Israel: HPAI H5N8 Discovered At Poultry Farm In Kibbutz Ma'anit

 

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For the past two months we've been following outbreaks of HPAI H5 in Western Siberia (see Russia's Worsening HPAI H5 Outbreak (in Poultry)) and Northern Kazakhstan, along with warnings from the ECDC, ESFA, FLI, and DEFRA that poultry interests along the Black Sea/ Mediterranean flyway (primarily Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) should remain alert. 

These recent reports are reminiscent of the run-up to Europe's 2016-2017 epizootic (see OIE: Russia - HPAI H5 In Wild & Migratory Birds), which saw a highly virulent reassorted HPAI H5N8 virus arrive in Germany in October, and spread rapidly across the continent.

The world's major migratory bird flyways (shown below) - along with scores of minor pathways not depicted - serve as a global interstate highway for avian influenza viruses. While primarily north-south conduits, there is enough overlap to allow for east-west movement as well.

While the source of the infection hasn't been determined, overnight Israel's Ministry of Agriculture announced an outbreak of HPAI H5N8 at a poultry farm with about 35,000 birds in Kibbutz Ma'anit, in the Menashe Regional Council. 

This is the first report of HPAI H5 in Israel since last January, when a lone sick eagle was found near Gilgal, Jericho (OIE Report #33117) that subsequently tested positive for the virus. Prior to that, you have to go back to April of 2019 for an outbreak in poultry (OIE Report #30291) in a Jordan Valley turkey farm. 

The following (translated) announcement comes from the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture. 

Avian influenza was discovered in a chicken coop in Kibbutz Maanit in the Menashe Regional Council - poultry and eggs can continue to be consumed

14/10/2020

Following a report on poultry mortality and an audit of the veterinary services of the Ministry of Agriculture in a breeding coop in Kibbutz Ma'anit, in the Menashe Regional Council, samples were sent for testing in the laboratory of the Veterinary Institute in the Ministry of Agriculture. Bird flu virus was found in the samples. Upon receiving the initial results, the Ministry of Agriculture imposed a closure on the poultry farm and restrictions on poultry farms in the area, in accordance with the procedure. It should be emphasized that this is a breeding coop that aims to produce eggs for the production of broilers, numbering about 35,000 birds.

At the same time, in accordance with the procedures, Dr. Ram Katz, Chief Physician of Poultry Health at the Veterinary Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, ordered the closure of the poultry farms within a 10 km radius of the infected poultry farm. In the Ministry of Agriculture in general the chicken coops in the country are routine.

The office emphasizes, notwithstanding the above, that generally eggs should be bought only when they are packed on all sides in cardboard or plastic. As well, it is important to consume eggs and poultry only after they have been properly cooked.

The strain diagnosed is H5N8 which is a type of bird flu virus that infects wild birds, farm poultry and yard birds, and that so far no cases of infection in humans of this species are known.

The most recent global report from the OIE (covering Sept 11th-Oct 1st) indicates there were 44 outbreaks of HPAI reported in poultry around the world (see maps below), located in Chinese Taipei Kazakhstan, Philippines, Russia and Vietnam.  The clustering of outbreaks in Western Siberia is clearly visible. 

While globally we've seen a huge reduction in avian influenza since the big outbreaks of (HPAI H5) in Europe and H7N9 in China over the winter of 2016-2017 - no doubt suppressed by China's massive H5+H7 poultry vaccination campaign of 2017 - avian flu has not gone away. 

We continue to see signs of its evolution, and spread, around the globe and while this recent lull has been welcomed news, it is unlikely to last forever.