News bird flu
Already 16 outbreaks of bird flu in 17 days
On New Year's Eve, the first report of a highly pathogenic avian flu (type H5N8) outbreak was made on a turkey farm in Eastern Poland. We are now 17 days and 16 reported outbreaks, spread over 4 countries. The last report is from January 15 and also the first report of an outbreak in Romania.
The Dutch poultry sector is concerned. Yesterday, in a joint letter to agriculture minister Carola Schouten, poultry organizations asked for a confinement obligation. Earlier, a second cleaning of poultry transport vehicles was made mandatory, but Schouten does not think it is necessary to have a confinement obligation. Experts are closely monitoring the situation is the argument. Nevertheless, she is concerned about the way the virus is spreading. The situation will be re-examined on Monday.
The European Commission (EC) estimates the seriousness of the situation to be greater. Yesterday, the European Member States unanimously approved a Commission proposal to protective measures regarding the outbreaks. In the meantime, there have been several reports of outbreaks in Poland and Hungary. Slovakia already reported an outbreak and now Romania can also add to this list. In the statement issued by the EC today, it is stated that the 4 countries mentioned have adhered well to the measures to date.
Spread over great distances
Perhaps the most striking thing about the spread of the virus is the large distances between the companies where outbreaks have been reported. The EC still takes into account that the virus is spread by (migratory) birds. This could explain the distances. Yet to this day, only 1 report of a dead infected wild bird has been made. This is remarkable since the incubation period is a maximum of 14 days in a group and we are now 17 days further since the first report. The virus spreads even faster on a single bird.
All in all, the chance of spreading in the Netherlands is approaching faster than Schouten makes it seem. There are rumors that Poland and Germany expect frost in the coming days. If that happens, there is a good chance that the (infected) migratory birds will migrate from those areas to our country when it is warmer here.
Jorine Cosse
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