#12,687
Italy's `second season' of bird flu activity, which resumed in mid-July, continues to expand with 5 new outbreaks reported over the last week in the latest update from the IZSV (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie).
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Italy
2016/2017 - H5N5, H5N82016 - H7N72014/2015 - H5N8, H5N12013 - H7N72016/2017 – H5N5, H5N8
October 2017
30/10/2017 – On 24 October, samples taken from a common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and a quail found dead in Bergamo province (Lombardy) were analysed at Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna and resulted positive to Avian Influenza subtype H5.
The owner of the birds also had a backyard flock with one goose and five ducks. The culling procedures were concluded on 24 October. On 26 October, the virus was characterised by the National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N8. Epidemiological investigations and contact tracking to identify the farm from where the quail originated are ongoing.
On 24 October, IZSLER confirmed as positive for Avian Influenza A virus subtype H5 a rural farm in Milan province (Lombardy region). The farm hosted 152 laying hens. An increase in mortality was observed in the flock on 23 October. All the birds were dead at the time of confirmation. On 26 October, the virus was characterised by the National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N8.
On the same day NRL confirmed as positive for Avian Influenza A virus subtype H5N8 a duck farm in Brescia province (Lombardy region). The farm consisted of three sheds, with approximately 1.500 female ducks and 14.500 male ducks. The positivity was detected after the mandatory pre-movement virological tests on tracheal swabs. No evident clinical symptoms were observed in the farm.+
On 27 October, samples taken from a Greylag goose (Anser anser) and a Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) found dead in Ferrara province (Emilia-Romagna region), were analysed at IZSLER and resulted positive to Avian Influenza subtype H5. Further analyses are in progress.
On 28 October, IZSLER confirmed as positive for Avian Influenza A virus subtype H5 two broiler farms in Brescia province (Lombardy region). In both cases, samples were taken after an increase in mortality was observed on 27 October. Further information will be provided as soon as available.
During this month of October Italy has reported no fewer than 20 outbreaks of HPAI H5N8 or HPAI H5 in poultry, along with a number of detections in wild birds. This represents nearly 30% of this year's total.
Although a handful of other European countries (including the UK, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, etc.) have reported a smattering of H5N8 cases over the summer (see DEFRA: Outbreak Assessment On H5N8 In Europe - Summer 2017), Italy has been hardest hit by far.
With the fall migratory bird season upon us, and fresh reports last week of HPAI H5 turning up in Russia, Germany & Bulgaria, poultry interests
throughout Europe are being urged to redouble their biosecurity efforts.
