#13,003
A week ago in Rosselkhoznadzor Reports Avian H5 In Kostroma Region we saw FluTrackers (h/t Gert van der Hoek) post a Russian media report of a subtype H5 avian flu outbreak in the Kostroma Region, roughly 200 miles north and east of Moscow, which I followed up with a brief announcement from the local Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance office.
At the time, the subtype - and the size of the outbreak - were both unknown.The OIE Has confirmed this outbreak to be HPAI H5N8 , and the number of birds affected to exceed 660,000.
This confirmation, along with the recent arrival of H5N8 in Saudi Arabia and recent reports on the culling of millions of birds in Iran, all suggest HPAI H5N8 continues to thrive in some parts of the world, despite being a no-show in Western Europe and East Asia this fall.
Russian officials, who fought a months-long battle earlier in the year to identify and remove tons of H5 contaminated poultry products from the shelves (see Rosselkhoznador: HPAI Contaminated Poultry Shipped To At Least 9 Regions Of Russia & Rosselkhoznadzor Finds More HPAI Contaminated Meat In Retail Stores) are understandably anxious to avoid a repeat this winter.
To that end, the Kostroma regional Rosselkhoznadzor office has issued the following (translated) statement regarding this outbreak, and the ongoing avian flu threat in Russia.
About prevention of highly pathogenic avian influenza in birds citizens farms
December 25, 2017
Office of Rosselkhoznadzor for the Kostroma and Ivanovo regions warns that in 2017 aggravated epizootic situation of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Since the beginning of the year in the Russian Federation reported 34 outbreaks, including 30 reported among poultry.
December 19, 2017 revealed the genetic material of the virus avian influenza A H5 subtype in chickens owned by JSC "Poultry" Kostroma ", located in the village. Harin Kostroma region Kostroma region.
Decree of the Governor of the Kostroma region December 20, 2017 number 264 in economy approved a set of measures for the elimination of the influenza outbreak of birds and disease prevention, including preventive measures in the nearby settlements. Measures to eliminate hotbeds of avian influenza are carried out in accordance with the rules for combating avian influenza approved by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation of March 27, 2006 № 90.
In connection with Influenza revealed centers of birds in the region, the threat of introduction of avian influenza to other poultry farms and private households of citizens.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza - acutely flowing, highly contagious disease of birds, accompanied by the defeat of the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract and nervous phenomena, which leads to a significant departure birds.
It is predicted the occurrence of flu foci where the threat is related to the possibility of direct contact with poultry and wild birds sinatropnymi. The most vulnerable private homestead farms and small-scale farms with range conditions means poultry.
To prevent the occurrence of avian influenza, bird owners need to perform the following preventive measures:
poultry in personal subsidiary farms regulate the "Veterinary Regulations birds of content on personal farmsteads citizens and poultry farms open", approved by order of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation from 03.04.2006 N 103.
- Strictly comply with the veterinary rules in private farms, ensuring segregation of birds to prevent their contact with the synanthropic and wild birds:
- avoid evisceration of trophies, game courts on site and feeding poultry waste;
- do not allow unauthorized persons to the birds of the place;
- the acquisition of young poultry and hatching eggs from safe sources to carry out, not to acquire them in places unauthorized trade;
- isolation store food, avoid contact with feed wild and synanthropic birds;
- provide for inspection of poultry vaccination and veterinary professionals;
- at the first signs of the disease (failure to feed and water, incoordination, tremors, ruffled feathers, corneal opacity, the expiration of the nasal cavity and beak and shortness of breath, cyanosis and edema scallop and earrings et al.) Immediately contact the nearest facility state veterinary service.
For industrial binding "Veterinary Regulations poultry on poultry farms closed type (poultry)" approved by Order of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation from 03.04.2006 N 104.
For citizens attention! In the event of mass illness and deaths of birds should be immediately notified about the state veterinary service of the region (4942) 55-33-03 and the Office of Rosselkhoznadzor for the Kostroma and Ivanovo regions by phone (4942) 45-00-61, 37-01-43 or e-mail: kosvetnadzor@mail.ru.
Despite the specific warnings to `private homestead farms and small-scale farms' most of the bird flu carnage in Russia over the past 12 months appears to have centered around large commercial poultry farms.
Along with H5N8, and a new reassorted H5N6 virus reported in Western Europe and East Asia, Russia is also potentially threatened by the Asian H5N6 virus and both LPAI and HPAI H7N9 viruses which currently circulate in China.Add in the history of avian flu viruses meeting up and reassorting in Siberia, and Russia remains an avian flu hot spot we need to watch closely.
