28 February 2007

Avian influenza in birds - Afghanistan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, Turkey

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://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/app/searchResults.aspx

Afghanistan

As of 22 February 2007, two outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza have been reported to the OIE. These are the first reports of H5N1 activity in Afghanistan in 2007. One outbreak occurred in backyard poultry in Nangarhar province and the other outbreak in turkeys in Kunar province. Both outbreaks are though to have started on 12 February 2007. Movement controls are in place around the affected areas and birds are being vaccinated [1].

Republic of Korea

Following the outbreaks of H5N1 in Cholla-bukdo and Chungcheongnam-do provinces reported in the last avian influenza update [2], an outbreak of H5N1 has been reported in birds on a farm in the province of Kyonggi-Do. Pigs within 500m and birds within 3km of the affected farm are being culled and there are movement controls in place [3].

Kuwait

On 26 February 2007, the OIE received a report of outbreaks of H5N1 in birds, the first report of H5N1 avian influenza in Kuwait. The first outbreak is thought to have begun on 17 February 2007 in falcons in Kuwait Zoo, Al Farwaniya. Since then, a further five outbreaks have been reported on farms in Al Ahmadi province. Of these, three outbreaks occurred in the Al Wafra district, one in the Um Alhiman district and one in the Al Nwasib district. There are movement controls in place; the affected premises are being disinfected and birds are being vaccinated [4]

Laos

As of 25 February 2007, four outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in birds were reported to the OIE. All outbreaks occurred in the Sisattanak district of Vientiane. Movement controls are in place and the affected premises have been disinfected [5].

Pakistan

As of 22 February 2007, four outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza have been reported to the OIE in 2007. These are the first outbreaks of H5N1 since Pakistan was declared free of H5N1 avian influenza in November 2006 [6]. The first two outbreaks were reported on 7 February 2007, one involving poultry on a farm in Abbottabad in the North West Frontier Province and the other backyard poultry in Rawalpindi in Punjab [7]. On 22 February 2007, two outbreaks were reported in the Islamabad Capital Territory, one in backyard poultry and one in geese and turkeys in Islamabad Zoo. Ring vaccination of birds within 3km of the affected areas is ongoing and the affected premises are being disinfected [8].

Russia

As of 22 February 2007, six outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza have been reported to the OIE so far in 2007. On 9 February 2007 three outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza were reported in native chickens and traditionally raised ducks, geese and turkeys in Krasnodarskiy Kray [9]. On 19 February 2007, three outbreaks were reported in the Moscow region (Moskovskaya Oblast) [10]. On 26 February 2007, a further six outbreaks were reported in the Moscow region and one outbreak was reported in Kaluzhskaya Oblast. All the outbreaks in the Moscow and Kalushskaya Oblasts were in backyard poultry. A live bird market in Moscow has been confirmed as the source of infected birds for all of the outbreaks in Moscow and Kalushskaya Oblasts [11]. The affected premises are being disinfected, movement controls are in place and vaccination of flocks of birds has begun.

Thailand

On 24 January 2007 an outbreak was reported to the OIE from a farm in SriChiangMai in Nong Khai [12]. The sources of infection are currently under investigation and movement controls and disinfection of affected premises is currently taking place.

Turkey

As of 20 February 2007, eight outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza have been reported in backyard poultry. Five outbreaks have been reported in Diyarbakir and three in Batman. Wild birds are thought to be the source of the outbreak. Movement controls are in place and the affected premises are being disinfected [13].

Disease-free countries

Since the last NaTHNaC update [2], the following country has issued its final report to the OIE after a gap of three or more months since the last registered case:

Slovenia, as of 6 May 2006 [14].

References

1. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Afghanistan Immediate notification report, 22 February 2007. [Cited 26 February 2007]. Available at:

http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000004909_20070223_120241.pdf 

2. National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC). Clinical update - Avian influenza in birds - Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Viet Nam, 1 February 2007. [Cited 26 February 2007]. Available at: http://www.NaTHNaC.org/pro/clinical_updates/flu_010207.htm

3. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Republic of Korea Follow-up report 5, 11 February 2007. [Cited 26 February 2007]. Available at:

http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000004815_20070212_180618.pdf

4. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Kuwait Immediate notification report, 26 February 2007. [Cited 27 February 2007]. Available at:

http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000004932_20070227_120641.pdf

5. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Laos Follow up report 1, 25 February 2007. [Cited 27 February 2007]. Available at:

http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000004933_20070227_144458.pdf

6. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Pakistan Final report, 28 December 2006. [Cited 26 February 2007]. Available at:

http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_64.HTM#Sec0

7. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Pakistan Immediate notification report, 7 February 2007. [Cited 26 February 2007]. Available at:

http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000004758_20070207_144611.pdf

8. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Pakistan Follow-up report 1, 22 February 2007. [Cited 26 February 2007]. Available at:

http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000004911_20070222_174633.pdf

9. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Russia Immediate notification report, 9 February 2007. [Cited 26 February 2007]. Available at:

http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000004793_20070209_131601.pdf

10. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Russia Folllow-up report 1, 19 February 2007. [Cited 26 February 2007]. Available at:

http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000004873_20070219_184306.pdf

11. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Russia Folllow-up report 2, 26 February 2007. [Cited 27 February 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000004934_20070226_172405.pdf

12. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Thailand Folllow-up report 4, 6 February 2007. [Cited 26 February 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000004890_20070221_110259.pdf

13. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Turkey Folllow-up report 2, 20 February 2007. [Cited 26 February 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000004879_20070220_153715.pdf

14. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Slovenia Folllow-up report 2, 20 February 2007. [Cited 26 February 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000004740_20070206_151215.pdf