Avian Influenza devastates seabird populations in the UK over two years
15 February, 2024 The current strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has significantly impacted UK wild bird populations since its first recorded instance in the country among Great Skuas in the summer of 2021, with seabirds and waterfowl being particularly affected. The scale of reported mortalities attributed to HPAI in the UK and across Europe in 2022 demonstrates that HPAI has emerged as one of the most significant immediate conservation threats faced by numerous seabird species, including some for which the UK population is globally significant. Many species affected by HPAI are of conservation concern in the UK. Read MoreWHO: Ducks source of H10N5 in Chinese woman coinfection
WHO 15 February, 2024 On 27 January 2024, the National Health Commission of the Peoples Republic of China notified WHO of one confirmed case of human coinfection with influenza A(H10N5) virus and seasonal influenza A(H3N2) virus. This is the first case of human infection with avian influenza A(H10N5) virus reported globally.The case occurred in a female farmer over 60 years of age from Xuancheng Prefecture, Anhui Province, who had onset of symptoms of cough, sore throat and fever on 30 November 2023. The patient, who had a history of chronic comorbidities, was admitted to a local hospital on 2 December 2023 for treatment and was then transferred on 7 December 2023 to a medical institution in Zhejiang Province as her condition became more severe. The patient was diagnosed with influenza A virus infection. She passed away on 16 December 2023. Read More
Current trends in mammalian infection patterns with HPAIv H5N1
Emerging Infectious Diseases | 2024 14 February, 2024 A comprehensive review of mammalian infections during the current panzootic period (2020-2023), compared to previous waves of infection (2003-2019), was recently published in EID. It highlights the expanded geographic reach and increased number of species affected by the current event, emphasizing the importance of continuous surveillance to mitigate the risk of a global pandemic.During the current panzootic period (2020-2023), the virus has affected a larger number of mammalian species worldwide compared to previous waves of infection. The current panzootic event has impacted a variety of mammalian species, including those classified as near-threatened, endangered, vulnerable, and critically endangered, potentially exacerbating their conservation status. The most likely source of mammalian infection appears to be close contact with infected birds, with some evidence suggesting potential mammal-to-mammal transmission. Read More
Salmonella in Europe - 2022
ECDC 9 February, 2024 In 2022, 30 EU/EEA countries reported 66,721 salmonellosis cases, of which 65,967 were classified as laboratory confirmed – a rate of 15.5 cases per 100 000 population.• Salmonellosis is the second most commonly reported gastrointestinal infection in the EU/EEA, and a significant cause of food-borne outbreaks.
• The reported case rate was highest in young children (0−4 years) with 81.5 cases per 100 000 population, ten times higher than in adults (25–64 years). The fact that the salmonellosis rate in young children was ten times higher compared with adults may be explained by a higher proportion of symptomatic infections among young children, an increased likelihood of parents taking children to see a doctor when sick, and increased likelihood of doctors taking samples. Read More
Campylobacter in Europe - 2022
ECDC 9 February, 2024 • Campylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported gastrointestinal disease in the EU/EEA.• In 2022, 30 EU/EEA countries reported 140,241 confirmed cases of campylobacteriosis.
• The overall EU/EEA notification rate was 46.9 cases per 100,000 population.
• The campylobacteriosis notification rate was highest in children under five years at 146.2 cases per 100,000 population.
