Information received on 26/02/2007 from Dr Mohammed Wael Al-Muhanna , Deputy Director General for Animal Resources, Animal Resources, Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Kuwait, Kuwait

Summary

      Report type Immediate notification
      Start date 13/02/2007
      Date of confirmation of event 18/02/2007
      Report date 26/02/2007
      Date submitted to OIE 27/02/2007
      Reason for notification First occurrence of a listed disease
      Manifestation of disease Clinical disease
      Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
      Serotype H5N1
      Nature of diagnosis Suspicion, Laboratory (basic), Laboratory (advanced), Necropsy
      Report pertains to Entire country

New outbreaks Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 6
      Outbreak Location a.. AL FARWANIYAH (Kuwait Zoo, Al Omaria, Al Omaria
        b.. AL AHMADI (Wafra, Wafra, Al Wafra; Nwasib, Al Nwasib, Al Nwasib; Wafra, Al Wafra, Al Wafra; Um Alhiman, Um Alhiman, Um Alhiman; Wafra, Al Wafra, Al Wafra)
    
      Total animals affected Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
            Birds 3651 47 43 2613 0
    
      Outbreak statistics Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible removed*  
            Birds 1.29% 1.18% 91.49% 72.75%
      * Removed from the susceptible population either through death, destruction or slaughter


Epidemiology Source of infection a.. Unknown or inconclusive
    
      Epidemiological comments The first case occurred in falcons and then reports of mortality in poultry followed. The first mortality report of chickens was received from two individuals. The individuals purchased the birds from markets two days before their death. Consequently, surveillance was intensified across the country.

      Note by the OIE Animal Health Information Department:
      The first occurrence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza infection was reported in November 2005 (see Disease Information, 18[46], 445, dated 18 November 2005). This is the first occurrence of the disease in this country.  


Control measures Measures already applied a.. Movement control inside the country
        b.. Vaccination in response to the outbreak (s)
        c.. Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
        d.. Stamping out
        e.. Vaccination permitted
        f.. No treatment of affected animals
    
      Measures to be applied a.. Zoning
    


Diagnostic test results Laboratory name and type Department of Veterinary Laboratory and Research (National laboratory)
      Tests and results Species Test Test date Result
            Birds rapid tests 18/02/2007 Positive
            Birds real-time PCR 20/02/2007 Positive
    
      Laboratory name and type VLA Weybridge, UK (OIE´s Reference Laboratory)
      Tests and results Species Test Test date Result
            Birds real-time PCR 23/02/2007 Positive