According to USDA FAS GAIN report PL2020-0038 dated September 4th, Poland is now free of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The announcement was made on August 13th by the nation’s Chief Veterinary Officer. From December 31st 2019 through April 1st 2020, 35 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza were diagnosed in flocks in Poland. This had a significant impact on exports.
On May 13th 2020 veterinary authorities in Poland reported that the last outbreak in a flock of 30,000 turkeys in the Lubuskie Province was eradicated. According in conformity with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Poland was considered free of the infection from August 13th onwards.
It remains to be seen whether Poland can retain an HPAI-free stators given that migratory waterfowl could reintroduce infection from December 2020 onwards. Meat producers in Poland have endured a number of disease challenges in the current year with exports encountering embargos due to Salmonella, HPAI and for the hog sector, African swine fever.