• Thirty-five deaths from campylobacteriosis were reported in 2022, resulting in an EU/EEA case fatality rate of 0.04%. Read More
H10N3 Avian Influenza: A public health concern
2 February, 2024 In a correspondence published in The Lancet Microbe (1), it was reported that H10N3 viruses exhibit multiple amino acid residues associated with adaptation in mammalian hosts. Both human-derived and chicken-derived isolates demonstrated a high affinity for sialic acid-α-2,6-galactose receptors. Notably, certain chicken-derived viruses may possess the potential to evolve into a pandemic threat in the human population, bypassing the need for prior adaptation. Consequently, these characteristics underscore the potential public health threat posed by H10N3 avian influenza viruses. Read MoreFunding of €46.7 Million allocated to support Italian farmers from the EU
29 January, 2024 After receiving a favorable vote from Member States, the European Commission is set to allocate €46.7 million as compensation to Italian farmers residing in regions impacted by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks. The funding for this compensation will be drawn from the agricultural reserve, and disbursements to farmers are scheduled to occur before September 30, 2024. Read MoreComparing European Campylobacter surveillance in broilers
Food Control 155 (2024) 28 January, 2024 European researchers compared various programs for Campylobacter control in broiler production across EU countries to identify the most promising practices for managing the pathogen. Mandatory surveillance, according to Campylobacter Process Hygiene Criterion (PHC), has been implemented by all twelve participating countries in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005. This involves quantifying Campylobacter in neck skin samples and setting a limit for acceptable contamination of carcasses (<1,000 CFU/g). Variations are observed in Norway and Iceland, where weekly sampling is performed during peak infection periods only, and in Iceland, where the limit is set at 500 colony-forming units per gram (CFU/g) instead of 1,000 CFU/g. The PHC limit is 1,000 CFU/g in 15 out of 50 samples. Starting in January 2025, this limit will be applied to 10 out of 50 samples in all member states. Read MoreGermany: vaccination against HPAI viruses
26 January, 2024 After a prior decision permitting the utilization of vaccines to manage highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the European Union under specific conditions, reports indicate that veterinary authorities in Germany are preparing to implement this measure.In Germany, the relevant authorities are in the process of incorporating the use of vaccines against HPAI through collaboration in a federal-state working group. The European Commission has enforced a significant shift in the strategy against avian influenza with the implementation of Implementing Regulation 2023/361/EU. Competent authorities can now authorize the vaccination of poultry against HPAIV, subject to stringent monitoring measures. This shift is attributed to the continuous circulation of HPAI viruses in migratory and increasingly domestic bird species, despite consistent Europe-wide control efforts. Currently, there is no regularly approved vaccine available for the prevailing HPAI viruses. Read More
S.D. Senators urge action on poultry trade and AI vaccines
25 January, 2024 Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) have penned a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, urging the initiation of discussions regarding the revision of trade agreements to potentially incorporate the use of a vaccine for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is presently conducting trials for vaccines designed to prevent HPAI. The avian influenza outbreak has had a profound impact on over 5.3 million birds in South Dakota, resulting in a federal government expenditure of nearly $1 billion. Prior to permitting producers to employ any approved HPAI vaccine, U.S. officials must engage in negotiations with major trade partners. In late December, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) issued a policy brief on poultry vaccination, emphasizing the need for a reassessment of existing control strategies due to the virus's rapid spread. The brief endorsed the use o Read More
UK 2022 retail surveillance: Campylobacter & Salmonella in raw chicken/turkey
24 January, 2024 Samples of raw fresh chicken (n=306) and turkey (n=302) were collected from retail premises across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland between January and December 2022. Salmonella spp. were detected in 1.9% (n=6/306) of chicken samples and 0.7% (n=2/302) of turkey samples, but the salmonella organisms were not ESBL producers. C. jejuni was the most common contaminant on both types of meat. High levels of contamination (>1000 cfu/g) were observed in 5.6% of chicken meat samples in total with 10.4% of whole chickens highly contaminated. Meat with skin was more likely to be contaminated with Campylobacter spp. than meat without skin with 21.8% of skinless chicken contaminated versus 60.3% of chicken samples containing skin. In turkey meat, 10.4% of samples with skin were contaminated whilst 1.6% without skin were contaminated. Read MoreCampylobacteriosis in Finland 2004-2021
