Voluntary Report - public distribution

**Date:** 3/31/2006

**GAIN Report Number:** SW6009

SW6010

**Sweden**

**Livestock and Products**

**Avian Influenza Update**

**2006**

**Approved by:**

Margaret Thursland

![](media/image1.wmf)Agricultural Counselor

U.S. Embassy Stockholm

**Prepared by:**

Asa Lexmon

Agricultural Specialist

**Report Highlights:**

As of March 30, 2006, a total of 29 cases of the highly aggressive H5
virus have been confirmed in wild birds, including two birds of prey. In
addition, the aggressive form of AI has been found in one mallard duck
at a game farm and one mink.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

Stockholm \[SW1\]

\[SW\]

Since the aggressive form of the avian influenza (AI) virus, H5, was
first confirmed in two mallard ducks in southern Sweden on February 28,
2006 (GAIN Report SW6006), the virus has been steadily traveling north.
As of March 30, 2006, a total of 29 cases have been confirmed in wild
birds, including two birds of prey. In addition, the aggressive form of
AI has been found in one mallard duck at a game farm and one mink.
(Please see Table 1.)

Expectations are that Swedish poultry consumption will decline slightly
due to the AI situation in Europe. Despite the fact that the aggressive
form of AI is now present in Sweden, local consumers still have higher
confidence in domestic poultry than imported.

# Aggressive AI in Domestic Bird

On March 17, the aggressive form of H5 was confirmed in a mallard duck
located on a preserve for wild birds. The preserve is located within the
surveillance zone established in response to the first AI outbreak in
Sweden at the end of February. All birds within the preserve (about 500
mallard ducks and 150 pheasants) were killed and destroyed according to
EU requirements for AI in domestic poultry.

# Central Stockholm Hit by AI

On March 21, the aggressive form of AI was confirmed in two dead swans
found in central Stockholm. The two sites where the swans were found are
both in densely populated areas. Protection and monitoring zones were
established according to EU regulations but no areas were blocked off as
there were no signs of increased mortality among wild birds in the
affected areas. Humans within the zones were not affected by the
restrictions imposed, apart from those keeping domestic birds.

The popular open-air museum and zoological park Skansen is located
within the protection and monitoring zones. The Skansen zoo specializes
in Scandinavian wildlife and keeps a number of different birds.
Fortunately, Skansen received permission from Swedish authorities to
vaccinate their birds prior to the Stockholm outbreak. In addition, the
Skansen birds are kept indoors according to restrictions imposed in
response to the finding of AI on the German island of Rügen.

# AI Found in a Swedish Mink

On March 27, the Swedish Board of Agriculture announced that the
aggressive form of AI had been found in a wild mink in Solvesborg in
Southern Sweden. The mink, showing symptoms including disorientation and
poor balance, was captured and tested for AI. The mink likely became
infected by eating an infected bird.

A smew and a goosander found in the same area also carried the virus. A
common surveillance zone and two protection zones have been established
in the area.

The mink industry is encouraged to remain vigilant regarding flu
symptoms in their animals.

**Table 1. Confirmed Cases of Aggressive H5 in Sweden**

+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+
| **DATE**  | #                | **LOCATION**       | **H5N1          |
|           | AFFECTED ANIMALS |                    | c               |
|           |                  |                    | onfirmation\*** |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+
| February  | 2 mallard ducks  | Oskarshamn,        | March 16        |
| 28        |                  | Småland            |                 |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+
| March 2   | 1 mallard duck   | Oskarshamn,        |                 |
|           |                  | Småland            |                 |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+
| March 3   | 4 mallard ducks  | Oskarshamn,        |                 |
|           |                  | Småland            |                 |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+
| March 8   | 1 wild duck      | Oxelösund,         |                 |
|           | (scaup), 3       | Södermanland       |                 |
|           | mallard ducks    |                    |                 |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+
| March 9   | 1 eagle owl      | Nyköping,          |                 |
|           |                  | Södermanland       |                 |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+
| March 10  | 2 mallard ducks  | Gotland            |                 |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+
| March 13  | 1 buzzard        | Oxelösund,         |                 |
|           |                  | Södermanland       |                 |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+
| March 16  | 5 tufted ducks,  | Fårösund, Gotland  |                 |
|           | 1 scaup          |                    |                 |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+
| March 17  | 1 mallard duck   | Karlskrona,        |                 |
|           |                  | Blekinge           |                 |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+
| March 17  | 1 wild duck (on  | Oskarshamn,        |                 |
|           | preserve)        | Småland            |                 |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+
| March 20  | 1 swan, 1 mute   | Central Stockholm  |                 |
|           | swan             |                    |                 |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+
| March 23  | 2 mute swans, 1  | Central Stockholm  |                 |
|           | goose            |                    |                 |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+
| March 27  | 1 smew, 1        | Solvesborg,        |                 |
|           | goosander, 1     | Blekinge           |                 |
|           | mink             |                    |                 |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------+-----------------+

\* Please note that H5N1 has only been officially confirmed in the first
two findings of highly pathogenic H5 in Sweden. According to the
National Veterinary Institute, all of the above H5 cases are likely
H5N1. Confirmatory test results are expected in the near future.