World review: The spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to disrupt poultry production and trade. According to FAO, this year for the first time in 30 years, the volume of poultry meat traded will be lower year-on-year, due to disease outbreaks. Global production is expected to rise by up to two per cent in 2006, to around 76 million tonnes, with a similar increase expected next year. At present it is primarily South East Asia which is affected by Al: HPAI is endemic in some areas while new strains have emerged in others. It is thought that a subtype of the highly pathogenic H5N1 may have evolved due to vaccination of flocks. Poultry in China, Hong Kong, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand have been affected by the new strain. The EU has approved vaccination of certain poultry flocks against Al in some countries, notably France and the Netherlands.
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