A highly contagious subtype of avian influenza has been detected in migratory bird droppings in the Sicao Wetlands of Tainan. The Agriculture Ministry’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine Bureau reported the findings on Sunday.
The ministry pointed out that a poultry farm in the Saga Prefecture of Japan, which is upstream in the migratory bird route, has recently confirmed a case of this H5N1 strain of bird flu. Japan has also recently reported 20 cases of avian influenza in wild birds, including in Eurasian wigeons and northern pintails. These two species of birds commonly winter in Taiwan and experts are finding that the number of migratory birds coming to Taiwan for the winter continues to increase.
Tainan City Animal Health Inspection and Protection Office has begun to carry out disinfection of the case site according to standard operating procedures. Poultry farmers are advised to be vigilant, take strict precautions, and immediately implement biosecurity measures such as wild bird-proofing, entry and exit control, and sanitation.
The ministry also calls on local animal epidemic prevention agencies to monitor the situation within their jurisdictions, carry out disinfection operations in high-risk areas, and guide poultry farmers to implement biosecurity measures, so as to prevent the occurrence and spread of avian influenza.