Taiwan Reports Low-Path H5N6 Bird Flu
TAIWAN - Dr Tai-Hwa Shih, Chief Veterinary Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture in Taipei, has reported two outbreaks of the H5N6 strain of low pathogenic avian influenza at two farms located in Zhushan, a township in Taiwan.
27 December 2017
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By: The outbreak, which was initially observed on 19 December was confirmed on 24 December after reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and gene sequencing tests were carried out on 21 December and 24 December respectively at the Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI). Both tests gave out positive results.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received an immediate notification on Tuesday, 26 December. According to the report received, the affected population comprised ducks in both farms.
A total of 11848 ducks showed signs of susceptibility. However, the number of cases have not been clarified and no deaths were reported. All susceptible birds were killed and disposed of.
The OIE reports that when an active surveillance program was performed, the samples collected from the two duck farms in Nantou County on 19 December 2017 were sent to the National Laboratory, Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI) for analysis.
Low pathogenic avian influenza H5N6 subtype was confirmed by AHRI on 24 December. The farms have been placed under movement restriction. All animals on the infected farms were culled.
Thorough cleaning and disinfection have been conducted after stamping out operation. Surrounding poultry farms within a three-kilometer radius of the infected farms are under intensified surveillance for three months, according to the OIE.
The source of the outbreaks remains inconclusive.
