Latest news with #WOAH
Reuters
5 days ago
- Health
- Reuters
Spain reports bird flu outbreak on turkey farm
PARIS, July 18 (Reuters) - Spain has reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on a fattening turkey farm in the southwestern region of Extremadura, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said, citing Spanish authorities. The spread of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has ravaged flocks around the world, disrupting supply and fuelling higher food prices. Its spread to mammals, including dairy cows in the United States, has raised concerns among governments about a risk of human transmission. The outbreak killed almost the entire flock of 6,895 turkeys, with the 10 surviving birds slaughtered as a precaution, the report said.
Al Etihad
5 days ago
- Health
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority receives global accreditation for camel disease proficiency testing
18 July 2025 12:21 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has been awarded international accreditation (ISO/IEC 17043:2023) for proficiency testing in camel disease diagnostics, becoming the first globally accredited entity in this field. The accreditation was granted by United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) after ADAFSA met all stringent international accreditation represents global recognition of ADAFSA's competency in providing proficiency testing services, which are a fundamental tool for ensuring the quality and reliability of laboratory diagnostics for camel diseases. It enhances accuracy and efficiency standards while bridging gaps in specialised measurement programmes within this line with this achievement, Biosecurity Affairs Division at ADAFSA—internationally recognised by World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as a Collaborating Centre for Camel Diseases and a Collaborating Centre for Quality Management Systems—has launched the world's first proficiency programme for evaluating laboratories' efficiency in detecting antibodies for Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in camels. This programme focuses on improving validation processes for diagnostic kits used in antibody detection, supporting global efforts to combat and eradicate the initiatives reflect ADAFSA's commitment to supporting national and international laboratories in developing precise laboratory diagnostics for camel diseases, ensuring high-quality results on a global scale. This latest achievement raises the total number of global certifications obtained by ADAFSA to 15, reinforcing its leadership in food security and animal disease control, particularly camel diseases, and strengthening its scientific status as a global reference centre in this domain. Notably, ADAFSA's Collaborating Centre for Camel Diseases, established in May 2022 and recognised by WOAH, serves as an authoritative scientific body in diagnosing and studying camel diseases. It offers advanced diagnostic, research, and training services in collaboration with leading international institutions. This accreditation further cements Abu Dhabi and the UAE's position as a leading hub for animal health and biosecurity.
Zawya
15-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
South Africa lifts ban on Brazilian poultry imports after bird flu contained
South Africa has lifted its import ban on live poultry and poultry products from Brazil after the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Rio Grande do Sul was officially contained. The Department of Agriculture confirmed that effective 4 July 2025, poultry trade with Brazil may resume after a bilateral meeting between veterinary authorities from both countries, where revised Veterinary Health Certificates (VHCs) were agreed upon. "The positive outcome is a direct result of the dedicated efforts of our officials. With this resolution, imports can resume, which will significantly contribute to enhancing food security for all citizens," says Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen. Brazil declared free of HPAI The department said stamping-out measures were applied at the affected breeder premises in Montenegro, followed by a 28-day waiting period and disinfection, in line with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) protocols. Brazil declared itself free of HPAI on 18 June 2025. However, as a precautionary measure, poultry products packed between 1 May and 18 June 2025 will remain restricted from entry into South Africa. The department said it remains vigilant and will continue monitoring the situation closely. Any new developments indicating a potential spread of the outbreak could lead to a review of the decision. "This development underlines the department's commitment to science-based decision making and the importance of maintaining open, transparent and technically sound channels of communication between trading partners," Steenhuisen adds. For updates and official notices, the public is encouraged to follow the department's verified platforms.
