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| HPAI H5N8 Outbreaks Since July 1st - Credit IZSV |
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Italy's `second season' of H5N8 outbreaks which began in mid July continues with three more outbreaks reported today, bring the total (excluding wild bird and non-poultry detections) over the past 90 days to 30 separate outbreaks and the loss of roughly 2 million birds.
The most recent update from Italy's IZSV (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie) was posted earlier today.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Italy
2016/2017 - H5N5, H5N82016 - H7N72014/2015 - H5N8, H5N12013 - H7N72016/2017 – H5N5, H5N8
October 201711/10/2017 – On 10 October, the National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease (NRL) confirmed as positive for Avian Influenza A virus subtype H5N8 a backyard flock in Vicenza province (Veneto region). The mixed species flock consisted of about 70 birds. An increase in mortality was observed and samples were taken on 9 October.
On the same day, the NRL confirmed as positive for Avian Influenza A virus subtype H5N8 two farms in Lombardy region. The first case is in a fattening turkey farm in Brescia province. Samples were taken after an increase in mortality was reported to the Veterinary Services by the farm veterinarian. In the farm, there were about 14.000 male turkeys at the end of their productive cycle. The second case is in a backyard flock in Bergamo province. The flock consisted of about eight laying hens. On 1 October, an increase in mortality was observed and, a few days after, the Veterinary Services were reported. At the moment of confirmation, all the birds were died.
Lastly, the cases confirmed on 6 October in the province of Vicenza and Ferrara have been characterised by the National Reference Laboratory as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza viruses subtype H5N8. Further information will be provided as soon as possible.
Although Italy has been the hardest hit this summer, the unusual persistence of H5N8 over the past four months in Europe - including outbreaks in Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK (see DEFRA: Outbreak Assessment On H5N8 In Europe - Summer 2017) - has raised concerns that HPAI H5 avian flu may be becoming more of a year-round threat (see DEFRA Warns Of `Constant Risk' From Avian Flu).
