In Follow-up Report No.7 dated 4 February, Taiwan's veterinary authority reports 108 new outbreaks between 19 and 30 January 2015 of the H5N2 subtype of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. In total, 660,131 birds - mostly geese but also some chickens - were affected; of these, 129,432 showed symptoms and 128,132 died; 253,228 were destroyed.

According to the report, abnormal mortality was observed in 105 poultry farms and at three abattoirs in Hsinchu City, Taichung City, Changhua County, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Tainan City, Kaohsiung City and Pingtung County.

Samples were sent to the National Laboratory (AHRI) for diagnosis and the H5N2 subtype HPAI was confirmed.

Also on 4 February, the authority sent a report to OIE outlining 51 new outbreaks of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza, starting between 21 and 29 January.

Abnormal mortality were observed in 51 poultry farms in Changhua County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Tainan City and Kaohsiung City. Samples were sent to the AHRI and the H5N8 subtype HPAI was confirmed by AHRI. Among 51 farms, H5N2 subtype HPAI virus was also detected on 12 farms.

In these outbreaks, a total of 224,963 birds were involved - again, mostly geese but also ducks and native chickens. Of these, 46,230 died and 135,531 will be culled.

All these premises have been put under movement restrictions. All animals on the infected farms will be culled. The actual numbers of culled animals will be available when stamping out operation is finished and be reported in the next follow-up report. Thorough cleaning and disinfection will be conducted after stamping out operation. Surrounding poultry farms within 3-km radius of infected farms are under intensified surveillance for three months.

Further Reading

You can visit the Avian Flu page by clicking here.