Avian Influenza: H5 and H7 outbreak update report:
Introduction and Background
Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that affects several species of food-producing birds, pet birds, and wild birds. Occasionally other mammals, including humans, may also contract avian influenza. H5 and H7 avian influenza are classified into two categories according to the severity of disease it causes in poultry namely low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). LPAI strains cause few or no clinical signs in poultry while HPAI strains may cause severe clinical signs and potentially high mortality rates
among poultry. Both categories had to be reported to the Works Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE). This was reviewed and since 1 January 2022, only HPAI in poultry and birds other than poultry are reportable to the WOAH. LPAI has to be reported only when there is proof that natural transmission with severe consequences in humans occurred
Poultry is defined by the WOAH as all domesticated birds, used for the production of meat or eggs for consumption, for the production of other commercial products, for restocking supplies of game, or for breeding
these categories of birds, as well as fighting cocks used for any purpose. Backyard poultry is excluded from the WOAH definition of poultry only if the birds are kept in a single household, the products of which are used within the same household exclusively with no direct or indirect contact with poultry or poultry facilities (2021 OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code)