Credit Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR)
Fall 2020 Avian Flu In The Netherlands
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This year's return of HPAI H5 to northern Europe after several year's absence has consisted primarily of H5N8 and a smattering of H5N5, neither of which have a history of infecting humans (see FLI: A Reassuring Risk Assessment On Europe's Recent HPAI H5 Incursion).
Today, however, the OIE has published a notification from the Netherlands of 4 different outbreaks (in wild and migratory birds) of HPAI H5N1, a subtype which in the past - has been associated with sporadic human infection.
This HPAI H5N1 subtype, however, appears to be another recent reassortment of HPAI H5N8 (with LPAI viruses) - and not the return of the dreaded Asian H5N1 virus. As we've discussed often, Clade 2.3.4.4 H5 viruses have demonstrated a highly promiscuous nature, and often spin off reassortments.
While still a concern for poultry interests, and a danger to wild and migratory birds, this doesn't appear to carry the same human health concerns we normally hold for an incursion by HPAI H5N1.
Some excerpts from Today's OIE Notification follow:
Meanwhile, the Netherlands is reporting another outbreak of HPAI H5 (presumably H5N8) at a poultry farm in Northeastern part of the country. This report from Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR).
Bird flu in poultry in 2020
Published on November 10, 2020
In Lutjegast (municipality of Westerkwartier), Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) diagnosed bird flu (H5) on a laying farm with chickens on 10 November 2020. It is probably a highly pathogenic variant. This is being further investigated by WBVR. To prevent the virus from spreading, the company is culled. In total, this concerns approximately 48,000 chickens. The culling is carried out by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
The infection follows previous infections with H5N8 bird flu in Altforst on October 29 at a farm with broiler breeders, a poultry farm in Puiflijk on November 5 and in chickens from a hobby farmer in Middelie on November 6. See further in this message the overview map of WBVR with locations where infected birds and poultry were found.
