Information received on 23/12/2020 from Dr Christine Middlemiss, Chief Veterinary Officer, DEFRA, Department for Environment,Food and Rural Affairs , London, United Kingdom
Summary
Report type
Follow-up report No. 6
Date of start of the event
24/10/2020
Date of confirmation of the event
02/11/2020
Report date
22/12/2020
Date submitted to OIE
23/12/2020
Reason for notification
Recurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence
06/2017
Manifestation of disease
Clinical disease
Causal agent
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype
H5N8
Nature of diagnosis
Laboratory (basic), Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to
a defined zone within the country
Related reports
Immediate notification (03/11/2020)
Follow-up report No. 1 (10/11/2020)
Follow-up report No. 2 (12/11/2020)
Follow-up report No. 3 (03/12/2020)
Follow-up report No. 4 (11/12/2020)
Follow-up report No. 5 (18/12/2020)
Follow-up report No. 6 (22/12/2020)
New outbreaks (3)

Outbreak 1 (AIV 2020/13)
Isle of Sanday, Orkney Islands, Scotland
Date of start of the outbreak
09/12/2020
Outbreak status
Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit
Farm
Affected animals
Species
Susceptible
Cases
Deaths
Killed and disposed of
Slaughtered
Birds
48
48
37
11
0
Affected population
Free range small commercial flock of laying hens Mortality started gradually on 09/12/20, reported to authorities on 15/12/20. Remaining animals alive at time of investigation were euthanised on welfare grounds prior to confirmation of disease.
Outbreak 2 (AIV 2020/15)
Norfolk, Breckland, England
Date of start of the outbreak
11/12/2020
Outbreak status
Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit
Farm
Affected animals
Species
Susceptible
Cases
Deaths
Killed and disposed of
Slaughtered
Birds
8097
8097
42
8055
0
Affected population
Breeding duck premises within the Surveillance Zone of a previous outbreak involving a single premises under a different ownership with Breckland District (4th FUR of poultry HPAI H5N8 outbreaks with OIE reference number 37041).
Outbreak 3 (AIV 2020/14)
Gillingham, N Dorset, England
Date of start of the outbreak
16/12/2020
Outbreak status
Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit
Backyard
Affected animals
Species
Susceptible
Cases
Deaths
Killed and disposed of
Slaughtered
Birds
13
5
5
8
0
Affected population
6 chickens,6 ducks and one goose.
Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 3
Total animals affected
Species
Susceptible
Cases
Deaths
Killed and disposed of
Slaughtered
Birds
8158
8150
84
8074
0
Outbreak statistics
Species
Apparent morbidity rate
Apparent mortality rate
Apparent case fatality rate
Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds
99.90%
1.03%
1.03%
100.00%
*Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
Unknown or inconclusive
Epidemiological comments
Epidemiological Investigation ongoing.

Control measures
Measures applied
Movement control inside the country
Traceability
Zoning
Vaccination prohibited
No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied
Surveillance outside containment and/or protection zone
Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone
Official destruction of animal products
Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste
Disinfection
Diagnostic test results
Laboratory name and type
Species
Test
Test date
Result
Weybridge (OIE Reference Laboratory)
Birds
gene sequencing
19/12/2020
Positive
Weybridge (OIE Reference Laboratory)
Birds
gene sequencing
19/12/2020
Positive
Weybridge (OIE Reference Laboratory)
Birds
gene sequencing
19/12/2020
Positive
Weybridge (OIE Reference Laboratory)
Birds
reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
17/12/2020
Positive
Weybridge (OIE Reference Laboratory)
Birds
reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
19/12/2020
Positive
Weybridge (OIE Reference Laboratory)
Birds
reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
19/12/2020
Positive
Future Reporting
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.