24 April 2006

 

Avian influenza - Cambodia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Palestinian Autonomous Territories, Poland

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). At present there are unconfirmed outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in several countries and reports on these outbreaks will be listed on the NaTHNaC Website as and when they are confirmed by the OIE.

Cambodia

On 13 April 2006 the OIE reported two outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in backyard poultry in Cambodia [1]. The outbreaks occurred in Kong Pisey district, Kompong Speu province and Angkor Chey district, Kompot province. This is the first official report of H5N1 in Cambodia since March 2005 [2]. The infected premises are being disinfected, the movement of poultry is being controlled and there is enhanced surveillance around the affected areas [1].

Czech Republic

On 30 March 2006 a wild swan found dead in Southern Bohemia near the Vlata River was confirmed as infected with H5N1 [3]. This was the first case of H5N1 reported in the Czech Republic and since then the OIE have reported H5N1 in another eight swans found dead in the same area [4].  Movement controls are now in place within the country, wildlife reservoirs are being controlled and the area is under surveillance [4].    

Denmark

The first cases of H5N1 infection in Denmark was reported to the OIE on 15 March 2006 [5]. As of 12 April 2006 there have been reports of H5N1 infection in wild swans, buzzards and ducks in the counties of Bornholm, Frederiksborg, Funen, Northern Zealand, Southern Jutland, Storstroem and Western Zealand [6, 7, 8]. Protection and surveillance zones are in place, movement of poultry and eggs within these zones is restricted and all hunting within the zones is prohibited [8].

Germany

Outbreaks of H5N1 in wild birds have previously been reported from the areas of Baden Württemberg, Bavaria, Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein [9]. On 12 April 2006 the OIE reported the first cases of H5N1 in wild birds in Berlin as well as further cases in all the previously affected regions [10]. On 6 April 2006 the OIE reported the first cases of H5N1 in poultry in Germany after turkeys at a farm in Muldentalkreis in the region of Sachsen tested positive for the disease [11].

Palestinian Autonomous Territories

As of 5 April 2006, H5N1 infection has been reported in flocks of chickens and ducks in eight farms in Gaza. This is the first confirmation of H5N1 in the Palestinian Autonomous Territories and a protective zone is now in place. Culling and disinfection is being performed and movement controls are in place within the country [12].  

Poland

On 20 March 2006 the first two cases of H5N1 in the town of Bydgoszcz were reported in wild swans [13]. Since then a further six swans found in the area have been confirmed as infected with H5N1. Further cases of H5N1 in wild birds have also been reported in the towns of Torun and Kostrzyn [14, 15], which first reported cases on 8 March 2006 and 10 March 2006 respectively.

References

1. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Cambodia, 13 April 2006 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/Messages/060413KHM.htm

2. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up report No. 4 - Cambodia, 28 March 2005 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/aIS_77.htm#Sec2

3. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Czech Republic, 29 March 2006 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_25.HTM#Sec16

4. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up report No. 1 - Czech Republic, 10 April 2006 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_23.HTM#Sec10

5. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Denmark, 15 March 2006 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_27.HTM#Sec18

6. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up report No. 1 - Denmark, 24 March 2006 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_25.HTM#Sec13

7. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up report No. 2 - Denmark, 5 April 2006 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/aIS_24.htm#Sec19

8. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up report No. 3 - Denmark, 12 April 2006 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_23.HTM#Sec12

9. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Germany, 6 April 2006 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at:

10. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up report No. 4 - Germany, 31 March 2006 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_23.HTM#Sec14

11. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Germany, 6 April 2006 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_23.HTM#Sec1

12. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Palestinian Autonomous Territories, 5 April 2006 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_23.HTM#Sec5

13. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up report No. 2 - Poland, 20 March 2006 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_26.HTM#Sec11  

14. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up report No. 3 - Poland, 4 April 2006 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/aIS_24.htm#Sec16

15. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up report No. 4 - Poland, 10 April 2006 [cited 20 April 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_23.HTM#Sec9

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 November 2006. Available at: http://www.NaTHNaC.org/pro/clinical_updates/avianinfluenza_tra

veladvice_070406.htm