#18,858
Using the meteorological calendar, September 1st is considered the first day of Autumn, and for many counties it heralds the start of the fall bird migration.
As we've discussed often (see Sci Repts.: Southward Autumn Migration Of Waterfowl Facilitates Transmission Of HPAI H5N1), HPAI viruses sometimes evolve (or reassort) in birds over the summer in their high latitude roosting areas, and then are redistributed by migratory birds on their southbound journey the following fall.
One of the most important avian migratory pathways in the world is the East Asian- Australasian Flyway (EAAF), which is described (below) by the EAAFP (East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership), which monitors the arrival and health of migratory birds along the route each year.
The East Asian - Australasian Flyway (EAAF) stretches from the Russian Far East and Alaska, southwards through East Asia and South-east Asia, to Australia and New Zealand and encompasses 22 countries. The EAAF is home to over 50 million migratory waterbirds from over 250 different populations, including 32 globally threatened species and 19 Near Threatened species.
Taiwan lies beneath this route, and has often been the recipient of these viral disbursements (see Taiwan BAPHIQ Reports New (Reassorted) Avian H5N2 Virus in Poultry) which have sparked repeated (and persistent) epizootics over the past 15 years.
Today Taiwan's APHIA announced `. . . the global H5N1 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) remains severe', and announced their fall plan to deal with the threat.
I've provided a translation below. I'll have a brief postscript after the break.
The Agency for Animal Husbandry and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (API): Taking proactive measures, we will launch "Strengthening Autumn and Winter Avian Influenza Prevention Measures" starting today.
114-09-01
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine Agency (APHI) announced today (1) that the global H5N1 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) remains severe. Based on the epidemic situation over the past three years, the peak period is from November to March of the following year. The risk of H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks in this autumn and winter is expected to remain high. To reduce the risk of outbreaks and spread, APHI has proactively implemented "enhanced Autumn and Winter Avian Influenza Prevention Measures" from now until March 31 next year.
APHI explained that avian influenza outbreaks are mainly caused by migratory wild birds carrying pathogens and causing cross-border transmission. Taiwan is located along the migratory route of migratory birds. November to March of the following year is the main season for migratory birds to arrive in Taiwan for the winter, which is also the peak period for HPAI outbreaks. Therefore, this year, we will continue to work with local governments to implement "Strengthening Autumn and Winter Avian Influenza Prevention Measures," and will implement various measures based on recent monthly epidemic trends:
(I) Preparation Period (September to the end of October): Inventory and release of stockpiled epidemic prevention supplies, complete epidemic prevention and control training for animal epidemic prevention personnel, conduct population monitoring of migratory (wild) birds and issue timely alerts, conduct biosafety audits on high-risk poultry farms (such as those with repeated outbreaks in the past five years, those that have reached a registered scale but have not yet completed livestock farm registration), and provide biosafety education and training for poultry farmers, etc., to proactively prepare for the outbreak.
(II) Peak Period (October to the end of March of the following year): Strengthen epidemic surveillance (increase active monitoring sessions), delineate hotspots based on risk, disinfect public areas in townships (townships, cities, and districts) in avian influenza hotspots, and supervise the implementation of cleaning and disinfection measures for slaughterhouses and vehicles to prevent the risk of outbreaks and spread.
The ADA is urging poultry operators to cooperate with the government's various avian influenza prevention measures and strengthen both soft and hard biosafety measures in poultry farms and on poultry transport vehicles. They should also remain vigilant and monitor the health of their poultry daily. Any abnormalities should be reported immediately to the local animal quarantine agency for immediate action and control of the disease's spread. Failure to report as required will result in no compensation for animals culled under the "Animal Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act" and may result in a fine of up to NT$1 million.
For reference, NT$1 Million is roughly $32,646 USD.
As we'll see in the next blog, Taiwan isn't the only country preparing. Australia and New Zealand remain on high alert for their first incursion, while most of Europe and much of Asia are braced for HPAI's inevitable return.
But as we discussed 6 weeks ago, in Where Have All The Planners Gone?, much of the world remains reactive instead of proactive when it comes to preparing for the next global health threat.
Many of their pandemic plans haven't been updated in over a decade, and most of those assumed only mild or moderate impacts. Drills and tabletop exercises - once commonplace - have become infrequent (or at least, conducted without publicity).
Public health organizations continue to call for preparedness ( see ECDC Guidance: Recommendations for Preparedness Planning for Public Health Threats and PAHO Epidemiological Alert: Human Cases of Avian Influenza A(H5N1) in the Americas Region).
But for the most part, these pleas are followed by the sound of crickets.
