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Det kan man faktisk, hvis man bruger information fra vores nabolande og tager højde for sygdomstilfælde tæt på Danmarks grænser.

Exploring the risk factors of avian influenza (AI) occurrence helps us to monitor and control the disease. Since late 2020, the number of avian influenza outbreaks in domestic and wild birds has increased in most European countries, including Denmark. This study was conducted to identify potential risk factors for wild birds and poultry during the epidemic in 2020/2021 in Denmark. Using Danish AI surveillance data of actively surveyed poultry and passively surveyed wild birds from June 2020 to May 2021, we calculated geographical attributes for bird locations and assessed the potential risk factors of AI detections using logistic regression analyses. 4% of actively surveyed poultry and 39% of passively surveyed wild birds were detected with AI circulating or ongoing at the time. Of these, 10 and 99% tested positive for the H5/H7 AI subtypes, respectively. Our analyses did not find any statistically significant risk factors for actively surveyed poultry within the dataset. For passively surveyed wild birds, bird species belonging to the Anseriformes order had a higher risk of being AI virus positive than five other taxonomic bird orders, and Galliformes were of higher risk than two other taxonomic bird orders. Besides, every 1 km increase in the distance to wetlands was associated with a 5.18% decrease in the risk of being AI positive (OR (odds ratio) 0.95, 95% CI 0.91, 0.99), when all other variables were kept constant. Overall, bird orders and distance to wetlands were associated with the occurrence of AI. The findings may provide targets for surveillance strategies using limited resources and assist in risk-based surveillance during epidemics.

Avian influenza in wild birds and poultry flocks constitutes a problem for animal welfare, food security and public health. In recent years there have been increasing numbers of outbreaks in Europe, with many poultry flocks culled after being infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Continuous monitoring is crucial to enable timely implementation of control to prevent HPAI spread from wild birds to poultry and between poultry flocks within a country. We here utilize readily available public surveillance data and time-series models to predict HPAI detections within European countries and show a seasonal shift that happened during 2021-2022. The output is models capable of monitoring the weekly risk of HPAI outbreaks, to support decision making.

Der er i 2021 gennemført en systematisk, prospektiv, passiv overvågning af cirkulerende influenza A virussubtyper i danske svin. Det overordnede formål med overvågningen var, at identificere hvilke influenza Avirus subtyper og varianter, der cirkulerer blandt danske svin.Totalt blev der i 2021 iværksat undersøgelse for influenza A virus på 2895 prøver fordelt på 857indsendelser fra 647 besætninger registreret med forskelligt CHR nummer. I alt havde 453 (53 %) afindsendelserne fra 377 forskellige besætninger minimum en positiv prøve. Indsendelserne fordelte sig overhele landet og over hele året. Der var flest indsendelser til undersøgelse i vinterhalvåret, dog blev derfundet influenza positive prøver over hele året, med en tendens til flere positive indsendelser fraseptember-december.Alle influenzapositive prøver blev testet for tilstedeværelsen af et HA gen med oprindelse i den pandemiskeH1N1pdm09 virus fra 2009 (H1pdm09). H1pdm09 blev i 2021 påvist i 189 indsendelser fra 164 besætningerregistreret med forskelligt CHR nummer og udgjorde således 42 % af de influenza A virus positiveindsendelser, hvilket er en markant højere procentdel end i 2020, hvor tallet lå på 29 %. I alt blevoprindelsen af både HA og NA genet bestemt for 312 influenzavirus positive indsendelser. Tilsammen vistedisse analyser, at de oftest påviste subtyper i danske svin i 2021 var H1avN2sw, H1pdm09N1av ogH1N1pdm09. Der er sket en yderligere stigning i andelen af indsendelser fundet positive for H1pdm09N1av,og denne subtype udgør nu 24 % af alle subtypede indsendelser, samtidig er andelen af H1avN2sw faldet til54 % af alle subtypede indsendelser. 2021 blev året, hvor de første to humane infektioner medH1N1pdm09 og H1pdm09N1av med oprindelse i danske svin blev dokumenteret i Danmark. Detteundersteger, at der er virus tilstede i danske svine besætninger med zoonotisk potentiale. Samtidigforventes der en lav krydsbeskyttelse til den humane sæson influenza, da den genetiske og antigene drift afH1pdm09, A systematic, prospective, passive monitoring of circulating subtypes of influenza A virus in Danish pigs wascarried out in 2021. The overall purpose of the monitoring was to identify which influenza virus subtypesand genotypes that circulated among Danish pigs.In 2021, a total of 2895 influenza A virus tests were performed on 857 submissions from 647 herdsregistered with different CHR no. In total, 453 (53 %) of the submissions from 377 different herds had atleast one positive sample. Submissions were distributed across the country. There were a higher number ofsubmissions during the winter, but influenza positive samples were detected all year round, with atendency to a higher positive proportion from September-December.Virus with an HA gene of pandemic H1N1pdm09 origin (H1pdm09) was detected in 189 submissions from164 herds registered with different CHR no. and thereby accounted for 42 % of the influenza A viruspositive submissions. The proportion of H1pdm09 is thereby significantly higher than last year where only29 % of the positive submission had an HA gene of H1N1pdm09 origin. In total, 312 influenza A viruspositive submissions were subtyped for both HA and NA. These analyzes showed that the most commonOvervågning af influenza A i svin, december 2022Side 7 af 31subtypes in Danish pigs in 2021 were H1avN2sw, H1pdm09N1av and H1N1pdm09. Similarly to last year, theprevalence of the H1pdm09N1av subtype increased and this subtype now represents 24 % of allsubmissions for which both HA and NA were subtyped. At the same time, the H1avN2sw subtype hasdecreased in prevalence, and was constituting only 54 % of all subtyped submissions. For the first time inDenmark, two human zoonotic infections with H1N1pdm09 and H1pdm09N1av viruses originating fromDanish swine, were documented. This emphasizes that viruses with a zoonotic potential are present in theDanish swine population. In addition, low cross-reaction to the human seasonal flu is expected as thegenetic and antigeni

