H5N8 flu: what is it, how is it spread and how to prevent it 1:13
(Reuters) -
Several outbreaks of severe bird flu in Europe and Asia have been reported to the World Organization for Environmental Health (OIE) in recent days, a sign that the virus is spreading rapidly.
The spread of bird flu, which is highly pathogenic, has put the poultry industry on alert, as previous outbreaks resulted in the slaughter of tens of millions of birds.
Outbreaks also often result in trade restrictions.
It is also attracting the attention of epidemiologists, as the virus can be transmitted to humans.
China has reported 21 human infections with the H5N6 subtype of bird flu so far this year, more than in all of 2020.
South Korea reported an outbreak at a farm of about 770,000 poultry in Chungcheongbuk-do, the OIE reported on Monday, citing a report by South Korean authorities.
All the animals were euthanized.
Also in Asia, Japan also reported its first outbreak of the 2021 winter season, at a poultry farm in the northeast of the country, the OIE said, confirming a statement from Japan's Ministry of Agriculture last week.
The serotype in this outbreak was H5N8.
Bird flu outbreaks in Europe
In Europe, Norway reported an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in the Rogaland region, in a flock of 7,000 birds, it told the OIE.
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Outbreaks usually occur in autumn, spread by migratory wild birds.
The Belgian government determined that the country is at increased risk of bird flu and ordered poultry to remain indoors from Monday, after a highly pathogenic variant of bird flu was identified in a wild goose near Antwerp.
This move comes after neighboring France adopted a similar move earlier this month and the Netherlands in October.
Avian flu is not spread by eating poultry products.