Birds at Changhua poultry farm culled after discovery of avian flu

彰化縣蛋雞場發現禽流感病毒，已撲殺部分雞隻

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan continues to battle the spread of the H5N1 avian influenza, with a recent outbreak reported in Changhua.

The Animal Disease Control Center received a report on Tuesday of suspicious bird deaths at a poultry farm in Fangyuan Township. Samples submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Veterinary Research Institute confirmed the birds were infected with H5N1, per CNA.

Health officials ordered the farm to be quarantined and the livestock culled. The orders were carried out on Friday, with officials culling 13,375 hens and thoroughly disinfecting the facilities.

As many bird species begin their annual migration south for the winter, a spike in avian influenza cases over the coming months is expected. The Ministry of Agriculture and the Changhua County Government urged all poultry farm operators to take extra precautions.

If a farm is inspected and fails to comply with disease-prevention measures, it may be fined up to NT$150,000 (US$5,000). Farms will be given a warning and a deadline to make improvements, but if the disease is found after a warning has been issued, the government will not provide compensation for culled livestock, per CNA.