24 March 2006

 

Avian influenza - Afghanistan, Israel, Serbia and Montenegro

It is the policy of NaTHNaC to post reports of H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks once they have been officially reported to the Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). At present there are unconfirmed outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in several countries and reports on these outbreaks will be listed on the NaTHNaC Website as and when they are confirmed by the OIE.

Afghanistan

On 20 March 2006 the OIE confirmed the first cases of H5N1 avian influenza in birds in Afghanistan. Since 2 March 2006, 13 outbreaks of H5N1 have been reported from five provinces. The Laghman, Vardak and Kunar provinces have reported one outbreak each, while four outbreaks have been reported in the province of Kabul and six have been reported in Jalalabad. Disinfection of the areas involved has now begun and movement controls are in place [1].

Israel

Outbreaks of avian influenza have been confirmed in turkeys from two farms in the district of Be’er-Sheva, one farm in the Ashqelon district and one farm in the district of Jerusalem. This is the first report of H5N1 in Israel and was confirmed by the OIE on 17 March 2006. The remaining birds on the farms are being culled and there is a 3 km movement restriction zone in place. Epidemiological investigation has begun within a 10 km zone of the affected farms [2].

Serbia and Montenegro

As of 14 March 2006, the OIE has confirmed that nine swans found dead in Sombor, Severno Backi in Serbia and Montenegro were infected with the H5N1 virus. Another swan found dead in Bajina Basta, Zlatibor near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina has also tested positive for H5N1. Movement controls are now in place, the hunting of water fowl has been banned and poultry are being kept in enclosed areas [3].

References

1. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Afghanistan, 20 March 2006 [cited 22 March 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/Messages/060320AFG.htm

2. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Israel, 17 March 2006 [cited 22 March 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/Messages/060317ISR.htm

3. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Israel, 14 March 2006 [cited 22 March 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_27.HTM#Sec16

 

Links: 

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

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

.htm

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

NaTHNaC. Avian influenza - advice for travellers to affected areas. 4 November 2006. Available at: http://www.NaTHNaC.org/pro/clinical_updates/avianinfluenza_advi

ce_041105.htm