Clinical Updates
3 March 2006
Avian influenza - Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, Niger, Romania, Slovakia, Switzerland
Bosnia and Herzegovina
On 20 February 2006, the Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) confirmed H5 avian influenza in swans on Plivsko lake, Jajce [1]. On 25 February 2006, the OIE reference laboratory at Weybridge, UK, confirmed that the birds were infected with the H5N1 subtype [2]. This is the first outbreak of H5N1 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The affected area is being disinfected and quarantine and movement controls are in place. [1].
France
The first outbreak of H5N1 in poultry in France has been confirmed in turkeys from a farm in Versailleux in Ain. The outbreak is thought to have started on the 23 February 2006 and resulted in 10,500 cases and 400 deaths in turkeys. Remaining poultry on the farm have been culled, surveillance and protection zones have are in place and disinfection of the farm is in progress [3]. The European Union gave approval for targeted vaccination of ducks and geese in the departments of Landes, Loir-Atlantique and Vendée [4].
Germany
On 28 February 2006, the OIE reference laboratory in Germany reported a case of H5N1 infection in a domestic cat on the island of Ruegen. Cats are known to be susceptible to H5N1 avian influenza but there has been no documented evidence of them acting as a reservoir of infection, and they are not thought to play a role in the transmission cycle or epidemiology of H5N1 [5, 6].
Greece
Following the confirmation of outbreaks of H5N1 in swans in Thessaloniki and Pierra on 13 February 2006 [7], and in a goose in Evia on 15 February 2006 [8], three further cases have been reported. On 22 February 2006, the OIE confirmed that three swans were infected with H5N1. Two swans were found in Thessaloniki, one of which was found in the sea near Thessaloniki City and the other near the village of Asprovalta. In both situations these swans were within the surveillance zone created following the previous outbreaks. The third swan was found near the village of Polychrono, in Chalkidiki, where surveillance zones are now in place [9].
Malaysia
The OIE received notification of an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in Malaysia on 23 February 2006 [10]. This is the first documented outbreak of H5N1 in birds in Malaysia since November 2004 [11].
Niger
On 28 February 2006, an outbreak of H5N1 in Niger was reported to the OIE. The outbreak has been confirmed in poultry in Magaria district of Zinder region. This region is on the border with Nigeria near the Nigerian state of Kano, where H5N1 infection has recently been reported. Movement restrictions are in place and disinfection is being carried out in the area [12].
Romania
On 22 February 2006, the OIE confirmed three outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in Constana. Two outbreaks were in backyard poultry, one in the village of Vlahii and one in Ostrov. The third outbreak involved a wild pigeon found near an irrigation canal in Mereni. In all three locations movement controls are in place and surveillance zones have been created [13].
Slovakia
On 24 February 2006, the first case of H5N1 avian influenza was confirmed in Slovakia in a Peregrin falcon found in the district of Dunajska Streda. A 3 km protection zone and 10 km surveillance zone have been set up [14].
Switzerland
As of 1 March 2006, a duck found dead in the harbour of the city of Geneva has been confirmed as the first case of H5N1 avian influenza in Switzerland [2]. Movement restrictions and surveillance zones are now in place [15].
Other possible cases of H5N1 avian influenza
There have been further reports of outbreaks of H5N1 infection which as yet are unconfirmed by the OIE. These include outbreaks in wild birds in Hong Kong [16], swans in Georgia [17], an outbreak in Gujarat state, India [18], and an outbreak in Lake Constance, Germany [17].
References
1. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Bosnia and Herzegovina, 20 February 2006 [cited 28 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_30.HTM#Sec16
2, DEFRA. Avian influenza update from VLA [cited 1 March 2006] Available at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/vla/science/science-viral-ai-update.htm
3. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report for H5N1 - France, 25 February 2006 [cited 28 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/Fra
4. European Commission. Avian influenza: Vaccination of certain poultry in France and Netherlands approved. 22 February 2006 [cited 3 March 2006]. Available at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP
/06/210&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=
5. World Health Organization. H5N1 avian influenza in domestic cats, 28 February 2006 [cited 2 March 2006] Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2006_02_28a/en/index.html
6. Organisation for Animal Health. Avian influenza in cat in Germany, 1 March 2006 [cited 2 March 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/press/en_060301.htm
7. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Greece, 13 February 2006 [cited 28 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_31.HTM#Sec11
8. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report for H5N1 (01) - Greece, 15 February 2006 [cited 28 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_31.HTM#Sec12
9. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report for H5N1 (02) - Greece, 25 February 2006 [cited 28 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_30.HTM#Sec19
10. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Malaysia, 23 February 2006 [cited 1 March 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/Messages/060224XMW.htm
11. Organisation for Animal Health. Final report for H5N1 - Malaysia, 03 January 2005 [cited 1 March 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_11.HTM#Sec1
12. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Niger, 28 February 2006 [cited 1 March 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/Messages/060228NER.htm
13. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report for H5N1 (18) - Romania, 25 February 2006 [cited 28 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_30.HTM#Sec10
14. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Slovakia, 24 February 2006 [cited 28 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/Slovakia_%20A
15. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5 - Switzerland, 26 February 2006 [cited 1 March 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/Swiss_AI_26_0
16. ProMED mail. Avian influenza - Worldwide (31): Europe, Asia, 25 February 2006, [cited 2 March 2006] Available at: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1001:6438802
003572246676::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001
17. ProMED mail. Avian influenza - Worldwide (30): Europe, Asia, Africa, 24 February 2006, [cited 2 March 2006] Available at: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1001:6438802
003572246676::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001
18. ProMED mail. Avian influenza - Worldwide (32): Europe, Asia, 26 February 2006, [cited 2 March 2006] Available at: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1001:6438802
003572246676::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001
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