Avian flu: 2 new outbreaks in Veronese farms

In the province of Verona, Italy, two new avian influenza outbreaks have been identified. One is a turkey farm in Sona, dedicated to the production of meat, and the other is a laying hen farm in Isola della Scala. This development resulted in 55 registered cases, placing Veneto at the forefront of the national outbreak. According to data provided by the Istituto Zooprofilattico delle Venezie, 25 cases have been recorded in the Veneto region since October 2024, distributed between the provinces of Verona (15), Treviso (7) and Venezia (3). Furthermore, 37 wild birds have been found infected with the H5N1 virus, particularly in the provinces of Venice, Verona, Padua, and Rovigo. These include teal, seagulls, geese, wild ducks, mallards, barn owls, herons, woodpeckers, cormorants, and falcons. Diego Zoccante, chairman of the poultry farmers at ‘Confagricoltura Verona,’ has articulated concerns that these recent outbreaks signify a potential for the dissemination of infection despite implementing biosecurity measures. The economic consequences of these avian influenza outbreaks on affected farms are significant. To mitigate these consequences, national veterinary authorities have underscored their commitment to adopt a specific vaccine for laying hens and turkeys during a meeting held in Rome recently.