OIE: Low pathogenic avian influenza (poultry), Chinese Taipei

Information received on 21/01/2010 from Dr Kwo-Ching Huang, Chief Veterinary Officer and Deputy Director General, Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine , Council of agriculture, Executive Yuan , Taipei, Chinese Taipei

Summary

Report type Immediate notification
Start date 09/01/2010
Date of first confirmation of the event 21/01/2010
Report date 21/01/2010
Date submitted to OIE 21/01/2010
Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence 14/11/2008
Manifestation of disease Clinical disease
Causal agent Low pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype H5N2
Nature of diagnosis Clinical, Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1
Location(s)
  • CHANG-HUA (Fang-Yuan township)
Total animals affected
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Birds 49000 3000 1915 0 0
Outbreak statistics
Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds 6.12% 3.91% 63.83% 3.91%

* Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

Epidemiology

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
  • Unknown or inconclusive
Epidemiological comments Samples have been collected and sent to the national laboratory for active surveillance. The haemagglutination inhibition test, RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR tests and virus isolation have been completed. The positive results of laboratory tests and low mortality demonstrate that the causal agent of this outbreak is low pathogenic avian influenza virus. Nevertheless, for confirming the virulence of the virus, IVPI test and gene sequencing are on the way and the results will be provided to the OIE in the follow up report.
This outbreak is co-infected with chicken infectious anemia, mycoplasma and avian infectious bronchitis. Disinfection and cleaning of this farm has been conducted and completed. Movement control has been also implemented. 19 poultry farms within 1-km radius of the index farm have been under vigilant monitoring and no clinical or epidemiological evidence of infection has been found.

Note by the OIE Animal Health Information Department: H5 and H7 avian influenza in its low pathogenic form in poultry is a notifiable disease as per Chapter 10.4. on avian influenza of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2009).

Control measures

Measures applied
  • Quarantine
  • Movement control inside the country
  • Screening
  • Zoning
  • Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
  • Vaccination prohibited
  • No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied
  • No other measures

Diagnostic test results

Laboratory name and type Animal Health Research Institute (National laboratory)
Tests and results
Species Test Test date Result
Birds haemagglutination inhibition test (HIT) 21/01/2010 Positive
Birds real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) 21/01/2010 Positive
Birds reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) 21/01/2010 Positive
Birds virus isolation 21/01/2010 Positive

Future Reporting

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