GMA Network
11-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
PH lifts ban on Japan poultry
The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday lifted the temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds and their by-products from Japan. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Order No. 36, which lifted the import ban imposed by the DA in November 2024, which also covered poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen. . Tiu Laurel's decision came after Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries submitted a report to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), which confirmed that all previously reported highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) cases had been resolved as of June 13, with no new outbreaks since. He said that, in accordance with WOAH guidelines and 'our own risk assessment, we have determined that Japan is bird flu free the likelihood of bird flu contamination from imports originating in Japan is negligible.' The Agriculture chief explained that the earlier import ban on Japan poultry was enacted as a precautionary measure to safeguard the local poultry industry. With the lifting of the ban, all import transactions involving poultry products from Japan must comply with the DA's existing sanitary and phytosanitary regulations and import protocols. The decision is expected to help stabilize poultry supply chains and offer local businesses greater sourcing flexibility, especially amid tight global commodity markets, according to Tiu Laurel. The latest order takes immediate effect and will remain in force until amended or formally revoked. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
The Advertiser
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Australia declared free from bird flu, but a more deadly strain lurks
In a major win for the nation's biosecurity efforts, Australia has been officially declared free from high pathogenicity avian influenza in poultry. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has published Australia's self-declared HPAI-free status following agreement by the National Management Group that the February 2025 H7N8 outbreak in Victoria has been eradicated. The publication is designed to provide global transparency of a nation's animal health status. There have been no new cases of bird flu detected in poultry since 24 February 2025; the government submitted the self-declaration to the WOAH last month. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been working closely with trading partners to triage a crippling crisis for the poultry industry that began after H7, a separate strain of the virus, tore through chicken flocks in Victoria, NSW and the ACT in July 2024. More than 1.8 million birds were culled nationwide during that outbreak, decimating the national layer hen flock and causing an Australia-wide retail shortage of eggs, in an effort to contain the spread of the virus while strict quarantine zones and trade restrictions were put in place. The government has also confirmed that Australia remains free of the H5N1 strain, a subtype of avian influenza that remains on its doorstep and has created havoc across entire continents. The highly contagious strain has infected more than 500 wild bird species and 90 mammalian species overseas and, while these were mainly marine mammals and bird-eating scavengers, "spillover" cases have been detected in dairy cattle, cats, goats, alpacas, and pigs. A sheep was also infected after being exposed to a highly contaminated environment in the UK. Asia has been significantly impacted by the H5N1 strain with cases being reported in several countries, including multiple human fatalities linked to the virus in Cambodia notwithstanding that human infections are rare. The government invested more than $100 million last year to enhance national preparedness and response capabilities as stakeholders prepare for a possible future outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in Australia, including the potential impacts to animals, people and ecosystems. Stakeholders said a significant outbreak of the highly pathogenic bird flu, which jumped species to infect humans and more than 80 dairy farms across 11 states in the US, could lead to the "worst environmental disaster in Australia's history". While the eradication of the latest outbreak marks a significant turning point, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins cautioned against complacency and said the joint effort underlines Australia's successful response and management capabilities and ongoing work to combat invasive emergency pests and diseases. "Australia must remain vigilant, as a highly contagious and serious strain of H5 HPAI is spreading globally through movement of migratory wild birds - this strain is not present in Australia," she said. "The rapid spread abroad has killed not only birds but also mammals, and means we cannot afford to be complacent. "The agriculture, environment and health sectors are working in partnership to manage national biosecurity threats that impact Australians." The H7N8 outbreak in February was reported days after the government declared Australia bird flu-free following the 2024 outbreak. A national review of avian influenza preparedness is also currently underway, with recommendations expected by the end of the year. Proposals being considered are permanent upgrades to farm-level biosecurity and improved diagnostic capacity for regional areas. Avian influenza virus strains are either low or high pathogenicity, depending on the impact the disease has on poultry. In Australia, low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses are naturally carried by wild birds, particularly ducks, often without signs of disease, and spread by contaminating the food or water supplies of domestic poultry and this can mutate into high pathogenicity strains on rare occasions. Scientists believe the 2025 outbreak was linked to one of these 'spillover' events. Australia's default policy for bird flu outbreaks is to contain and eradicate the disease in the shortest possible time, without vaccination. In a major win for the nation's biosecurity efforts, Australia has been officially declared free from high pathogenicity avian influenza in poultry. