Belgium: Avian influenza post-vaccination surveillance key for safe movement of birds

EFSA was asked to give a comprehensive overview of effective surveillance options and risk reduction measures for avian influenza. The scientists assessed these measures and evaluated whether the available surveillance strategies could demonstrate freedom from the disease thereby enabling the safe movement of poultry and related products. The experts looked specifically at surveillance strategies for emergency and preventive vaccination scenarios, setting out the target species of poultry (layer chicken, turkey or duck), the number of animals to be tested, the diagnostic method, and the sampling period. In the case of emergency vaccination for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the scientists concluded that surveillance schemes for the early detection of new outbreaks should consider the poultry type and flock size to be effective. If vaccination is preventive, to prove the absence of the disease monthly virological testing of up to 15 dead birds is recommended to safeguard ...