OIE: Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Hong Kong (SAR - PRC)

Information received on 23/12/2011 from Dr Thomas Sit, Chief Veterinary Officer / Assistant Director (Inspection & Quarantine), Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Hong Kong , Hong Kong (SAR - PRC)

Summary

Report type Immediate notification
Start date 17/12/2011
Date of first confirmation of the event 20/12/2011
Report date 23/12/2011
Date submitted to OIE 23/12/2011
Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence 13/12/2011
Manifestation of disease Clinical disease
Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype H5N1
Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to the whole country

New outbreaks

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 2
Location(s)
  • HONG KONG (5 Tin Wu Road, Tin Shui Wai; 4 Hing Wah Street, Cheung Sha Wan)
Total animals affected
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Wild species 1 1 0 0
Birds 19452 1 1 19451 0
Outbreak statistics
Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Wild species ** ** 100.00% **
Birds 0.01% 0.01% 100.00% 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 An intensive surveillance system is in place for all poultry farms, poultry markets and pet bird shops in Hong Kong. The H5N1 infected wild bird was detected in ongoing surveillance program on wild birds. The date of the outbreak concerning wild birds ended is the same as the date the bird was found (17 December 2011).
A total of 19,451 poultry, including 15,569 chickens, 810 pigeons, 1,950 pheasants and 1,122 silky fowls were culled in the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market on 21 December 2011. Importation of live poultry and movement of poultry in local farms is banned for 21 days.
Surveillance and monitoring of local chicken farms has been stepped up. So far, no H5 virus was detected in samples taken from the 30 chicken farms in Hong Kong.

Control measures

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

Diagnostic test results

Laboratory name and type Tai Lung Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (National laboratory)
Tests and results
Species Test Test date Result
Wild species immunohistochemical test 20/12/2011 Positive
Wild species polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 20/12/2011 Positive
Wild species virus isolation 23/12/2011 Positive
Laboratory name and type Department of Microbiology, University of Hong Kong (Regional Reference Laboratory)
Tests and results
Species Test Test date Result
Wild species gene sequencing Pending

Future Reporting

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