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has published Australia's self-declared HPAI-free status following agreement by the National Management Group that the February 2025 H7N8 outbreak in Victoria has been eradicated. The publication is designed to provide global transparency of a nation's animal health status. There have been no new cases of bird flu detected in poultry since 24 February 2025; the government submitted the self-declaration to the WOAH last month. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been working closely with trading partners to triage a crippling crisis for the poultry industry that began after H7, a separate strain of the virus, tore through chicken flocks in Victoria, NSW and the ACT in July 2024. More than 1.8 million birds were culled nationwide during that outbreak, decimating the national layer hen flock and causing an Australia-wide retail shortage of eggs, in an effort to contain the spread of the virus while strict quarantine zones and trade restrictions were put in place. The government has also confirmed that Australia remains free of the H5N1 strain, a subtype of avian influenza that remains on its doorstep and has created havoc across entire continents. The highly contagious strain has infected more than 500 wild bird species and 90 mammalian species overseas and, while these were mainly marine mammals and bird-eating scavengers, "spillover" cases have been detected in dairy cattle, cats, goats, alpacas, and pigs. A sheep was also infected after being exposed to a highly contaminated environment in the UK. Asia has been significantly impacted by the H5N1 strain with cases being reported in several countries, including multiple human fatalities linked to the virus in Cambodia notwithstanding that human infections are rare. The government invested more than $100 million last year to enhance national preparedness and response capabilities as stakeholders prepare for a possible future outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in Australia, including the potential impacts to animals, people and ecosystems. Stakeholders said a significant outbreak of the highly pathogenic bird flu, which jumped species to infect humans and more than 80 dairy farms across 11 states in the US, could lead to the "worst environmental disaster in Australia's history". While the eradication of the latest outbreak marks a significant turning point, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins cautioned against complacency and said the joint effort underlines Australia's successful response and management capabilities and ongoing work to combat invasive emergency pests and diseases. "Australia must remain vigilant, as a highly contagious and serious strain of H5 HPAI is spreading globally through movement of migratory wild birds - this strain is not present in Australia," she said. "The rapid spread abroad has killed not only birds but also mammals, and means we cannot afford to be complacent. "The agriculture, environment and health sectors are working in partnership to manage national biosecurity threats that impact Australians." The H7N8 outbreak in February was reported days after the government declared Australia bird flu-free following the 2024 outbreak. A national review of avian influenza preparedness is also currently underway, with recommendations expected by the end of the year. Proposals being considered are permanent upgrades to farm-level biosecurity and improved diagnostic capacity for regional areas. Avian influenza virus strains are either low or high pathogenicity, depending on the impact the disease has on poultry. In Australia, low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses are naturally carried by wild birds, particularly ducks, often without signs of disease, and spread by contaminating the food or water supplies of domestic poultry and this can mutate into high pathogenicity strains on rare occasions. Scientists believe the 2025 outbreak was linked to one of these 'spillover' events. Australia's default policy for bird flu outbreaks is to contain and eradicate the disease in the shortest possible time, without vaccination. In a major win for the nation's biosecurity efforts, Australia has been officially declared free from high pathogenicity avian influenza in poultry. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has published Australia's self-declared HPAI-free status following agreement by the National Management Group that the February 2025 H7N8 outbreak in Victoria has been eradicated. The publication is designed to provide global transparency of a nation's animal health status. There have been no new cases of bird flu detected in poultry since 24 February 2025; the government submitted the self-declaration to the WOAH last month. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been working closely with trading partners to triage a crippling crisis for the poultry industry that began after H7, a separate strain of the virus, tore through chicken flocks in Victoria, NSW and the ACT in July 2024. More than 1.8 million birds were culled nationwide during that outbreak, decimating the national layer hen flock and causing an Australia-wide retail shortage of eggs, in an effort to contain the spread of the virus while strict quarantine zones and trade restrictions were put in place. The government has also confirmed that Australia remains free of the H5N1 strain, a subtype of avian influenza that remains on its doorstep and has created havoc across entire continents. The highly contagious strain has infected more than 500 wild bird species and 90 mammalian species overseas and, while these were mainly marine mammals and bird-eating scavengers, "spillover" cases have been detected in dairy cattle, cats, goats, alpacas, and pigs. A sheep was also infected after being exposed to a highly contaminated environment in the UK. Asia has been significantly impacted by the H5N1 strain with cases being reported in several countries, including multiple human fatalities linked to the virus in Cambodia notwithstanding that human infections are rare. The government invested more than $100 million last year to enhance national preparedness and response capabilities as stakeholders prepare for a possible future outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in Australia, including the potential impacts to animals, people and ecosystems. Stakeholders