Update on High-path Avian Flu Outbreaks in Poultry in Taiwan

TAIWAN - In the latest week of reports, the veterinary authority says there have been 110 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian flu of the H5N3, H5N8 and H5N2 subtypes, affecting more than 702,000 poultry (mainly geese but also ducks, chickens and turkeys) across most of the western half of the island.
calendar icon 12 February 2015
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The veterinary authority sent three reports dated 11 February to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

There have been three new outbreaks in poultry of highly pathogenic avian influenza caused by the H5N3 subtype of the virus between 30 January and 1 February.

According to the report, abnormal mortality was were observed on three poultry farms in Yunlin and Pingtung counties. Two involved geese and the other one, native chickens. In all, 16,700 birds were involved; 2,900 died and 700 were destroyed.

Another report covers new outbreaks in poultry caused by the H5N8 high-path variant of the virus. It gives an overview of 35 outbreaks - 34 poultry farms and one slaughterhouse in the counties of Miaoli, Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi and Pingtung as well as Tainan City and Kaohsiung City - between 13 January and 5 February.

Of the 121,897 birds involved - mostly growing or breeding geese but also some ducks and native chickens - 19,910 died and 63,293 have been destroyed.

The H5N8 subtype of the HPAI virus was confirmed by the Animal Health Research Institute. Of the 34 farms, the H5N2 subtype HPAI virus was also detected on three farms.

The third report outlines 72 outbreaks of disease caused by the H5N2 subtype of the virus. These occurred between 22 January and 6 February.

According to the report, abnormal mortality was observed in 70 poultry farms and two abattoirs in the cities of Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung as well as the counties of Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi and Pingtung.

In total, 564,047 birds were involved - geese, ducks, turkeys and chickens. Of these, 142,989 died and 218,607 have been destroyed.

For all these outbreaks, the farms have been put under movement restrictions. All animals on the infected farms will be culled. The actual numbers of culled animals will be available when stamping out operation is finished and be reported in future reports.

Further Reading

You can visit the Avian Flu page by clicking here.

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