More outbreaks of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza are prompting concerns within Europe’s poultry industry. The World Organization for Animal Health reports bird flu has been confirmed in Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland and Russia despite continuing biosecurity efforts. Additional outbreaks were also reported in India and Israel, and several nations –including Hong Kong and the Ukraine – have launched bans on poultry and poultry products from some of the affected nations. The spread comes less than one month after the first reports of H5N8, according to meat industry online publication Meatingplace. Animal health officials in Sweden report culling 200,000 laying hens to reduce further infection. An estimated 27,000 birds died in the first weeks’ European states confirmed the infections.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting news service.