![]() |
||
Avian influenza (aka bird flu, avian flu) is caused by a type of influenza virus that is hosted by birds, but may infect several species of mammals. It was first identified in Italy in the early 1900s and is now known to exist worldwide. A strain of the H5N1-type of avian influenza virus that emerged in 1997 has been identified as the most likely source of a future influenza pandemic. Strains of avian influenza virus may infect various types of animals, including birds, pigs, horses, seals, whales and humans. However, wild fowl act as natural asymptomatic carriers, spreading it to more susceptible domestic stocks. Avian influenza virus spreads in the air and in manure and there is no evidence that the virus can survive in well cooked meat.
Diagnosis
How to Recognise Avian InfluenzaWhat to look for
Poultry Vaccination as a strategy for controlling AI in commercial birds
Outbreaks of avian influenza in the poultry industry cause devastating economic losses and is generally controlled through extensive culling of infected birds. Alternative strategies also use vaccination as a supplementary control measure during avian influenza outbreaks.
Advantages of Vaccination
For more information on poultry vaccination see:
Biosecurity Avian Influenza (Fowl Plague) is a potentially devastating disease, predominantly of chickens and turkeys, although the virus can also affect game birds (pheasants, partridge and quail), ratites (ostrich and emu), psittacine and passerine birds.
Avian Influenza is caused by an orthomyxovirus, or influenza virus and can survive for considerable lengths of time outside of the host and birds are infected through contact with other birds, mechanical vectors such as vehicles and equipment and personnel travelling between farms, markets and abattoirs. Precautionary requirements include cleaning and disinfection of premises and the establishment of a Biosecurity barrier to help prevent spread of disease is essential. For more information on biosecurity see the links below
Latest Avian / Bird Flu NewsCatch up with the latest bird flu news from across the globe with our daily bird flu updates...Sign up for our weekly newsletter... Bookmark this page and keep up-to-date with ease... TIP - Click the flags for that Country's News Only Thursday, May 17, 2012 HK Resumes Poultry Imports from Liaoning HONG KONG - The import of poultry products, including poultry eggs and frozen poultry, from northeastern Liaoning province on the Chinese mainland has resumed, the Center for Food Safety of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China announced. Tuesday, May 15, 2012 HPAI in Yun-Lin; LPAI in T'ai-Chung TAIWAN - The Taiwanese veterinary authorities have reported one outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Yun Lin and one outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza in T'ai-Chung. Monday, May 14, 2012 H5N2 Bird Flu Outbreak Confirmed in Central Taiwan TAIWAN - Taiwan agricultural authorities confirmed Friday chickens from a farm in the island's central Yunlin county were infected with H5N2, a strain of avian flu that poses little risk to humans. Western Cape Province Reports LPAI Outbreak SOUTH AFRICA - The South African veterinary authorities have reported an outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza at a commercial ostrich farm located in Western Cape Province. India Fails to Lift Restrictions on US Poultry in Consultations US - US Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced that the US has requested the World Trade Organization (WTO) establish a dispute settlement panel to decide US claims regarding the government of India’s restrictions on imports of various US agricultural products, including poultry meat and chicken eggs. Thursday, May 10, 2012 HPAI Outbreak Discovered in Western Cape Province SOUTH AFRICA - The South African veterinary authorities have discovered another outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a commercial ostrich farm located in Western Cape Province. WHO Reports 25 Cases of H5N1 in Humans This Year GLOBAL - According to WHO, there have been 25 cases of H5N1 flu in humans so far this year, 16 of whom have died. Most of the victims were in Egypt (nine cases; five deaths) but there were also six cases in Indonesia, four in Viet Nam, three in Bangladesh, two in Cambodia and one in China. Since the emergence of H5N1 influenza in 2003, 603 people are reported to have become infected, 356 of whom have died. Tuesday, May 08, 2012 More HPAI in Tripura State TRIPURA, INDIA - The Indian veterinary authorities have reported another outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a district poultry farm in the state of Tripura, located in North East India. Dhaka Bans Chicken Sale on Mondays BANGLADESH - Bangladesh has banned sale of chicken on Mondays to prevent an outbreak of bird flu again in the country, a senior official of the health ministry said last week. Monday, May 07, 2012 Dead Bird H5N1 Positive in Hong Kong HONG KONG - A carcass of a crested myna found on 27 April in Hong Kong was confirmed to be H5N1-positive after a series of laboratory tests, the city's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said here Monday. Friday, May 04, 2012 Conference Addressed Bird Flu Control in Most–Affected Countries GLOBAL - Nine countries held a three–day conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, last month to discuss how to improve methods to prevent and control avian influenza amid continuing outbreaks and how best to address the ongoing evolution and geographic spread of new viral strains that are increasingly less responsive to existing vaccines and control measures. Thursday, May 03, 2012 Eleventh Bird Flu Outbreak in Bhutan BHUTAN - On 20 April, the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan reported a new outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), bringing Bhutan's total to 11 outbreaks so far in 2012, reports USDA. Monday, April 30, 2012 Compensation for Bird Flu Losses in Nepal NEPAL - The Bird Flu Disease Control District Technical Committee has decided to compensate the losses incurred by poultry farmers in the culling of poultry and related products carried out in order to check the spread of the disease. More Low-Path Bird Flu Found in Taiwan Ducks TAIWAN - Low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus has been found on a duck farm in the west of the country during routine surveillance. Friday, April 27, 2012 Bird Flu Feared in Ang Thong THAILAND - Hundreds and possibly thousands of open-billed storks have died mysteriously in Ang Thong, triggering fear of a new outbreak of bird flu. Bird Flu Spreads in Kerala; Indian Expats Wary of Travelling KERALA, INDIA - The spread of H1N1 virus (bird flu) in India, especially the spate of cases in Kerala, is forcing expatriates to rethink their plans to travel home. Hong Kong Suspends Poultry Imports from Liaoning HONG KONG - The Center for Food Safety of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China Thursday suspended the import of poultry products, including eggs and frozen poultry, from northeast Liaoning province of the Chinese mainland for three weeks. Avian Influenza Viruses Added to Reportable Diseases List CANADA - The Government of Canada has strengthened its approach to controlling avian influenza in domestic poultry by adding low pathogenicity H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses to the list of reportable diseases. Wednesday, April 25, 2012 HPAI Outbreak Reported in China CHINA - The Chinese veterinary authorities have reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Liaoning. Ag Department Lifts Clonakilty Avian Influenza Restrictions IRELAND - The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today confirmed that it has lifted the restrictions in the 1km zone which had been imposed following the single outbreak of (low pathogenic avian influenza) LPAI H5N2 in pheasants in a premises in Clonakilty in Co Cork.
|
||
Our Sponsors
Partners

















How to Recognise Avian Influenza
Outbreaks of avian influenza in the poultry industry cause devastating economic losses and is generally controlled through extensive culling of infected birds. Alternative strategies also use vaccination as a supplementary control measure during avian influenza outbreaks.
Avian Influenza (Fowl Plague) is a potentially devastating disease, predominantly of chickens and turkeys, although the virus can also affect game birds (pheasants, partridge and quail), ratites (ostrich and emu), psittacine and passerine birds.

© 2000 - 2012. 5m Publishing, Benchmark House, 8 Smithy Wood Drive, Sheffield, S35 1QN, England. - A Benchmark Holdings Ltd. Company