Avian influenza overview October 2016-August 2017

Abstract

The A(H5N8) highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemic occurred in 29 European countries in 2016/2017 and has been the largest ever recorded in the EU in terms of number of poultry outbreaks, geographical extent and number of dead wild birds. Multiple primary incursions temporally related with all major poultry sectors affected but secondary spread was most commonly associated with domestic waterfowl species. A massive effort of all the affected EU Member States (MSs) allowed a descriptive epidemiological overview of the cases in poultry, captive birds and wild birds, providing also information on measures applied at the individual MS level. Data on poultry population structure are required to facilitate data and risk factor analysis, hence to strengthen science-based advice to risk managers. It is suggested to promote common understanding and application of definitions related to control activities and their reporting across MSs. Despite a large number of human exposures to infected poultry occurred during the ongoing outbreaks, no transmission to humans has been identified. Monitoring the avian influenza (AI) situation in other continents indicated a potential risk of long-distance spread of HPAI virus (HPAIV) A(H5N6) from Asia to wintering grounds towards Western Europe, similarly to what happened with HPAIV A(H5N8) and HPAIV A(H5N1) in previous years. Furthermore, the HPAI situation in Africa with A(H5N8) and A(H5N1) is rapidly evolving. Strengthening collaborations at National, EU and Global levels would allow close monitoring of the AI situation, ultimately helping to increase preparedness. No human case was reported in the EU due to AIVs subtypes A(H5N1), A(H5N6), A(H7N9) and A(H9N2). Direct transmission of these viruses to humans has only been reported in areas, mainly in Asia and Egypt, with a substantial involvement of wild bird and/or poultry populations. It is suggested to improve the collection and reporting of exposure events of people to AI.

Keywords: HPAI/LPAI; avian influenza; captive birds; humans; monitoring; poultry; wild birds.

Figure 1

Detections of H5/H7 LPAI in poultry and captive birds between 19 October 2016 and 31 August 2017 (based on ADNS and MS reports)

Figure 2

Number of H5 HPAI detections in poultry and captive birds by NUTS2 regions between 19 October 2016 and 31 August 2017 (based on ADNS and MS reports). Non‐EU countries reporting in ADNS (country level) are marked by horizontal lines

Figure 3

HPAI outbreaks in poultry, captive and wild birds between 19/10/2016 and 12/11/2016 (weeks 1–4 of the 2016/2017 outbreaks) (based on ADNS and MS reports)

Figure 4

HPAI outbreaks in poultry, captive and wild birds between 13/11/2016 and 10/12/2016 (weeks 5–8 of the 2016/2017 outbreaks) (based on ADNS and MS reports)

Figure 5

HPAI outbreaks in poultry, captive and wild birds between 11/12/2016 and 14/1/2017 (weeks 9–12 of the 2016/2017 outbreaks) (based on ADNS and MS reports)

Figure 6

HPAI outbreaks in poultry, captive and wild birds between 15/1/2017 and 11/2/2017 (weeks 13–16 of the 2016/2017 outbreaks) (based on ADNS and MS reports)

Figure 7

HPAI outbreaks in poultry, captive and wild birds between 12/2/2017 and 19/3/2017 (weeks 17–21 of the 2016/2017 outbreaks) (based on ADNS and MS reports)

Figure 8

HPAI outbreaks in poultry, captive and wild birds between 20/3/2017 and 12/4/2017 (weeks 22–25 of the 2016/2017 outbreaks) (based on ADNS and MS reports)

Figure 9

HPAI outbreaks in poultry, captive and wild birds between 13/4/2017 and 16/5/2017 (weeks 26–30 of the 2016/2017 outbreaks) (based on ADNS and MS reports)

Figure 10

HPAI outbreaks in poultry, captive and wild birds between 17/5/2017 and 22/6/2017 (weeks 31–35 of the 2016/2017 outbreaks) (based on ADNS and MS reports)

Figure 11

HPAI outbreaks in poultry, captive and wild birds between 23/6/2017 and 27/7/2017 (weeks 36–40 of the 2016/2017 outbreaks) (based on ADNS and MS reports)

