One of the large egg-producing farms in Sweden was depleted following a diagnosis of H5N8 strain avian influenza on Monday, January 25th.  The flock comprising 1.3 million hens was located in the Municipality of Monsteras in Kalmar County. 

Following confirmation of the diagnosis by the National Veterinary Institute, the Swedish Board of Agriculture drew on the resources of armed forces to complete the depopulation of the flock with appropriate disposal of carcasses.  In addition to the current flock, approximately 1.4 million poultry have been culled in neighboring Skane County.  Swedish veterinary authorities have imposed a requirement that all domestic poultry should be confined to buildings to prevent contact with wild birds.  In November, a flock of 3,000 turkeys contracted avian influenza and were culled.