Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 2/13/17

Bird culls in the wake of the months-long outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) are continuing as Asian nations report higher cull figures and Germany also posts increasing bird deaths in the last three months.

Officials in South Korea announced that more than 33 million birds have been culled since November, more than double the record 13.96 million birds destroyed in an HPAI outbreak in 2014, according to several local media reports. The latest outbreaks have affected an estimated 340 farms in South Korea and the virus has resurfaced after appearing to abate in early February, according to the Korea Times. Compensation for the lost poultry is expected to reach $227.1 million, nearly three times the amount the government paid in the wake of the 2014 outbreaks.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine is reporting that nearly 133,000 birds have been culled since the first HPAI outbreak was confirmed on a total of 13 turkey and chicken farms. Taiwan has been stepping up its biosecurity measures since the first H5N2 cases were confirmed and officials are “on high alert” to prevent outbreaks of the H5N6 strain, which could cause outbreaks in both animals and humans, according to Focus Taiwan.

Finally, officials in Germany said more than 500,000 birds have been either killed by HPAI or culled to prevent the spread of the virus since November, according to Rheinische Post online. German government officials reported that 391,000 birds were killed where the H5N8 strain was confirmed and another 154,000 were killed as a precaution to halt the spread of any HPAI viruses.

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