UK - Bird flu strain found at farm in Scotland - LP H5N1 - 40,000 birds to be culled

[Gert van der Hoek]

wikipedia - location of Fife


A suspected case of bird flu has been identified in chickens at a poultry farm in Fife.

Birds at the site will now be culled and a 1km control zone has been set up around the premises in Dunfermline.
The Scottish government confirmed its vets had found a strain of avian flu (H5) at the farm.

Initial tests have suggested it is a "low pathogenic strain" but poultry farmers across Scotland are being urged to be vigilant.

Health officials said the risk to human health was thought to be "very low".

There have been a number of recent cases of avian influenza across continental Europe in recent months including three cases in other parts of the UK in 2015.

Within the control zone a range of different controls are in place which include restrictions of the movement of poultry, carcasses, eggs, used poultry litter and manure and restrictions on bird gatherings.

"Evidence suggests this is a low severity form of the virus however we are taking action to ensure that the disease does not spread or develop into a more severe form."

[Gert van der Hoek]

Press Release Scottish Government

Avian influenza case


10/01/2016 23:28

Poultry industry urged to be vigilant.


Scottish poultry producers are being urged to stay vigilant following the reporting of a suspect case of avian influenza in Fife.
A suspect case of avian influenza has been identified in chickens on a farm in Dunfermline.

Initial test results have indicated presence of a notifiable strain of Avian Influenza (H5) and the clinical picture suggests that this is a Low Pathogenic strain and further testing is underway to confirm the strain.

In order to limit the further spread of disease, appropriate restrictions have been imposed on the suspected premises and any identified contact premises. The birds at the suspect premises will be humanely culled and a 1 km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) put in place around the farm.

Within this zone a range of different controls are in place which include restrictions of the movement of poultry, carcasses, eggs, used poultry litter and manure and restrictions on bird gatherings.

[Gert van der Hoek]

press release Scottish Government

Avian influenza update

Downloads
11/01/2016 18:19

First test results suggest very mild H5N1 strain.

A very mild strain of H5N1 avian influenza has been identified on a farm in Fife by initial test results, the Chief Veterinary Officer has said.
The results so far and the symptoms shown suggest it is a very mild strain of H5N1, less serious than other forms of the virus that have caused concern in recent years. However, further tests are being carried out to confirm precise details of the disease.
Swift precautionary action is already being taken to prevent the spread of disease, including a humane cull of birds on the broiler breeder farm near Dunfermline.
A one km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) has also been put in place around the premises, which means restrictions on the movement of poultry, carcasses, eggs, used poultry litter and manure and restrictions on bird gatherings.


More than 40,000 birds to be culled after strain of bird flu virus found at Fife farm

[Pathfinder]

Bird flu strain 'distinct' from previous form

49 minutes ago
...
A one kilometre protection zone was set up around Craigies Poultry Farm on the outskirts of Dunfermline on Monday after a type of H5N1 was found.

Tests indicate a "low pathogenic" strain.
...
All 40,000 birds will now be culled on site on Wednesday.

Mr Lochhead said: "It is quite distinct from the highly pathogenic form of H5N1, which caused significant problems over the last decade or so around the world.

"I have been advised there is minimal risk to public health.
...

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-35295511

[Gert van der Hoek]

Avian influenza officially confirmed


13/01/2016 15:40

Scotland Agriculture

Cull underway after very mild strain of H5N1 identified on Dunfermline farm.


Avian influenza has been formally confirmed on a poultry farm near Dunfermline.

Laboratory tests have identified a very mild strain of the H5N1 virus and a humane cull of almost 40,000 birds has now begun.
Restrictions on the movement of poultry and birds for one kilometre around the affected premises remain in place.

[Pathfinder]

Low pathogenic avian influenza (poultry), United Kingdom

Information received on 13/01/2016 from Dr Nigel Gibbens, Chief Veterinary Officer, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, LONDON, United Kingdom

Summary Report type Immediate notification Date of start of the event 08/01/2016 Date of confirmation of the event 13/01/2016 Report date 13/01/2016 Date submitted to OIE 13/01/2016 Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease Date of previous occurrence 06/02/2015 Manifestation of disease Clinical disease Causal agent Low pathogenic avian influenza virus Serotype H5N1 Nature of diagnosis Clinical, Laboratory (advanced) This event pertains to a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks (1)

Outbreak 1 (AIV 2016/01) Townhill, Parish of Dunfermline, Fife, SCOTLAND Date of start of the outbreak 08/01/2016 Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided) Epidemiological unit Farm Affected animals Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered Birds 40000 0 Affected population Flock of approximately 40,000 57-week-old housed broiler breeder hens.

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1 Total animals affected Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered Birds 40000 ** 0 Outbreak statistics Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost* Birds ** ** ** ** *Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter **Not calculated because of missing information

Epidemiology Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection Unknown or inconclusive Epidemiological comments The epidemiological investigation has started and disease control measures applied. Updates will be provided in the weekly reports as further information becomes available.

Control measures Measures applied Movement control inside the country Screening Traceability Quarantine Surveillance outside containment and/or protection zone Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone Zoning Vaccination prohibited No treatment of affected animals Measures to be applied Disinfection / Disinfestation Stamping out Official destruction of animal products Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste

Diagnostic test results Laboratory name and type Species Test Test date Result Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge (OIE Reference Laboratory) Birds haemagglutination inhibition test (HIT) 10/01/2016 Positive Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge (OIE Reference Laboratory) Birds intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI) test Pending Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge (OIE Reference Laboratory) Birds neuraminidase inhibition assay Pending Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge (OIE Reference Laboratory) Birds nucleotide sequencing 11/01/2016 Positive Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge (OIE Reference Laboratory) Birds real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) 10/01/2016 Positive Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge (OIE Reference Laboratory) Birds virus isolation 13/01/2016 Positive

Future Reporting The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

.../

http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=19493

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...-fife-35842415

Indirect contact with wild birds 'caused' bird flu outbreak at Craigies Poultry Farm
1 hour ago
From the section Edinburgh, Fife & East Scotland

Indirect contact with wild birds is the most likely cause of a mild bird flu outbreak on a poultry farm in Fife earlier this year, an investigation has concluded.

About 40,000 birds were culled after a case of H5N1 avian influenza was identified among chickens in January.

A one-kilometre protection zone was put in place around Craigies Poultry Farm near Dunfermline following the case.

The restrictions were later lifted after the cull...