OIE: Highly pathogenic avian influenza, India

Information received on 28/11/2008 from Dr Natarajan Gokulram, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi, India

Summary

Report type Immediate notification
Start date 21/11/2008
Date of first confirmation of the event 27/11/2008
Report date 28/11/2008
Date submitted to OIE 28/11/2008
Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence 11/2008
Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype H5N1
Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (basic), Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1
Outbreak Location and Affected population
  • ASSAM (Hajo, Rajabazar, Kamrup) : backyard poultry mainly in a small village
Total animals affected
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Birds 391 324 324
Outbreak statistics
Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds 82.86% 82.86% 100.00% **

* Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
** Not calculated because of missing information

Epidemiology

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
  • Unknown or inconclusive
Epidemiological comments Epidemiological investigation is ongoing. Stamping out of all domestic poultry is being applied in an approximately 5-km-radius zone around the outbreaks followed by compensation of the owners.
An intensive surveillance campaign has been launched in a 10-km-radius zone including:
- closure of poultry markets and prohibition on sale and transportation of poultry products in the infected zone;
- disinfection of premises after culling and sealing of premises where appropriate.
Restocking will be applied in accordance with a specific protocol.

Control measures

Measures applied
  • Stamping out
  • Quarantine
  • Movement control inside the country
  • Screening
  • No vaccination
  • No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied
  • Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
  • Dipping / Spraying

Diagnostic test results

Laboratory name and type High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal (National laboratory)
Tests and results
Species Test Test date Result
Birds real-time PCR 27/11/2008 Positive
Birds reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) 27/11/2008 Positive
Birds virus isolation 27/11/2008 Positive

Future Reporting

The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.