7 April 2006

Avian influenza - Burkina Faso, Pakistan, Scotland

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).

Burkina Faso

On 4 April 2006 the OIE confirmed the presence of H5N1 avian influenza in helmeted guinea fowl in Burkina Faso. The outbreak occurred on a campsite at Gampéla, Saaba department, Kadiogo province and is thought to have begun on 1 March 2006. The affected campsite is undergoing disinfection and traditionally raised poultry in the area are being destroyed [1]. 

Pakistan

On 3 March 2006 H5 avian influenza was reported in Pakistan [2]. Samples were sent to the OIE reference laboratory in Weybridge, UK for further confirmation and the OIE confirmed the presence of H5N1 infection in Pakistan on 4 April 2006. The outbreaks occurred in poultry from two farms in the North West Frontier province, one in Abbottabad and one in Charsada. The affected farms have been disinfected and a 15 Km surveillance zone is in place [3].   

Scotland

On 6 March 2006 the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Scottish Executive confirmed H5N1 avian influenza infection in a wild mute swan found dead in Cellardyke slipway, Fife [4, 5]. A 3 Km protection zone and 10 Km surveillance zone are in place and all poultry within the protection zone are being kept indoors. A risk assessment is currently underway to determine whether further action is necessary [5]. Guidance following this event may be found on the DEFRA and Scottish Executive websites (see Links below).   

References

1. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Burkina Faso, 4 April 2006 [cited 7 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/Messages/060404BK.htm
2. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5 - Pakistan, 3 March 2006 [cited 7 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_28.HTM#Sec3
3. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report (1) - Pakistan, 4 April 2006 [cited 7 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/Paki stan_AI_04_04_2006.pdf
4. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Scotland, 6 April 2006 [cited 7 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/UK_ AI_06_04_2006.pdf
5. Joint Statement from the UK and Scottish Chief Veterinary Officers. H5N1 avian flu confirmed in dead wild bird in Scotland, 6 April 2006 [cited 7 April 2006] Available at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2006/060406c.htm

Links:

Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA): http://www.defra.gov.uk/

Scottish Executive: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Home

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/defaul

t.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. 7 April 2006. Available at: http://www.NaTHNaC.org/pro/clinical_updates/avianinfluenza_

traveladvice_070406.htm