Authorities in the Netherlands have reported a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza strain H5N1 in a free-range egg production flock in Biddinghuizen in the providence of Flevoland. Clinical signs were observed on July 24th and the diagnosis was confirmed by PCR at the Wageningen Bioveterinary Research Laboratory on the same day.
During the past week, a case of H5N1 avian influenza was diagnosed in a peregrine falcon in Ustecky in the Czech Republic. Falcons and other birds of prey are susceptible to H5N1 and are presumably infected by predation of infected free-living birds or on occasions, scavenging.
Norway recorded avian influenza strain H5N1 from a fox kit in the Tromso in the province of Finnmark. Recent cases in this species were reported in Ireland.
Poultry flocks allowed access to pasture are vulnerable to infection carried by migratory and domestic free-living birds. Terrestrial carnivores including foxes are accidental end hosts of avian influenza. These animals may play a role in inter-farm dissemination of virus.