Message From The Rpra Regarding Avian Influenza

[Kyleakin Lofts]

• Netherlands has confirmed an outbreak of H5N6 HPAI in 16,000 fattening ducks (4 weeks and 4 days old) in Flevoland region. • The virus has been sequenced at the national reference laboratory and appears to be a reassortant between the H5N8 HPAI virus and a N6 LPAI virus, therefore may represent a new incursion into Europe. • There is still a level of uncertainty around the source of disease and the zoonotic disease risk but it appears on preliminary analysis not to be closely related to the sporadic zoonotic H5N6 HPAI strains in East Asia. • H5N8 HPAI continues to circulate in poultry in Italy and Bulgaria and some wild bird cases have been reported in Italy. • The migration season is continuing and cold weather can drive the wild birds inland or closer to poultry farms. • Vigilance is important at this time of year and we will be monitoring the situation. At present the risk level remains as medium for an incursion in wild birds and low for poultry with good biosecurity. This will shortly be available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu-in-europe Ian Evans General Manager

[philg50]

Europe has probably never been clear of this PMV since the last episode ,they are great at issuing directives and rules but lax when it comes to practising said rulings

[THE FIFER]

• Netherlands has confirmed an outbreak of H5N6 HPAI in 16,000 fattening ducks (4 weeks and 4 days old) in Flevoland region. • The virus has been sequenced at the national reference laboratory and appears to be a reassortant between the H5N8 HPAI virus and a N6 LPAI virus, therefore may represent a new incursion into Europe. • There is still a level of uncertainty around the source of disease and the zoonotic disease risk but it appears on preliminary analysis not to be closely related to the sporadic zoonotic H5N6 HPAI strains in East Asia. • H5N8 HPAI continues to circulate in poultry in Italy and Bulgaria and some wild bird cases have been reported in Italy. • The migration season is continuing and cold weather can drive the wild birds inland or closer to poultry farms. • Vigilance is important at this time of year and we will be monitoring the situation. At present the risk level remains as medium for an incursion in wild birds and low for poultry with good biosecurity. This will shortly be available at https://www.gov.uk/g...d-flu-in-europe Ian Evans General Manager

 

something we don't want to see spreading around,

[Kyleakin Lofts]

something we don't want to see spreading around,

 

Always the same around Christmas. UK will be hit next month due to imports, just as it was last year.

[Froog]

I thought it was proven that pigeons don't catch Bird Flu?

[THE FIFER]

think there is a few different types ,

[paddymac]

something we don't want to see spreading around,

Its that time of year with the migratory season in full swing, very hard to control with wild birds moving throughout Europe and beyond. Sadly it wont be long before we have an outbreak here on our shores.

[THE FIFER]

no and in great numbers on the move,