News
31 March 2006
Avian influenza - Denmark, Georgia, Jordan, Kazakhstan
It is the policy of NaTHNaC to post reports of H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks in animals once they have been officially reported to the Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Denmark
On 15 March 2006 the OIE received notification of a case of H5 avian influenza in a wild buzzard found dead in Storstrøms Amt and confirmed that it was an H5N1 type on 24 March 2006 [1]. The report also confirmed H5N1 in other birds: nine tufted ducks were found dead near the town of Ærøskøbing in Fyns Amt, and a whooper swan was found dead near Frederikssund in Nordøstsjællands Amt. Three more birds from the same areas have tested positive for H5 although H5N1 has not yet been confirmed in these cases. Movement restrictions on poultry and eggs and inspections of poultry holdings are being carried out within a 10 Km radius of the areas where these birds were found [2]. A hunting ban is also in force in the area.
Georgia
On 9 March 2006 the OIE received notification of the first outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in Georgia [3]. Nine dead swans and one live symptomatic swan were found in a small lake near Adlia, Khelvachauri district, Adjarian Autonomic Republic. Samples were sent to the OIE reference laboratory, Weybridge, UK, where H5N1 was confirmed on 27 March 2006. All domestic poultry within a 5 Km radius of the affected area were culled and movement controls were put in place [4].
Jordan
As of 23 March 2006 H5N1 has been confirmed in backyard poultry in Jordan. Twenty-one turkeys and chickens in Kofranja, Ajloun governorate were found to be infected with H5N1 and a survey is now being conducted of poultry in a 10 Km radius. Movement controls and disinfection procedures are in place and vaccination of poultry is due to start [5].
Kazakhstan
Three wild swans found dead in Cape Peschannyi, Aktau in the Mangghystau region have been confirmed as infected with H5N1 avian influenza. The outbreak is thought to have started on 10 March 2006 and was confirmed on 17 March 2006. Domestic birds are now being vaccinated in the regions of Mangghystau and Atyrau [6]. This is the first report of avian influenza in Kazakhstan since July 2005.
References
1. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5 - Denmark, 15 March 2006 [cited 30 March 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_27.HTM#Sec18
2. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up (1): Denmark, 24 March 2006 [cited 30 March 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/Denmark_AI_24
3. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Georgia, 9 March 2006 [cited 30 March 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/Georgie_AI_09
4. Organisation for Animal Health. Follow up (1): Georgia, 27 March 2006 [cited 30 March 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/Georgia_AI_27
5. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Jordan, 24 March 2006 [cited 30 March 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/Messages/060324JOR.htm
6. Organisation for Animal Health. Immediate notification of H5N1 - Kazakhstan, 21 March 2006 [cited 30 March 2006] Available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_26.HTM#Sec12
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
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/travel/news/avianinfluenza_traveladvi
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