High pathogenic H5N1 outbreak discovered in Libya

By Georgi Gyton

- Last updated on GMT

High pathogenic H5N1 discovered in Libya
High pathogenic H5N1 discovered in Libya

Related tags Avian influenza Livestock Poultry

A small outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) variant H5N1 has been discovered in Tubruq, Libya.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OiE) reported the occurrence after receiving information from Doctor Abdunaser Dayhum, director general at the National Centre for Animal Health in Zawia.

Fifty birds – 45 local backyard chickens and five ducks – were assessed as being susceptible, with 15 birds having already died, and the remaining 35 destroyed.

There has also been a reoccurrence of a low pathogenic (LPAI) strain of H5N1 in Germany, in the province of Niedersachsen. In November last year, the country reported a case in the state of Thuringen, where 823 birds were destroyed.

The new outbreak has resulted in 38,275 free-range layed hens being destroyed, with a 48 birds having already died.

On 26 February an outbreak of LPAI was discovered at a farm in the Netherlands.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Economic Affairs in the Netherlands told GlobalMeatNews​ that the Central Veterinary Institute of the Netherlands had published the laboratory results "and stated the H5N1 in Swifterbant is classified as low pathogenic".

More than 40,000 chickens were destroyed as a result.

Related topics Meat

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