Nature: An Outbreak of HPAI H5N1 Could Impact the Dairy Cattle Sector and the Broader Economy in the United States

 
Credit FAO

#19,037

While HPAI H5N1 has yet to escalate into a human pandemic, it is most assuredly an epizootic in the animal world - and by some estimations - a Panzootic (see ISIRV: Update on H5N1 Panzootic: Infected Mammal Species Increase by Almost 50% in Just Over a Year).

The FAO map (above) of outbreaks reported since Oct 1st 2025 doesn't even come close to depicting the true extent of HPAI's impact. Many countries simply do not test extensively - or are unwilling to report outbreaks - often for political or economic reasons. 

Blind spots include all of Russia, Central Asia, much of Africa, Northern Canada, and the interior of South America (note: Australia/NZ are testing, but the virus has not shown up yet).

Tens of thousands of mammalian deaths (aquatic, foxes, rodents, cats, etc.) have been reported (see Nature Reviews: The Threat of Avian Influenza H5N1 Looms Over Global Biodiversity), but they likely only scratch the surface. 

In the United States, nearly 1,100 herds of dairy cattle have been confirmed infected with HPAI H5N1, although many studies suggest this is likely an undercount (see Nature: A Mathematical Model of H5N1 Influenza Transmission in US Dairy Cattle).

This week Europe has seen evidence of the first spillover of HPAI to dairy cattle - but given their passive surveillance methods - it would not be surprising if others have been missed. 

While the worst case scenario is arguably another severe pandemic, a runner-up would be a high impact panzootic, affecting cattle, pigs, poultry, or other high-value livestock. 

In the past we've looked at the devastating effects of ASF (African Swine Fever) in China (see ASF In China: Epizootic or An EpicZootic?), Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in South Korea), BSE in Great Britain, and even the great Equine Epizootic of 1872. 

The USDA lists 8 Animal Diseases of Concern (and 51 diseases of crops), with both HPAI and some LPAI viruses on their list. This list is a `living document' and could be revised if new threats emerge.

All of which brings us to a review article published in Nature Comms which looks at the economic impact of three different scenarios of an HPAI H5 cattle epizootic in the United States; ranging from:

• S1 (the current situation)

• S2 (a realistic expansion)

• S3 (reasonable worst case)

Using these arbitrary scenarios, economic losses (in the short term) range from the current $11B  to costing the U.S. economy tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars (Est. $179B).  

While not as costly as a human pandemic, any increase in cattle transmission and/or morbidity & mortality would likely also increase the chances of a spillover to humans. 

By necessity, a great many assumptions are made in modeling these scenarios. Since I'm not an economist or a statistician, I'll leave it to others to opine on their merits.  I view this study more as a cautionary assessment of our economic vulnerability to HPAI in livestock, than a specific forecast.

The bottom line, however, seems pretty obvious.  

If we continue to dither, and allow HPAI H5N1 to spread in cattle, we risk a range of potential bad outcomes. Some worse than others, but all worth avoiding if possible.

Due to its length, I've only posted the link, the abstract, and brief excerpt. Click the link to read it in its entirety.  

An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 could impact the dairy cattle sector and the broader economy in the United States

Guillaume Morel, Anh Pham, Christian Morgenstern, Joseph T. Hicks, Thomas Rawson, Victoria Y. Fan, W. John Edmunds, Giovanni Forchini & Katharina Hauck
Communications Earth & Environment , Article number: (2026) Cite this article

We are providing an unedited version of this manuscript to give early access to its findings. Before final publication, the manuscript will undergo further editing. Please note there may be errors present which affect the content, and all legal disclaimers apply.

Abstract

The outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in U.S. dairy cattle poses substantial risks to public health, economic sustainability of farming, and global food systems. Using a Computable General Equilibrium model, we simulate its short- to medium-term impacts on Gross Domestic Product and other macro-economic outcomes for the US and its main trading partners. 

