[top]Disease Information
9 February 2006
Vol. 19 - No. 6Contents
AVIAN INFLUENZA IN IRAQ
See also: 9 February 2006
Immediate notification report
Information received on 3 February 2006 from Dr Dawood M. Sharief, Director General, Iraqi Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Baghdad:
Report date: 2 February 2006.
Identification of agent: avian influenza virus subtype H5.
Date of first confirmation of the event: 1 February 2006.
Date of start of the event: 18 January 2006.
Clinical disease: yes.
Nature of diagnosis: clinical and laboratory.
Details of outbreaks:
First administrative division Lower administrative division Type of epidemiological unit Name of the location Date of start of the outbreak Species Number of animals in the outbreaks susceptible cases deaths destroyed* slaughtered Sulaimaniyah Raniyah village Sarkapkan avi 1,950 450 450 1,500 0 Sulaimaniyah Raniyah village Dawaw avi 1,200 200 200 1,000 0 * In addition, huge numbers of poultry were destroyed in Iraqi Kurdistan after the declaration by Turkey of confirmed occurrence of avian influenza within the borderline.
Description of affected population: all outbreaks in poultry occurred in backyard flocks which generally included chickens, geese, turkeys and ducks.
The first confirmed case of human bird flu in Iraq (a 15-year-old girl, in her house, where 18 chicks died) occurred in the village of Sarkapkan.
Diagnosis:
Laboratory where diagnostic tests were performed Outbreak Species examined Diagnostic tests used Date Results Central Veterinary and Research Laboratory, Baghdad Sarkapkan 2 chickens haemagglutination inhibition test 1 Feb. 2006 virus subtype H5 Dawaw 2 chickens and 1 duck haemagglutination inhibition test 1 Feb. 2006 virus subtype H5 Source of outbreak or origin of infection: under investigation.
Control measures:
- stamping out;
- quarantine;
- movement control inside the country;
- screening;
- zoning;
- disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s);
- dipping/spraying.
Vaccination prohibited: yes.
Final report: no.
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* *AVIAN INFLUENZA IN IRAQ
Follow-up report No. 1See also: 9 February 2006
Information received on 7 February 2006 from Dr Dawood M. Sharief, Director General, Iraqi Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Baghdad:
End of previous report period: 2 February 2006 (see Disease Information, 19 [6], 87, dated 9 February 2006).
End of this report period: 7 February 2006.
Identification of agent: avian influenza virus subtype H5.
Date of first confirmation of the event: 1 February 2006.
Date of start of the event: 18 January 2006.
Clinical disease: yes.
Nature of diagnosis: clinical and laboratory.
New outbreak:
First administrative division Lower administrative division Type of epidemiological unit Name of the location Date of start of the outbreak Species Number of animals in the outbreak susceptible cases deaths destroyed slaughtered Missan Amarha village Sahat Al-aradate avi 980 2 2 978 0 Description of affected population: pigeons.
Diagnosis:
Laboratory where diagnostic tests were performed Outbreak Species examined Diagnostic tests used Date Results Central Veterinary and Research Laboratory, Baghdad Sahat Al-aradate pigeon haemagglutination inhibition test 7 Feb. 2006 virus subtype H5 Source of outbreak or origin of infection: under investigation.
Control measures:
- stamping out;
- quarantine;
- movement control inside the country;
- screening;
- zoning;
- disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s);
- dipping/spraying.
Vaccination prohibited: yes.
Final report: no.
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* *AVIAN INFLUENZA IN NIGERIA
See also: 6 April 2006, 16 March 2006, 9 March 2006, 9 March 2006, 23 February 2006
(Disease never reported before in Nigeria in its highly pathogenic form).
Immediate notification report
Information received on 6 and 8 February 2006 from Dr Junaidu A. Maina, Acting Director, Department of Livestock and Pest Control Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja:
Report date: 8 February 2006.
Reason for immediate notification: first occurrence of a listed disease or infection in a country or zone/compartment.
Identification of agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1.
Date of first confirmation of the event: 6 February 2006.
Date of start of the event: 10 January 2006.
Clinical disease: yes.
Nature of diagnosis: clinical, post-mortem and laboratory.
