Major Migratory Flyways
#17,620
We've several reports this morning that are lacking in details, but are still worthy of mention. Rather than ignore them completely, I've compiled them into a series of briefs.
1. China Reports 1 H5N6 Case & 1 H9N2 Case
Overnight Chinese National Influenza Center's weekly report #32 contains a 1-line note on page 10 which reads `第 32 周，重庆市报告 1 例人感染 H5N6 禽流感病例，四川省报告 1 例人感染 H9 亚型禽流感病例', which translates to:
In the 32nd week, Chongqing City reported a case of human infection with H5N6 avian influenza, and Sichuan Province reported a case of human infection with H9 subtype avian influenza.
No other details are mentioned. Often, sometimes weeks after the fact, we'll get additional details either from Hong Kong's CHP, or the WHO. Assuming this is confirmed, this with be the 86th H5N6 case reported by China since 2014.
2. Rosselkhoznadzor Removing Potentially H5N1 Contaminated Poultry Products From Food Chain
Four days ago, in Russia: Four Govt. Statements on an Avian Flu Outbreak at a Large Poultry Farm in Bashkortostan, we saw reports stating that the largest poultry farm in Bashkortostan had been hit with H5N1, and that all (3,000,000) poultry would be destroyed and the farm shut down for 6 months.
At the time there was media speculation that some contaminated products had already entered the food chain, similar to what occurred in Russia in 2017. Since then several neighboring republics (including Udmurtia and Perm) have announced food recalls (see below).
In Udmurtia, the spread of chicken eggs with highly pathogenic avian influenza has been prevented
news 16.08.2023
On August 9, 2023, the Office of the Rosselkhoznadzor for the Kirov Region, the Udmurt Republic and the Perm Territory received information from the Office of the Rosselkhoznadzor for the Republic of Bashkortostan that a mass death of poultry (laying hens) had occurred at JSC "Poultry Farm" Bashkirskaya "and on August 11 from Rosselkhoznadzor ( CA) on the registration of highly pathogenic influenza in the Bashkirskaya Poultry Farm JSC (Republic of Bashkortostan, Ufimsky district, Avdon village). The diagnosis was confirmed on August 11 at the FGBI ARRIAH.
Potentially hazardous poultry products of this manufacturer entered the territory of the Udmurt Republic in chain stores, the balance of which as of August 16 is: Alfa-M LLC (Krasnoe and Beloe store) - 7860 pieces of chicken eggs, Alfa Izhevsk LLC (mag. Red and White) - 7900 chicken eggs, Element Trade LLC (Monetka store) - 2674 chicken eggs, Lenta LLC - 2130 chicken eggs, Tabysh LLC (Nakhodka store) - information is being specified.
In order to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the territory of the Udmurt Republic, the Office of the Rosselkhoznadzor sent information letters to recipients of products to take measures for the isolated storage of products shipped from Bashkirskaya Poultry Farm JSC.
According to the recipients of the products, part of the products will be sent for disposal to the Republic of Bashkortostan, and some will be disposed of on the territory of the Udmurt Republic.
Also, the information was sent to the Main Department of Veterinary Medicine of the Udmurt Republic, the Office of Rospotrebnadzor for the Udmurt Republic, the heads of poultry enterprises about the need to take comprehensive measures to prevent the introduction and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The department continues to work to prevent the spread of hazardous products across the territory of the republic.
Despite the self-congratulatory headline, it is likely that some products were sold and consumed before the recall went out.
In years past, summer HPAI H5 outbreaks in poultry in this part of Western Russia - likely spread by migratory birds - heralded an uptick in outbreaks in Europe later in the fall.
Stay tuned.
3. More than 1 Month Since the Last Update On H5N1 in Cats From Poland
Today marks 31 days since the last update from Poland's Chief Veterinary Officer (see Communication of the VII CVO on cat disease), and six weeks since the last statement by Poland's Chief Sanitary Officer (see Announcement regarding the detection of cases of infection among domestic cats caused by the influenza A/H5N1 virus).Unlike in South Korea, where contaminated cat food was quickly identified as killing cats in animal shelters, Poland has kept the result of any investigation into the food chain close to the vest.
While we await more information, Poland has self-declared their poultry free of H5N1.
