I'm currently doing a MOOC (free online course) about flu - human, avian and swine. It was recorded before the current European outbreak of N5H8, but is helpful for the epidemiology and never ending mutation process. It does explain how we can have a pandemic of a new strain one year, then it turns into a seasonal flu variant which gradually decreases in severity, until it disappears, or rather mutates. Seasonal flu spends the winter in the northern hemisphere then toddles off down to the southern hemisphere for their winter.
It has been pointed out that the mutations often seem to start in the far east, where small producers live more closely with their livestock, in a yard, children playing with the hens and pigs, poor hygiene. These fowl are then taken live to large markets and slaughtered at home by the buyer.
Our hens seem quite delighted to be in the polytunnel - one huge dust bath
We could maybe manage with them in there through the summer if it comes to it, by screening off a separate growing bit. Here's hoping it doesn't last so long and lets hope
we don't get a pandemic here.
Remember to pay especial attention to personal hygiene when dealing with your poultry.