Details of outbreak:
First administrative division (State) Lower administrative division (Local Government Area) Type of epidemiological unit Name of the loca-tion Latitude Longitude Date of start of the outbreak Species Number of animals in the outbreak susceptible cases deaths destroyed slaughtered Kaduna Igabi farm Jaji 10Ί 47.34 N 7Ί 32.188 E 10 Jan. 2006 avi 46,000 42,000 40,000 0 Description of affected population: a commercial poultry layer production unit with poultry kept in battery cages. The farm has a mixture of different breeds of birds sourced from different places within the country. Some ostriches are also kept at the farm.
Diagnosis:
Laboratory where diagnostic tests were performed Species examined Diagnostic tests used Date Results National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria poultry - agar-gel immunodiffusion test;
- virus isolation.
6 Feb. 2006 positive OIE Reference Laboratory for avian influenza and Newcastle disease, Padova, Italy poultry 1. Real-time PCR(1).
2. Haemagglutination inhibition and neuraminidase inhibition tests.
3. PCR(1) for the H5 gene.
4. Sequence analysis.
7 Feb. 2006 1. Positive for influenza virus type A.
2. Positive for avian influenza virus subtype H5N1.
3. Positive for H5.
4. Amino acid sequence at cleavage site reveals a highly pathogenic avian influenza profile.
Source of outbreak or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive.
Control measures
A. Undertaken:
- stamping out;
- quarantine;
- disinfection of infected premises/establishment.
B. To be undertaken:
- movement control inside the country.
Since the confirmation of the presence of the disease, the emergency plan against the disease has been activated.
Detailed epidemiological investigations are being carried out all over the country to determine the source of the infection and prevent its spread.
Treatment of affected animals: yes (birds were treated by the owner with broad-spectrum antibiotics before confirmation of infection).
Vaccination prohibited: yes.
Final report: no.
(1) PCR: polymerase chain reaction
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* *FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IN TURKEY
in Thrace regionSee also: 5 October 2006, 13 July 2006, 22 June 2006, 6 April 2006, 23 March 2006, 2 March 2006
(Date of previous outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the Thrace region of Turkey reported to the OIE: June 2001 [virus type O]).
Immediate notification report
Information received on 7 February 2006 from Dr Hüseyin Sungur, Director General, General Directorate of Protection and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ankara:
Report date: 7 February 2006.
Reason for immediate notification: re-occurrence of a listed disease or infection in a country or zone/compartment following a report declaring the outbreak(s) ended.
Identification of agent: foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus type A.
Date of first confirmation of the event: 1 February 2006.
Date of start of the event: 21 January 2006.
Clinical disease: yes.
Nature of diagnosis: clinical and laboratory.
Details of outbreak:
First administrative division (province) Lower administrative division Type of epidemiological unit Name of the location Date of start of the outbreak Species Number of animals in the outbreak susceptible cases deaths destroyed slaughtered Kirklareli Babaeski village Nadirli 21 Jan. 2006 bov 752 2 ovi 450 cap 100 Diagnosis:
Laboratory where diagnostic tests were performed Species examined Diagnostic test used Date Results Foot and Mouth Disease Institute, Ankara bov enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 1 Feb. 2006 positive Source of outbreak or origin of infection: introduction of new animals/animal products.
Control measures undertaken:
- quarantine;
- movement control inside the country;
- screening;
- zoning;
- disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s).
Treatment of affected animals: yes.
Vaccination prohibited: no.
Final report: no.
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* *NEWCASTLE DISEASE IN TURKEY
See also: 14 December 2006, 30 November 2006, 9 November 2006, 21 September 2006, 27 July 2006, 11 May 2006, 9 March 2006, 30 December 2005, 9 December 2005, 9 December 2005, 11 November 2005
(Date of previous outbreak of Newcastle disease in Turkey reported to the OIE: December 2005).
Immediate notification report
Information received on 7 February 2006 from Dr Hüseyin Sungur, Director General, General Directorate of Protection and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ankara:
Report date: 7 February 2006.
Reason for immediate notification: re-occurrence of a listed disease or infection in a country or zone/compartment following a report declaring the outbreak(s) ended.
Date of first confirmation of the event: 23 January 2006.
Date of start of the event: 9 January 2006.
Clinical disease: yes.
Nature of diagnosis: clinical, post-mortem and laboratory.
