Translated from Italian:
The Ministry of Health informs that the seroconversion of five dogs and one cat present in a rural poultry farm in the province of Brescia, the site of an outbreak of HPAI H5N1 has recently been ascertained.
Genetic analyses of the virus found in the birds that died in the outbreak carried out by the National and European Reference Centre (CRN) for avian influenza and Newcastle disease of the IBIS of the Venice have shown that it is an HPAI H5N1 belonging to clade 2.3.4.4b, and in particular to the genotype H5N1-A/Herring_gull/
This virus also has a mutation considered to be an adaptation marker of mammalian viruses (T271A in protein PB2) with a possible increase in its zoonotic potential.
On 14 June 2023, the 'expert group' was brought together to define the functioning of the national network of public human and veterinary laboratories for the early detection of the circulation of influenza virus strains with zoonotic potential in order to activate an early warning system for influenza epidemics, including pandemic, which did not change the risk assessment produced on 27 February 2023 and disseminated with the Circular of 7 March,
The application of biosecurity measures in poultry farms should be intensified with the utmost urgency and effectiveness also in consideration of new cases of HPAI H5N1 in red-roated seagulls (Chroicocephalus genei) and common seagulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) in the province of Ravenna.