A total of 39 outbreaks of the disease caused by the H5N2 subtype of the virus were reported by the Taiwanese veterinary authority to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in one of the reports dated 21 January. Of these, all but three of the outbreaks were in geese. The other flocks involved were two with ducks and one of native chickens.

Abnormal mortality was observed at the 39 waterfowl and chicken farms in the counties of Chang-Hua, Yun-Lin, Chia-Yi and Ping-Tung and in Kaohsiung City. In total, 172,324 birds were affected, 30,086 died and 13,318 were destroyed.

On the same day, OIE received a report about 21 outbreaks of the H5N8 virus variant - 20 in geese and one duck flock was affected in the counties of Yun-Lin and Ping-Tung and Tainan City. This virus affected 84,249 birds; 8,562 died and 9,864 have been destroyed.

One new outbreak of H5N3 high-path avian flu has also been reported, involving a goose flock in Ping-Tung county. Around 500 birds on the 4,200-bird flock died.

For all these outbreaks, control measures being employed include thorough cleaning and disinfection will be conducted after stamping out operation. Surrounding poultry farms within a three-kilometre radius of infected farms will be kept under intensified surveillance for three months.

Further Reading

You can visit the Avian Flu page by clicking here.