Sunday, November 08, 2020

Japan: 2nd Outbreak Of HPAI H5 In Poultry & UK DEFRA Report

Kagawa Prefecture - Credit Wikipedia

#15,544

For the second time in 3 days (see here), Japan has announced the detection of HPAI H5 (likely H5N8) in a commercial poultry farm in Kagawa prefecture.  Much like Europe, parts of East Asia (Japan and South Korea) are reporting an uptick in avian flu activity after nearly 3 years of relative quiescence. 

The following (translated) announcement comes from Japan's Ministry of Environment. 


November 8, 2nd year of Reiwa
Confirmation of pseudo-patients with highly pathogenic avian influenza in Kagawa Prefecture
On November 8, 2nd year of Reiwa, there was a report that a pseudo-patient with highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed at an egg-laying chicken farm in Higashikagawa City, Kagawa Prefecture. In response to this report, we will strengthen the monitoring of wild birds by designating the area within a radius of 10 km around the outbreak farm as a priority area for wild bird monitoring.
1. 1. Background Saturday, November 7
  • Kagawa Prefecture received a report that the number of dead hens had increased, and requested the farm to refrain from moving and conducted an on-site inspection of the farm.
  • On the same day, a simple influenza test was conducted on the hens and the results were positive.November 8th (Sun)
  • As a result of genetic testing of the hens, it was confirmed that they were H5 subtypes and were pseudo- patients with highly pathogenic avian influenza.

2. Future response

(1) We will strengthen the monitoring of wild birds by designating the area around the outbreak farm within a radius of 10 km as a priority area for wild bird monitoring.

(2) In coordination with Kagawa Prefecture, the purpose was to grasp the status of the virus infection range in wild birds in the wild bird monitoring priority area, estimate the source of infection, and obtain basic information to prevent further spread of infection. We are planning to carry out urgent surveys (bird surveys, dead wild bird surveys, etc.).

(3) According to the "Technical Manual for Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds" ( published at http://www.env.go.jp/nature/dobutsu/bird_flu/manual/pref_0809.html ) We will take measures such as strengthening monitoring.

(4) The nationwide response level for wild bird surveillance has been raised to the highest level, "response level 3" , as of November 5, and we will continue to strengthen nationwide monitoring of wild birds.

 

Meanwhile, in the UK, on Friday DEFRA published their 3rd update on avian flu activity this fall.  The document - while current through November 4th - is already somewhat out of date, as a number of new outbreaks have been reported in Europe over the past 4 days. 

It does, however, provide an excellent overview of recent avian flu activity in Russia and Europe, and offers a risk analysis for the UK.

Below you'll find some excerpts from a much longer report. Follow the link to read it in its entirety. 

Updated Outbreak Assessment #3
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the UK, and Europe

04 November 2020

Ref: VITT/1200 HPAI in the UK and Europe

Disease Report

Since our last report on 30 October, the United Kingdom has reported an outbreak of HPAI H5N8 in a broiler-breeder rearer farm in Cheshire on 03 November. Further testing has confirmed that this strain is genetically very closely related to the virus currently circulating in Europe, Middle East and Central Asia; including the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan. Since our last update, there have been 13 reports of HPAI H5 in wild birds in The Netherlands; these have been from across the country (see map below). However, no further outbreaks have been reported in poultry, since HPAI H5N8 was detected on a poultry farm with 35,000 birds in eastern Netherlands, on 28 October. Germany has also reported 12 cases of HPAI H5N8 in wild birds in the north of the country (see map). These wild bird cases are all on the waterfowl flyway from breeding grounds in west Russia, where H5N8 was reported in poultry, in mid-October

(SNIP)

Conclusion
As a consequence of the H5N8 HPAI poultry outbreak in the UK, and in the Netherlands; as well as the increasing HPAI H5N8 events in wild bird in the Netherlands and Germany this week, and the known migration routes on to the UK from these countries; the risk of HPAI incursion in wild birds in the UK has been increased to HIGH. The overall risk of infection of poultry in the UK has been increased to MEDIUM; although it should be noted that the risk of introduction to individual premises depends upon the level of biosecurity implemented on farm to prevent direct or indirect contact with wild birds. We recommend biosecurity measures should be maintained or strengthened, as required.

We strongly recommend that all poultry keepers (including backyard keepers) review their biosecurity measures and business continuity plans, as the risk has now increased.

Keepers should familiarise themselves with government guidance on good biosecurity and
how to report suspicion of disease appropriately.

The OIE/FAO International Reference Laboratory/UK National Reference Laboratory at Weybridge has the necessary ongoing proven diagnostic capability for these strains of virus, whether low or high pathogenicity AI, and continually monitors changes in the virus. 

We will continue to report on any updates on the situation in Europe and, in particular, any changes in disease distribution or wild bird movements which may increase the risk to the UK.

Further information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu
including updated biosecurity advice for poultry keepers for England;

Scotland.

We ask that the public use the Defra helpline (Tel: 03459 33 55 77) to report findings of any dead wild birds. In particular, any wild ducks, wild geese, swans, gulls or birds of prey.
 
Trade Control and Expert System
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency
Advice Services Team - International Disease Monitoring

Authors

Dr Lauren Perrin
Dr Paul Gale
Dr Francesca Gauntlett
Anthony Pacey
Charlotte Coxon
Joe Bowen
Prof Ian Brown
Dr Clare Wild
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