Pandemic A/H1N1 2009 virus, Ireland

Information received on 16/10/2009 from Mr Patrick J. Rogan, Chief Veterinary Officer, Agriculture House, Department of Agriculture and Food, DUBLIN, Ireland

Summary

New outbreaks

Outbreak 1 (2/2009)	Kilmore, CAVAN
Date of start of the outbreak	25/09/2009
Outbreak status	Resolved (16/10/2009)
Epidemiological unit	Farm
Affected animals	Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered Swine 2994 65 1 0 0
Affected Population	Breeding and fattening farm containing 294 breeding animals and 2,700 fattening pigs.
Summary of outbreaks	Total outbreaks: 1
Outbreak statistics	Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost* Swine 2.17% 0.03% 1.54% 0.03% * Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

Epidemiology

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection

An infected farm worker

Epidemiological comments

Two people involved in the sampling of the pigs of the index outbreak developed influenza-like illness two days after carrying out the sampling. Both have since been confirmed positive for pandemic influenza H1N1 2009. There have been no further pigs affected in this herd. This outbreak has now been resolved. In the second outbreak mild respiratory signs were seen in sows, unweaned piglets and fattening pigs. Samples from a single fattening pig that died on 29 September 2009 were submitted to a laboratory in Northern Ireland for routine respiratory disease surveillance. This animal was positive for influenza A/H1N1 2009 and also had concurrent infection with Streptococcus suis. Partial gene sequencing showed 99-100% similarity with H1N1 pandemic viruses and 80-84% with endemic European swine H1N1 viruses. One worker had mild viral respiratory illness that preceded clinical signs in the pigs. There are currently no clinical signs in this herd. There is no link between this outbreak and the first outbreak reported. Given the extent of human infection with this virus, it is likely that further outbreaks of mild respiratory disease in pigs will occur. No further outbreaks will be reported unless there is a significant change in the epidemiology of the disease.

Control measures

Measures applied	No vaccination No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied	No other measures

Future Reporting

The event is resolved. No more reports will be submitted.

Map of outbreak locations

Location of current outbreaks

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