Avian influenza (AI) is a contagious disease of birds with zoonotic potential. AI virus (AIV) can infect most bird species, but clinical signs and mortality vary. Assessing the distribution and factors affecting AI presence can direct targeted surveillance to areas at risk of disease outbreaks, or help identify disease hotspots or areas with inadequate surveillance. Using virus surveillance data from passive and active AIV wild bird surveillance, 2006-2020, we investigated the association between the presence of AIV and a range of landscape factors and game bird release. Furthermore, we assessed potential bias in the passive AIV surveillance data submitted by the public, via factors related to public accessibility. Lastly, we tested the AIV data for possible hot- and cold spots within Denmark. The passive surveillance data was biased regarding accessibility to areas (distance to roads, cities and coast) compared to random locations within Denmark. For both the passive and active AIV surveillance data, we found significant (p < .01) associations with variables related to coast, wetlands and cities, but not game bird release. We used these variables to predict the risk of AIV presence throughout Denmark, and found high-risk areas concentrated along the coast and fjords. For both passive and active surveillance data, low-risk clusters were mainly seen in Jutland and northern Zealand, whereas high-risk clusters were found in Jutland, Zealand, Funen and the southern Isles such as Lolland and Falster. Our results suggest that landscape affects AIV presence, as coastal areas and wetlands attract waterfowl and migrating birds and therefore might increase the potential for AIV transmission. Our findings have enabled us to create risk maps of AIV presence in wild birds and pinpoint high-risk clusters within Denmark. This will aid targeted surveillance efforts within Denmark and potentially aid in planning the location of future poultry farms.

Since the influenza pandemic in 2009, there has been an increased focus on swine influenza A virus (swIAV) surveillance. This paper describes the results of the surveillance of swIAV in Danish swine from 2011 to 2018. In total, 3800 submissions were received with a steady increase in swIAV positive submissions, reaching 56% in 2018. Full genome sequences were obtained from 129 swIAV positive samples. Altogether, 17 different circulating genotypes were identified including six novel reassortants harboring human seasonal IAV gene segments. The phylogenetic analysis revealed substantial genetic drift and also evidence of positive selection occurring mainly in antigenic sites of the hemagglutinin protein and confirmed the presence of a swine divergent cluster among the H lpdm09Nx (clade 1 A.3.3.2) viruses. The results provide essential data for the control of swIAV in pigs and emphasize the importance of contemporary surveillance for discovering novel swIAV strains posing a potential threat to the human population.