Figure 12

HPAI outbreaks in poultry, captive and wild birds between 28/7/2017 and 31/8/2017 (weeks 41–45 of the 2016/2017 outbreaks) (based on ADNS and MS reports)

Figure 13

Events of H5 HPAI in wild birds by NUTS2 region between 19 October 2016 and 31 August 2017 (based on ADNS and MS reports). Non‐EU countries reporting in ADNS (country level) are marked by horizontal lines

Figure 14

Epidemic curve (number of outbreaks/events in time) H5 HPAI in poultry and wild birds between 19 October 2016 and 31 August 2017 (based on ADNS). The sampling date was used when available to generate this figure; if the sampling date was unavailable, then the confirmation date was used. This approach minimises the impact of delays in submission of results to ADNS

Figure 15

Epidemic curve H5 HPAI in Mute Swans in relation to all reported wild bird events between 19 October 2016 and 31 August 2017 (based on ADNS)

Figure 16

Epidemic curve H5 HPAI in Tufted Ducks in relation to all reported wild bird events between 19 October 2016 and 31 August 2017 (based on ADNS)

Figure 17

Distribution of confirmed HPAI A(H5N1) outbreaks in birds by place of reporting between 1 January 2016 and 14 September 2017 (data source: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) EMPRES‐i; status: 14.9.2017)

Figure 18

Distribution of confirmed cases of A(H5N1) by reporting country 2003–2017 (n = 859) (source: WHO, 2017f)

Figure 19

Outbreaks of A(H5N6) HPAIV in domestic birds between 1 January 2016 and 14 September 2017 (data source: FAO EMPRES‐i; status: 14.9.2017)

Figure 20

Outbreaks of A(H5N6) HPAIV in wild birds between 1 January 2016 and 14 September 2017 (data source: FAO EMPRES‐i; status: 14.9.2017)

Figure 21

Distribution of laboratory‐confirmed cases of A(H5N6) by month and year of reporting, 2014–2017 (n = 17)

Figure 22

Distribution of confirmed HPAI A(H5N8) outbreaks in birds by place of reporting in Africa and the Middle East between 1 January 2016 and 14 September 2017 (data source: FAO EMPRES‐i; status: 14.9.2017)

Figure 23

Distribution of confirmed LPAIV and HPAIV A(H7N9) outbreaks in birds and environmental samples by place of reporting in China since March 2013 (source: FAO EMPRES‐I; status: 14.9.2017)

Figure 24

Number of confirmed LPAIV and HPAIV A(H7N9) outbreaks in birds and environmental samples in China since March 2013 (status: 14.9.2017)

Figure 25

Number of confirmed LPAIV and HPAIV A(H7N9) outbreaks by species and environmental sample type in China since March 2013 (status: 14.9.2017)

Figure 26

Distribution of confirmed A(H7N9) human cases by place of reporting in China or with recent travel history to China, week 7/2013 to week 35/2017 (n = 1,562) (data source: CHP, 2017d)

Figure 27

Distribution of reported human influenza A(H7N9) cases in China by week, week 1/2013 to week 35/2017 (n = 1,562) (data source: CHP, 2017c). Please note: if week of onset is not available week of reporting has been used.

Figure 28

Number of reported cases due to A(H9N2) infection by country and year of reporting, 1998–2017 (n = 41)

Figure C.1

Number of turkey holdings at NUTS2 level reported by MSs to EFSA (autumn 2016)

Figure C.2

Number of farmed game bird holdings at NUTS2 level reported by MSs to EFSA (autumn 2016); NA = not available

Figure C.3

Number of ducks and geese holdings at NUTS2 level reported by MSs to EFSA (autumn 2016)

Figure C.4

Number of chicken‐laying hen holdings at NUTS2 level reported by MSs to EFSA (autumn 2016)

Figure C.5

Number of chicken‐breeder holdings at NUTS2 level reported by MSs to EFSA (autumn 2016)

Figure C.6

Proportion of conventional vs free‐range laying hen flocks per MS reported to EFSA (autumn 2016)