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 The spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly called
bird flu, has put the poultry industry on alert after previous
outbreaks led to the culling of tens of millions of birds. Outbreaks
also often lead to trade restrictions.
It is attracting the attention too of epidemiologists as the virus
can be transmitted to humans. China has reported 21 human infections
with the H5N6 subtype of avian influenza so far this year, more than
in the whole of 2020.
South Korea reported an outbreak at a farm of around 770,000 poultry
in Chungcheongbuk-do, the OIE said on Monday, citing a report from
the South Korean authorities. All animals were slaughtered.
Also in Asia, Japan reported its first outbreak of the 2021 winter
season, at a poultry farm in the northeast of the country, the OIE
said, confirming a statement last week by Japan's agriculture
ministry. The serotype in this outbreak was H5N8
In Europe, Norway reported an H5N1 bird flu outbreak in the Rogaland
region in a flock of 7,000 birds, the OIE said.
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Outbreaks generally occur in the autumn, spread by migrating wild
birds.
The Belgian government put the country on increased risk for bird
flu, ordering poultry to be kept indoors as of Monday, after a
highly pathogenic variant of bird flu was identified in a wild goose
near Antwerp.
This followed a similar move in neighbouring France earlier this
month and in the Netherlands in October.
Bird flu cannot be transmitted through the eating of poultry
products.
(Reporting by Gus Trompiz and Sybille de La Hamaide; Editing by Mark
Potter)
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