23.01.2017
On 21 January 2017, the National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease (NRL) confirmed as positive to Avian Influenza virus subtype H5N8 samples collected from an industrial fattening turkeys farm in Venice province (Veneto region). On 23 January 2017, the NRL characterized the virus as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The birds were sampled after the farm veterinarian reported an increase in mortality rates. During epidemiological inquiry, 20,500 male turkeys were present in the farm and in one of the four sheds of the farm there was increased mortality (10%) and symptomatic animals. Further analysis of the virus are ongoing. This H5N8 outbreak is the first detected in Italian domestic industrial sector. In the same date, the NRL confirmed as positive to High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza virus subtype H5N8 samples obtained from organs of a whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) found dead in proximity to river Natissa in Gorizia province (Friuli Venezia Giulia Region). Further analysis of the virus are ongoing.
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