Italy dealing with HPAI outbreak

Italy is having to deal with its first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza since 2000.

Three outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were reported in three poultry holdings: Ostellato (province of Ferrara), Mordano (province of Bologna), and Portomaggiore, close to Ostellato, in the region Emilia-Romagna occurring on 15, 21 and 23 August 2013 respectively.

Two holdings are egg producing farms, totalling a population of 700,000 laying hens, and a third holding is dedicated to turkey farming.

In order to control the spread of the virus, the Italian authorities are applying the measures foreseen by Council Directive 2005/94/EC, notably the killing of birds and the setting up of protection and surveillance zones around the affected areas. In these zones strict movement restrictions on poultry and poultry products apply, while specific veterinary checks are on-going.

The Italian authorities have also established a “further restricted zone” covering the eastern part of Emilia-Romagna and the very south-eastern part of Veneto where movement restrictions and surveillance apply to commercial farms holding laying hens, poultry breeders and turkeys. Enhanced monitoring and biosecurity measures have also been put in place on the whole poultry sector in Italy.

Italy is the EU’s third-biggest producer of eggs and ranks fifth for chicken meat output.