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CzechRepublic:Outbreak of low pathogenic bird flu in ducks
09 Nov 2009
Vetsweb [edited][ProMed]
The Czech [agriculture] authorities reported an outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza (H5N3) in a holding with mallard ducks for restocking of game in Jihocesky.
From 40 cloacal swabs taken in the frame of regular monitoring, one sample appeared positive. Clinical signs were absent. All 280 susceptible birds were destroyed.

Russia-Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza
05 Nov 2009
OIE's WAHID Weekly Disease Information 2009; 22(45) [edited][ProMed]
Summary
Report type: immediate notification
Start date: 26 Oct 2009
Date of first confirmation of the event: 28 Oct 2009
Date submitted to OIE: 5 Nov 2009
Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence: Jun 2009
Manifestation of disease: clinical disease
Causal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype: H5N1
Nature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratory (advanced), necropsy
This event pertains to a defined zone within the country
New outbreaks
Outbreak 1: Pushchino, Serpukhov, Moskovskaya Oblast
Date of start of the outbreak: 26 Oct 2009
Outbreak status: continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: not applicable
Affected animals
Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Destroyed / Slaughtered
Wild species / 1 / 0 / 1 / 0
Affected population: aColumba livia(rock dove) found sick in depression on a balcony of a block of flats. It was sent by local veterinary services to the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Moscow.
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive
Control measures
- control of wildlife reservoirs;
- screening;
- no vaccination;
- no treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied:
- no other measures
Future Reporting
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

Spain-Highly pathogenic avian influenza
13 Oct 2009
OIE, WAHID (World Animal Health Information Database), weekly disease information 2009; 22(42) [edited][ProMed]
Summary
Report type:immediate notification
Start date:9 Oct 2009
Date of 1st confirmation of the event: 11 Oct 2009
Date submitted to OIE:13 Oct 2009
Reason for notification:new strain of a listed disease
Manifestation of disease:clinical disease
Causal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
SerotypeH7
Nature of diagnosis: laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to the whole country
New outbreaks
Summary of outbreaks:
Total outbreaks: 1
Outbreak 1:Guadalajara, [Castile-La Mancha]
Date of start of the outbreak:9 Oct 2009
Outbreak status: continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: farm
Affected animals:
Species: birds
Susceptible: 308 640
Cases:30,000
Deaths:30,000
Destroyed: 278,640
Slaughtered: 0
Affected population: a layer hen farm including 4 production houses (2 clinically affected) and a breeding house.
Outbreak statistics
Species: birds
Apparent morbidity rate:9.72 per cent
Apparent mortality rate: 9.72 per cent
Apparent case fatality rate:100 per cent
Proportion susceptible animals lost*: 100 per cent
* Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction, and/or slaughter
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection:unknown or inconclusive.
Control measures
Measures applied: stamping out; screening; zoning; disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s); vaccination prohibited; no treatment of affected animals.
Measures to be applied: no other measures
Diagnostic test results
Future reporting
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

Spain-Outbreak of new avian flu strain in a layer
13 Oct 2009
OIE [edited][FSNet]
The Spanish agricultural authorities reported an outbreak of a new highly pathogenic strain (H7) of avian influenza.
The outbreak appeared on a layer hen farm in Guadalajara in central Spain, with four production houses and a breeding house. Two production houses were clinically affected, 30,000 birds died and all susceptible birds were killed and destroyed.
Other measures: farm standstill, a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone, clinical inspections on farms in the area.

