The analysis of spreading of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influence and applied measures in Vojvodina during 2021 and 2022

Abstract

Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease in birds, including domestic poultry. It is mainly found in birds, but under certain circumstances infections can also be recorded in humans and other mammals. This disease may have a severe economic impact on poultry farming. This paper analyses the official data of the locations where the outbreaks of avian influence H5N1 were recorded in the period between November 2021 and February 2022(until 9th February 2022), using Average Nearest Neighbor Distance analysis and Directional Distribution (Standard Deviation). The cases of avian influence were spreading from north-west towards south-east in Vojvodina Province, regarding the period from 2021 until 9th February, 2022. This direction of disease spread is in line with the direction of the flow of Danube River and the canals which are connected to this river in this part of country. Spatial occurrence of HPAI H5 N1 cases in Vojvodina during the November 2021- January 2022 period have randomized spatial pattern with no clusters. Migratory and resident wild birds will continue to pose a health risk for poultry in Serbia. According WHO reports, the overall public health risk from currently known influenza viruses at the human-animal interface has not changed, and the likelihood of sustained human-to-human transmission of these viruses remains low.The risk of transmission to humans by exposure to contaminated poultry products is considered negligible. The measures regarding the ban of trade of the poultry products and eggs, and the existing regulations need to be revised. The measures applied with the aim to combat the spread of avian influenza must be maximally effective and in same time optimized with the aim to result in minimal damage to poultry production, related processing industries and the entire economy of the whole country.