WattAgNet: Europe on alert for avian influenza virus

Virus has been found in wild birds across continent; Dutch authorities advise keeping all poultry inside

Animal health authorities and the poultry sector across Europe are on alert for avian influenza (AI) following the detection of the virus in wild birds across the region, and a confirmed outbreak in poultry in Hungary. A warning to be vigilant about the virus has been issued by the European Commission, which has called for increased biosecurity on poultry farms.

Concerns over highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) are not confined to Europe. Veterinary authorities in India, Nigeria and Algeria have reported new outbreaks HPAI in domestic poultry or wild birds in recent weeks.

Call for vigilance in Europe
Higher rates of detection of AI viruses are not surprising at this time of year as migrating wild birds return to Europe for the winter season. The widespread geographical distribution and number of birds affected within a short time-period are, however, unusual.

According to reports received by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) from national animal health authorities, the H5N8 variant of the HPAI virus was first confirmed in a single wild bird in Hungary in the last week of October, and this was followed in close succession by similar reports from Poland, Germany, Croatia, Austria and Switzerland, which confirmed the presence of the virus in wild birds that had been found dead in or near lakes and other bodies of water. Tufted ducks appear to be particularly susceptible to the disease.

Within days of the dead swan being found in Hungary, there was confirmation of an outbreak among 16-week-old…