17 July 2007

Avian influenza in birds – Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ghana, Togo, 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). We are currently reporting when a country becomes newly infected, when new outbreaks occur following a long period with no cases, where there is an important change in the location of an outbreak in a previously infected country, and when countries declare an avian influenza disease-free status.

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 animal occurrences of avian influenza [1].

Czech Republic

On 22 June 2007 the OIE received notification of an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in turkeys on a farm in Usti nad Orlici, Pardubicky [2]. This was the first reported outbreak in the Czech Republic since May 2006. On 29 June, two further outbreaks were reported, one on a farm also in Usti nad Orlici [3] and another in a wild swan found dead near a pond in Breclav, Jihomoravsky [4]. The affected farms have been disinfected and there are movement controls in place.

France

As of 5 July 2007, three swans found dead in Assenoncourt, Moselle have been confirmed as infected with H5N1. These are the first cases of H5N1 avian influenza in birds reported in France since February 2006. Surveillance is on-going in the affected area [5].

Germany

On 26 June 2007, the first outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in Germany since April 2006 was reported to the OIE. Six swans and ducks found in Nürnberg, Bayern on 24 and 25 June 2007 tested positive for H5N1 [6]. Following this outbreak, H5N1 avian influenza was reported in a further five wild birds in Nürnberg [7], three wild birds in Leipziger Land, Sachen [8], four in Kyffhäuserkreis, Thuringen, one in Altenburger Land, Thuringen, one in Nordhausen, Thuringen and 14 in Mansfeld-Südharz, Sachen-Anhalt [7, 8]. Screening of wild birds for infection has been reinforced and movement controls are in place in the affected areas.

On 7 July 2007, the OIE received notification of the first case of H5N1 avian influenza in a domestic bird in Germany. The case occurred in a goose kept at as a pet in Saalfeld-Rudolstadt, Thuringen. The affected premises have been disinfected and domestic birds in the area have been culled [9].

Ghana

Following outbreaks in Greater Accra and Brong-Ahafo reported previously [10], an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza was reported in poultry on a farm in Ketu, Volta on 21 June 2007. The affected premises have been disinfected, movement controls are in place and poultry in the area have been culled [11].

Togo

On 22 June 2007, the OIE received notification of the first outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in birds in Togo. The outbreak occurred in poultry on a farm in Lacs, Region Maritime. The affected premises have been disinfected, movement controls are in place and poultry in the area have been culled [12].

Viet Nam

Since the last NaTHNaC H5N1 avian influenza in birds update [10], H5N1 avian influenza has been reported in two more provinces. On 5 July 2007, outbreaks were reported in poultry on farms in the provinces of Cao Bang and Ha Tinh. Of the 88 outbreaks recorded so far in 2007, 30 are still unresolved. Movement controls are in place throughout the country and the affected premises have been disinfected [13].

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:

Republic of Korea, as of 18 June 2007 [14].

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. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Czech Republic, Immediate notification, 22 June 2007. [Cited 11 July 2007]. Available at:  http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000005626_20070622_121438.pdf

3. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Czech Republic, Follow up report 1, 29 June 2007. [Cited 11 July 2007]. Available at:  http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005650_20070629_153126.pdf

4. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Czech Republic, Immediate notification, 29 June 2007. [Cited 11 July 2007]. Available at:  http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000005654_20070629_155527.pdf

5. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), France, Immediate notification, 5 July 2007. [Cited 11 July 2007]. Available at: 

http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000005696_20070705_173643.pdf

6. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Germany, Immediate notification, 26 June 2007. [Cited 11 July 2007]. Available at:  http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000005632_20070626_131042.pdf

7. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Germany, Follow up report 1, 28 June 2007. [Cited 11 July 2007]. Available at:   http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005646_20070628_144439.pdf

8. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Germany, Follow up report 2, 7 July 2007. [Cited 11 July 2007]. Available at:   http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005707_20070707_171111.pdf

9. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Germany, Immediate notification, 7 July 2007. [Cited 11 July 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000005708_20070707_171200.pdf    

10. National Travel Health Network and Centre. Clinical Update, Avian influenza in birds – Bangladesh, China, Ghana, Malaysia, Myanmar, Viet Nam, 19 June 2007. [Cited 11 July 2007]. Available at: http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/flu_190607.htm

11. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Ghana, Follow up report 7, 21 June 2007. [Cited 11 July 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005619_20070621_112942.pdf

12. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Togo, Immediate notification, 22 June 2007. [Cited 11 July 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000005633_20070625_120244.pdf

13. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Togo, Follow up report 9, 5 July 2007. [Cited 11 July 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005701_20070706_150108.pdf

14. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Korea (Rep of), Follow up report 7 (final report), 18 June 2007. [Cited 11 July 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005596_20070618_180351.pdf

Links

World Organisation for Animal Health. Update on avian influenza (H5) in animals. Available at : http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/A_AI-Asia.htm

World Health Organisation. Avian influenza. Available at : http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/

NaTHNaC clinical updates on avian influenza. Available at : http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/avian_influenza_ind

ex.htm

Health Protection Agency. Avian influenza. Available at : http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/influenza/avian/defau

lt.htm