The outbreak was initially observed on 17 December 2017 and confirmed two days later (19 December) after a reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was conducted at the All-Russian Research Institute for Animal Health (FGBI-ARRIAH), where the result was positive.

The OIE received an immediate notification on 29 December, the reason being that the H5N2 strain is a new strain of a listed disease in the country.

The outbreak took place at a farm located in Kostroma Oblast, where 663,503 birds were found susceptible to the outbreak, out of which 44112 birds were reported dead as a result of the virus. The remaining 619,391 birds have been found to be safe and require no treatment.

The OIE, in conjunction with the Russian veterinary authorities, have put several control measures in place, some of which include:

• Movement control inside the country
• Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone
• Screening
• Quarantine
• Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste
• Stamping out
• Control of wildlife reservoirs and
• Disinfection

Vaccination has been prohibited and affected birds have not received treatment. The source or origin of the outbreak remains inconclusive.

Further Reading

You can visit the Avian Flu page by clicking here.