Details of outbreaks:
First administrative division (province) Lower administrative division Type of epidemiological unit Name of the location Date of start of the outbreak Species Number of animals in the outbreaks susceptible cases deaths destroyed slaughtered Bartin Merkez village Sahne 17 Jan. 2006 avi 479 34 34 0 0 Eskisehir Cifteler village Merkez 9 Jan. 2006 avi 4,490 5 5 0 0 Eskisehir Seyitgazi village Akin 17 Jan. 2006 avi 1,149 10 3 0 0 Description of affected populations:
The outbreaks occurred in backyard (village) poultry flocks.
In addition, testing of a pigeon which was found dead in Eskisehir province gave positive results for Newcastle disease. The test was performed by the Central Veterinary Control and Research Institute, Ankara, on 18 January 2006.
Diagnosis:
Laboratory where diagnostic tests were performed Species examined Diagnostic tests used Date Results Central Veterinary Control and Research Institute, Ankara chickens haemagglutination inhibition test 23-25 Jan. 2006 positive Source of outbreaks or origin of infection:
- fomites (humans, vehicles, feed, etc.);
- contact with wild animals.
Control measures undertaken:
- quarantine;
- movement control inside the country;
- screening;
- disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s).
Treatment of affected animals: no.
Vaccination prohibited: no.
Final report: no.
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* *NEWCASTLE DISEASE IN MEXICO
in the State of ChihuahuaImmediate notification report
Translation of information received on 7 February 2006 from Dr José Angel Del Valle Molina, Director General of Animal Health, Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food, Mexico City:
Report date: 3 February 2006.
Reason for immediate notification: re-occurrence of a listed disease or infection in a country or zone following a report declaring the outbreak(s) ended (occurrence of Newcastle disease in a zone of the country which has been considered free from the disease as from June 1995).
Date of first confirmation of the event: 1 February 2006.
Date of start of the event: 8 December 2005.
Clinical disease: yes.
Nature of diagnosis: clinical, post-mortem and laboratory.
Details of outbreak:
First administrative division (State) Lower administrative division (district) Type of epidemiological unit Date of start of the outbreak Species Number of animals in the outbreak susceptible cases deaths destroyed slaughtered Chihuahua Jiménez village 8 Dec. 2005 avi 6,044 1,463 1,113 1,773 660 Description of affected population: backyard birds.
Diagnosis:
Laboratory where diagnostic tests were performed Species examined Diagnostic tests used Date Results High-Security Laboratory of the Mexico-United States FMD and Other Exotic Animal Diseases Commission avi virus isolation in embryonated chicken eggs 3 Jan. 2006 positive intracerebral pathogenicity index test 1 Feb. 2006 1.71 Source of outbreak or origin of infection: investigations underway.
Control measures undertaken:
- quarantine since the start of the event;
- zoning;
- movement control inside the country;
- stamping out;
- vaccination;
- cleaning and disinfection of affected and depopulated farms.
Vaccination in response to the outbreak:
Location Species Total number of animals vaccinated Details of the vaccine Jiménez district avi 16,609 live La Sota vaccine Final report: no.
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* *HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IN CHINA (PEOPLE'S REP. OF ~)
Follow-up report No. 14See also: 5 October 2006, 17 August 2006, 27 July 2006, 6 July 2006, 22 June 2006, 8 June 2006, 12 January 2006, 5 January 2006, 16 December 2005, 2 December 2005, 25 November 2005, 18 November 2005, 11 November 2005, 11 November 2005, 4 November 2005, 28 October 2005, 21 October 2005, 12 August 2005
Information received on 7 February 2006 from Mr Jia Youling, Director General, Veterinary Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing:
End of previous report period: 10 January 2006 (see Disease Information, 19 [2], 25, dated 12 January 2006).
End of this report period: 7 February 2006.
Identification of agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1.
Date of first confirmation of the event: 7 June 2005.
Clinical disease: yes.
Nature of diagnosis: clinical, post-mortem and laboratory.
New outbreak:
First administrative division Lower administrative division Type of epidemiological unit Name of the location Date of start of the outbreak Species Number of animals in the outbreak susceptible cases deaths destroyed slaughtered Shanxi province Yangquan city village Yijing 2 Feb. 2006 avi 76,800 15,000 15,000 61,800 0 Description of affected population: chickens.
Diagnosis:
Laboratory where diagnostic tests were performed Diagnostic tests used Date Results Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) - haemagglutination inhibition test;
- RT-PCR(1).
7 Feb. 2006 positive intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI) test positive (highly pathogenic) Source of outbreak or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive.
