Press releases


© Eds Edizioni Tecnico Scientifiche, Bologna, Italy, 2001

© Eds Edizioni Tecnico Scientifiche, Bologna, Italy, 2001

Update on AI situation

Avian influenza: methods for the disease control

Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease affecting mainly chickens, turkeys, ducks and other birds.

While avian influenza caused by highly pathogenic virus strains have sometimes been shown to infect man, this disease should not be confused with human influenza, a common human disease. However, avian influenza under certain circumstances could pose a serious threat to humans.

The OIE, through its experts and its world network of Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres remain at the disposal of all Member Countries requesting assistance in the defintion of policies on diagnosis, control and eradication of the disease in animals.

The following information is meant to help Governments and the Veterinary Services of Member Countries which are affected by or which want to protect the territories from the disease :

Background information

Conclusions and recommendations: FAO/OIE/WHO Expert Consultation on Avian Influenza, Rome (Italy) 3-4 February 2004

Message from Dr Bernard Vallat, OIE Director General - Meeting on Avian Infuenza in Thailand

Letter addressed to the Honourable Prime Minister of Vietnam

The use of vaccination as an option for the control of avian influenza (Ilaria Capua & Stefano Marangon)

Provisional Report of the Ad hoc Group on Avian Influenza (non official - to be submitted to OIE International Committee in May 2004)

Safety of International Trade

- Actual Avian Influenza Chapter (2003)
- Actual Newcastle Disease Chapter (2003)
- Proposed Chapter on Avian Influenza (non official - to be submitted to OIE International Committee in May 2004)

Vaccines and Diagnostic Methods

- Avian influenza chapter and Sampling methods
- List of OIE Reference Laboratories and other experts on avian influenza

Methods of Humane Killing and Carcass Disposal

- Provisional Report of the OIE Ad hoc Group on Humane Killing of animals
- Slaughter of poultry for disease control purposes
- Provisional Report of the OIE Ad hoc Group on the Slaughter of animals for human consumption
- Provisional Report of the OIE Ad hoc Group on Carcass Disposal
- Interim Guidelines on protection of farmers and slaughterhouses workers (WHO)

Food Safety

- Risks for consumers

Description of the disease

- Disease card

Guidelines for Control of the Disease

- Conclusions and recommendations: FAO/OIE/WHO Expert Consultation on Avian Influenza, Rome (Italy) 3-4 February 2004
- Extract from IZSV Contingency Manual for Avian Influenza (Avian Influenza, Eds Edizioni Tecnico Scientifiche, Bologna, Italy, 2000)