Epidemic situation of Avian influenza in Ukraine and in the world during 2019–2020

Abstract

The aim of the work was to analyze current epidemic situation on highly pathogenic avian influenza worldwide and in Ukraine during 2019–2020. The research was conducted in the framework of state control of infectious animal diseases. The results of PCR tests obtained in the State Scientific and Research Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise and in regional state laboratories, data of OIE website (http://www.oie.int) in 2019 and 2020 were analyzed and summarized. During 2019–2020 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza were detected in 53 countries of the World: in Europe — 22, in Asia — 21, in Africa — 7, in America — 2, and in Australia — 1. In 2019 there was not registered any case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in Ukraine. In 2020 nine outbreaks of avian influenza were registered in commercial poultry farms (n = 2) and backyards (n = 7) of Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, and Kherson regions of Ukraine. It was confirmed that all characterized viruses were closely related and belonged to the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b identical to the avian influenza viruses currently circulating in Europe and Asia. Wild birds were identified as the main modes of HPAIV spread