Control measures undertaken:
- stamping out applied to birds in the outbreak and culling of 125,945 birds in the area around the outbreak;
- quarantine;
- movement control inside the country;
- screening;
- zoning;
- vaccination;
- disinfection of infected premises/establishments;
- dipping/spraying.
Final report: no.
(1) RT-PCR: reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction
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* *CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER IN BULGARIA
See also: 10 August 2006, 16 March 2006
(Date of previous outbreak of classical swine fever in Bulgaria reported to the OIE: May 2004).
Immediate notification report
Information received on 7 February 2006 from Dr Nikola T. Belev, Delegate of Bulgaria to the OIE:
Report date: 7 February 2006.
Reason for immediate notification: re-occurrence of a listed disease in a country or zone/compartment following a report declaring the outbreak(s) ended.
Date of first confirmation of the event: 7 February 2006.
Date of start of the event: 3 February 2006.
Clinical disease: yes.
Nature of diagnosis: clinical, post-mortem and laboratory.
Details of outbreak:
First administrative division Lower administrative division Type of epidemiological unit Name of the location Date of start of the outbreak Species Number of animals in the outbreak susceptible cases deaths destroyed slaughtered Yambol Boliarovo village Malko Sharkovo 3 Feb. 2006 sui 30 7 7 23 0 Description of affected population: pigs in backyard farms.
Diagnosis:
Laboratory where diagnostic tests were performed Species examined Diagnostic tests used Date Results National Diagnostic Research Veterinary Medical Institute, Sofia sui - direct immunofluorescence;
- ELISA(1);
- virus isolation.
7 Feb. 2006 positive Source of outbreak or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive.
Control measures undertaken:
- control of wildlife reservoirs;
- stamping out;
- quarantine;
- movement control inside the country;
- screening;
- zoning;
- disinfection.
Treatment of affected animals: no.
Vaccination prohibited: yes.
Final report: no.
(1) ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
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* *FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IN ARGENTINA
See also: 13 April 2006, 2 March 2006, 2 March 2006
(Date of previous outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Argentina reported to the OIE: August 2003).
Immediate notification report
Translation of information received on 8 February 2006 from Dr Jorge Nestor Amaya, President, National Agrifood Health and Quality Service (SENASA(1)), Secretariat for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, Buenos Aires:
Report date: 8 February 2006.
Reason for immediate notification: re-occurrence of a listed disease or infection in a country or zone/compartment following a report declaring the outbreak(s) ended.
Identification of agent: foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus serotype O.
Date of first confirmation of the event: 8 February 2006.
Date of start of the event: 5 February 2006*.
Clinical disease: yes.
Nature of diagnosis: clinical and laboratory.
Details of outbreak:
First administrative division (province) Lower administrative division Type of epidemiological unit Latitude Longitude Date of start of the outbreak Species Number of animals in the outbreak susceptible cases deaths destroyed slaughtered Corrientes San Luis del Palmar farm 27Ί 30' 24.2" S 58Ί 22' 59.6" W 5 Feb. 2006* bov 3,012** 70 0 0 0 ovi 30 0 0 0 0 cap 25 0 0 0 0 * Date of the official intervention after notification was received. Judging by observations at the farm (lesions and clinical signs) and by the preliminary investigations, the event probably started on 26 January 2006.
** 756 cattle aged less than one year, 292 aged between 1 year and 2 years and 1,964 cattle aged over 2 years.
Description of affected population: extensively farmed livestock (establishment with an area of 6,000 hectares). The only sick animals observed were cattle, and those in the affected batch were all heifers aged between 18 and 24 months.
Diagnosis:
Laboratory where diagnostic tests were performed Species examined Diagnostic tests used Date Results SENASA Directorate of Laboratories and Technical Control (DILACOT(2)), Martínez, province of Buenos Aires bov - typing ELISA(3);
- EITB(4) - detection of antibodies against non structural proteins (sera).
8 Feb. 2006 positive Source of outbreak or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive.
Control measures
A. Undertaken:
- quarantine;
- movement control inside the country;
- vaccination;
- disinfection of infected premises/establishment.
B. To be undertaken:
- stamping out;
- screening;
- zoning.
Vaccination in response to the outbreak:
First administrative division Species Total number of animals vaccinated Details of the vaccine province of Corrientes all susceptible species in the perifocal area vaccination in progress inactivated oil vaccine (polyvalent - serotypes O, A and C) Treatment of affected animals: no.
