25 August 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 WHO has posted maps of the current epidemiology of avian influenza based on information from OIE and national governments.  A map delineating avian outbreaks between 1 January 2006 and 2 August 2006 can be viewed at: http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/Global_SubN

at_H5N1inAnimalConfirmedSince2006_20060802.png   

 

Europe

Germany - Following the declaration that Germany was free of avian influenza on 28 July 2006 [1], a swan in Dresden Zoo, Saxony, has tested positive for H5N1 [2]. 

Hungary - The first cases of H5N1 avian influenza in Hungary were in wild swans in the Bács-Kiskun region and were confirmed by the OIE on 1 March 2006 [3]. Between 16 and 23 June 2006, a further seven outbreaks on farms in Bács-Kiskun were notified to the OIE [4]. 

Russia - During 2006, outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported in poultry and pigeons from private backyards in Altaj, Tomsk, Omsk and Novosibirsk regions of the Siberian Federal District as well as in wild birds in the Tyva Republic. As of 31 July 2006, one outbreak was ongoing in the Tomsk region but other than this, no new outbreaks had been reported in Russia since 5 July 2006 [5].

Spain - On 7 July 2006, the OIE received a report of the first occurrence of H5N1 avian influenza in Spain. Samples from a wild crested grebe found dead in Salburúa wetlands, Alava province (País Vasco) tested positive for H5N1 [6].

 

Asia

 

Cambodia - Free-ranging ducks on a farm in Prey Veng have tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza. This is the third reported outbreak in Cambodia this year [7].

 

China - On 28 July 2006, the OIE received notification that an outbreak of H5N1 in migratory birds in the Naqu and Dangxiong region of Tibet is still ongoing [23]. The outbreak is thought to have started on 21 May 2006 [9].

 

Laos - As of 4 August 2006, the first case of H5N1 avian influenza in birds in Laos during 2006 has been reported to the OIE. The outbreak occurred in poultry on a commercial farm in Vientiane [10].

 

Mongolia - Following the report of H5N1 in a whooper swan on 30 May 2006, 12 more cases of H5N1 were reported around Lake Hunt in Bulgan during June 2006 [11].

 

Pakistan - As of 3 July 2006, eight separate outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza have been reported in poultry on farms in Islamabad. This is the first report of H5N1 infection in this province [12].

 

Thailand - Two outbreaks of H5N1 infection in chickens have been reported to the OIE during 2006. The first was reported on 26 July 2006 in the district of BangMulnarg in Phichit [13] and the second was reported on 2 August 2006 in Muang district, Nakhon Phanom province [14].

 

Africa

 

Côte d’Ivoire- As of 20 July 2006, H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed in chickens and wild birds on a rubber plantation in Grand Béréby, San Pedro. H5N1 has previously been reported in Abidjan but this is the first report of an outbreak in San Pedro [15].

 

Egypt - Between 25 April and 4 June 2006, outbreaks of H5N1 in birds have been reported in Cairo, Beni Suef, Giza, Kafr el Shiekh, Dakahlia, Sharkia, Monifia, Sohag, Alexandria, Fayoum, Menia, Assuit, Kaliubia, Behera and Gharbia. The majority have been in commercial farms. Vaccination has been carried out and no further cases have been notified since 30 June 2006 [16].

 

Sudan - Following outbreaks in Gezira and River Nile State earlier in 2006, on 19 July 2006 the OIE was notified of three outbreaks in poultry in the state of Khartoum [17].

 

Disease-free countries

The following countries have issued their final report to the OIE after a gap of three or more months since the last registered case [18]:

France, as of 18 June 2006

Malaysia, as of 19 June 2006

Jordan, as of 27 June 2006

Palestinian Autonomous Territories, as of 19 July 2006

Sweden, as of 24 July 2006

Austria, as of 31 July 2006

Israel, as of 1 August 2006

India, as of 11 August 2006

Turkey, as of 15 August 2006

References

1. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 1 (Final report) - Germany, 28 July 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_07.HTM#Sec2

2. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 7 - Germany, 10 August 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_06.HTM#Sec11

3. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Hungary, 1 March 2006 [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_29.HTM#Sec20

4. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 1 - Hungary, 23 June 2006 [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_12.HTM#Sec1

5. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification - Russia, 3 August 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_06.HTM#Sec0

6. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification - Spain, 7 July 2006 [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_10.HTM#Sec4

7.  Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 1 - Cambodia, 16 August 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_05.HTM#Sec10

8. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 5 - China, 28 July 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_07.HTM#Sec10

9. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 1 - China, 26 May 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_16.HTM#Sec6

10. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification - Laos, 4 August 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_06.HTM#Sec4

11. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 1 - Mongolia, 28 July 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_07.HTM#Sec9

12. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 2 - Pakistan, 3 July 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/aIS_11.htm#Sec4

13. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification - Thailand, 26 July 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_08.HTM#Sec9

14. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 1 - Thailand, 2 August 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_07.HTM#Sec5

15. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 2 - Cote d’Ivôire, 20 July 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_08.HTM#Sec1

16. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 3 - Egypt, 16 August 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_05.HTM#Sec9

17. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow-up report 2 - Sudan, 19 July 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_09.HTM#Sec3

18. Organisation for Animal Health. Update on avian influenza in Animals (Type H5), 16 August 2006, [cited 23 August 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/A_AI-Asia.htm

 

 

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/travel/news/avianinfluenza_traveladvice.h

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