#17,855
While much of the world, outside of Oceania (Australia & NZ), are dealing with the continual spread of HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b the situation in South Korea is notably different; instead of HPAI H5N1 this winter they've been unexpectedly visited by HPAI H5N6, the first time since 2018.
WOAH: South Korea Reports 10 Additional Poultry Outbreaks With HPAI H5N6
WOAH: South Korea Reports 8 Poultry & Wild Bird Outbreaks With HPAI H5N6
Except for a single report of HPAI H5N6 in a migratory bird in Japan in December, and brief outbreak in the Philippines a year ago, no other countries reported H5N6 in poultry or wild birds to WOAH in 2023.
That said, China rarely reports outbreaks, and the reporting out of Russia has been subdued since the war began with Ukraine. Additionally, surveillance and reporting from many other countries is irregular at best.
The origin of the H5N6 virus in South Korea is unclear, but it likely stems from a reassortment of the H5N1 virus, possibility in China or Siberia. So far we've seen no indication that this reassortant is any more dangerous to humans than the HPAI H5N1 virus currently circulating around the globe.
While the ultimate impact of this influx of HPAI H5N6 is unknown, it is a reminder that HPAI H5 is a continually evolving multi-faceted threat. There are not only multiple clades and subtypes, but also dozens of genotypes in circulation, although much of what happens in the wild is hidden from our view.
The international migratory flyways (see map below) of the western Pacific provide ample opportunities for new viruses to spread, not only to Asia, but to North America as well.
The clade 2.3.4.4 H5N8 virus, which emerged on the Korean peninsula in January of 2014 not only devastated South Korea's poultry industry, it managed to cross the Pacific and show up in Alaska, Canada, and the United States (sparking a major epizootic) in less than 12 months.
Given the damage from H5N8 10 years ago, South Korea's MAFRA (Ministry of Agriculture) has announced an `all-out response' to this new threat. Their (translated) statement outlining the current situation, and their response, follows.
I'll have a brief postscript after the break.
All-out response to prevent additional outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza
2024.01.08 14:40:00 Quarantine Policy Bureau Avian Influenza Quarantine Division
The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Central Accident Control Headquarters ( Head Song Mi-ryeong , Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs , hereinafter referred to as the Central Report) announced that the relevant ministries and local governments on Monday , January 8 , following an outbreak at a laying hen farm ( Central ) in Cheonan , South Chungcheong Province, on Friday , January 5 . A participatory central water headquarters meeting was held and quarantine measures against highly pathogenic avian influenza were inspected .
1. Occurrence situation and situation diagnosis
As of 10 o'clock on Monday , January 8 , a total of 27 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza * have been confirmed nationwide . By region, there were 18 cases (66.7%) in Jeonbuk, 7 cases (25.9%) in Jeonnam, and 2 cases ( 7.4%) in South Chungcheong, and by livestock species , 15 cases (55.6%) occurred in chickens and 12 cases (44.4%) in ducks . .
* [ Region ] 18 cases in Jeonbuk ( 10 in Gimje , 5 in Iksan , 2 in Buan , 1 in Wanju ), 7 in Jeonnam ( 2 in Muan , 2 in Yeongam, 1 in Goheung , 1 in Boseong , 1 in Jangheung ), 2 in Chungnam ( 1 in Asan , 1 in Cheonan )
* [ Livestock species ] Chicken 15 cases ( laying hens 13, broiler breeders 2), ducks 12 cases ( broiler ducks 11, broiler ducks 1)
The H5N6 type, which is currently prevalent , has a low mortality rate in ducks , making early detection difficult in many cases. In January, the disinfection conditions are not good due to sub-zero temperatures and a lot of snow , so there is a need to respond with caution , especially this outbreak in the Cheonan area . Since the farm is adjacent to the main production areas of laying hens in southern Gyeonggi Province ( Anseong and Pyeongtaek ) , it is a serious situation that requires all efforts to prevent the spread to nearby farms .
2. Quarantine measures in outbreak areas
As soon as the H5 type antigen was confirmed at a laying hen farm in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, on the afternoon of January 5 ( Friday ) , an initial response team was deployed to the site to control access , preventive culling , and epidemiological investigation .
In addition , to prevent the spread to nearby areas, a temporary standstill will be imposed for 20 cities and counties in South Chungcheong Province and southern Gyeonggi Province , Sejong laying hen farms and related businesses from 13:00 on January 6 ( Sat ) to 13:00 on January 7 ( Sun ) . ) An order has been issued , and intensive disinfection is being carried out on related farms , vehicles , livestock facilities , etc.
Meanwhile , movement restrictions and thorough inspections are being carried out on farms , livestock facilities , and livestock vehicles that are epidemiologically related to the outbreak farm , and all available disinfection resources are being invested in roads and farm access roads around migratory bird habitats, small rivers, and reservoirs across the country to disinfect them every day . there is .
3. Nationwide quarantine strengthening measures
To block and prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, Jungsubon strengthens quarantine measures as follows .
First , we will inspect the disinfection status of laying hen farms in the 10 cities and counties in the central region, where many laying hens are raised , and strengthen disinfection around laying hen farms near rivers and major national roads (Nos . 3 and 38 ) where livestock vehicles frequently move .
* Six cities and counties in southern Gyeonggi Province ( Pyeongtaek , Anseong , Hwaseong , Icheon , Yeoju , Yongin ), Cheonan and Asan in South Chungcheong Province , Eumseong in North Chungcheong Province , and Sejong
Second , vehicles entering and exiting laying hen farms with more than 200,000 eggs are constantly managed and controlled using a global positioning system (GPS) , whether dedicated vehicles are operated , tunnel-type disinfection facilities are installed, two- stage disinfection measures are installed , control posts are installed and operated, etc. Check .
Third , in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, from January 9 to 12 , the situation centered on local government heads in high-risk cities and counties ( Hwaseong , Pyeongtaek , Anseong , Icheon , Yeoju in Gyeonggi Province , and Cheongju, Jincheon, and Eumseong in North Chungcheong Province ) where there were many outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the past. We jointly inspect the implementation of strengthened quarantine measures, such as management , disinfection support for laying hen farms , and inspection of duck farms .
Fourth , comprehensive inspections will be conducted on integrated duck breeding farms across the country to ensure compliance with key quarantine rules, such as two- stage disinfection , cleaning and disinfection of agricultural machinery and equipment , and closure of farm entrances and exits .
4. Requests
Kwon Jae-han, head of the Agricultural Innovation Policy Department, told the local government, “ Looking at the cases in Gimje and Iksan this winter, once an outbreak occurs at a laying hen farm, it can spread to surrounding laying hen farms, so we must thoroughly investigate laying hen farms not only in Cheonan, but also in Pyeongtaek and Anseong, without blind spots. “Please inspect , and if you find any deficiencies, such as non-compliance with basic quarantine rules, we will take strict action . ”
In addition , he emphasized , “ Because it mainly occurs near migratory bird habitats, please specially manage farms near major migratory bird habitats across the country and control access to prevent people from entering migratory bird habitats for purposes such as fishing or photography . ”
Lastly , “ To prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases in livestock, farm owners’ compliance with basic quarantine rules and prompt reporting are most important, so we ask local governments , livestock organizations , and affiliates to jointly educate and promote quarantine rules on livestock farms repeatedly .” did .
