19 June 2007

Avian influenza in birds – Bangladesh, China, Ghana, Malaysia, Myanmar, 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

Outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in birds have been reported previously in the provinces of Dhaka and Khulna [2]. As of 24 May 2007, outbreaks have also been reported in the provinces of Rajshahi and Chittagong. Since the beginning of the first outbreak on 21 February 2007, there have been 23 outbreaks, all in poultry on farms. Movement controls are in place in a 10km-radius zone around the affected farms and birds have been culled on the affected premises [3].

China

On 19 May 2007 an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in ducklings was reported in a village in Hunan. Movement controls are in place and poultry are being vaccinated in response to the outbreak [4].

Ghana

As of 2 June 2007, outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza have been reported in poultry on four farms in Tema, Greater Accra and one farm in Sunyani, Brong-Ahafo. The affected premises have been disinfected and there are movement controls in place throughout the country [5].

Malaysia

On 8 June 2007, an outbreak of avian influenza in birds was reported to the OIE [6]. On 12 June 2007 the outbreak was confirmed as H5N1 [7]. The outbreak involved semi-free ranging chickens in a village in Petaling, Selangor and is the first outbreak reported in Malaysia in 2007. Movement controls are in place, poultry in the affected area has been culled and a 10km-radius surveillance zone has been put in place.

Myanmar

Following previous reports of outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in birds in Yangon during 2007, on 9 June 2007 an outbreak was reported in poultry on a farm in Bago. This is the first outbreak reported outside Yangon since the last wave of outbreaks in March 2006. Movement controls are in place throughout the country and the affected premises has been disinfected [8].

Viet Nam

Between 1 January and 7 June 2007, 79 outbreaks have been reported in 23 of Viet Nam’s 64 provinces. Twenty-one of these outbreaks are still unresolved. The most recent outbreaks have been reported from Hai Phong City, Quang Nam, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, Thai Binh, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Ha Nam, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, Bac Giang and Quang Ninh. Movement controls are in place throughout the country and the affected premises has been disinfected [9].

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:

Turkey, as of 29 May 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. News, Avian influenza in birds – Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ghana, Japan, Pakistan, Viet Nam, 14 May 2007. [Cited 15 June 2007]. Available at: http://www.nathnac.org/travel/news/flu_100407.htm

3. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Bangladesh, Follow-up report 2, 24 May 2007. [Cited 15 June 2007]. Available at:

http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005477_20070525_130608.pdf

4. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), China, Follow-up report 6, 19 May 2007. [Cited 15 June 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005462_20070521_104108.pdf

5. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Ghana, Follow-up report 4, 2 June 2007. [Cited 15 June 2007]. Available at:  http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005510_20070604_115743.pdf

6. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Malaysia, Immediate notification, 8 June 2007. [Cited 15 June 2007]. Available at:  http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000005546_20070611_114052.pdf

7. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Malaysia, Follow-up report 1, 12 June 2007. [Cited 15 June 2007]. Available at:  http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005553_20070612_122141.pdf

8. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Myanmar, Follow-up report 6, 9 June 2007. [Cited 15 June 2007]. Available at:  http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005550_20070611_145524.pdf

9. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Viet Nam, Follow-up report 8, 7 June 2007. [Cited 15 June 2007]. Available at:  http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005529_20070608_105307.pdf

10. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Turkey, Follow-up report 5, 29 May 2007. [Cited 15 June 2007]. Available at:  http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005165_20070529_120651.pdf