Beginning in late 2017, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N6 viruses caused outbreaks in wild birds and poultry in several European countries. H5N6 viruses were detected in 43 wild birds found dead throughout Denmark. Most of the Danish virus-positive dead birds were found in the period from February to April 2018. However, unlike the rest of Europe, sporadic HPAI H5N6-positive dead wild birds were detected in Denmark in July, August, September, and December 2018, with the last positive bird being found in January 2019. HPAI viruses were not detected in active surveillance of apparently healthy wild birds. In this study, we use full genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to investigate the wild bird HPAI H5N6 viruses found in Denmark. The Danish viruses were found to be closely related to those of contemporary HPAI H5N6 viruses detected in Europe. Their sequences formed two clusters indicating that at least two or more introductions of H5N6 into Denmark occurred. Notably, all viruses detected in the latter half of 2018 and in 2019 grouped into the same cluster. The H5N6 viruses appeared to have been maintained undetected in the autumn 2018.

We investigated factors affecting avian influenza virus (AIV) detections in Danish wild birds using data from the passive and active AIV surveillance in wild birds from 2006-2020. We used this data and machine learning (ML) algorithms along with landscape and environmental variables to develop predictive models of AIV occurrence in Denmark. We furthermore assessed potential accessibility bias in the passive AIV surveillance data submitted by the public. The passive AIV surveillance data was biased regarding accessibility to areas compared to random locations within Denmark. ML models differed in their predictive power and were used to predict the risk of AIV presence throughout Denmark. Our results suggest that landscape variables may affect AIV presence and enabled us to create risk maps of AIV occurrence in Danish wild birds. This may aid future targeted surveillance efforts within Denmark.

BACKGROUND: The quality of mink feed and raw ingredients affect health and growth. The objectives of this study were to examine the microbiological quality of ready-to-eat mink feed and its raw ingredients, screen the plant part of the feed for mycotoxins, and determine the hygiene of the production environment in the feed processing facilities. The results of the study are important for identification of critical steps in the feed production and for formulation of recommendations for improvements of production processes to obtain better quality feed. Feed and swab samples were taken at three Danish mink feed producers October 2016 and May 2017, respectively. Viable counts, detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), influenza virus and filamentous fungi were performed together with qualitative chemical analyses for bioactive fungal metabolites and mycotoxins. Swab samples were analyzed for total viable counts.RESULTS: Viable counts varied between 7.2 × 102 and 9.3 × 107 cfu/g in raw ingredients and between 107 and 109 cfu/cm2 on different surfaces at the feed production facilities. A pork meat product, pork haemoglobin, pork liver and a poultry mix was found positive for MRSA, while monophasic Salmonella [4,5,12:i:-] was detected in a pork meat product. Neither MRSA nor Salmonella was detected in any ready-to-eat feed. Influenza A virus was not detected in any sample. Filamentous fungi were detected in all analysed samples of ready-to-eat feed while dihydro-demethyl-sterigmatocystin was found in almost 50% of all ready-to-eat feed samples and in 80% of the sugar beet pulp. Fumonisins and other Fusarium toxins were found especially in corn gluten meal and extruded barley and wheat.CONCLUSIONS: Mink feed contained a cocktail of mycotoxins and bacteria, which may not per se cause clinical disease, but may affect organ function and animal performance and well-being.

