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

Information received on 11/04/2011 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 28/03/2011
Date of first confirmation of the event 07/04/2011
Report date 11/04/2011
Date submitted to OIE 11/04/2011
Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence 11/02/2011
Manifestation of disease Sub-clinical infection
Causal agent Low pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype H7N3
Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1
Location(s)
  • CHIA-I (Xikou Township)
Total animals affected
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Birds 920 21 0 0 0
Outbreak statistics
Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds 2.28% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%

* 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 After the H5N2 outbreak identified on 21 March 2011, an epidemiological and clinical investigation was conducted on the surrounding poultry farms within a 3-km-radius of the index farm. In this investigation, the notifiable avian influenza (NAI) viral infection was detected on a duck breeder farm and identified as H7N3 strain on 7 April 2011. Movement restriction was implemented on the farm immediately after the virus was detected. Clinical investigation on that farm was done and showed that the breeders were healthy and without abnormal mortality and dropping of egg production. The positive results of serological and virological tests confirmed this new outbreak. The pathogenicity assays of this virus isolate are on-going.

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 (2010).

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) 07/04/2011 Positive
Birds reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) 07/04/2011 Positive
Birds virus isolation 07/04/2011 Positive

Future Reporting

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