Bird flu: Netherlands culls 190,000 ducks
27 November 2016
About 190,000 ducks have been culled in the Netherlands as the authorities try to prevent the spread of bird flu across northern European countries. The slaughter involved six farms, following the discovery of a virus in the village of Biddinghuizen, some 70km (43 miles) east of Amsterdam. Outbreaks of the highly contagious H5N8 strain have been reported in Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Finland. The Dutch authorities have not said which strain is involved. Officials said they were checking for bird flu at farms within three kilometres of the original site and imposed a ban on transporting poultry products within a 10km (six mile) radius. Avian influenza - bird flu - is an infectious disease of poultry and wild birds. The H5N8 strain first appeared in South Korea in early 2014. The virus later spread to Japan, North America and Europe, causing outbreaks at poultry farms between autumn 2014 and spring 2015. Last month, scientists said that monitoring birds on their long distance migrations could provide early warning of bird flu outbreaks. Researchers said bird flu was carried by migrating birds from Asia to Europe and North America via the Arctic. Contact with infected wild birds or materials contaminated with their droppings was the most likely route of transmission. Most avian influenza viruses do not infect humans. However, hundreds have been killed by the H5N1 virus, mostly as a result of direct or indirect contact with infected live or dead poultry. There is no evidence that the disease can be spread to people through properly cooked food. So far, no human cases of H5N8 infection have been detected. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that human infection with the H5N8 virus cannot be excluded, although the likelihood is low, based on the "limited information" at its disposal. The WHO advises: - Avoid contact with poultry, wild birds or other animals that are sick or are found dead and report them to the relevant authorities. - Wash hands properly with soap or a suitable disinfectant. - Follow good food safety and good food hygiene practices.
Avian influenza - bird flu - is an infectious disease of poultry and wild birds. The H5N8 strain first appeared in South Korea in early 2014. The virus later spread to Japan, North America and Europe, causing outbreaks at poultry farms between autumn 2014 and spring 2015.
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What is bird flu?
Last month, scientists said that monitoring birds on their long distance migrations could provide early warning of bird flu outbreaks. Researchers said bird flu was carried by migrating birds from Asia to Europe and North America via the Arctic. Contact with infected wild birds or materials contaminated with their droppings was the most likely route of transmission.
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How is it spread?
Most avian influenza viruses do not infect humans. However, hundreds have been killed by the H5N1 virus, mostly as a result of direct or indirect contact with infected live or dead poultry. There is no evidence that the disease can be spread to people through properly cooked food. So far, no human cases of H5N8 infection have been detected. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that human infection with the H5N8 virus cannot be excluded, although the likelihood is low, based on the "limited information" at its disposal.
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Should we worry?
The WHO advises: - Avoid contact with poultry, wild birds or other animals that are sick or are found dead and report them to the relevant authorities. - Wash hands properly with soap or a suitable disinfectant. - Follow good food safety and good food hygiene practices.
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How should we do?