Mængden af PCV2-virus i poolede serumprøver kan anvendes til at finde grise med meget PCV2-virus, hvorimod mængden af PCV2-virus i spyt og fæces er velegnede til at vurdere tilstedeværelsen af eller tidspunktet for en begyndende PCV2-infektion, The amount of PCV2-virus in pooled serum samples can be used to detect pigs with limited amount of PCV2-virus, whereas the amount of PCV2 virus in saliva and faeces is useful to assess the presence of or time of initial PCV2 infection

Avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes H5 and H7 can infect poultry causing low pathogenicity (LP) AI, but these LPAIVs may mutate to highly pathogenic AIV in chickens or turkeys causing high mortality, hence H5/H7 subtypes demand statutory intervention. Serological surveillance in the European Union provides evidence of H5/H7 AIV exposure in apparently healthy poultry. To identify the most sensitive screening method as the first step in an algorithm to provide evidence of H5/H7 AIV infection, the standard approach of H5/H7 antibody testing by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) was compared with an ELISA, which detects antibodies to all subtypes. Sera (n = 1055) from 74 commercial chicken flocks were tested by both methods. A Bayesian approach served to estimate diagnostic test sensitivities and specificities, without assuming any 'gold standard'. Sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA was 97% and 99.8%, and for H5/H7 HI 43% and 99.8%, respectively, although H5/H7 HI sensitivity varied considerably between infected flocks. ELISA therefore provides superior sensitivity for the screening of chicken flocks as part of an algorithm, which subsequently utilises H5/H7 HI to identify infection by these two subtypes. With the calculated sensitivity and specificity, testing nine sera per flock is sufficient to detect a flock seroprevalence of 30% with 95% probability.

The objective of the study was to compare responses of pigs vaccinated with a PRRS MLV vaccine against PRRSV-1 or PRRSV-2 with the responses of pigs vaccinated simultaneously with both vaccines. Furthermore, the efficacy of the two PRRSV MLV vaccination strategies was assessed following challenge. The experimental design included four groups of 4-weeks old SPF-pigs. On day 0 (DPV0), groups 1–3 (N = 18 per group) were vaccinated with modified live virus vaccines (MLV) containing PRRSV-1 virus (VAC-T1), PRRSV-2 virus (VAC-T2) or both (VAC-T1T2). One group was left unvaccinated (N = 12). On DPV 62, the pigs from groups 1–4 were mingled in new groups and challenged (DPC 0) with PRRSV-1, subtype 1, PRRSV-1, subtype 2 or PRRSV-2. On DPC 13/14 all pigs were necropsied. Samples were collected after vaccination and challenge. PRRSV was detected in all vaccinated pigs and the majority of the pigs were positive until DPV 28, but few of the pigs were still viremic 62 days after vaccination. Virus was detected in nasal swabs until DPV 7–14. No overt clinical signs were observed after challenge. PRRSV-2 vaccination resulted in a clear reduction in viral load in serum after PRRSV-2 challenge, whereas there was limited effect on the viral load in serum following challenge with the PRRSV-1 strains. Vaccination against PRRSV-1 had less impact on viremia following challenge. The protective effects of simultaneous vaccination with PRRSV Type 1 and 2 MLV vaccines and single PRRS MLV vaccination were comparable. None of the vaccines decreased the viral load in the lungs at necropsy. In conclusion, simultaneous vaccination with MLV vaccines containing PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2 elicited responses comparable to single vaccination and the commercial PRRSV vaccines protected only partially against challenge with heterologous strains. Thus, simultaneous administration of the two vaccines is an option in herds with both PRRSV types.

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are important human and animal pathogens with high impact on human and animal health. In Denmark, a passive surveillance program for IAV in pigs has been performed since 2011, where screening tests and subsequent subtyping are performed by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). A disadvantage of the current subtyping system is that several assays are needed to cover the wide range of circulating subtypes, which makes the system expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to develop a high-throughput method, which could improve surveillance of swine influenza viruses (swIAVs) and lower the costs of virus subtyping. Twelve qPCR assays specific for various hemagglutinin and neuraminidase gene lineages relevant for swIAV and six assays specific for the internal genes of IAV were developed and optimized for the high-throughput qPCR platform BioMark (Fluidigm). The qPCR assays were validated and optimized to run under the same reaction conditions using a 48.48 dynamic array (48.48DA). The sensitivity and specificity was assessed by testing virus isolates and field samples with known subtypes. The results revealed a performance of the swIAV 48.48DA similar to conventional real-time analysis, and furthermore, the specificity of swIAV 48.48DA was very high and without cross reactions between the assays. This high-throughput system provides a cost-effective alternative for subtyping of swIAVs.