ITALY, Parma. Strict enforcement of high levels of biosecurity measures is the most effective way to prevent the introduction of the highly pathogenic influenza virus A (H5N8) into poultry farms, says EFSA.
When affected wilds birds are detected, monitoring of poultry should be applied to a geographical area defined by the habitat and flight distance of the affected birds. Moreover, competent authorities should raise awareness among farmers of biosecurity measures in such areas.
Passive surveillance – reports of dead birds – is the most effective way to detect the virus in wild birds and poultry.
Testing samples from species of wild birds previously not known to be affected by the virus and from areas where the virus has not been yet reported is useful to determine the geographical spread of the virus in wild birds.
EFSA experts will deliver a scientific opinion on avian influenza in 2017. The scientific opinion will assess the risk of other avian influenza viruses entering the EU, analyse biosecurity measures for turkeys and ducks and evaluate the mechanisms responsible for the mutation of low pathogenic avian influenza to high pathogenic avian influenza viruses.