Less there be any questions as to the geographic distribution of H5 avian influenza, recent reports to the World Organization of Animal Health confirm outbreaks on four continents:

• India – With extensive and obviously under-reported outbreaks in Maharashtra State and other incidents with “massive mortality” incorrectly diagnosed as “Newcastle disease”.

• South Korea – Recording the 35^th outbreak involving depopulation of 1.5 million birds.

• Japan – Has reported 50 cases over the past three months leading to the loss of 5.0 million birds.

• The E.U. –Italy has depopulated 16 farms. In other E.U nations outbreaks in both backyard and commercial flocks in addition to free-living birds have been reported by Poland, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Albania, the Netherlands and Slovakia.  The U.K. has reported 33 cases with 1.8 million birds depopulated over the past three months.

• Iceland and Greenland have diagnosed H5N5 in migratory marine birds following previous transatlantic east to west extension of H5 infection and now with evident emergence of this strain in the Maritime Provinces of Canada. This has implications for the Atlantic Flyway southward into the U.S.

•  Australia – Currently is dealing with a reoccurrence of H7 avian influenza introduced by migratory birds.