5 December 2006

 

Avian influenza in birds - global 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). Because of the number of outbreaks that are occurring globally, we are currently reporting when a country becomes newly infected, when new outbreaks occur following a long period with no cases, 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://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/app/searchResults.aspx

Countries reporting cases in birds

The current outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza began in mid-2003 [1] and were first reported to the OIE in January 2004. During 2004 and 2005, 16 countries reported outbreaks of H5N1 to the OIE (Cambodia, China, Croatia, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Romania, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Viet Nam), and with the exception of Japan, all these countries have also reported cases during 2006 [2]. Although Iraq has only reported the presence of H5 avian influenza (and not H5N1) to the OIE, it is included in the above figures as the WHO has confirmed cases in both humans and birds [3].   

Sub Saharan Africa - Seven countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have reported cases of H5N1 avian influenza in birds during 2006: Burkina  Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan.

Asia and Oceania - Fourteen countries in Asia and Oceania have reported cases of H5N1 avian influenza in birds during 2006: Afghanistan, Cambodia, China (including Hong Kong), India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea (South), Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand, Viet Nam.

North Africa and the Middle East - Six countries in North Africa and the Middle East have reported cases of H5N1 avian influenza in birds during 2006: Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Palestinian Autonomous Territories.

Europe - Twenty six countries in Europe have reported cases of H5N1 avian influenza in birds during 2006: Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

Recent outbreaks

Republic of Korea - On 26 November 2006, the Republic of Korea reported an outbreak of H5N1 in poultry to the OIE. This was the first report of H5N1 in Korea since March 2004. The outbreak occurred in broiler chickens on a farm in the city of Iksan in Jeollabuk-do. All poultry within a 0.5Km radius of the outbreak are being/have been? culled, the affected premises have been disinfected and movement controls are in place [4]. 

Sudan - On 2 October 2006, the OIE received notification of outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in backyard poultry in six villages in Juba, Central Equatoria. Movement controls on wild birds and poultry meat are in place in Juba and poultry in the affected areas have been culled [5].

Disease-free countries

Since the last NaTHNaC update [6], the following countries have issued their final report to the OIE after a gap of three or more months since the last registered case:

Albania, as of 27 October 2006 [7]

Hungary, as of 16 October 2006 [8]

Serbia, as of 21 November 2006 [9, 10]

Thailand, as of 1 November 2006 [11]

References

1. World Health Organization. Avian influenza timeline. 8 May 2006 [cited 1 December 2006] Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/timeline.pdf

2. World Organisation for Animal Health. Update on avian influenza in animals (Type H5), 30 November 2006 [cited 1 december 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/A_AI-Asia.htm

3. World Health Organization. Disease Outbreak News. Avian influenza, situation in Iraq - Update 2. 7 February 2006 [cited 1 December 2006] Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2006_02_07/en/index.html

4. World Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of avian influenza - Republic of Korea, 26 November 2006, [cited 1 December 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/A_CURRENT.HTM#Sec6

5. World Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 3 - Sudan, 2 October 2006, [cited 1 December 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/aIS_76.htm#Sec6

6. NaTHNaC. Clinical update - Avian influenza in birds - China, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Egypt, 5 October 2006 [cited 1 December 2006] Available at: http://www.NaTHNaC.org/pro/clinical_updates/flu_051006.htm

7. World Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 3 - Albania, 27 October 2006, [cited 1 December 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_72.HTM#Sec2

8. World Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 2 - Hungary, 16 October 2006, [cited 1 December 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_74.HTM#Sec3

9. World Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 1 - Serbia, 21 November 2006, [cited 1 December 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_69.HTM#Sec6

10. World Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 2 - Serbia, 21 November 2006, [cited 1 December 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_69.HTM#Sec12

11. World Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 2 - Thailand, 7 November 2006, [cited 1 December 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/aIS_70.htm#Sec7

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 July 2006. Available at: http://www.NaTHNaC.org/pro/clinical_updates/avianinfluenza_advi

ce.htm