October 6, 2010

Bird flu strikes Taiwan again

Routine surveillance has uncovered a farm with low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) in western Taiwan.

The veterinary authority has sent an Immediate Notification dated October 4 to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

The report states that LPAI was found during routine surveillance at a farm at Fang-Yuan Township in the country of Chang-Hua. Of the flock of 18,000 laying hens, 20 birds were found to be infected with LPAI.

A bird flu virus was isolated by active surveillance sampling and confirmed as H5N2 subtype on September 29, 2010. Antibodies were also detected on those samples.

Movement restriction was implemented on the infected farm immediately after the confirmation was made. Clinical health investigation in this farm showed that the layers were in healthy condition with normal egg production.

Abnormal mortality was not observed in the infected farm. The clinical and epidemiological investigation of surrounding poultry farms are in progress. Viral pathogenicity test is underway.