News
24 February 2006
Avian influenza - Austria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, France, Hungary, India, Nigeria, Russia, Slovenia
Austria
Two swans found dead in a reservoir in the Graz-Umgebung district on 13 and 14 February 2006 were confirmed by the World Organisation for animal health (OIE) on 20 February 2006 to have died from H5N1 avian influenza.
The whole country is subject to increased biosecurity measures. Bird markets are now prohibited and all poultry must be kept in stables. Protection and surveillance zones have been set up around the affected reservoir [1].
Azerbaijan
On 15 February 2006 the OIE confirmed the presence of H5N1 avian influenza in migratory birds found dead on 29 January 2006 in the costal areas of Turkan, Baladzhary and Karadag. The areas where these birds were found are being disinfected and restrictions on the movement of birds are in place [2].
Egypt
Egypt has notified the OIE of seven outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry. The notification was given on 19 February 2006 and listed affected areas as: Cairo, Giza, Minya, Qina, Qalyubiya, Beheira and Daqahliya [3]. Cairo Zoo has been closed after ducks, turkeys and Chinese geese belonging to the zoo were found to be infected with H5N1 [4]. Poultry from private houses and farms in the affected areas are being culled and affected areas are being disinfected [3].
France
The French national reference laboratory has confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus in a dead bird found in Joyeux, Ain [5]. The bird was found on 13 February 2006 and confirmed as infected with H5N1 by the French Agricultural Department on 18 February 2006.
Emergency measures were put in place on 17 February 2006 on the suspicion of H5N1 infection and include a 3 km protection zone and 10 km surveillance zone around the area where the bird was found.
Hungary
Three dead swans found near the village of Nagybaracska in Hungary were confirmed to have died of H5N1 avian influenza on 21 February 2006 [6]. A 3 km protection zone and 10 km surveillance zone are in place and poultry have been moved indoors [7].
India
On the 18 February 2006 the Indian Ministry of Agriculture notified the OIE of an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza [8]. The outbreak occurred in poultry in both backyard and commercial farms in Navapur, Nandurbar district, Maharashtra state where 50,000 chickens have died in more than 50 farms [9, 10].
Culling of poultry within 3-4 km radius of the affected sites has begun and poultry within 6-7 km of the culling zone are being vaccinated [8].
Nigeria
The first outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in Nigeria was confirmed by the OIE on 8 February 2006 in Kaduna State. Since then a further six outbreaks were confirmed by OIE on 15 February, two in Kumbotso, Kano State and four in Jos South, Plateau State [11]. The initial cases began in Kaduna State on 10 January 2006. Nigerian officials have now confirmed outbreaks in the additional states of Katsina, Bauchi, and in the Abuja area [12].
Russia
A further outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza has been reported in Russia and was confirmed by the OIE on 20 February 2006. A commercial poultry farm in Machach Kala, Dagestan is under quarantine and being disinfected after chickens there were found to have died from H5N1 infection [13].
Slovenia
On 19 February 2006 the OIE confirmed the presence of H5N1 avian influenza in Slovenia. A mute swan found dead in the River Drava near Maribor was infected with the H5N1 virus. Surveillance activities have now increased and movement controls have been put in place [14].
Further possible cases of H5N1 avian influenza
On 20 February 2006 the OIE confirmed the presence of H5 avian influenza in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Two swans found on Plivsko Lake, Jajce, exhibiting clinical signs of influenza were killed and samples sent to the Centre for Poultry Diseases, Sarajevo. Further investigations are pending to determine whether the birds were infected with H5N1 [15].
Advice for travellers
There has been rapid geographic spread of avian influenza into countries in Europe, Africa and Central Asia in the month of February [16]. Thirteen countries have recently reported cases in birds: Iraq, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Iran, Austria, Germany, Egypt, India and France. It should be noted that except for Egypt, India and Nigeria, all the cases have been reported in wild birds.
Examination of previous human cases of avian influenza has indicated that the greatest risk for transmission from birds to humans comes when there is close human contact with domestic poultry. This is particularly so in settings of diseased household flocks and when there has been slaughtering, defeathering and preparation of poultry for consumption. No cases have been linked to properly cooked meat or eggs.
There remain no restrictions for travel to countries that have been infected with avian influenza. Nevertheless, travellers should exercise precautions that have been posted [17].