June

Russia-Avian Influenza, Poultry vs. Migratory Birds
26 Jun 2009
DEFRA, Global Animal Health - Int Dis Monitoring. Prelim Outbreak Assessment (VITT/1200) [edited][ProMEd]
Disease report
Russia has reported an outbreak of H5N1 HPAI in 58 wild birds found dead in Respublika Tyva Region (OIE, 2009).
Situation assessment
In February [2009], Hong Kong reported 11 incidents of H5N1 HPAI involving both wild birds (2 corvids, a heron, and a falcon) and poultry which were found dead, either washed up along the coast line or inland (OIE, 2009a).
In May [2009], an outbreak of H5N1 HPAI was reported in wild birds at Lake Qinghai in China (OIE, 2009a). The report suggests that 107 great crested grebes, 3 bar headed geese, and 11 brown headed gulls were found dead.
Mongolia reported an outbreak of H5 HPAI in migratory whooper swans from Arkhangai region in May 2009 (OIE, 2009a).
These reports seem to follow a similar pattern that occurred in South East Asia and southern Siberia in Russia in 2005 (DEFRA, 2005). With a benefit of hindsight we know that these reports in 2005 signaled the start of a wider dissemination of HPAI H5N1 to many countries across Europe and Asia.
To what extent the current reports will result in further detections remains to be seen. It also remains uncertain whether these reports suggest the re-emergence of the strain similar to that isolated in 2005 or an involvement of a new strain.
The current level of reported cases, although not as high as those in 2005/2006 are the highest since that period. Previous reports suggest that more than 6000 wild birds were affected in lake Qinghai in 2005. In 2006 this number was around 900. Numbers in Mongolia were fewer in 2005 and 2006. In 2006 more than 4000 H5N1 HPAI infected grebes were reported from the area of Uvs Noor Lake, Russia. Russia also reported more than 120 outbreaks of H5N1 HPAI in domestic poultry in 6 districts. Dead wild birds were also reported from the same districts.
Following this period, H5N1 HPAI infections were widely reported in Europe, Asia and Africa during 2006 (OIE, 2006).
Studies on samples collected during the developments in 2005 and 2006 suggested that migratory whooper swans in Mongolia may act as sentinel species which become infected as a result of contact with other wild birds (Newman and others, 2009). Further work on a migratory pathway between Mongolia, Lake Qinghai and Myanmar supports the phylogenetic relationship between the isolates that were obtained from wild birds from these areas at that time (Prosser and others, 2009).
There has been an increase in the overall numbers of H5N1 HPAI reported from domestic poultry during 2009 in South East Asia and Egypt. The corresponding increase in the number of incidents in wild birds suggests that surveillance of wild birds in these areas is working.
Many epidemic diseases cycle from one year to the next, often related to population changes and longevity of immune responses. DEFRA supports a wild bird surveillance program in line with European Commission recommendations.
Conclusions
Researchers continue to consider there is an ongoing low risk of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (of H5 or H7) occurring in the UK domestic poultry and that this risk has not significantly changed because of the most recent reports.
This emphasizes the importance of any poultry keepers to maintain vigilance for any signs of clinical disease in their birds, promptly report suspected cases and uphold appropriate levels of biosecurity at any time of the year.

Russia-Highly pathogenic avian influenza
25 Jun 2009
OIE, WAHID (World Animal Health Information Database), weekly disease information 2009; 22(26) [edited][ProMed]
Summary
Report type: immediate notification (final report)
Start date: 11 Jun 2009
Date of first confirmation of the event: 12 Jun 2009
Report date: 24 Jun 2009
Date submitted to OIE: 24 Jun 2009
Date event resolved: 24 Jun 2009
Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence: 8 May 2008
Manifestation of disease:clinical disease
Causal agent:highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype: H5N1
Nature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratory (advanced), necropsy
This event pertains to the whole country
New outbreaks
Outbreak 1Ubsu-Nur, Ovursky, Respublika Tyva
Date of start of the outbreak: 11 Jun 2009
Outbreak status:resolved (24 Jun 2009)
Epidemiological unit:not applicable
Affected animals
Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Destroyed / Slaughtered
Wild species / / 58 / 58 / 0 / 0
Affected population:a lake
Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 1
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection: contact with wild species
Control measures
Measures applied:control of wildlife reservoirs; screening; disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s); no vaccination; no treatment of affected animals
Future reporting
The event is resolved. No more reports will be submitted.

April


Germany –Avian Influenza
3 Apr 2009
RP ONLINE [tarnsl & abridged by communicator, edited]. [Promed]
According to this story, 17,000 turkeys will be culled on a fattening unit in the district of Kleve after a preliminary test revealed the presence of an LPAI H7 virus. The H7 subtype of avian influenza is probably a virus with low morbidity and mortality rate for poultry, as the district of Kleve on Friday [3 Apr 2009] announced. It is reported that further samples are investigated by the NRL (Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut) on the island of Riems and results are expected early next week [beginning 6 Apr 2009].

March


France –Avian Influenza
19 Mar 2009
Defra Global Animal Health, Food and Farming Group, Reference: VITT/LPAI - France [edited]
1) Disease Report: France has reported an outbreak of H5N1 LPAI in decoy ducks on a premises in Calvados and a 2nd outbreak of H5 (not N1) in decoy ducks in Pas-de Calais. The site in Calvados contains 45 ducks in 2 aviaries covered with fencing and kept by one hunter. Two of 10 ducks tested positive for H5N1 LPAI. The 2nd premises in Pas-de-Calais contained 563 ducks in 32 adjacent aviaries owned by a hunter cooperative.
During routine surveillance, 5 ducks each from 3 of the 32 aviaries were tested for avian influenza. Two ducks from one aviary were positive, while the other 10 ducks from the 2 aviaries were negative. Both the infected premises have been placed under surveillance, and biosecurity has been increased, but other disease controls have not been applied, and the affected birds were not culled (European Commission 2009).
2) Situation Assessment: Decoy ducks are used as captive birds to lure wild birds to a shooting area for hunting. They are kept tethered when they are taken out to water and have little direct contact with wild birds. The French authorities will continue to conduct surveillance for the time being. As there are no commercial poultry premises within a one-km radius of the 2 premises, no restriction zones have been imposed.
According to EU rules, immediate culling of birds infected with LPAI is not required, but they must be kept under restrictions.
There have been previous reports of LPAI H5N1 being detected in wild birds in Italy and France. Laboratory tests of these viruses suggested there was no relationship to Asian HPAI H5N1 strains. There may be some limited wild bird movements between North France and South East England at this time of year.

