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High-path avian flu outbreak in China not a surprise

An expert in avian health is not surprised by the recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian flu in China.

Dr. Carol Cardona with the University of Minnesota says H5 viruses continue to grow and evolve in Asia.

“This time of year, just after Chinese New Year, is when we have typically seen cases announced most likely. Or new strains emerge.”

Chinese authorities say a highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 has resulted in the loss of nearly 18,000 chickens in the southern province of Hunan.

Dr. Cardona tells Brownfield common migratory pathways are cause for concern.

“There’s a lot of mixing that happens, so those birds could actually come directly into our flyway and be present here in Minnesota. So that’s an important consideration and something I know is on the minds of our producers.”

She says while there are also increased detections of avian flu across Europe, the U.S. is better prepared because of lessons learned from the outbreak in 2015.