A ProMed report confirmed a recent outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in Chang Hua County involving 20,000 hens that were depleted. Previous outbreaks have occurred in Ping Tang and Tainan in February. Since January “tens of thousands of hens” have been culled in Yunlin County resulting from exposure to H5N1 presumably from wild birds.
With numerous small and intermediate-sized duck and egg farms in close proximity and a live bird market system for broilers, Taiwan is candidate for vaccination against avian influenza H5N1. This is based on the location of the island nation on migratory bird routes and a history of recurring avian influenza suggesting a seasonal endemic status justifying protection.