern departments of France.
As part of the monitoring strategy accompanied by increased vigilance of the actors in the poultry sector, two other outbreaks were detected, one in Aveyron, the other in the Dordogne.
The set of management measures has been implemented.
DORDOGNE
- Highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak was confirmed July 18, 2016 on a farm in 4400 outdoor chickens in the town of Ladornac, by identifying a highly pathogenic H5N1 strain.
AVEYRON
- As part of the programmed monitoring of lifting of the restricted zone, a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak (H5) was confirmed July 19, 2016 on a farm of 2080 ducks ready to stuff 6 weeks and 2 ducklings 2917 weeks without clinical manifestation, in the town of Vareilles.