We simulate impacts under the current situation and realistic and reasonable worst-case scenarios. We estimate domestic economic losses ranging between 0.06% and 0.9% of US GDP, with losses to the dairy sector ranging between 3.4% and 20.6%. Trading partners increase dairy production to compensate for the loss.

Current government subsidies are about 1.2% (95% HDI: 1% to 1.4%) of output losses, and likely insufficient to incentivise farmers to step up surveillance and biosecurity for mitigating the possible emergence of H5N1 strains with pandemic potential into human populations.

       (SNIP)

Despite the limitations, this study provides insight into the potential economic impacts of an H5N1 outbreak for the US and its trading partners. These economic impacts would pale in comparison to the health and economic impacts of an H5N1 outbreak among humans. 

Recent research suggests that the virus has gained genetic mutations in the months since it was first detected in cattle, increasing the risk of zoonotic spillover 5 ,34 . Compared with ten months ago, the virus now has more opportunities to adapt to its new mammalian hosts because of insufficiently controlled transmission, resulting in increasing numbers of infections amongst cows and other animals across the United States 4  .  

Considering the high potential economic losses, and the potential risk to human health, the currently introduced measures are disproportionately lax given the scale of the potential impact. We estimate that the current subsidies for enhanced testing and biosecurity (around $98m) are covering about 1.2% of the aggregate output loss of the dairy, cattle, and raw  milk sector due to the outbreak. There is robust research evidence on the economic benefits of animal tracing systems. 

The European Commission mandates that for the purpose of outbreak control, all bovine animal movements, births and deaths must be electronically registered within 7 days to the authorities. There is no such nationwide tracing system in the USA, although some states have introduced them. Animal tracking, combined with enhanced monitoring and biosecurity, should help reduce the risk of the current outbreak from escalating, reduce economic costs to farmers, and mitigate the potential emergence of highly virulent H5N1 strains with pandemic potential into human populations.

(Continue . . . .)

Netherlands: Avian Flu Outbreak at a `Mixed Species' Pet Shop in Wadenoijen

 

#19,036

While we wait for more details on the (now 5) dairy cows with antibodies to HPAI H5N1 in the Netherlands, over the past week the Netherland's National Government website (Rijksoverheid.nl) has reported a number of other outbreaks, including the following of an outbreak in a pet store in Wadenoijen:

Bird flu detected in Wadenoijen

News item | January 30, 2026 | 1:31 PM

In Wadenoijen (municipality of Tiel, province of Gelderland), avian influenza has been detected at a pet trade involving approximately 325 birds and several other mammals. To prevent the spread of the virus, the infected animals are being culled at the site by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).

A large number of bird species are kept at the site. European regulations allow for an exception to the requirement to cull all birds at an infected site if the birds in question are of high genetic, cultural, or educational value, or if animals are kept that are threatened with extinction. Culling all the birds present would be disproportionate in this case. Therefore, careful consideration is given to which animals are and are not culled. Birds that are not culled are kept separately and retested at a later date.

A restricted zone will be established around the infected location. Within the entire 10-km restricted zone around the infected location are 10 commercial poultry farms. Several of these farms are also located in the restricted zone around Kesteren (January 2026).

Transport ban

A transport ban applies immediately within the entire 10-kilometre zone.

This means that no birds, hatching eggs, or eggs for consumption may be transported from bird-keeping locations in this zone. The disposal of bird manure and used litter is also prohibited. These measures are necessary to prevent the spread to other parts of the country. Animals other than birds and their products may be transported to and from bird-keeping locations, provided that this is done in accordance with the strict hygiene protocol .

Earlier this week (Jan 26th) the Netherlands reported an outbreak at a petting zoo in Alphen aan den Rijn. 

Bird flu detected in Alphen aan den Rijn

News item | January 26, 2026 | 4:06 PM

In Alphen aan den Rijn (province of South Holland), bird flu has been confirmed at a petting zoo with 73 birds. To prevent the spread of the virus, the infected birds are being culled from the site by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).

