Avian Influenza

News Update, May 18

Taiwan. In Bei-gang Township, Yunlin County, an outbreak of the HPAI H5N2 virus has been confirmed by agricultural authorities. From the start of the outbreak on May 7 to May 12, nearly 4,000 chickens died from this outbreak. More than 11,000 chickens were culled as a control measure to control the infection. Additional control measures employed include movement control and quarantining the affected population. Testing from the Animal Health Research Institute of Taiwan has confirmed the diagnosis through gene sequencing.

Separately, in the county of Taichung, Taiwan, 176 ducks were culled as part of an ongoing effort to control an LPAI H5N2 outbreak. Additional control measures that are being employed include movement control and quarantine.

News Update, May 10

H5N1 in Poultry
India. In the Indian state of Tripura last month, an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu was reported in a district poultry farm. Out of a total of 4,668 birds there were 3,168 deaths. The source of the outbreak remains unknown. Control measures applied include: quarantine, disinfection of the affected area, movement control, and ongoing surveillance within a 10 km radius of the farm to prevent the spread of the disease.

South Africa (HPA H5N2). In the West Cape Province of South Africa, 360 ostriches will be culled this week as part of an ongoing attempt to prevent the spread of the H5N2 bird flu in the Oudtshoorn area. Ninety-two of the birds had tested positive for the H5N2 virus on February 21, 2012. More than 40,000 commercially farmed ostriches have been culled since March of last year, crippling a once profitable industry. Methods currently in place to combat the outbreak include: quarantine, disinfection, and screening of ostriches. If this region remains virus free for three months, the South African Agricultural Department can petition the European Union (EU) to lift the current ban on ostrich imports to the EU.

Visit Pandemic & Avian Flu.gov for all related federal information. The Department of the Interior's role in federal pandemic & avian planning is detailed here.