H5N2 Outbreaks Confirmed in Changhua and Yunlin|彰化.雲林傳禽流感 撲殺1.5萬隻家禽

Avian flu outbreaks usually happen in the winter, but two outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N2 subtype were confirmed on June 3 at, a duck farm in Changhua and a free-range chicken farm in Yunlin. Over 15,000 poultry were killed. Authorities say avian flu can appear throughout the year in Taiwan.


Disease control workers sterilize the trucks to prevent further infection. Although avian flu outbreaks usually occur in the winter, two outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N2 subtype have been confirmed at a duck farm in Changhua's Fangyuan Township and a free-range chicken farm in Yunlin County's Dongshih Township. Over 15,000 poultry were culled.

We still see occasional cases popping up in the summer. This shows the virus is in the air.

The Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine says H5N2 is highly adaptable and cases during the summer are not unusual. Air sampling was performed at the end of last year to better understand how the virus spreads and assess transmission risk. The bureau says there are few avian flu-related airborne sampling studies globally and it will use existing data to calculate risk and implement preventive measures at farms starting this fall during the migratory season.