A variety of birds are present at the site. Under European regulations, it is possible to deviate from the requirement to cull all birds at an infected site if they are birds of high genetic, cultural, or educational value. Twenty-six chickens of a rare breed are present; they will not be culled. These chickens are housed separately and will be retested at a later date. Culling all the birds present would be disproportionate in this case.

There are no poultry farms within the 1-km and 3-km restricted zones around this infected location. There are two commercial poultry farms within the 10-km restricted zone.

Also on January 26th, the Netherlands announced the culling of 70,000 broilers at a farm in Bornerbroek, while on the 25th they announced the culling of 44,000 breeding hens in Kesteren.

The Netherlands, like much of the rest of the world, is seeing a robust 2025-2026 avian flu season.  So much so, that it has become impractical to try to blog on every outbreak. 

You can find a partial list of outbreak in the Netherlands since October at the following  Wageningen University Research webpage. 

Netherlands: NOS.NL Reports 5 Dairy Cows Have Now Tested Positive for H5N1

 

#19,035

Although I have yet to find any official statement posted on a NL government website, NOS (Nederlandse Omroep Stichting) - the Netherland's Public Broadcasting Network - is reporting that last night Agriculture Minister Femke Wiersma notified the House of Representatives that testing now reveals Five cows with antibodies against bird flu in Northeast Friesland. 

This story has also been picked up by AgriHolland and BoerderiJ. 

The last official statement I can find was on January 23rd (see Netherlands: NVWA Announcement on Avian Flu Antibodies Detected In Dairy Cow), after an investigation into 2 sick barn cats (1 died from H5N1) led to the detection of a single dairy cow with antibodies to HPAI. 

Initial reports strongly suggested this was an isolated incident, stating `No evidence of active viral circulation of avian influenza among the dairy cows on this farm has been found. There are also no signs of avian influenza spreading to other dairy farms.'

Despite this reassuring report, a separate letter to Parliament indicated that 5 tests came back with `errors', and would be repeated (see excerpt below).

All but five samples tested negative for individual PCR tests. The bulk milk was also PCR negative. The five remaining individual milk samples resulted in a test error in the laboratory and will be retested this weekend. Based on the PCR results available so far, from last week and today, there is no indication of active avian influenza virus circulation among the dairy cattle on the farm. The final five PCR results will be available this weekend. If these unexpectedly result in a positive outcome, I will inform Parliament immediately. 

NOS  quotes Minister Femke Wiersma as stating during a debate on zoonoses last night at the House of Representatives; "It now appears, and this is new information, that antibodies have been found in five different cows." 

Hopefully we'll get more information in the hours ahead.

 

Taiwan: The Plot Thickens . . .

 

#19,034

Yesterday, in quick succession, we learned (a) that 235 dead (H5N1 infected) chickens were dumped in a Miaoli County, Taiwan drainage ditch and (b) that an egg farm in neighboring Taichung County, had been hiding an outbreak of H5N1 by burying dead chickens on site.

Today, amid concerns that thousands of eggs may have been sold (and many consumed) during the 17 days which this outbreak appears to have been concealed, there is a fresh report of another 1,000+ birds buried in Miaoli County. 

It appears, from the reporting, that the Taichung Fengkang Livestock Farm at No. 906, Waipu Section, Houlong is the source of all 3 incidents. A brief (2 min.)   English language Formosa News report is available on YouTube. 

The latest (translated) report from the Miaoli County Govt. website follows:

A thousand dead chickens were unearthed in Waipu, Houlong County. The county magistrate ordered that the case be handled strictly.

Person in charge: Zheng Zhongcai, Head of the Livestock Section, Agriculture Division
Contact number: 037-351618
Last published on: 115-01-29 17:47

A thousand dead chickens were buried in Houlong Waipu. On the 29th, the Miaoli County Government attempted to excavate and dispose of the chickens, but the landowner refused. Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin was furious upon learning of this and called it outrageous. He instructed the Agriculture Department to report the case to the police and prosecutors for assistance, emphasizing that the case would be investigated as a criminal case and that the landowner would be severely punished. He also called on the Taichung City Government to take stronger measures to severely punish Fengkang Ranch.