Management of returning travellers or visitors
As the situation of avian influenza evolves, the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Centre for Infections continuously reviews the algorithm for the management of travellers or visitors arriving from countries (or areas within countries) affected by avian influenza [18]. These regions will be revised as new information from the WHO and OIE is forthcoming on detection of avian influenza. Countries currently included in the algorithm are:
Africa: Nigeria
East Asia: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Thailand, Viet Nam
Europe and Eurasia: Austria (Graz Umbebung, eastern Austria), Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia (Zdenci municipality), France (Ain, near Lyon, eastern France), Germany (Ruegne Island), Greece (Pieria, Thessaloniki, and Skyros Island, northern Greece), Italy (Sicily, Calabria and Puglia, southern Italy), Romania, Russia (Novosibirsk region), Slovenia (Maribor, near Austrian border), Turkey, Ukraine
Near East: Egypt, Iraq (Northeast corner close to border with Iran and Turkey), Iran
South Asia: India, Kazakhstan
The HPA algorithm provides guidance on the recognition, investigation and management of persons with fever or history of fever and respiratory symptoms, and who have had an exposure to persons or birds with suspected avian influenza within seven days of their arrival in the UK. Physicians who see persons whom they suspect may have avian influenza, should evaluate them according to this algorithm [18].
References
1. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Austria, 16 February 2006 [cited 21 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/Austria_AI_20_
2. Organisation for Animal Health. Disease information 16 February 2006, Avian influenza in Azerbaijan [cited 21 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_31.HTM#Sec14
3. Organisation for Animal Health. Avian influenza in Egypt, 19 February 2006 [cited 21 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/Messages/060220EGY.htm
4. ProMED mail. Avian influenza - Worldwide (23): Europe, Asia, Africa, 19 February 2006, [cited 21 February 2006] Available at: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1001:1656782
6456682035::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_P
5. The Department of Agriculture, France. Confirmation de la presence de H5N1 sur un canard sauvage en France, 18 February 2006, [cited 21 February 2006] Available at (In French): http://www.agriculture.gouv.fr/spip/leministere.leministrelecabine
t.communiquesdepresse_a5761.html
6. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Avian influenza update from VLA [cited 22 February 2006] Available at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/vla/science/science-viral-ai-update.htm
7. ProMED mail. Avian influenza - Worldwide (27): Europe, Asia, Africa, 21 February 2006, [cited 22 February 2006] Available at: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1001:1806482
4809970597090::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P100
8. Organisation for Animal Health. Avian influenza in India, 18 February 2006 [cited 21 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/Messages/060220IND.htm
9. World Health Organisation Regional Office for South East Asia. Avian Influenza - Situation in India, 19 February 2006. [cited 21 February 2006]. Available at: http://www.searo.who.int/EN/section10/section1027/Section2095/Se
10. World Health Organization. Avian influenza - Situation in India. 21 February 2006 [cited 22 February 2006]. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2006_02_21/en/index.html
11. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up report for H5N1 - Nigeria, 15 February 2006 [cited 21 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/Nigeria_AI_15_
12. World Health Organization. Avian influenza - situationin Nigeria - update. 22 February 2006 [cited 23 February 2006]. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2006_02_22/en/index.html
13. Organisation for Animal Health. Report to OIE: Avian influenza in Russia, 16 February 2006 [cited 21 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/Russia2_AI_16
14. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Slovenia. 16 February 2006 [cited 21 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/Russia2_AI_16
15. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Bosnia Herzegovina, 20 February 2006 [cited 21 February 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/Russia2_AI_16
16. World Health Organization. Avian influenza -spread of the virus to new countries. 21 February 2006 [cited 22 February 2006]. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2006_02_21b/en/index.html
17. NaTHNaC. Avian influenza - advice for travellers to affected areas. 4 November 2005. [cited 16 February 2006] Available at: http://www.NaTHNaC.org/pro/clinical_updates/avianinfluenza_advi
18. Health Protection Agency. Algorithm for the management of returning travellers from countries affected by avian influenza presenting with a febrile illness: recognition, investigation and initial management. 21 February 2006. [cited 23 February 2006] Available at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&HPA
webStandard/HPAweb_C/1195733851442
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
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Avian influenza update from VLA. Available at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/vla/science/science-viral-ai-update.htm
Health Protection Agency. Avian Influenza. Available at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/influenza/avian/default
World Health Organization. Avian Influenza. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/
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