#11,879
Almost on cue, after multiple warnings from the FAO (see FAO On HPAI H5's 4th Intercontinental Wave) and reports of HPAI H5N8 - first over the summer in Russia, then again last week in Hungary - the virus has turned up again 550 miles further north in Poland, very near the German border.
We've a media report, and the OIE filing, which reveals that 5 ducks and 1 gull (species not specified) were found dead in Lubczyna, and they have tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N8 virus.
We are also following reports, and waiting on confirmation, of the cause of a bird die off in Northern Germany this morning, about 170 miles to the west of Lubczyna.
First this (translated) report from pluimveeweb.nl in the Netherlands.
The OIE filing, published overnight reads:Tuesday, November 8th, 2016At five dead duck species and one dead seagull in the Polish Lubczyna - which is near the German border in the west of Poland - on November 5 Influenza A virus subtype H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza identified.That made the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Monday November 7 known. Lubczyna located in the province of West Pomerania (Zachodniopomorskie) which borders Germany. Lubczyna place is close to the Lake Dąbie and near the Baltic Sea.
Recent weeks was also found in Hungary Influenza A virus subtype H5N8 HPAI. On October 28 in a dead swan in a nature reserve on November 4 on a commercial turkey farm.
remains alert
"It seems that pass these infections to the FAO warning that the Influenza A virus subtype H5N8 HPAI is via wild birds spreading. We therefore continue to call for vigilance and the use of maximum hygiene, "advises Avined.
HPAI H5N8 was first detected in China, but only emerged in a big way in South Korea in January of 2014, sparking a major epizootic that saw more than 15 million birds killed.
The virus turned up in Europe in November of 2014, first at a farm in Germany (see Germany Reports H5N8 Outbreak in Turkeys), followed 10 days later by an outbreak in the Netherlands (see Netherlands: `Severe’ HPAI Outbreak In Poultry).
Reports of the virus in Europe dried up by the spring. Unlike the massive outbreaks in North America that winter, the impact of the virus in Europe was fairly limited.
While expected, the virus did not return the following fall to Europe or North America.
This year, however, the virus appears to be on the move again, and the FAO warns that other countries in the EU, Middle East, and Asia may expect to see its arrival in the next few months.
