Because the northern hemisphere winter progresses, additional circumstances of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) are being reported throughout Asia. 

In South Korea, the variety of confirmed HPAI outbreaks in poultry has risen to 27 within the present illness sequence.

Following an eight-month hiatus, the primary case was confirmed in early December, in response to Korea Instances not too long ago. It studies that the most recent outbreak was in a flock of round 239,000 chickens at a farm in Cheonan, round 85km south of the capital metropolis, Seoul.

Of the nation’s outbreaks in poultry to this point this 2023-2024 winter season, all have been in western provinces. The agriculture ministry studies that 18 premises have been in North Jeolla, seven in South Jeolla, and two in South Chungcheong. Affected have been 15 flocks of chickens — together with 13 of laying hens and two of broiler breeders — and 12 of geese.

Earlier this month, the ministry confirmed South Korea’s twenty sixth HPAI outbreak of the season. Affected had been round 33,000 geese, a few of which examined constructive for HPAI when inspected prior to transportation to the slaughterhouse. Following the constructive check, a 24-hour interval of standstill was utilized to premises with geese, the corporate, and different associated companies within the surrounding space of South Jeolla.

Primarily based on official notifications from the veterinary authority to the World Organisation for Animal Well being (WOAH), two totally different virus serotypes have been detected on the contaminated premises. As properly because the H5N1 variant at present circulating broadly internationally, the H5N6 serotype has additionally been detected in a few of South Korea’s farm outbreaks and wild chicken circumstances. This manner was final discovered within the nation in April of 2018.

Over the previous two weeks, three outbreaks in South Korean poultry flocks linked to the H5N1 virus serotype have been confirmed to WOAH. These carry the sequence complete to this point to 4, with virtually 79,000 birds straight impacted. In the meantime, presence of the H5N6 variant has been reported at 21 premises, affecting virtually 1.07 million industrial poultry. 

Two additional outbreaks reported in Japanese poultry

In latest weeks, two extra HPAI outbreaks have been notified to WOAH from the animal well being company of Japan. These carry the nation’s complete farms affected because the begin of the present season in November to 6, involving simply over 550,118 birds.

Within the remaining days of final yr, the H5N1 virus was detected in a flock of round 322,000 laying hens in Gunma. A few days later, a farm in Gifu with virtually 49,800 broilers was discovered to be contaminated. These prefectures are situated in Kanto and Chubu, that are adjoining areas in central Honshu island. 

3 HPAI viruses detected in Japan’s wild birds

Amongst Japan’s wild birds, an additional 25 have examined constructive for a similar virus subtype, in response to different latest WOAH notifications.

Moreover, the nation’s first ever detection of the H5N5 variant was confirmed in a wild crow on the northernmost foremost island of Hokkaido case in mid-December. After an absence of greater than 5 years, the H5N6 serotype was detected in a chicken of prey discovered lifeless in probably the most southwestern area of Kyushu and Okinawa in early December.   

Examine: biosecurity tip for poultry farmers

Newest analysis from Kyushu College in Japan has recognized blowflies as carriers of HPAI virus.

In line with Japan Instances, scientists discovered the virus to be current within the digestive tracts of 15% of the blowflies they examined. With these flies significantly interested in poultry manure for egg-laying within the winter months, they urged poultry house owners to put in fly screens or nets on their farms, and to test recurrently that they’re nonetheless efficient in retaining out the bugs. 

Cambodia information HPAI in 3 village flocks

Because the first circumstances linked to the H5N1 virus variant in late November of final yr, the variety of outbreaks in Cambodia registered with WOAH has elevated to 5.

Newest to be confirmed had been infections in yard flocks in three villages within the first week of 2024. Like earlier outbreaks, two had been within the southern province of Prey Veng. Nevertheless, the most recent circumstances had been additional north in Siem Reap. They create to virtually 5,800 the whole variety of poultry affected within the nation since November. 

HPAI outbreaks elsewhere in Asia

In Taiwan, there was a second HPAI outbreak in poultry, in response to the most recent official report back to WOAH.

Following the primary circumstances of the season in late November, a flock of round 22,700 chickens examined constructive for the H5N1 virus variant in early December.  

In the meantime, the identical virus serotype has been detected in 4 extra wild birds in Hong Kong, in response to the Particular Administrative Area’s newest official notification.

On the opposite facet of the continent, a mass mortality occasion in wild swans in western Kazakhstan on the finish of December was reported to WOAH as brought on by an HPAI virus of the H5 household.

View our persevering with protection of the world avian influenza state of affairs.