According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), on May 23, 2023, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture reported a new outbreak of highly pathogenic influenza A subtype H5N1 in Russia.

The outbreak was confirmed on May 22, 2023, in the Republic of Komi and Novgorod Oblast. The source of the outbreak is currently unknown or uncertain. Laboratory tests have identified 144 affected and deceased birds from the Laridae family. The situation is still ongoing, and the Russian Ministry of Agriculture will provide weekly follow-up reports.

The Russian Ministry of Agriculture has stated that in 2022, Russia exported 139,000 tons of poultry meat to China, accounting for 39% of the total export volume by weight. China is the major destination for Russian poultry products. Currently, 62 Russian poultry factories are available for export to China.

According to the bilateral inspection and quarantine requirements between China and Russia for meat trade, the General Administration of Customs of China has not implemented any restrictions on poultry meat imports from the affected areas. It is expected that Russian poultry product exports to China will not be affected in the short term. Please stay tuned for further developments regarding the specific situation.

Source: OIG+X