#15,622
Japan reports two more Prefectures (Shiga & Okayama) with confirmed HPAI farm outbreaks since our last report, bringing the nation's total since early November to 23 farms affected. Close to 3 million birds have been culled, making this Japan's worst outbreak on record.Meanwhile, South Korea has reportedly culled 5.8 million birds (3.3 million chickens, 863,000 ducks and 1.6 million quail), and today announced their 13th farm outbreak of the fall of 2020.
Both nations are being affected by HPAI H5N8, carried in this fall by migratory birds, which likely picked up the virus from other birds in Siberia. Europe is reporting a similar pattern this fall as well (see ECDC: Avian Influenza Overview - Aug-Dec, 2020).
The world's major migratory bird flyways serve as a global highway for avian influenza viruses. While primarily north-south conduits, there is enough overlap to allow for considerable lateral movement as well.
North America has thus far been spared, and while incursions of HPAI from Asia (or potentially from Europe) are rare, the avian epizootic of 2014-2015 - which caused the loss of roughly 50 million birds - is a reminder that there are not guarantees that good luck will hold (see studies below)
Confirmation of pseudo-patients with highly pathogenic avian influenza in Shiga Prefecture (23rd domestic poultry)On December 13, 2nd year of Reiwa, there was a report that a pseudo-patient with highly pathogenic avian influenza, the 23rd case in Japan, was confirmed at a poultry farm in Higashiomi City, Shiga 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. Background12 May 12 (Saturday)・ Shiga Prefecture received a report that the number of dead chickens increased, requested the farm to refrain from moving, and conducted an on-site inspection of the farm.・ A simple influenza test was conducted on the chicken and it was positive.12 May 13 (Sunday)・ As a result of genetic testing of the chicken, it was confirmed that it was a H5 subtype and was a pseudo-patient with highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Confirmation of pseudo-patients with highly pathogenic avian influenza in Okayama Prefecture (22nd domestic poultry)
On December 11, 2nd year of Reiwa, a pseudo-patient with highly pathogenic avian influenza, the 22nd case in Japan, was confirmed at the Iku Hina Farm in Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture. There was a report of. 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
12 May 10 (Thursday)
・ Okayama Prefecture received a report that the number of dead chickens had increased, requested the farm to refrain from moving, and conducted an on-site inspection of the farm.
・ A simple influenza test was conducted on the chicken and the result was positive.
12 May 11 (Friday)
・ As a result of genetic testing of the chicken, it was confirmed that it was a H5 subtype and was a pseudo-patient with highly pathogenic avian influenza.
While South Korea's avian flu outbreaks are accelerating, their losses thus far (6 million birds across 13 farms) are nowhere near as large as those seen in past outbreaks. In 2016-2017 South Korea saw more than 300 farms infected, and was forced to cull more than 30 million birds.
South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture ordered another nation-wide standstill order this past weekend in hopes of preventing a repeat of 2016. This from MAFRA.
All-out response to the prevention of the spread of highly pathogenic AI by disinfecting nationwide and strengthening the management of livestock vehiclespress release (12.13, when distributed)2020.12.13 08:57:00 Defense Policy Bureau
1. Disinfection made in Japan
□ The Central Avian Influenza Accident Control Headquarters (Head of Director Hyun-Soo Kim, hereinafter referred to as'Jungsubon') issued a national temporary suspension of movement from 0 o'clock on December 12 (Sat) to 24 o'clock (Sun), It is promoting Japanese disinfection of vehicles.
ㅇ On December 12th, quarantine vehicles were mobilized for one day to disinfect 715 livestock facilities (slaughterhouses, feed factories, etc.), and local governments confirmed whether or not about 11,000 livestock vehicles were directly disinfected.
ㅇ About 1,100 vehicles and equipment were put in to disinfect the whole country's poultry farms and migratory bird destinations (including small rivers and reservoirs).-In particular, in the regions of Gyeonggi, Chungbuk, Jeonnam and Jeonbuk, which are in high demand due to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, 12 sprinklers and 2 drones were added in addition to the existing resources for intensive disinfection.
2. Reinforcement of livestock vehicle management
□ In the process of an epidemiological investigation on the outbreak farm, the heavy water copy revealed that 5 cases of “livestock vehicles not registered” were confirmed and the local government took a prosecution.
ㅇ Of these, there are 3 egg transport vehicles, one Nanja (egg plate) transport vehicle and one compost transport vehicle.
□ From December 14th to 24th, the'GPS terminal installation and normal operation' for vehicles entering and exiting poultry farms and livestock facilities (over 100 locations) across the country from December 14th to 24th (joint quarantine headquarters and local governments) will be conducted.
ㅇ Vehicles entering and exiting livestock related facilities such as poultry farms must register the vehicle with the local government and install a wireless recognition system (GPS) in accordance with relevant laws*, and administrative measures such as fines and accusations** are possible in case of violation.
* Animal Infectious Disease Prevention Act Article 17-3 (Vehicle registration and access information management, etc.)
** (Livestock vehicle not registered or GPS terminal not installed) Imprisonment for up to 1 year, fine of 10 million won or less, (Neglect of GPS terminal failure) 10 million won or less fine (1 violation: 1 million won / 2 times: 200/3 times or more: 500)
ㅇ If a livestock vehicle without a GPS terminal enters the farm where it is generated, the quarantine agency cannot quickly grasp the recent movement, so check the dynamics and This is because it becomes an obstacle to proliferation prevention measures.
□ In addition, intensive inspection of livestock vehicles will be conducted on whether to pass through the base sterilization facility and conduct disinfection before visiting poultry farms and livestock facilities.
O From December 7th has been in contrast to the issuance of a poultry farm, based disinfection facility visits (GPS Control) and disinfection piljeung livestock vehicle history (issued after disinfection in the base disinfecting facilities) confirmed the violation vehicle,o for the suspect vehicle If a violation is confirmed through on-site investigation, etc., it plans to implement strict administrative measures such as prosecution.
3. Requirements
□ An official from the heavy water company said, “As a livestock vehicle driver's easy thought of'It will be okay at least once' can destroy the entire quarantine network in an instant, we will thoroughly respond to cases of insufficient quarantine according to the principle of zero tolerance.
” Farmers emphasized that when livestock vehicles visit their farms, they must check and collect the disinfection certificate and thoroughly check whether the vehicle passes through the base sterilization facility and conducts disinfection.”
Despite these precautions, South Korea announced another Reported suspected case of highly pathogenic avian influenza at the broiler breeder farm in Imsil, Jeonbuk.
Although HPAI H5N8 is not considered a zoonotic threat, we've also seen a concurrent uptick in HPAI H5N1 and H5N6 reports, including two human infections this fall - the first in over a year - one in China, and one in Laos.
While it is too soon to say whether avian flu will continue this upward trajectory, in the past we've seen periods of high activity (2003-2007) followed by prolonged periods of relative quiescence (2008-2013), only to see another surge (2013-2017).
If there is one thing we've learned in 2020, it is to never say `never'.
