H5N6 virus – new threat to animal health in SE Asia

A recently-emerged strain of avian influenza in poultry in Southeast Asia known as H5N6 represents a new threat to animal health and livelihoods, and must be closely monitored. Chinese authorities first reported the influenza H5N6 virus in poultry in April 2014. Since then, the Laos and Vietnam have also detected the virus in poultry, a FAO media release said on Monday. ‘Influenza viruses are constantly mixing and recombining to form new threats,’ FAO chief veterinary officer Juan Lubroth said. ‘However, H5N6 is particularly worrisome, since it has been detected in several places so far from one another, and because it is so highly pathogenic, meaning infected poultry quickly become sick and, within 72 hours, death rates are very high,’ he added. WHO epidemiologist Elizabeth Mumford said: ‘H5N6 has been detected in multiple places in poultry, yet we only have one human infection reported. This suggests that the virus does not easily jump from animals to humans. Of course, we still need to remain vigilant, because prevalence in poultry and therefore human exposure could increase during the winter.’
FAO urges continued vigilance, preparedness
An H5N6 outbreak or outbreaks could potentially overwhelm animal health systems in Southeast Asia. An earlier strain of the virus, H5N1, has already impacted the livelihoods of millions of people and caused billions of dollars of damage. FAO is urging countries to remain vigilant in the face of this new viral threat to animal health. In order to prevent its further spread, the Organisation is recommending that governments support poultry producers in following essential bio-security measures and standard hygiene precautions. In collaboration with OIE, priority actions need to be focused on prevention, early detection, immediate reporting and rapid response, according to UNB.