Volume: 228, Published: 20 June 2023
DISEASE OUTBREAKS
Philippines: 22 villages in town reported suspected African swine fever (ASF) cases
Date: 19 June 2023; Disease: ASF; Location: Antique, Philippines
22 (out of 47) barangays in Antique’s southern town of Hamtichad reported suspected cases of ASF. As of 16 June, 1,189 animals (220 sows, 34 boars, 503 fattener, and 432 piglets) were reported to be dead, the mayor reported. These hog deaths were from barangays EBJ (430), Pu-ao (116), Guintas (150), Dangcalan (80), Piapi I (70), Caridad (58), Calala (58), Linaban (56), Piapi II (40), Ingwan-Batangan (29), Funda (25), Budbudan (16), Bia-an (14), Poblacion 2 (10), Poblacion 3 (nine), Poblacion 4 (eight), Bongbingan III (seven), Igbical (six), Poblacion 5 (three), Malandog (two), Vilavert- Jimenez (one), and Poblacion (one). Read more at Panay News.
Nepal: Lumpy skin disease (LSD) epidemic sweeps the country
Date: 16 June 2023; Disease: LSD; Location: Multiple locations, Nepal
LSD has spread to 73 (out of 77) districts of Nepal, national media reported citing the latest press release issued by the Nepal Dairy Association. Officials share that so far 9,410 cows, oxen and buffalos across the country have died while 355,698 animals have been affected by the disease. Highest number of animal deaths from LSD have been reported from Karnali province (4,775), followed by Far west province (2,747), Koshi province (1,132), Gandaki province (330), Bagmati province (281), Lumbini province (110) and Madhesh province (35). Read more at The Kathmandu Post and Rato Pati (Nepali).
China: Human case of H9N2 avian influenza reported
Date: 14 June 2023; Disease: avian influenza (H9N2); Location: Jiangxi province, China
A new human case of H9N2 avian influenza case, which involves a 7-month-old boy from Jiangxi province, has been reported. The boy's symptoms began on 1 May, according to the periodic report shared by Hong Kong SAR. His illness marks China's third H9N2 case in the past 6 months. The two earlier cases involved young children from Jiangxi and the Hunan provinces. H9N2 is known to circulate in poultry in some Asian countries. Infections in humans are typically mild and are more likely to be reported in children, especially those who have contact with poultry or poultry environments. Read more at University of Minnesota and Precision Vaccinations.
Sri Lanka: Spread of lumpy skin disease (LSD) to Western province
Date: 12 June 2023; Disease: LSD; Location: Western province, Sri Lanka
The State Veterinary Surgeons’ Association has warned that LSD, which has been ravaging cattle in the North Western and North Central Provinces, is gradually spreading towards the Western Province. Noting that the disease has now spread towards the Central Province, President of the Association has said that it is now spreading to the Western Province. Noting that this could seriously impact the local milk production, he urged authorities to expedite the necessary vaccination programme in the Central, North Western and Uva Provinces where a high volume of milk production is done. Read more at Sri Lanka Mirror.
NEWS AND UPDATES
China: Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b introduced by wild birds, China, 2021
Date: 8 June 2023
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus has spread globally, causing unprecedented large-scale avian influenza outbreaks since 2020. In 2021, we isolated 17 highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses from wild birds in China. To determine virus origin, we genetically analyzed 1,529 clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses reported globally since October 2020 and found that they formed 35 genotypes. The 17 viruses belonged to genotypes G07, which originated from eastern Asia, and G10, which originated from Russia. The viruses were moderately pathogenic in mice but were highly lethal in ducks. The viruses were in the same antigenic cluster as the current vaccine strain (H5-Re14) used in China. In chickens, the H5/H7 trivalent vaccine provided complete protection against clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 virus challenge. Our data indicate that vaccination is an effective strategy for preventing and controlling the globally prevalent clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 virus. Read more at CDC.
FAO Publication: Livestock transportation and slaughter practices
Date: 20 June 2023
These guidelines cover the transportation process for cattle, pigs, goats, sheep and poultry, with an emphasis on land transportation, following two guidelines on Climate-smart livestock and Backyard farming and slaughtering (FAO, 2021a; 2021b). It also examines how pre-slaughter treatment, stunning and slaughter can compromise animal welfare by exposing livestock to conditions that result in pain, fear and distress. The guidelines do not cover further processing once death has been confirmed. Transportation is potentially hazardous for animals, regardless of whether travel is between or within countries, or by road, rail, air or sea. However, there are ways in which we can identify risks to animal welfare, and suggest suitable alternative conditions which would result in acceptable animal welfare outcomes. Read more at FAO (Full text PDF).
FAO Publication: African swine fever (ASF) field manual
Date: 15 June 2023
The ASF field manual was published with the aim of equipping Member Nations to manage the handling and sample collection in the investigation of an ASF outbreak. The manual details the handling and restraining of pigs for sample collection during an ASF outbreak investigation. It also details practical technique in field sample collection from affected pigs including the implementation of biosafety and biosecurity measures. It is intended for field staff who collect samples and manage disease investigation in the field. This manual was specifically written in the context of raising swine in Asia but may apply in other regions. The sample handling described in this manual follows protocols for testing of unknown pathogens. Other resources or references may provide details or comprehensive guidelines. The manual will be updated soon as new development and/or information is available in the control and management of ASF. Read more at FAO (full text PDF).
Disclaimer
Information compiled for the animal disease outbreak is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and is derived from online news items both official and unofficial channels. No claim, representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, is made by FAO as to the accuracy, completeness or authenticity of the information on this platform.