France's ESA (Epidemiosurveillance Santé Animale) on LPAI H3N1 In Belgium

Credit - Federal Agency For The Safety Of The Food Chain

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Earlier this month, in Belgium: Non-Reportable LPAI H3N1 Continues To Spread, we looked at more than 2 dozen outbreaks of a Low Path avian H3N1 virus - which is not considered a reportable disease by the OIE -  in and around West Flanders.  

Since then we've seen the number of farms affect increase, with a recent report from a Belgian Member of the European Parliament (link) citing 43 outbreaks, including one in France (unconfirmed). 

Since LPAI H3N1 is not considered a reportable disease, farmers and their local governments have no firm protocol to follow, including;

• Should exposed birds be culled? 
• Rules for quarantine, movement of poultry, etc. 
• Rules for testing neighboring farms
• Should farmers receive compensation for lost birds?  

While technically a low path (LPAI) virus (based on genetic analysis), farmers are reporting substantial morbidity and mortality among their flocks.  Whether this is due entirely to the virus - or perhaps to a co-infection with another pathogen - isn't yet known.

Although some of its analysis is based on data released more than 10 days ago by the Belgian Veterinary Authorities, we have a summary today from France's ESA (Epidemiosurveillance Santé Animale).

AVIATION INFLUENZA HOMES LOW PATHOGENIC H3 IN FLANDERS - BELGIUM

For the ESA Platform (in alphabetical order): Didier Calavas (Anses), Julien Cauchard (Anses), Céline Dupuy (Anses), Sylvain Falala (Inra), Yves Lambert (DGAL), Alizé Mercier (CIRAD)

Corresponding author: julien.cauchard@anses.fr
Sources:

• Communication from the Belgian Veterinary Authorities (Afsca) to the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (CPVADAAA) of the European Commission of 13 May 2019 (link)
• - Ministerial Decree of 16 May 2019 laying down urgent measures to prevent the spread of the H3 avian influenza virus by the Federal Agency for Security of Life Food chain (link)

Thirty-six non-H5 / H7 low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) outbreaks were confirmed in Belgium in 2019.

The first outbreak was confirmed in January 2019 and only Flanders has been reached so far.

A first outbreak of IAFP H3N1 was confirmed in January 2019 as part of the Belgian surveillance program for AI in an outdoor breeding of laying hens. The farm was depopulated on the initiative of the farmer.

The infection was again confirmed in this farm on 6 April 2019 and spread since the last week of April in the region of West Flanders.

As of May 13, 36 non-H5 / H7 foci were confirmed by PCR, including 31 H3 (6 typed H3N1) and five non-typed because of a low viral load.

The H3N1 virus, low pathogenic and genetically linked to a strain isolated in 2017 in the Netherlands from a wild bird, is not notifiable.

The clinical picture is characterized by a defect in egg quality, a significant decrease in production and food intake. Mortality is in some cases high (25-30%), up to 60% [1]. Spread in a farm can be slow and sometimes even asymptomatic.

The survey did not show an epidemiological link between the affected farms (laying hens, chickens, turkeys) or any other common pathogenic agent that could be implicated. But it must be noted that all the foci are for the moment located in a relatively delimited geographical area.

[1] It should be noted that the distinction between FP and HP strains is based on the genetic characteristics of the strains, and does not prejudge in all cases the pathogenicity observed in the field, which can be variable according to the target species and according to strains, whether FP or HP.

May 23, 2019 - 10:25

While the threat of this virus is not fully known, it has clearly shaken up Belgium's poultry industry, and raised red flags among its neighbors.  Last week Belgium ordered Enhanced Surveillance & Testing For LPAI H3, but stopped short of ordering culling, or approving compensation for lost flocks.
 
In a letter to the Belgium Agricultural Commissioner Hogan, Tom Vandenkendelaere - a Belgian Member of the European Parliament since November 2014 - writes:

21 May 2019

Brussels, May 22, 2019

There are 3.3 million laying hens in the country of which 45% in West Flanders. Almost one third of the chickens are infected with the human harmless flu variant H3N1. It involves more than 40 companies throughout Flanders and the number is rising daily. The damage has been estimated at over 13 million. Tom Vanden Knew Laere requires urgent action.

"The outbreak dates from April and now takes endemic proportions. Include slaughterhouses and food suppliers are already strict measures and many poultry farms increased dramatically their biosafety including through additional disinfection. Still, many infected farms, perforce, actively making the mop with the tap. Decisive measures must be imposed from above and poultry farmers must be assured that they will be compensated. "

"The problem is that this particular flu variant (H3N1) is considered light pathogen. It is positive that there is no immediate danger to public health, but the chickens are indeed sick and should be finished. Also because the disease can theoretically mutate into a more dangerous variant. And we are all away from home. Actually Cleanup fee is the only solution. However, that compensation must come from the Sanitary Fund. Since there is really no urgent danger, we consider such support at this time as unfair state aid. "

"The problem node must be disentangled in Europe. The Commission should recognize that the H3N1 variant, now known as 'ordinary' flu is considered, is indeed highly pathogenic by the possibility of mutation.

Therefore interpellated I direct the Commission to write to the competent Commissioners Hogan and Andriukaitis. If the qualification of European H3N1 be adjusted to the file by authorized Federal Minister Ducarme can be unblocked. Then the Federal Agency may act occurred and the Sanitary Fund may be called upon to reimburse our poultry sector. It is indeed time that European shaken awake.

The first case in northern France is already a fact and there is nervousness in the Netherlands. Elections or not, one has to take responsibility. "

Although LPAI H5 and H7 viruses have an established track record of occasionally mutating into HPAI versions when allowed to spread in poultry, the threat of such a mutation arising from an LPAI H3 virus is far less clear.

HPAI or not, this virus appears to be exacting a significant toll on Belgium's poultry industry, and if it is not contained, it could endanger poultry in other countries as well. 

Stay tuned.