Ivory Coast detects new H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in poultry sector
Outbreak linked to H5N1 strain with significant poultry mortality reported.
IVORY COAST – Ivory Coast has confirmed a fresh outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a poultry facility in Koun-Fao, located in the Gontougo area in the country’s centre-east, with the case reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health on April 16 following notification from national authorities.
The report submitted to the international body indicates that the infection was caused by the H5N1 strain and resulted in the death of around 95,000 birds at the affected farm, while the source of the infection has not yet been established, and the virus is recognised for its severe mortality impact in both commercial and smallholder poultry systems.
Sector exposure and previous outbreaks
The latest detection comes after several years without major incidents, since the country last recorded significant avian influenza activity in 2021 in Grand-Bassam, which led to a large-scale response and containment measures across affected zones.
During that 2021 episode, authorities were forced to cull more than 600,000 birds.
They recorded financial losses exceeding US$5.37 million (CFA3 billion), reflecting the scale of disruption the disease can cause within the poultry value chain.
Earlier outbreaks, including those recorded in 2015, also placed pressure on the sector, with preventive culling of more than 200,000 birds carried out according to the Food and Agriculture Organization as part of disease control efforts.
Economic pressure and containment outlook
The current situation is expected to generate additional costs for sanitation, surveillance operations, and possible movement restrictions, which could disrupt distribution channels and affect local poultry supply flows if containment measures expand.
Authorities are now assessing whether the Koun-Fao case represents an isolated event or the beginning of wider transmission.
This determination will shape the scale of intervention and the overall risk to production stability in the coming months.
Ivory Coast’s poultry industry has expanded rapidly over the past decade, with the national flock rising from 57.46 million birds to an estimated 149.17 million birds in 2024, reflecting sustained growth in production capacity despite periodic disease setbacks.
The development places renewed attention on biosecurity enforcement at the farm level, as further spread could weigh on producer confidence and slow the momentum of an industry that has become increasingly central to domestic protein supply.
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