This week’s news raise some serious concerns. France has reported its first bird flu case since January, and Bluetongue cases are rising rapidly across Europe. Over in the US, authorities are expanding their bird flu testing; a recent study in Japan indicates blowflies could carry AI, and much more news.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) confirmed in Brittany, France
The French Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed a case of HPAI on a mixed poultry farm in northwest France. The last case in France was recorded in January of this year. The authorities say the likely source of infection came from wild birds. This means that France has lost its HPAI free status until the disease is contained and there are no more outbreaks.
A new bovine Tuberculosis (TB) Programme Board has been announced
On Monday, Huw Irranca-Davies, the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs appointed a new bovine Tuberculosis Programme Board to advise the Welsh Government on their TB eradication programme. The Board brings together veterinary professionals and farmers as well as a seat at the table for NFU Wales.
Study finds blowflies could carry Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
A recent Japanese study of 608 blowflies found one specimen was HPAI virus positive. The indicated that the blowflies may be able to become infected from dead birds or from faeces from infected birds.
US to expand testing of beef for bird flu
In the US, the Department of Agriculture will be increasing bird flu testing of beef entering the food chain, reports Reuters. The tests will begin in September and have been driven by bird flu being found in around 200 dairy herds in 13 US states.
Bluetongue cases explode across Europe
In Germany, bluetongue (BTV-3) has hit 1,885 recorded cases since the beginning of the year, with cases being added daily. In contrast, in 2023 there were only 23 recorded cases. The Netherlands has hit 2,909 infected sites, 650 more than last week and in Belgium 515 cases have been recorded in the last few months. Also, on Monday the World Animal Health Organisation reported that France, Luxembourg and Denmark had confirmed their first cases. In the UK the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have stressed the need for vigilance.
