TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Tainan has confirmed HPAI A (highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1) in wild waterfowl droppings and black-faced spoonbills, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA) said Thursday (Nov. 14).
The virus has been identified in the South District and Sihcao wetland of Annan District. The city government has implemented disinfection measures in the affected areas and is closely monitoring nearby poultry farms.
Human infections with HPAI A are uncommon. However, direct contact with infected animals or exposure to environments contaminated with the virus, such as areas where infected birds or other animals have been present, can increase the risk of infection, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Human symptoms of bird flu are similar to the common flu, often resolving within a week. However, it can progress to severe complications, including viral pneumonia and death.
Experts said the distribution of high-risk bird species, such as waterfowl and black-faced spoonbills, in Taiwan has increased. Large flocks have been observed in Tainan’s Qigu, while other migratory birds continue to gather in southwestern coastal areas.
The HPAI outbreak is intensifying in areas upstream of migratory bird routes. Since September, Japan has confirmed 37 cases, while South Korea has reported six.
Taiwan has strengthened its disease surveillance and animal monitoring protocols in response to the US H5N1 outbreak. New criteria starting June 15 include respiratory or eye infections linked to animal contact, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Furthermore, dairy farms in six key regions have been subjected to increased testing since May 15. Currently, no H5N1 cases have been detected in Taiwan's dairy cattle.