Because of increased surveillance in the region, two more farms have been found to be infected with another - low path (LPAI) - strain; H5N2.
One farm is in Lethbridge, near the original H7N7 outbreak, while the other is in Bairnsdale, Victoria.
As a general rule, LPAI (low path) viruses are of less concern than HPAI viruses. But LPAI H5 and H7 viruses both have the ability to mutate into highly pathogenic strains if allowed to circulate in poultry. Therefore all H5 and H7 viruses - regardless of pathogenicity - are reportable to the OIE.
This is the first occurrence of LPAI H5N2 in Australia since 2013, and 7,500 turkeys will be culled. The OIE report can be found at this Link.
Agriculture Victoria has issued specific warnings to poultry holders in the region.
Neither of these avian flu viruses rank very high on our zoonotic worry list, although both have at least some human health `potential'. For now, these are mainly threats to poultry interests.
While bird flu reports have been relatively subdued the past few months, Russia recently reported HPAI H5N8 in Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, the Philippines reported HPAI H5N6, and Vietnam reported HPAI H5N1.The discovery of LPAI H5N2 likely came about due to the enhanced scrutiny of poultry in the region following the HPAI H7N7 outbreak two weeks ago.
Key messagesIn the reporting period, 3 new HPAI outbreaks were reported in domestic birds in Asia and Africa involving 2 different HPAI subtypes namely H5N6 and H5N8. In addition, 81 HPAI outbreaks in poultry and non-poultry are still ongoing in America, Europe, Asia and Africa involving different HPAI namely H5, H5N1, H5N5, H5N6, H5N8, H7N3 and H7N9.
- Outbreaks of H5N1, H5N6 and H7N9 are still continuing in a few Asian countries with the Philippines reporting recurrence of new H5N6 outbreaks.
- In Chinese Taipei, H5N5 subtype has continued to be reported since September 2019
- South Africa experienced recurrence of H5N8 new outbreaks with ongoing outbreaks still continuing. The outbreak situation of H5N8 which was reported in European countries in poultry and/or wild birds have declined and only one outbreak of H5N8 is ongoing in Bulgaria. It is more likely that the source of infection in these outbreaks is contact with wild birds and followed by limited local spread.
- USA reported an outbreak of HPAI H7N3 in commercial poultry this year. The premises has an epidemiological link to another premises affected recently by low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H7N3. A comprehensive epidemiological investigation and enhanced surveillance is ongoing in the affected area.
Veterinary Authorities in the affected countries have responded to contain outbreaks in poultry with stamping out measures, heightened surveillance, and recommendations to poultry owners to increase biosecurity.
The OIE Standards, and the transparency of reporting through the OIE’s World Animal Health Information System, provide the framework for Veterinary Services to implement effective surveillance, reporting, and controls for avian influenza. Wild bird surveillance can indicate periods of heightened risk, and at these times measures to improve on-farm biosecurity may reduce the likelihood of exposure of poultry
