Tuesday, October 02, 2018

Russia's Summer Of Bird Flu Continues Into Fall

Rostov Region of Russia













#13,556

Six weeks ago, in Brief ESA Report On HPAI H5N2 & H5Nx In Russia, we looked at what had been - between June and mid August - a string of nearly 80 outbreaks of HPAI H5 avian influenza across Western Russia.
The OIE reports show only HPAI H5 for most of these outbreaks. 
HPAI H5N8 has been the most commonly reported avian virus in Russia over the past year, however a newly reassorted HPAI H5N2 virus has also been reported at least a couple of times since last December (see Russia Notifies OIE Of A Second HPAI H5N2 Outbreak In Kostroma Oblast).

The brief history of clade 2.3.4.4. H5 viruses has been one of continual evolution, frequent successful reassortment (into H5N6, H5N2, H5N5, H5N9, etc.), and rapid geographic expansion - primarily via wild and migratory birds.
These viruses have sparked the largest avian epizootics on record in both Europe and North America, have severely impacted South Korea's poultry industry for several years running, and have extended their reach to the Middle East, Africa, and all the way into the Southern Hemisphere.
While the number of new outbreaks in Russia has dropped markedly over the past month, yesterday the Rostov Regional Government announced a fresh outbreak at a very large poultry producer in the Kamensky district. 

We have the official statement followed by a snippet from the OIE report
(translation)
In Kamenka region taking measures to prevent the spread of avian influenza

October 1, 2018

On the territory of several buildings of "White Bird-Rostov" in the Kamensky district of Rostov region recorded outbreak of avian influenza. The diagnosis was confirmed by the regional veterinary laboratory and the laboratory of the Federal Center for Animal Health in Vladimir.

In this regard, the district held a meeting of the special committee on the prevention and elimination of occurrence of highly dangerous and contagious animal diseases.

The Commission decided to consider epizootic foci entire territory of "The White Bird - Rostov" (playground reproduktornaya (PR) "North"), endangered area - within a radius of five kilometers from the epizootic outbreak, including farm Staraya Stanitsa, Forest and Krasnovka Kamensky district and area surveillance consider - within a radius of ten kilometers from the epizootic outbreak, and to include in her farm Abramovka, Dichensk, Filipponkov and Masalovka the same area.

Since the detection of the virus set of preventive measures to prevent the introduction and spread of avian influenza in the Rostov region is carried out in accordance with approved plans and the veterinary rules for combating avian influenza.

To date, the areas of concern set clock the checkpoint equipped with signs "Quarantine" and dezbarerom with a clock duty professionals on the road before entering the administrative area of ​​the company. Roads leading from dysfunctional item closed. Entry and exit of road transport in the quarantine zone is not allowed.

Shipment of goods from the territory of poultry farms discontinued. In place of shipment of poultry products OL "North" for the period from September 12, 2018 sent to the recipient notification of the need for additional laboratory tests of products.

In the 10-kilometer zone around the poultry farm veterinarians bypass private farms citizens visiting vaccinated and vaccinated incoming poultry birds.

Information Policy Department of the Rostov Region Government


http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=28142


Once again, all we are told this is HPAI H5.  With this fall's bird migration already underway in parts of the Northern Hemisphere - and with many birds overflying Russia on their way to Europe - any changes in the HPAI H5 viruses circulating there would be understandably of concern.   



While we await more details, today Farming UK reports that the OIE urges better biosecurity in backyard flocks to counter bird flu threat.

Stay tuned.