Via CIDRAP: Flu Scan for Dec 09, 2015 | Egg allergies and LAIV; More avian flu in France; Avian flu in Taiwan, Germany, Russia. Excerpt:
France's avian flu outbreaks expanded in number, affected regions, and strains involved, as officials confirmed 4 new outbreaks—or 10 total—the Haute-Vienne region reported an event, and H5N9 has been noted in at least 2 of the outbreaks, Reuters and French officials reported today.
The H5N1 strain was detected at a poultry farm in Haute-Vienne, Reuters reported, but officials did not specify how many birds were involved. In addition France's agriculture department confirmed avian flu on a farm of 1,000 ducks, in a flock of 630 ducks, and in 30 ducks, geese, and chickens in Dordogne region, which has now had seven outbreaks. The larger duck farm was infected with an H5 virus of unknown strain, the mixed-poultry flock had H5N1 avian flu, and the smaller duck flock was affected by an unspecific avian flu strain.
A translated version of the agriculture department's update was posted today by Avian Flu Diary, an infectious disease blog. The other two previously reported outbreaks were in the Landes region.
Eight countries have restricted imports of French poultry and poultry products because of the outbreaks, Reuters reported, including Japan, which is France's leading importer of foie gras, which is the liver of fattened duck or goose. The country's foie gras industry has been hit hard by the outbreaks.
A reassortant H5N9 virus detected in live-bird market poultry was reported by Chinese scientists in June, but no recent outbreak has been previously attributed to the strain.
