Avian influenza (AI) cases have been popping up across Europe and Asia over the last 6 months, prompting many regions to implement heightened biosecurity requirements on farms.
Since the beginning of August, 130 cases or outbreaks of avian influenza have been detected in wildlife or on farms in Europe1. In the first week of November alone, highly pathogenic H5N1 outbreaks have been reported on more than 20 commercial flocks in Italy, Poland, Netherlands, Denmark as well as numerous outbreaks in wild birds and small flocks in the UK, Germany, and Ireland. Avian influenza prevention measures have now been implemented for the poultry industry in the UK, Netherlands, and France.
Highly pathogenic H5N1 is spreading in wild birds mainly along the wildfowl migration flyway in Scandinavia and northern Germany. H5 viruses have produced far more virulence in wild birds than previously seen. Despite large die offs, the virus appears to be spreading more efficiently via migratory birds than ever.
This map created by poultryworld.net provides a good visual of where high pathogenic AI cases are occurring and offers more information on each outbreak, including species, virus type, and date of reporting to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
In North America, four incidents of low pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in domestic poultry in California2. In the late summer/early Fall, both the Ontario and Quebec governments released an AI advisory for the poultry industry in light of the AI cases occurring across Europe and Asia3, 4.
Given the current situation globally, this serves as a good reminder for the poultry industry here in Canada that the risk of AI is still very real. Vigilance in implementing good biosecurity on farms, each and every day, is important for protecting not only your flocks, but those of your neighboring farms as well.
Minimizing direct contact between poultry and wild birds, as well as preventing potentially contaminated footwear, clothing and equipment from entering production areas, is of primary importance in protecting the health and welfare of your birds. As always, following the requirements described in the On-Farm Food Safety Program for biosecurity is the best defense against pathogens on the farm, including avian influenza.
If you’re interested in following the global avian influenza situation more closely, below are some links to various resources with more information and updates:
The Feather Board Command Centre, based on Ontario, issues a monthly global notifiable disease summary
Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative Avian influenza world news reports and Wild bird surveillance test results
European Commission HPAI portal – latest developments and background information
Weekly avian influenza updates from the World Health Organization
