tadorna), in Switzerland at three sites in mute swans
(Cygnus olor) and mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and
in mute swans in Germany in Sachsen Anhalt.
Elsewhere, the H5N8 HPAI virus also continues to
be reported in South Africa, where it has now been
reported in several regions and several poultry types.
Notably, several commercial ostrich farms in Western
Cape Province and recently in Eastern Cape Province
in a layer farm which is part of an integrated poultry
producer. The FAO has produced a situation update as
part of the quarterly bulletin for the southern Africa
region (FAO, 2017). This highlights the vulnerability
of this region for low income households which rely
on smallholdings of poultry for food security and
therefore how important it will be for the authorities
to provide support and advice to poultry keepers. The
disease is circulating in wild birds, and to date several
species have tested positive, including several Sacred
Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus), blue cranes (Grus
paradisea), a house sparrow (Passer domesticus), a
peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), an African rock
pigeon (Columba guinea), and a spur winged goose
(Plectopterus gambensis). Of these wild birds, several
are long range migrants. The viruses responsible are
closely related genetically to those affecting Central
Asia, Europe and elsewhere in Africa (West and NE).
In South East Asia other avian influenza serotypes
continue to be reported, including H5N1, H5N2, H5N6
as well as H5N8. Notably, H5N6 HPAI was reported in
the Philippines which was the first report of any HPAI
virus detected in the islands and is another indication
that this virus belonging especially to clade 2.3.4.4,
has now become established in South East Asia but it
also spreading further globally than previous clades.
2017
October
15