23 November 2007

Avian influenza in birds – situation update

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 animal occurrences of avian influenza [1].

 

China

In 2007 to date, outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza have been reported in Tibet [2], Hunan [3] and Guangdong. The most recent outbreak occurred in ducks in a village in Guangdong and was reported to the OIE on 15 September 2007 [4]. Movement controls are in place, a vaccination programme has been carried out in response to the outbreak and birds at affected premises have been culled.

Myanmar

On 24 October 2007, an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in poultry on a farm in Bago was reported to the OIE [5]. The affected premises have been disinfected and 33,000 poultry culled.

Russia

An outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in poultry on a farm in Krasnodarskiy Kray was reported to the OIE on 7 September 2007 [6]. Ring vaccination of backyard poultry has been carried out around the affected farm, movement controls are in place and the premises have been disinfected.

Saudi Arabia

On 19 November 2007, four outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in Riyadh were reported to the OIE [7]. All four outbreaks occurred in chickens on farms. Movement controls are in place, the infected premises have been disinfected and birds at the affected farms have been culled. The area affected is several hundred miles to the east of the city of Mecca, the destination for Hajj pilgrims.

Disease-free countries

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

Croatia, as of 27 October 2007 [8]

India, as of 7 November 2007 [9]

Kuwait, as of 21 July 2007 [10]

Malaysia, as of 7 September 2007 [11]

Advice for travellers

There remain no restrictions for travel to countries that have been infected with avian influenza. Nevertheless, travellers should exercise precautions detailed in the NaTHNaC avian influenza Health Information Sheet [12].

References

1. World Health Organization. H5N1 avian influenza: Timeline of major events. 5 November 2007. On-line resource. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/timeline_07_11_

04.pdf

2. NaTHNaC. Avian influenza in birds – Afghanistan, China (Tibet), Kuwait, Laos, Myanmar, Viet Nam, 19 March 2007. [Accessed 23 November 2007]. Available at: http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/flu_190307.htm

3. NaTHNaC. Avian influenza in birds – Bangladesh, China, Ghana, Malaysia, Myanmar, Viet Nam, 19 June 2007. [Accessed 23 November 2007]. Available at: http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/flu_190607.htm

4. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), China, Follow-up report 7, 15 September 2007. [Accessed 23 November 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000006213_20070917_155704.pdf

5. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Myanmar, Immediate notification, 24 October 2007. [Accessed 23 November 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000006377_20071024_125538.pdf

6. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Russia, Follow-up report 4, 7 September 2007. [Accessed 23 November 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000006142_20070907_123256.pdf

7. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Saudi Arabia, Immediate notification, 19 November 2007. [Accessed 23 November 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000006489_20071119_150335.pdf

8. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Croatia, Follow-up report 10 (Final report), 27 October 2007. [Accessed 23 November 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005180_20061027_100253.pdf

9. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), India, Follow-up report 1 (Final report), 7 November 2007. [Accessed 23 November 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000006334_20071107_105449.pdf

10. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Kuwait, Follow-up report 3 (Final report), 20 July 2007. [Accessed 23 November 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000005414_20070720_173706.pdf

11. World Organisation for Animal Health. Influenza A (H5N1), Malaysia, Follow-up report 2 (Final report), 7 Septemebr 2007. [Accessed 23 November 2007]. Available at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000006140_20070907_165347.pdf

12. NaTHNaC. Avian influenza – advice for travellers to affected areas, 4 July 2006. [Accessed 23 November 2007]. Available at: http://www.nathnac.org/travel/news/avianinfluenza_traveladvice.h

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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