WattAgNet: Avian flu battle continues in Asia, Africa

27-02-2017

Taiwan lifts movement ban but South Korea reports return of virus after a one-month absence

Following the reported successful reduction in new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry, Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture has decided not to renew a seven-day ban on the transportation of birds. There have been some new outbreaks in Taiwan over the last week, however, as well as in South Korea.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has received official reports outlining new HPAI outbreaks in poultry from India, Vietnam, China, Nigeria, Niger and Egypt.

Taiwan ends poultry movement ban despite new HPAI outbreaks

In mid-February, the authorities in Taiwan imposed a seven-day ban on the movement of poultry across the nation. Agriculture Minister, Lin Tsung-hsien, lifted the ban at the end of last week because it had been effective in bringing HPAI outbreaks under control, reports Focus Taiwan.

The Council of Agriculture puts the number of farms with confirmed outbreaks of H5N2 HPAI at 48, and more than 397,000 birds have been destroyed. The impact of the virus has been described as “mild” when compared to the situation in 2015, when HPAI was confirmed at 870 farms and more than 4.4 million poultry were culled.

Based on its greater virulence and ability to infect people, the council has focused attention on control of the H5N6 virus, including the temporary transport ban on poultry. According to Focus Taiwan, there have been 11 outbreaks in poultry caused by this virus, and 26,000 birds have been humanely destroyed. With infections confined to four counties, the authorities describe the situation…

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