Protecting poultry from pathogens – knowledge building for future management, with focus on highly patogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and biosecurity

Since 2006, there have been recurring outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Europe, the winter of 2020-2021 was the most serious animal heath event on record in Sweden so far. Many reports of dead wild birds and HPAI have been confirmed in several areas of the country. A total of 24 poultry flocks experienced outbreaks. Several different production types were affected, from backyard flocks to large producers and breeding herds, organic and conventional. More than two million poultry either died from the disease or were euthanized. The Swedish Poultry industry was hit hard by the outbreaks and they led to imports of hatching and consumption eggs. In addition to animal suffering and affected producers, the outbreaks have entailed costs in the order of half a billion SEK to the tax payer. HPAI is currently present all year around in wild birds and more outbreaks are to be expected. Despite the fact that the basics of the spread of infection are known and the Swedish poultry industry have implemented strict prevention measures, outbreaks still occur. The question is what more can be done to prevent future outbreaks.

 The aim of the project is to investigate factors that may affect the introduction and spread of HPAI. A risk factor study will compare affected and non-affected farms. Systematic collection of data on biosecurity and wild bird occurrence on farms will be done as a basis for the analysis, in addition to register and land use data. One study will focus on the possible of airborne introduction and dissemination. A risk mapping will be carried out to identify areas and time periods where there may be a higher risk of virus introduction to poultry.

Poster

Mapping the risk of introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus to Swedish poultry (pdf)L

Article

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI H5Nx, Clade 2.3.4.4.b) in Poultry and Wild Birds in Sweden: Synopsis of the 2020–2021 Season