H5N2 avian influenza virus outbreaks in Australia on 7 and 8 August 2020

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : H5N2 virus (Flickr)

According to the World Organization for Animal Health, there are two H5N2 avian influenza virus outbreaks in Australia on 7 and 8 August 2020.

The first outbreak of H5N2 occurs in the farm in Bairnsdale, Victoria, on 7 August. 3000 turkey chicks were infected. Coming in close contact are 5440 birds in the farm.

On 8 August 2020, 4500 mixed age turkeys and 2700 hens/roosters in Lethbridge, Victoria, are infected.

According to Ming Pao, Hong Kong has been alerted by the outbreaks and immediately suspended the imports of poultry from Australia to protect pubic health.

Refs : World Organization for Animal Health, https://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=35377&newlang=en; Ming Pao, https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%e6%b8%af%e8%81%9e/article/20200813/s00001/1597311588881/%e6%be%b3%e6%b4%b2%e6%9d%b1%e5%90%89%e6%99%ae%e6%96%af%e8%98%ad%e9%83%a1%e7%88%86h5n2%e7%a6%bd%e6%b5%81%e6%84%9f-%e7%a6%bd%e9%a1%9e%e7%94%a2%e5%93%81%e6%9a%ab%e5%81%9c%e9%80%b2%e5%8f%a3%e9%a6%99%e6%b8%af