24 September 2010
In 2009 a total of 35,016 holdings were sampled (34,985 in 2008). The most frequently sampled poultry types were backyard flocks (26.7%) and laying hens (24.1%). Antibodies to H5 or H7 avian influenza were detected in 90 holdings (0.26%) of the total holdings sampled. Antibodies to H5 were detected in 52 holdings (52 in 2008, 97 in 2007), 5 of them were found to be virus positive on follow-up testing. Antibodies to H7 were detected in 38 holdings (21 in 2008, 36 in 2007). 16 of them were found to be virus positive on follow-up testing. The detection rate was highest in breeder ducks (9.1%) and breeder geese (8.3%).The detection rate was highest in breeder ducks (9.1%) and breeder geese (8.3%). H5 was mostly detected in ducks and geese and game birds - consistent with 2008 and 2007. The H7 strain was less aggregated by poultry type, but was detected most frequently in backyard flocks and “others” (EU Reference Laboratory, VLA Weybridge, UK).