ProMED recently posted a report on an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1 in a chicken farm in Yaroslavl Oblast.  The type of chicken was not stated but the flock comprised 892,000 birds.  What is important is the fact that the report, as provided to the World Organization of Animal Health on May 27^th specified only 9,900 birds affected and depopulated.  This is one percent of the total flock and is clearly inconsistent with morbidity and mortality associated with HPAI. Subsequent reports indicared that the entire complex was depopulated.

The report documents 1,300 birds depopulated and disposed of, representing 0.1 percent of the susceptible population given that the report specified no vaccinated birds.  These figures are questioned based on experience with HPAI in the E.U. and North America over the past three years.  Mortality commenced on May 11^th and was only confirmed on May 18^th again denoting delays in laboratory diagnosis that is now expected within 24 hours applying PCR technology.  There was a further nine-day delay before reporting the outbreak to the World Organization for Animal Health.

The farm in Romanovskaya near the Oblast capital of Yaroslavl, is 160 miles northeast of Moscow and located adjacent to the Volga River. This is presumed to be a migratory flyway for waterfowl as with the Mississippi River and other major waterways in affected nations.