On the 28th, the Miaoli Animal Protection and Disease Control Center received an official document from the Taichung Animal Protection Office notifying them that Taichung Fengkang Livestock Farm at No. 906, Waipu Section, Houlong had illegally buried 1,150 chickens. The center immediately went to the site to clean up and seal off the area, and took samples from chicken farms within a 3-kilometer radius of the location for testing. The center also notified the perpetrator and the landowner to come to the site the following day to give their opinions.

On the 29th, the Agriculture Department was refused excavation by the landowner, so they went to the scene with the police to excavate. They soon unearthed chicken carcasses. The epidemic prevention personnel put the chicken carcasses in bags on site, sent them for incineration, carried out disinfection work on site, and cordoned off the area.

Agriculture Director Chen Shuyi explained that after the excavation is completed, the number of chickens will be thoroughly counted to prevent the occurrence of diseases and pests. The cleanup work will also be completed to reassure the villagers. Currently, in addition to imposing a maximum fine of NT$1 million on the landowner in accordance with the law, the case will also be referred to the District Prosecutor's Office for investigation in accordance with the Waste Disposal Act.

Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin stated that the spread of fowl plague to Miaoli County has caused significant losses to the county's chicken farming industry. He emphasized that infectious diseases pose a public health risk, and in addition to imposing heavy penalties, Miaoli County hopes that the Taichung City Government will take strong measures to prevent more unscrupulous operators from causing such incidents and further exacerbating the disaster, which not only harms chicken farmers but also poses a threat to society. The magistrate stressed that regardless of what happens, the county and city governments must coordinate and cooperate effectively to stop the fowl plague from spreading further.

From adjacent Hsinchu County (borders Miaoli county to the north) we get the following response from their Animal Protection and Disease Control Center. 

In response to the avian influenza outbreak, Hsinchu County immediately activated its enhanced disease prevention mechanism.
Release Date: 115-01-29

Following a recent outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza at a poultry farm in Taichung City, the Hsinchu County Animal Protection and Disease Control Center immediately activated its enhanced disease prevention mechanism. An investigation revealed that all poultry farms in the county are currently operating normally, and no suspected cases have been reported. The center is simultaneously strengthening patrols and monitoring, conducting regular blood sampling tests, and expanding environmental disinfection measures. The center also urges poultry farmers and the public not to panic.

In the "strengthened inspection and monitoring" section, epidemic prevention personnel have increased the frequency of visits to densely populated poultry farming areas within the county, supervising poultry houses to implement bird-proofing facilities and block the transmission route through contact between wild birds and poultry. In addition, through "regular sampling and blood testing," the dynamics of the epidemic are proactively monitored. The Animal Protection Office dispatches personnel to conduct regular sampling and blood testing of poultry in high-risk farms within its jurisdiction, and conducts accurate testing in the laboratory to achieve effective early warning before an outbreak occurs, thus protecting the safety of the poultry industry.

At the same time, "environmental disinfection has been expanded," with disinfection vehicles being dispatched to strengthen environmental spraying operations around important connecting roads, sorting yards, and poultry wholesale markets within the jurisdiction, in order to block the risk of the virus spreading across counties and cities via vehicles or personnel.

The Animal Protection Office also urges poultry farmers in the county to strengthen their self-management of biosecurity and strictly enforce personnel and vehicle access control and disinfection. If any poultry are found to have abnormal deaths, decreased feed intake, or decreased water consumption, or other suspected outbreaks, please immediately report to the Animal Protection Office (Tel: 03-5519548). According to the Animal Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, those who proactively report and confirm the disease can apply for compensation for culling; those who conceal or fail to report or dispose of the disease privately will not receive compensation and may be fined up to NT$1 million.

The Animal Protection and Quarantine Center also reminds the public to purchase poultry meat with the "Agency for Animal Health Inspection and Quarantine Slaughtering Certificate" and to practice the hygiene habit of "cooking poultry and eggs thoroughly." The Hsinchu County Animal Protection and Quarantine Center will continue to be at the forefront of epidemic prevention and control, working closely with various counties and cities to ensure the stability of Hsinchu County's industries.

