The low-pathogenic H5 strain detected in Italy was obtained as a result of surveillance efforts from a premise rearing primarily waterfowl, a small number of galliform birds and one psittacine. In detail, the farm contained 1600 mallard breeders (_Anas platyrhynchos_), 8310 mallards for release in the wild, 100 pheasants (_Phasianus colchicus_), 4 teals (_Anas crecca_), 6 Mandarin ducks (_Aix galericulata_), 3 Swan geese (_Cygnopsis cygnoides_), 9 Canada geese (_Branta canadensis_) and one African grey parrot (_Psittacus erithacus_). None of these birds are to be considered wild birds as they were all reared in captivity, and none of them exhibited any clinical signs. The H5 virus was detected by real-time PCR, and sequence analysis of the cleavage site confirms the low pathogenic nature of the strain. Additional testing by molecular methods indicate that the virus does not belong to the N1 subtype. Virus isolation attempts are in progress. The affected holding is located in a wetland, and there are no industrial poultry farms within a 10-km radius. According to EC Directive 2005/94, a one-km restriction zone has been established. Rural farms in the restriction zone will be tested to establish whether there are any additional positives. The detection of a low pathogenicity avian influenza virus in mallards farmed in a wetland is a normal finding and is in-keeping with the ecology of these viruses. It does not represent a threat for public health. -- Ilaria Capua
OIE/FAO Reference Laboratory for Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza
Virology Department
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie
Viale dell´Universita 10
35020 Legnaro
Padova, Italy