Other details/comments:
- The cases were detected as a result of spontaneous notification by the private veterinarian who advises the establishment.
- As the first FMD vaccination campaign of 2006 in the province of Corrientes started on 1 February, priority will be given to the affected area, primarily by vaccinating all susceptible species in the perifocal area.
- The corresponding epidemiological investigations are being carried out, with tracing, inspection and sampling of farms with which there have been animal movements, in order to investigate the origin and probable spread.
Final report: no.
(1) SENASA: Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria
(2) DILACOT: Dirección de Laboratorios y Control Técnico
(3) ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(4) EITB: electroimmunotransfer blot
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* *HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IN CROATIA
Follow-up report No. 5See also: 19 January 2006, 16 December 2005, 28 October 2005, 28 October 2005, 28 October 2005
Information received on 8 February 2006 from Dr Mate Brstilo, Director of the Veterinary Administration, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Zagreb:
End of previous report period: 17 January 2006 (see Disease Information, 19 [3], 48, dated 19 January 2006).
End of this report period: 8 February 2006.
Identification of agent: avian influenza virus serotype H5.
Date of first confirmation of the event: 21 October 2005.
Date of start of the event: 19 October 2005.
During regular monitoring activities conducted at Ribnjak 1905 fish pond, samples were taken from 26 wild ducks (Anas platyrhyncos) and sent to the Poultry Centre of the Croatian Veterinary Institute in Zagreb for analysis. Laboratory testing (after three passages in chicken embryos) revealed that two samples were positive for avian influenza virus subtype H5, but the genetic tests revealed negative results for N1. The amino-acid chain (PQRTRGL) does not point to a virus of high pathogenicity. The nucleotide sequence (500 base pairs that encode for haemagglutinin) resembles that of influenza virus type A (Anas platyrhyncos/Chany Lake/9/03 [H5N3]) isolated in Western Siberia.
Diagnosis:
Laboratory where diagnostic tests were performed Birds examined Diagnostic tests used Date Results Poultry Centre of the Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb 26 wild ducks virus isolation in chicken embryos 7 Feb. 2006 H5 Final report: no.
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* *EQUINE INFECTIOUS ANAEMIA IN FRANCE
Follow-up report No. 4 (final report)See also: 14 October 2005, 23 September 2005
Translation of information received on 8 February 2006 from Dr Monique Eloit, Deputy Director General, General Directorate for Food (DGAL), Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Rural Affairs, Paris:
End of previous report period: 10 October 2005 (see Disease Information, 18 [41], 348, dated 14 October 2005).
End of this report period: 3 February 2006.
Date of first confirmation of the event: 1 April 2005.
Clinical disease: no.
Nature of diagnosis: laboratory.
Details of outbreak (updated data):
First administrative division Type of epide-miological unit Name of the location Species Number of animals in the outbreak susceptible cases deaths destroyed slaughtered Eure-et-Loir department farm Barjouville district equ 23 4 0 4* 0 * The first 3 positive horses were euthanised in April-May 2005. The 4th infected horse was euthanised on 12 October 2005.
On 24 January 2006, a second series of tests on all 19 horses remaining in the equestrian centre gave negative results.
On 25 January 2006, the by-law declaring infection was lifted.
Final report: yes.
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* *HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IN UKRAINE
Follow-up report No. 9See also: 28 September 2006, 13 July 2006, 29 June 2006, 22 June 2006, 16 March 2006, 23 February 2006, 2 February 2006, 26 January 2006, 19 January 2006, 12 January 2006, 5 January 2006, 30 December 2005, 30 December 2005, 16 December 2005, 9 December 2005
Information received on 9 February 2006 from Dr Ivan Yuriyovych Bisyuk, Head, State Department for Veterinary Medicine, Ministry of Agricultural Policy, Kiev:
End of previous report period: 1 February 2006 (see Disease Information, 19 [5], 80, dated 2 February 2006).
End of this report period: 9 February 2006.
Identification of agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1.
Date of first confirmation of the event: 2 December 2005.
Date of start of the event: 25 November 2005.
No further suspected cases have been reported.
The State Veterinary Services of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, in collaboration with local authorities, have formed 142 groups to perform clinical examination of backyard poultry throughout the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
The total number of quarantine posts on the territory of the affected districts is 3 (1 post in Feodosiya district and 2 posts in Belogorskiy district).