While no figures have been released on the number of potentially contaminated eggs that have been sold, the farm reportedly had 7,000 layers, which (if healthy) would be expected to produce 5500+ eggs a day. 

Even assuming losses (reportedly 1,700), and lower production due to illness, 3000-4000 eggs a day could reasonably be expected (x) 17 days = 51,000 - 68,000 eggs. 

Fully cooked, these eggs should be safe for consumption, but there is an  (admittedly, slight) risk that handling these eggs could expose someone to the virus. 

In the past we've seen millions of eggs recalled over similar concerns, including Bulgaria To Recall 1 Million Eggs Due To HPAI H5N8 and Denmark: DVFA Destroying Hundreds Of Thousands Of Imported Eggs.

Hopefully this will be the end of the story, but we'll be keeping close watch for the next couple of weeks as dozens of farm workers, cullers, and poultry disposal personnel are monitored for the virus. 

Stay tuned. 

Taiwan: Meanwhile, in Taichung . . .

 
Miaoli & Taichung

#19,033

Even as I was finishing up my last blog (see Taiwan: H5N1 Infected Chicken Dumping Incident Investigated) from Miaoli County, Taiwan another report came across the transom from Taichung - 30 Km to the south - of a large egg farm which reportedly has been hiding an H5N1 outbreak by burying chickens on site.

While I normally wouldn't post back-to-back blogs on H5N1 outbreaks in Taiwan, the discovery of two attempts to hide or cover up outbreaks on the same day is blogworthy.

From official sources, we learn:

In the case of avian influenza at the Fengyuan egg farm, the city government has established a forward command post, completed disinfection, and will cull the chickens and impose fines in accordance with the law

.

In the case of avian influenza at the Fengyuan egg farm, the city government has established a forward command post, completed disinfection, and will cull the chickens and impose fines in accordance with the law.

Taichung City Government received a report on the evening of January 26 that a large number of chickens had died at a suspected chicken farm in Fengyuan area. Mayor Lu Shiow-yen stated that the Animal Protection Division of the Agriculture Bureau dispatched personnel to the site yesterday (January 27) to inspect the situation, collect samples from the sick poultry for testing, and implement movement control measures. The test results have now confirmed that the chickens were positive for avian influenza virus. In response, Taichung City Government has established a forward command post. Disinfection of the affected farm and poultry farms within a 3-kilometer radius has been completed, and all staff and vehicles have been placed under control.

The eggs that have been released will be tracked, removed from shelves, and destroyed. The case will be subject to a fine of NT$50,000 to NT$1 million. Furthermore, the failure to send the dead chickens for calcination in accordance with regulations will also be punished in accordance with the Animal Husbandry Act.

Mayor Lu pointed out that the chicken farm has been confirmed to have avian influenza. According to regulations, all chickens on the farm must be culled and the farm cleared. Since winter is avian influenza outbreak season, and several counties and cities have already reported outbreaks, the city government has instructed all district offices to conduct comprehensive inspections of the approximately 171 chicken farms in Taichung City to prevent further spread. Furthermore, the city government will impose a fine on the farm for failing to proactively report the outbreak and carry out the necessary culling procedures, in accordance with regulations.

The Agriculture Bureau explained that approximately 1,700 chickens have died at the site, which has a total of about 7,000 chickens. The number of deaths is considered a large and unusual occurrence. The Agriculture Bureau emphasized that because the business owner failed to report the incident proactively, in accordance with the Animal Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, no compensation will be provided for the losses incurred in culling animals and destroying equipment, and a fine of NT$50,000 to NT$1,000,000 will be imposed. Furthermore, the failure to properly process the dead chickens through calcination will also be subject to penalties under the Animal Husbandry Act.

       (Continue . . . )

Note: `Calcination' in this context refers to incineration. 

Meanwhile, a statement from the Taiwan Animal Society Research Association - issued today on the above mentioned farm - reports a series of infractions, and announces they have been expelled from the association.

