Avian Flu Outbreaks Rise in northern Italy, Raising Concerns
In Northern Italy, outbreaks of avian flu of the H5N1 type continue to increase. Following cases in the provinces of Forlì, alexandria, Udine, and Verona, and in Lombardy – where three outbreaks were identified in Cremonese, Lodigiano (Zelo Buon Persico), and Bresciano resulting in the culling of turkeys and pheasants – apprehension is now high in the provinces of Varese and Mantua.
Swabs tested positive for the virus, analyzed by the Experimental zooprophylactic institute of Brescia, came from a laying hen farm near Bust Arsizio. As legally required,the disposal of eggs,feed,and dead animals has begun. In Olgiate Olona, also in the Varese area, a farm was seized by the veterinary department of Ats Insubria and placed in quarantine.
Meanwhile, in Bergamo, the virus was found in wild birds killed in Fontanella. As an inevitable result, the Bergamo ATS has requested all outdoor farms to keep poultry and birds indoors to prevent contact with wild birds. Furthermore, in Bologna, two cases of avian influenza were identified in cats earlier this year, prompting the Pathological Anatomy service of the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences of the University of Bologna to launch a monitoring project.
Busto Arsizio,Constant Checks in 44 Farms
Following the detection of a “highly pathogenic” positivity in the poultry farm near Bust Arsizio,stringent measures have been implemented for poultry farms within a three-kilometer radius. A surveillance zone extending ten kilometers – reaching into the Comasco area and encompassing almost 40 municipalities – has been established. The ATS has identified 44 farms of various sizes for constant checks, and an ordinance signed by the Animal Health sector mandates 30 days of surveillance. During this period, even private chicken coops must report any anomalies or symptoms.
here’s a summary of the avian flu outbreaks described in the text, broken down by location and key details:
Varese Province (Bust Arsizio & Olgiate Olona)
* Bust Arsizio: Outbreak detected. stringent measures in a 3km radius, surveillance zone extends 10km to Comasco (affecting ~40 municipalities). 44 farms under constant check. Origin linked to another outbreak outside Varese, not wild animals. 30 days of surveillance, including private coops.
* Olgiate olona: Farm quarantined for 21 days, sanitization/disinfestation completed. Confirmed by Brescia’s Experimental zooprophylactic institute. Not caused by wild animals. Similar 3km/10km zone restrictions.
Mantua Province (Guidizzolo)
* Guidizzolo: Outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu. 20,000 turkeys killed (9,000 initially, then another 11,000 including neighboring farm).
Other Lombardy Locations
* Casale Cremasco-Vidolasco: First signal in October. 60,000 birds culled. 3km protection zone, 10km surveillance zone (18 municipalities in lower Bergamo).
* Seniga (Brescia/Cremona border): 34,000 turkeys culled.
* Zelo Buon Persico (lodi): outbreak at a pheasant breeding farm.
Outside Lombardy (Northern italy)
* Forlì Plain (Forlì/Ravenna border): 150 broilers slaughtered.
* Occimiano (Alexandria, Piedmont): 35,000 breeding roosters/hens culled (plus 17,000 preventatively).
* Povoletto (Udine, Friuli Venezia Giulia): Outbreak at a boiler chicken farm.
* Oppeano (Verona, veneto): Outbreak at a turkey farm.
Key Trends & Notes:
* H5N1 Subtype: The outbreak in mantua was specifically identified as the H5N1 subtype.
* Not Wild Animals: Several outbreaks (Bust Arsizio, Olgiate Olona) were not linked to wild animals, but to contact with other infected facilities.
* Culling & Zones: A common response is the culling of birds on affected farms and neighboring ones, along with the establishment of protection and surveillance zones.
* Increasing Cases: Cases have been increasing as October.
* Preventative Culling: in certain specific cases (Occimiano), birds were culled preventatively even if not showing symptoms.