H5N1 bird flu outbreak confirmed in China’s Hubei Province
The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) announced Monday an outbreak of H5N1 in poultry at a farm in China’s Hubei Province.
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Chickens at a farm in Wanjia village of Yangxin County showed symptoms of suspected avian flu and 3,200 died on Jan. 7, according to a Xinhua report today.
Authorities in Yangxin County have sealed off and sterilized the infected area. In addition, officials culled some 46,800 chickens to prevent further spread of the outbreak.
This outbreak follows another H5N1 avian influenza outbreak reported 10 days ago in southwest China’s Guizhou province.
In that outbreak, 8,500 chickens died on Dec. 27, 2013 and H5N1 bird flu was confirmed by the National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory.
Local authorities sealed off and sterilized the infected area, and a total of 23,067 chickens were culled.
Avian influenza (AI) is an infectious viral disease of birds (especially wild water fowl such as ducks and geese), often causing no apparent signs of illness. AI viruses can sometimes spread to domestic poultry and cause large-scale outbreaks of serious disease.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza isolates have been obtained primarily from chickens and turkeys it is reasonable to assume all avian species are susceptible to infection.
Clinically normal waterfowl (domesticated or wild) and sea birds may introduce the virus into flocks, and people and their equipment readily transport the virus. Secondary dissemination is by fomites, movement of infected poultry, and possibly airborne.
Direct contact between infected and susceptible birds: sharing of feces and secretions. Airborne transmission may occur if birds are in close proximity and with appropriate air movement. Feces are significant because of the large volume excreted and ability to contaminate fomites.
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