Fengkang Livestock Farm in Taichung has been expelled from the association for failing the annual animal welfare standards audit and violating the regulations.

 

1.  Fengkang Livestock Farm applied to our association for the Animal Welfare Mark - Egg-Laying Chicken Farm at the end of the year before last (2024). After our association sent personnel to conduct a strict audit in December of that year, we notified them on February 14 last year (2025) that the audit was passed and the certificate is valid from February 14, 2025 to February 13, 2026.
2. In 2025, due to the addition of new animal sheds, the association sent personnel to conduct another audit in October in accordance with the audit standards. It was found that some conditions of the ranch did not meet the association's standards and requirements. The association required the ranch to make improvements, otherwise it would not be approved.
3. On January 5, 2026, our association sent personnel to the ranch for on-site verification again and found that the ranch still did not meet our association's standards. Therefore, on January 16, our association issued a notice that the extension would not be granted.
4. Today's (January 28) news report: The ranch recently experienced a large number of chicken deaths and failed to proactively report to the competent authorities and this association, which is a serious violation of animal welfare, biosafety and public health management.
5. According to the cooperation agreement signed between this association and the farm on February 14, 2025, regarding the use of the "East Certified Animal Welfare Mark" and the "Friendly Egg Alliance" mark, the farm must keep pace with the times and comply with the "Animal Welfare Mark and Friendly Egg Alliance Egg Hen Animal Welfare Standards," as well as the relevant laws and regulations of our country, such as the "Animal Protection Act," the "Food Safety and Hygiene Management Act," and the "Animal Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act." Fengkang Livestock Farm failed to report the matter truthfully, which has seriously damaged the reputation of this association's mark. Therefore, this association hereby announces the removal of the farm from the list. The farm is no longer a member farm of the "East Certified Animal Welfare Mark" and the "Friendly Egg Alliance." We urge consumers to be aware of this.

 
Farms are currently our main battleground against the spread of HPAI, and from what we've seen and heard recently from South Korea - and from Taiwan today - the virus appears to be on a winning streak.

And that's a trend we ignore at our peril. 

Taiwan: H5N1 Infected Chicken Dumping Incident Investigated

 
Credit https://www.miaoli.gov.tw/

#19,032

As long-time flu watchers, one of the `unofficial' signs we look for are reports of the illegal `midnight dumping' of sick or dead livestock (mostly poultry and pigs) into rivers, lakes, or ditches.  

A genuinely bad idea, as some viruses (HPAI, ASF, etc.) can remain viable in the environment (under the right conditions) for weeks or even months (see Proc. Royal Society B: Influenza A Viruses Remain Viable For Months In Northern Wetlands - USGS).

Water supplies can become contaminated, and insect vectors (see Nature Sci Rpts: Detection of H5N1 HPAI virus RNA in filth flies collected from California farms in 2024), birds, or small mammals may spread the disease even further. 

But people are often afraid to report unusual poultry deaths in their backyard flock - or even larger operations - for fear that authorities will come and cull the rest of their birds (see Vietnam: Dozens Of Sacks Of H5N6 Infected Chickens Dumped on Nghe An Beach).

During China's ASF (African Swine Fever) outbreak in 2018-2019, we saw so many pigs dumped into rivers, that they began floating up on Taiwan's beaches (see Taiwan BAPHIQ: Ramping Up Patrols For `Sea Drift' & Abandoned Pig Carcasses).

Famously, in 2013 (see Shanghai Govt.: Thousands Of Dead Pigs Retrieved From River) - we saw reports of as many as 3,000 pig carcasses dumped in the Huangpu river - a tributary of the Yangtze - that provides many of the 23 million residents of Shanghai with their drinking water.

Due to government crackdowns (and many governments paying compensation to affected farmers), reports of clandestine dumping of livestock have diminished in recent years, but today we have a report from Taiwan of just such an incident from the  Miaoli County government. 

The local authorities are taking this seriously, and if identified, the offender could be fined NT$1 Million (roughly $32,000 USD).  

