01.12.2015

On 10 Nov 2015 the National Reference Laboratory confirmed a virological positivity for LPAI virus H5N2 subtype in an ornamental birds farm in Ravenna province. Ornamental birds farm with 3443 birds belonging to different species. The positive samples were taken from ducks on 4 Nov 2015.
On 13 Nov 2015 the National Reference Laboratory confirmed a serological positivity for LPAI virus H5N2 subtype in an ornamental birds farm in Ferrara province. 466 birds belonging to different species were kept In the premise. 
The isolated virus is an H5N2 LPAI strain that clusters with H5 strains circulating in different regions of Italy between 2013 and 2014 in domestic sector (ducks and turkeys). Cleavage site is typical of LPAI strains (PQKETRGLF).
On 27 Nov 2015, preliminary analyses conducted in a mixed-sexes fattening turkeys (19,300) farm in Forlì province. LPAI H5N2 was detected in a turkey farm located in the Municipality of Meldola (Forlì-Cesena), Emilia Romagna region. The animals showed a mild respiratory symptoms.