Japan : Return of bird flu sparks cull

Article via The Standard :

" Japan has ordered the slaughter of some 112,000 chickens after bird flu infections were confirmed at a poultry farm in the south.

DNA tests confirmed the H5 strain of the virus at a farm in Kumamoto prefecture that kept 56,000 birds, after its owner reported a lot of sudden deaths among his poultry, the agriculture ministry said.

Officials also ordered the culling of another 56,000 birds at a separate farm run by the same owner after treating it as a location of possible infections.

This is the first confirmed outbreak of bird flu in Japan in three years.

But the ministry has been warning farmers about infection risks, citing the continued spread of the disease in Asia, including neighboring South Korea."

Low-Pathogenic Bird Flu Hits German Region

Via The Poultry Site :

" The German veterinary authorities have reported an outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) at a poultry farm in Thuringen.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received an immediate notification on Monday, 18 November 2013. The outbreak was initially observed on 13 November and confirmed on 15 November after a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test confirmed the presence of the LPAI virus, serotype H5.

A total of 824 birds were found to be susceptible to the outbreak, out of which four cases and deaths were reported. The remaining 823 birds were destroyed.

According to the OIE, preliminary information indicated that from the holding in question no poultry has been recently moved to other regions in Germany, Member States or third countries.:"

Hong Kong : Black-headed gull and peregrine falcon test positive for H5 virus

From Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" Preliminary testing of the carcasses of a black-headed gull and a peregrine falcon found in Tuen Mun and Ma On Shan have returned a positive result for the H5 avian influenza virus, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (March 6), adding that further confirmatory tests are being conducted.

The black-headed gull was collected at Castle Peak Power Station Plant B, Tuen Mun on March 2, while the peregrine falcon was found at Kam Kwai House, Kam Fung Court, Ma On Shan on March 3.

The black-headed gull is a common winter visitor to Hong Kong, while the peregrine falcon is a rare winter visitor.

The spokesman said cleansing and disinfection have been stepped up at the venues, adding that there are no poultry farms within three kilometres of where the dead birds were found.

In view of the cases, the AFCD has phoned poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters have been issued to farmers, pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons reminding them that proper precautions must be taken.

The spokesman said the department would conduct frequent inspections of poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented. The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance."

Hong Kong : Grey heron tests positive for H5 virus

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" Preliminary testing of a dead grey heron found in Yuen Long has tested positive for the H5 avian influenza virus, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 10), adding that further confirmatory tests are being conducted.

The carcass of the grey heron was found and collected in grassland near Shan Pui River, Nam Sang Wai Road, Yuen Long, on February 8. The grey heron is a common winter visitor.

The spokesman said that two chicken farms are within three kilometres of where the bird was found. AFCD staff inspected the farms and found no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza among the chicken flocks. These farms will be put under enhanced surveillance.

In view of the case, the AFCD has phoned poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters have been issued to farmers, pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons reminding them that proper precautions must be taken.

The spokesman said the department would conduct frequent inspections of poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented. The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance."

Hong Kong : Little egret tests positive for H5 virus

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" Preliminary testing of a dead little egret found in Tuen Mun has returned a positive result for the H5 avian influenza virus, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 9), adding that further confirmatory tests are being conducted.

The carcass of the little egret was found and collected at the northern entrance to Tuen Mun Park, Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road, on February 7. The little egret is a common resident bird in Hong Kong.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has stepped up cleansing and disinfection at the park.

The spokesman said there are no poultry farms within three kilometres of where the dead bird was found.

In view of the case, the AFCD has phoned poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters have been issued to farmers, pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons reminding them that proper precautions must be taken.

The spokesman said the department would conduct frequent inspections of poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented. The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance."

Hong Kong : Little egret tests positive for H5 virus

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" Preliminary testing of a dead little egret found in Tuen Mun has returned a positive result for the H5 avian influenza virus, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 8), adding that further confirmatory tests are being conducted.

The carcass of the little egret was found and collected at the northern entrance to Tuen Mun Park, Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road, on February 6. The little egret is a common resident bird in Hong Kong.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has stepped up cleansing and disinfection of the venue.

The spokesman said there are no poultry farms within three kilometres of where the dead bird was found.

In view of the case, the AFCD has phoned poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters have been issued to farmers, pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons reminding them that proper precautions must be taken.

The spokesman said the department would conduct frequent inspections of poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented. The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance."

Hong Kong : Chicken carcass found in Lantau confirmed positive for H5 virus

Press release from Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection :

" A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (December 22) that a chicken carcass found in Sha Lo Wan, Lantau, was confirmed to be H5 positive after a series of laboratory tests.

The carcass was found and collected on December 18 at the seashore of Sha Lo Wan. It was highly decomposed when found.

The spokesman said there were no poultry farms within three kilometres of where the carcass was found. AFCD staff have conducted inspections of the nearby villages of Sha Lo Wan Tsuen and Sha Lo Wan San Tsuen. There was no evidence of any backyard poultry being kept there.

AFCD is concerned about the incident and will continue to monitor the situation. Inspections of the seashore and its vicinity will be stepped up. The department is looking into different possibilities of why the chicken carcass was found at the seashore, including whether it had been washed ashore or dumped.

The spokesman said a ban on backyard poultry has been in force since 2006.

Unauthorised keeping of five kinds of poultry - chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or quails – is an offence with a maximum fine of $50,000. Repeat offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $100,000."

Hong Kong : Woman infected with H5 virus

Another report from Hong Kong's Information Service Department :

" The Government has upgraded its response level for influenza pandemic to 'serious' as a 59-year-old woman is confirmed to have been infected with H5 influenza A virus after a trip to the Mainland.

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow today told reporters the patient is in serious condition with pneumonia symptoms and will be transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital's intensive care unit.

She travelled to Nanjing, Shanghai and Hangzhou with her family from October 23 to November 1, and visited local markets and consumed chicken but did not have any contact with live poultry contact nor visit farms during her stay on the Mainland. She came down with flu symptoms the day after returning and her condition has deteriorated. Her 60-year-old husband also had symptoms but has recovered."

Hong Kong : Woman infected with H5 in serious condition

Via Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health :

" The serious response level under the Government's Preparedness Plan for influenza pandemic was today (November 17) activated as the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) investigated a case of influenza a H5 infection affecting a 59-year-old woman.

The patient developed running nose since November 2 and fever and cough on November 5. She sought medical attention from the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) on November 12. On November 14, she was admitted to TMH for persistent fever and productive cough with blood-stained sputum. She was diagnosed to have pneumonia and is now in serious condition.

A spokesman for the CHP said that the nasopharyngeal aspirate taken from the woman tested positive for Influenza A (H5). Further studies on the virus were in progress.

Investigation revealed that the patient travelled to the Mainland with her husband and daughter between October 23 and November 1, during which she did not have any contact with live poultry contact and had not visited farms.

Her 60-year-old husband had history of running nose and productive cough but has recovered."