News bird flu
Bird flu is spreading in Poland
Poland is no longer bird flu free. This was reported by the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) on December 31, 2019. An outbreak of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N8) was identified in Eastern Poland. Today, January 3, according to Polish media, 4 companies have already reported positively tested dead birds.
These are companies with different bird species. The infection was detected in 3 turkey farms and 1 guinea fowl farm. All companies are located in the east of the country. However, there are rumors that the contagion has also spread westward. For example, a company 250 kilometers from the German border would have been infected. These reports have not been confirmed.
Hygiene matters
The contamination in Poland does not have to be a reason for panic. However, the NVWA has made it mandatory that all means of transport for poultry (including poultry) and hatching eggs returning from Poland must report to a recognized or registered cleaning and disinfection place for poultry transport equipment for a second cleaning and disinfection immediately after entering the Netherlands. This is important to minimize the risk of the disease being introduced or carried over.
EU outbreaks
Last December there was a report from the UK that an outbreak of low pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI, H5N3) had occurred on a commercial poultry farm. However, there it remained with 1 infection. Bird flu is found annually on a number of farms in the Netherlands, but there has been no outbreak since 2016-2017. After a relatively 'quiet' period regarding bird flu outbreaks, this is therefore a cold shower for the poultry sector. A bird flu outbreak has disastrous consequences for a poultry farm and instills fear in many poultry farmers.
Jorine Cosse
© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.