While Taiwan pays farmers partial compensation for losses due to HPAI H5N1 - as we've seen in South Korea - payments can be denied  (and fines imposed) if the farms failed to follow strict biosecurity rules. 

I've posted the full (translated) statement from the Miaoli County website below. I'll have a bit more after the break.

H5N1 was detected in chicken carcasses found in Houlong. The county magistrate ordered a thorough investigation and a maximum fine of NT$1 million to be imposed on the perpetrators.
Person in charge: Zhang, Technician, Animal Protection and Quarantine Department, Animal Protection and Disease Control Center
Contact number: 037-320049 ext. 124
Last published on: 115-01-28 16:11

On January 26, the Miaoli County Animal Protection and Disease Control Center received a report that 235 chicken carcasses had been found abandoned in the Waipu drainage ditch in Houlong Township. Samples were immediately taken and sent for testing upon receiving the report. The carcasses were subsequently disposed of by a rendering plant, and a thorough disinfection of the surrounding environment was carried out. Health inspections of poultry farms within a 3-kilometer radius were also initiated.

On January 28, the Animal Protection and Disease Control Center received notification from the Veterinary Research Institute that the dead chickens had been diagnosed with H5N1 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza. County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin took this matter very seriously, instructing a thorough investigation of the person responsible for abandoning the chicken carcasses and imposing the maximum penalty of NT$1 million for violating the Animal Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act. At the same time, strict disease prevention measures were implemented to comprehensively prevent any potential outbreaks.

The Animal Disease Control Center stated that after receiving a report from the public on the 26th, it immediately activated its epidemic prevention response mechanism and completed measures including on-site inventory of designated facilities for disposal, sampling and testing, and comprehensive disinfection of the surrounding area. On the 27th, it continued to conduct health visits to 10 poultry farms within a 3-kilometer radius, and the results showed that the chickens were in good health. At the same time, it assisted in disinfecting the area around the farms and guided the operators to strengthen the disinfection of the farms and vehicles, and implement self-epidemic prevention and biosecurity management. On the 28th, it continued to complete the sampling and testing of poultry farms within a 3-kilometer radius.

The Miaoli County Government stated that the illegal disposal of diseased and dead poultry is suspected of violating Article 12 of the Animal Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act. The authorities have traced the perpetrators and have identified poultry farms in the Taichung area. They are in close contact with relevant authorities in Taichung.

Upon learning that unscrupulous businesses were disregarding regulations by abandoning diseased and dead chickens, ignoring disease prevention efforts, and challenging public authority, County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin immediately instructed the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the perpetrators in accordance with the law and impose a maximum fine of NT$1 million in accordance with relevant regulations. He emphasized that the cases should be handled strictly and without leniency to ensure the integrity of the disease prevention system and public safety.

        (Continue . . . )

Hopefully this is an isolated incident, and not the start of a dangerous new trend.  But poultry farmers around the globe do seem to be having a harder time keeping the virus out of the hen house since last summer. 

Three weeks ago, in South Korea MAFRA: Special Quarantine Measures Implemented for one Month to Prevent the Spread of HPAI, we saw a tacit admission from the South Korean government that even farms that follow strict biosecurity procedures were still susceptible to infection from the current `highly infectious' HPAI H5 virus.

While most commercial poultry operations should already know and understand their obligations to maintain strict biosecurity due to avian influenza, there are more than 11 million backyard poultry flocks in the United States alone, and tens of millions more in Europe and Asia.

So far, roughly 200 backyard flocks have been infected since September of last year in the United States, and we've seen at least one death `linked to contact with backyard or wild birds'.

Last October, in UF/IFAS Extension: What Backyard Flock Owners Need to Know about Bird Flu (Influenza H5N1), we looked at two H5N1 related publications; one for backyard poultry owners, and another for consumers of poultry products and milk.

As bad as HPAI has become in recent months, it has the potential to become much worse. 

Hopefully backyard flock owners are taking these recommendations seriously, because the last thing we need is to give this virus any kind of helping hand.