900,000 chickens killed at Yaroslavl poultry farm after bird flu outbreak

An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HAI) was recorded in May at the Romanovskaya poultry farm in the Yaroslavl region, 900 thousand heads fell under the destruction. This was announced by the Deputy DIRECTOR for Production of the Federal Center for Animal HEALTH (FGBU "ARRIAH" of the ROSSELKHOZNADZOR ), HEAD of the laboratory for the prevention of bird diseases Natalia Moroz.

“In terms of the spread of avian influenza in RUSSIA, 2023 began relatively calmly. However, since May 2, there has been a mass death of gulls with a distribution geography from Kaliningrad to Mari El. Unfortunately, one poultry farmhas already suffered: 900 thousand birds have to be destroyed at the moment,” said Natalya Moroz, speaking at a round table at the international exhibition “Meat Industry. Chicken king. Refrigeration Industry for AIC/MAP Russia & VIV 2023”.

In total, from the beginning of the year to the end of May, 44 outbreaks of AIV were recorded in Russia. Most of them were identified in May and are associated with the death of gulls. Dead seagulls were found in Kaliningrad, Smolensk, Moscow, Yoshkar-Ola, and also in the Kirov region. Dead birds were found even within the city limits.

The expert attributes the increase in the number of outbreaks to migratory birds. “April was very warm. The birds arrived early. They stopped for the night, weak birds died. Seagulls eat carrion. They had pecked at the carcasses of dead birds before, but were more resistant to the virus. Now there is a type of virus that leads to the death of even seagulls. Waterfowl turned out to be sensitive to H5N1,” Natalya Moroz commented to Veterinary and Life, adding that a similar situation is now observed in Europe.

The expert noted that to date, the peak of outbreaks of AIV has not yet been passed. In the summer months, new cases should also be expected. The second wave of the spread of avian influenza traditionally begins in autumn, when migratory birds fly back, explained the Deputy Director of ARRIAH.