said a significant outbreak of the highly pathogenic bird flu, which jumped species to infect humans and more than 80 dairy farms across 11 states in the US, could lead to the "worst environmental disaster in Australia's history". While the eradication of the latest outbreak marks a significant turning point, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins cautioned against complacency and said the joint effort underlines Australia's successful response and management capabilities and ongoing work to combat invasive emergency pests and diseases. "Australia must remain vigilant, as a highly contagious and serious strain of H5 HPAI is spreading globally through movement of migratory wild birds - this strain is not present in Australia," she said. "The rapid spread abroad has killed not only birds but also mammals, and means we cannot afford to be complacent. "The agriculture, environment and health sectors are working in partnership to manage national biosecurity threats that impact Australians." The H7N8 outbreak in February was reported days after the government declared Australia bird flu-free following the 2024 outbreak. A national review of avian influenza preparedness is also currently underway, with recommendations expected by the end of the year. Proposals being considered are permanent upgrades to farm-level biosecurity and improved diagnostic capacity for regional areas. Avian influenza virus strains are either low or high pathogenicity, depending on the impact the disease has on poultry. In Australia, low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses are naturally carried by wild birds, particularly ducks, often without signs of disease, and spread by contaminating the food or water supplies of domestic poultry and this can mutate into high pathogenicity strains on rare occasions. Scientists believe the 2025 outbreak was linked to one of these 'spillover' events. Australia's default policy for bird flu outbreaks is to contain and eradicate the disease in the shortest possible time, without vaccination. In a major win for the nation's biosecurity efforts, Australia has been officially declared free from high pathogenicity avian influenza in poultry. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has published Australia's self-declared HPAI-free status following agreement by the National Management Group that the February 2025 H7N8 outbreak in Victoria has been eradicated. The publication is designed to provide global transparency of a nation's animal health status. There have been no new cases of bird flu detected in poultry since 24 February 2025; the government submitted the self-declaration to the WOAH last month. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been working closely with trading partners to triage a crippling crisis for the poultry industry that began after H7, a separate strain of the virus, tore through chicken flocks in Victoria, NSW and the ACT in July 2024. More than 1.8 million birds were culled nationwide during that outbreak, decimating the national layer hen flock and causing an Australia-wide retail shortage of eggs, in an effort to contain the spread of the virus while strict quarantine zones and trade restrictions were put in place. The government has also confirmed that Australia remains free of the H5N1 strain, a subtype of avian influenza that remains on its doorstep and has created havoc across entire continents. The highly contagious strain has infected more than 500 wild bird species and 90 mammalian species overseas and, while these were mainly marine mammals and bird-eating scavengers, "spillover" cases have been detected in dairy cattle, cats, goats, alpacas, and pigs. A sheep was also infected after being exposed to a highly contaminated environment in the UK. Asia has been significantly impacted by the H5N1 strain with cases being reported in several countries, including multiple human fatalities linked to the virus in Cambodia notwithstanding that human infections are rare. The government invested more than $100 million last year to enhance national preparedness and response capabilities as stakeholders prepare for a possible future outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in Australia, including the potential impacts to animals, people and ecosystems. Stakeholders said a significant outbreak of the highly pathogenic bird flu, which jumped species to infect humans and more than 80 dairy farms across 11 states in the US, could lead to the "worst environmental disaster in Australia's history". While the eradication of the latest outbreak marks a significant turning point, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins cautioned against complacency and said the joint effort underlines Australia's successful response and management capabilities and ongoing work to combat invasive emergency pests and diseases. "Australia must remain vigilant, as a highly contagious and serious strain of H5 HPAI is spreading globally through movement of migratory wild birds - this strain is not present in Australia," she said. "The rapid spread abroad has killed not only birds but also mammals, and means we cannot afford to be complacent. "The agriculture, environment and health sectors are working in partnership to manage national biosecurity threats that impact Australians." The H7N8 outbreak in February was reported days after the government declared Australia bird flu-free following the 2024 outbreak. A national review of avian influenza preparedness is also currently underway, with recommendations expected by the end of the year. Proposals being considered are permanent upgrades to farm-level biosecurity and improved diagnostic capacity for regional areas. Avian influenza virus strains are either low or high pathogenicity, depending on the impact the disease has on poultry. In Australia, low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses are naturally carried by wild birds, particularly ducks, often without signs of disease, and spread by contaminating the food or water supplies of domestic poultry and this can mutate into high pathogenicity strains on rare occasions. Scientists believe the 2025 outbreak was linked to one of these 'spillover' events. Australia's default policy for bird flu outbreaks is to contain and eradicate the disease in the shortest possible time, without vaccination.