Quarantine restrictions have been lifted in the following villages:
- Predmostnoye (Dzhankoyskiy district);
- Zolotoye Pole (Kirovskiy district).
Final report: no.
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* *MISCELLANEOUS: UPDATE ON AVIAN INFLUENZA SURVEILLANCE IN IRAN
See also: 2 March 2006, 16 February 2006
Information received on 4 February 2006 from Dr Hossein Hassani, Head of Iran Veterinary Organization (IVO), Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture, Tehran:
Report date: 4 February 2006.
The Iran Veterinary Organization (IVO) has undertaken the following actions:
1. Establishment of border quarantine stations according to the avian influenza (AI) status of neighbouring countries and inter-provincial quarantine stations in the event of any unusual mortality within Iran.
2. Establishment of field action teams for the AI surveillance system (checking clinical signs, sampling, disposal, disinfection and cleaning).
3. Performance of serological (ELISA(1), HI(2) [for H5, H9, and in some cases, H7]) and molecular testing (RT-PCR(3)). The ELISA kits used are IDEXX branded and the material required for HI (H5 and H7 antigen and antiserum) is obtained from VLA-Weybridge laboratory, United Kingdom, except for H9 which is produced locally at the Razi Institute.
4. In clinical surveillance, all uncommon occurrences in backyard poultry, namely unusual mortality, are dealt with by disposal of the poultry in question after the required serum and tissue samples have been taken.
5. For indigenous poultry, samples are taken and tested using HI and RT-PCR. In the event of any positive results to the latter tests, the samples in question are despatched to the national reference laboratory. At the same time, culling is to be carried and protection zones established within a radius of 1 km and 5 km, respectively.
6. In industrial poultry farms, unusual mortality or severe respiratory signs and a sudden drop in production lead to the establishment of quarantine, and the implementation of rapid antigen precipitation tests, ELISA, HI and RT-PCR. If any suspicious results are obtained, further samples will be taken to be sent to the reference laboratory and the entire flock will be culled.
7. Given the recent outbreak in Turkey near the border with Iran, all backyard poultry within 10 km of the border with Turkey were purchased and culled as a preventive measure. Furthermore, all commercial poultry farms located in this area were evacuated.
8. Under the active surveillance system for free-range village birds, samples (1,800 sera plus 90 tissue samples) have been taken from indigenous poultry living near ponds, and tested in accordance with point 6. The ponds have been visited to examine wildlife. In this respect, the only relevant event recently reported to the OIE concerned an outbreak of botulism in wild ducks at Aras river (see Disease Information, 18 [41], 351, dated 14 October 2005 and Disease Information, 18 [44], 408, dated 4 November 2005).
9. The national plan for notifiable AI relies on the following:
a. Two national reference laboratories capable of conducting serological and molecular tests.
b. Thirty provincial laboratories capable of undertaking serological tests including five laboratories with potential to run the molecular tests.
c. At the current time, 250 people are working within the AI surveillance system.
d. All laboratory methods and practices are in accordance with the relevant international rules and regulations.
Within the framework of the national surveillance plan for highly pathogenic avian influenza in place in Gilan province, there was a report describing a few (70 cases) deaths among wild birds (swans) during a period of one week. All the necessary measures were immediately implemented in accordance with OIE guidelines and recommendations (see details below).
Additional information received on 7 February 2006 from Dr Hossein Hassani, Head of Iran Veterinary Organization (IVO), Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture, Tehran:
Report date: 7 February 2006.
On 2 February 2006, within the framework of the Avian Influenza Passive Surveillance Plan in place for wild birds in Gilan province, a few deaths were reported among swans in two marshes (Selkeh and Espand) at Somaesara (Anzali wetland). Immediately, all the relevant activities were implemented in accordance with OIE guidelines and recommendations, and all of the indigenous birds in six villages considered to be epidemiological units at risk (i.e. within a 2-km radius) were destroyed and their owners compensated by the IVO. Samples taken from the indigenous birds were tested as follows: sera were tested using haemagglutination inhibition (H5 and H9 avian influenza and Newcastle disease) and tissue samples were tested by RT-PCR(3), all with negative results.
Tissue samples taken from swans will be sent tomorrow morning to the OIE Reference Laboratory for avian influenza and Newcastle disease in Padova, Italy, for virological tests.
(1) ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(2) HI: haemagglutination inhibition test
(3) RT-PCR: reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction
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