24 January, 2024 A new study presents a comprehensive overview of passive surveillance on Campylobacteriosis in Finland from 2004 to 2021 and a pilot case-control study with whole-genome sequencing in summer 2022. According to the study:-Campylobacter is the most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in Finland. Read More
USDA allocates $1B to combat HPAI
17 January, 2024 Since the commencement of avian influenza outbreaks in early 2022, the USDA has allocated just over $1 billion to reimburse farmers for the loss of their flocks and to control the spread of the disease. The most substantial disbursement, amounting to $715 million, was distributed to producers, growers, and integrators as compensation for depopulated birds and eggs. An additional $183 million was utilized for the culling and disposal of affected flocks. The present costs associated with personnel, contractors, state agreements, and field expenses are estimated to be an additional $130 million. Read MoreHPAI detected in mammals in sub-Antarctica for the first time
12 January, 2024 Results confirm High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been found in elephant and fur seals on the subantarctic island of South Georgia.The presence of HPAI has been confirmed for the first time in mammals in sub-Antarctica. The disease was detected in elephant and fur seals on the island of South Georgia by experts from the UK’s world-leading Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA). HPAI was first suspected on Bird Island off the northwest coast of South Georgia in October 2023 after the deaths of several brown skua. Read More
FAO & WHO :Salmonella Control in Poultry Meat- meeting report
10 January, 2024 FAO and WHO have published a report on measures to control Salmonella in poultry meat. The expert consultation concluded the following:• At all levels of farm production, stringent biosecurity measures including sanitation and hygiene are important factors for preventing and controlling NT-Salmonella spp. in flocks.
• It is important for breeding flocks to be NT-Salmonella-free.
• Vaccine-based strategies reduce the prevalence and/or level of shedding of NT-Salmonella spp. in flocks but do not eliminate NT-Salmonella spp.
• There was no strong evidence that the use of substances with antimicrobial activity, such as additives in feed and water, resulted in effective control of NT-Salmonella spp. in broilers. Read More
Avian Influenza vaccination and safe trade
WOAH 8 January, 2024 A new policy article, titled "Avian Influenza Vaccination: Why It Should Not Be a Barrier to Safe Trade," published on the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) website, claims that the current spread of avian influenza is a major concern for the poultry industry, public health, and biodiversity. Given recent developments in its epidemiology and the increasing circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild animals, stricter biosecurity measures and mass culling of poultry may no longer be sufficient to control the disease. With the seasonal north-south migration of wild birds, countries must be prepared for an increase in outbreaks and should consider complementary approaches.The rapidly evolving nature of avian influenza and changes in its patterns of spread require a review of existing prevention and control strategies. To effectively contain the disease, protect the economic sustainability of the poultry sector, and reduce potential pandemic risks, Read More
France: An avian influenza outbreak in a vaccinated duck flock
7 January, 2024 French animal health authorities have identified an outbreak of avian influenza at a duck farm in Notre Dame de Riez. The affected birds had received vaccination in November 2023 as part of France's initial deployment of the poultry vaccine. The vaccine employed in this case is developed by Boehringer Ingelheim, utilizing Baculovirus Expression System Technology. This vaccine is a clade 2.3.2 H5-recombinant baculovirus vaccine. Confirmation of the outbreak's results came on January 2, prompting the culling of all 8,700 ducks on the farm. Read More
Avian influenza detected in polar bear in Alaska
4 January, 2024 The discovery of a deceased polar bear on Alaska's North Slope marks the initial instance of this species succumbing to the HPAI prevalent in animal populations worldwide. The unfortunate incident occurred in October near Utqiagvik, the northernmost community in the nation, as reported by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. This marks the inaugural case of a polar bear falling victim to this ailment anywhere.The fatality of the polar bear highlights the enduring and lethal impact of the particular strain of HPAI that has gripped wild animal populations, persisting for two years since its introduction to North America. The initial cases of HPAI H5N1 in Alaska were identified in wildlife, including birds and a fox, during the second week of April. Read More
