5 June 2006

 

Avian influenza - Czech Republic, Mongolia, Romania

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.

The WHO has posted maps of the current epidemiology of avian influenza based on information from OIE and national governments.  A map delineating avian outbreaks since 1 January 2006 through 31 May 2006 can be viewed at: http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/Global_SubN at_H5N1inAnimalConfirmedSince2006_20060529.png  

Czech Republic

On 29 May 2006 the OIE confirmed that two swans found dead near the river Kyjovka in Breclav, Jihomoravský were infected with H5N1 avian influenza [1]. These are the first cases of H5N1 in the Czech Republic reported outside of the region of Southern Bohemia. The outbreaks in the Southern Bohemia region were declared over on 9 May 2006 and all restrictions and control measures were lifted [2]. Controls on the movement of birds around the country have now been reinstated and protection and surveillance zones have been created around the affected area in Breclav [1].

Mongolia

On 30 May 2006 the OIE confirmed the presence of H5N1 avian influenza in a whooper swan found in a lake during routine surveillance in the Bulgan Aimag region [3]. This is the first reported case of H5N1 in Mongolia since an outbreak in migratory birds in August 2005 [4]. Commercial poultry in Mongolia were vaccinated against H5N1 avian influenza in March 2006 and movement controls are now in place [3].

Romania

 

On 16 May 2006 the OIE reported an outbreak of H5 avian influenza on a poultry farm in Brasov county which then spread to surrounding villages through the movement of infected poultry [5]. As of 24 May 2006, outbreaks have been recorded in backyard poultry in the counties of Bacau, Brasov, Buzau, Covansa, Neamt, Sibiu, Valcea and Vrancea. All of these outbreaks have been in poultry obtained either from the farm in Brasov where the outbreak was first reported or from backyard premises in Brasov, Covasna or Vrancea which originally bought poultry from the farm [6]. On 1 June 2006 the OIE confirmed outbreaks in poultry in a further seven counties: Alba, Arges, Bucaresti, Gorj, Ilfor, Mures and Prahova. Controls on the movement of poultry are in place and culling of poultry and disinfection of premises is being performed [7].   

 

References

1. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Czech Republic, 29 May 2006 [cited 2 June 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_16.HTM#Sec7  

2. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up report No. 3 - Czech Republic (Final Report), 9 May 2006 [cited 2 June 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_19.HTM#Sec12  

3. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Mongolia, 30 May 2006 [cited 2 June 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_16.HTM#Sec8

4. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up report No. 2 - Mongolia, 27 August 2005 [cited 2 June 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/aIS_55.htm#Sec0

5. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5 - Romania, 18 May 2006 [cited 2 June 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_18.HTM#Sec3

6. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up No. 1 - Romania, 24 May 2006 [cited 2 June 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/aIS_17.htm#Sec2

7. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up No. 2 - Romania, 1 June 2006 [cited 2 June 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/Romania%20_

AI_01_06_2006.pdf

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. 7 April 2006. Available at: http://www.NaTHNaC.org/travel/news/avianinfluenza_trave ladvice_070406.htm