14 May 2007

Avian influenza in birds – Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ghana, Japan, Pakistan, Viet Nam

It is the policy of NaTHNaC to post reports of avian influenza A/H5N1 outbreaks in animals once they have been officially reported to the Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has posted maps of the current epidemiology of avian influenza based on information from OIE and national governments.  Maps delineating avian outbreaks by time period and geographic region can be viewed at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/.

WHO have also published a timeline of major events of H5N1 avian influenza that outlines both human and animals occurrences of avian influenza [1].

Bangladesh

The OIE received notification of the first outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in Bangladesh on 30 March 2007 [2]. As of 30 April 2007, there were 12 outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in poultry on farms reported. Of these, 11 occurred on farms in the province of Dhaka: five in Jamulpur, two in Narayanganj, two in Dhaka district, one in Tangail and one in Gazipur. The remaining outbreak was reported from Jessore in Khulna. Movement controls are in place for 10km around each of the affected farms [3].

Cambodia

On 12 April 2007 the OIE received a report of an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in backyard poultry in a village in Kampong Chaam [4]. This is the first reported outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in birds in 2007 and was reported at the same time that a human case was reported in the region [5]. Surveillance is ongoing in the area, there are movement controls in place and the affected area has been disinfected.

Ghana

As of 3 May 2007, an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza has been reported in poultry on a farm in Tema, Greater Accra [6]. Samples from infected birds have tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza in local laboratories and samples have been sent to an OIE reference laboratory for final confirmation. This is the first reported outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza reported in Ghana. Movement controls are in place and the affected premises has been disinfected.

Japan

Following outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza on farms in Miyazaki and Okajama, the OIE reported the first case of H5N1 avian influenza in birds in the province of Kumamoto. A hawk eagle found in Sagaga, Kumamoto was confirmed as infected with H5N1 avian influenza, and is the first case of H5N1 avian influenza reported in a wild bird in Japan [7].  

Pakistan

Between 1 January and 11 April 2007, H5N1 avian influenza has been reported in birds in Islamabad Capital Territory, Northwest Frontier, Punjab and Sindh The most recent outbreaks have been on poultry farms in Abbottabad, Northwest Frontier Province and in Karachi, Sindh province [8]. Birds within 5km of the affected areas are being vaccinated and affected premises are being disinfected.

Viet Nam

Between 1 January and 2 April 2007, outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza have been reported in 11 provinces: Ca Mau, Can Tho, Ha Noi, Ha Tau, Hai Duong, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Hau Giang, Tra Vinh, Kien Giang and Vinh Long [9]. Movement controls are in place and vaccination of birds in the affected areas is ongoing.

Disease-free countries

The following country has issued its final report to the OIE after a gap of three or more months since the last registered case:

Hungary, as of 12 March 2007 [10].

References

1.World Health Organization. H5N1 avian influenza: Timeline of major events. 2 April 2007. On-line resource. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/timeline2007_04

_02.pdf

2. National Travel Health Network and Centre. Clinical Update, Avian influenza in birds – Bangladesh, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, 10 April 2007. [Cited 4 May 2007]. Available at: http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/flu_100407.htm

3. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Bangladesh, Follow-up report 1, 30 April 2007. [Cited 4 May 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005319_20070430_181131.pdf

4. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Cambodia, Immediate Notification, 12 April 2007. [Cited 4 May 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000005208_20070412_160905.pdf

5. National Travel Health Network and Centre. Clinical Update, Avian influenza (H5N1) – Human cases in Egypt and Cambodia, 17 April 2007. [Cited 4 May 2007]. Available at: http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/avianinfluenza_170

407.htm

6. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Ghana, Immediate Notification, 3 May 2007. [Cited 4 May 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000005325_20070503_153643.pdf

7. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Japan, Follow-up report 4, 20 April 2007. [Cited 4 May 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005255_20070427_111530.pdf

8. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Pakistan, Follow-up report 4, 11 April 2007. [Cited 4 May 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005205_20070411_175023.pdf

9. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Viet Nam, Follow-up report 5, 2 April 2007. [Cited 4 May 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005156_20070402_151130.pdf

10. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Hungary, Follow-up report 2, 2 May 2007. [Cited 4 May 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005326_20070503_151023.pdf