Low-pathogenic bird flu on the rise

Low-pathogenic avian influenza was on the increase globally in 2013, but there were fewer high-pathogenic cases, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

According to the organisation’s recent annual report, the OIE received 18 immediate notifications for “low-path” AI last year, compared with 11 in 2012. But for “high-path” AI, the situation improved, with 12 notifications, compared with 16 the year before.

In April 2013, a large outbreak of a novel low-path AI (H7N9) was detected in China and caused a major outbreak in humans, with more than 100 people hospitalised, says a report in sister title World Poultry.

As a result, the OIE reference laboratories and other labs in China have stepped up their work on the virus, to gain better knowledge and ensure that the best test protocols are available.

More recently, in 2014, there have been outbreaks of high-path AI in Libya and India – the first linked to the illegal movement of animals. In both countries the situation is now said to be resolved.

In total in 2013, the OIE received 158 immediate notifications for all listed diseases. Foot-and-mouth disease saw the most immediate notifications (19), followed by low path AI (18).