Germany –First 2009 bird flu case found
10 Mar 2009
Thomson Reuters Foundation AlertNet [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that Germany has informed the European Commission of an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu, the EU's 1st case of the lethal strain of the contagious disease in poultry this year [2009].
The outbreak "was found in a wild duck shot during a hunt near the town of Starnberg in the German state of Bavaria," the European Union's executive arm said in a statement.
The district office in Starnberg, just southwest of Munich, said in a statement the duck was shot on [10 Jan 2009] and tested as part of an EU-wide monitoring program. None of the 39 birds shot on the hunt showed signs of illness.
Experts said the positive test was not surprising as wild birds are a natural 'virus reservoir', the Starnberg district office added.

United Kingdom –Avian Influenza H6N1
5 Mar 2009
DEFRA Information Bulletin Ref: 50/09 [edited] [Promed]
Further laboratory tests have now confirmed that the H6N1 avian influenza virus present at 2 poultry premises in East Anglia is of low pathogenicity.
This means that the routine restrictions put in place while the investigations were ongoing are no longer required and have now been lifted, as the presence of a statutory notifiable disease has been ruled out.
The H6 serotype of avian influenza virus has been found in wild birds in Europe as well as in poultry in previous years. However, to date, H6 has not been found to be highly pathogenic.
It is important that poultry keepers remain vigilant by looking for any signs of disease in their birds. Any concerns should be reported immediately to their local vet or reported to the Animal Health Agency so that statutory notifiable disease can be ruled out promptly.
Related stories
27 Feb 2009
DEFRA Information Bulletin Ref: 42/09 [edited] [Promed]
Further laboratory tests following a routine veterinary investigation at 2 poultry premises in East Anglia have now confirmed that the avian influenza virus present is H6N1.
The H6 virus type has been isolated in domestic poultry and wild birds in Europe over the last few years.
Animal Health began the investigation late on Tuesday evening [24 Feb 2009] and is waiting for further laboratory tests to determine whether the virus is high or low pathogenicity, and these results are not expected for some days.
To date, there is no evidence that avian influenza of the H6 type has been found to be highly pathogenic, but this possibility cannot be ruled out until the further laboratory tests are complete.
Restrictions remain in place on the premises while the investigation continues. No further precautionary restrictions are considered necessary in the area at present.
Routine veterinary investigations into notifiable diseases occur on a regular basis. It is a legal requirement to notify the Animal Health agency of the possibility of such diseases whenever these cannot be ruled out by a vet or an animal keeper as part of the diagnosis of illness in animals or birds.

February


United Kingdom –Avian Influenza in birds on poultry farms
26 Feb 2009
BBC News [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that birds on 2 poultry farms in Suffolk and Norfolk have tested positive for a strain of avian flu. A second series of tests is taking place to identify the strain of influenza.
Related stories
26 Feb 2009
DEFRA Information BulletinRef 41/09 [edited] [Promed]
A routine veterinary investigation is ongoing at 2 poultry premises in East Anglia into the possible presence of notifiable avian disease, Defra has confirmed today [26 Feb 2009].
Animal Health began the investigation late on Tuesday evening [24 Feb 2009]. Laboratory tests are ongoing, and there is no conclusion yet. However, laboratory results so far have confirmed the presence of an avian influenza virus, and that it is neither H5 nor H7.
Restrictions remain in place on the premises while the investigation continues. No further precautionary restrictions are considered necessary in the area at present.

France-Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 non-N1
3 Feb 2009
DEFRA, International disease monitoring – Preliminary outbreak assessment, Ref: VITT 1200/LPAI - France [edited] [Promed]
1.Disease Report
The French authorities have recently reported an outbreak of Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (LPAI) on a duck breeding farm in Vendee region. The birds were 12 months old and at the end of their molt. Preliminary testing confirmed the virus to be of the H5 type (but not N1). Disease control measures have been put in place, including a 1 km restriction zone.
2.Situation assessment
Sporadic findings of LPAI are not uncommon across the EU. This particular [H5N3] strain in France appeared to have caused about one percent mortality in the affected flock. Infection with LPAI in ducks and geese is generally asymptomatic. However, in this specific case, the ducks may have been more susceptible to infection due to stress associated with molting. According to TRACES (the EU electronic trade notification system), there have been 24 consignments of live poultry from France to the UK since 1 Jan 2009. One consignment originated from the Vendee region; however, it came from a holding at least 45 km away from the affected premises, and it was for turkeys.



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