OIE: Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Australia

Information received on 15/11/2012 from Dr Mark Schipp, Chief Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra, Australia

Summary

Report type	Immediate notification
Date of start of the event	09/11/2012
Date of pre-confirmation of the event	14/11/2012
Report date	15/11/2012
Date submitted to OIE	15/11/2012
Reason for notification	Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence	11/1997
Manifestation of disease	Clinical disease
Causal agent	Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype	H7
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

NEW SOUTH WALES ( Maitland )

Total animals affected

Species	Susceptible	Cases	Deaths	Destroyed	Slaughtered
Birds	50000	5000	5000

Outbreak statistics

Species	Apparent morbidity rate	Apparent mortality rate	Apparent case fatality rate	Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds	10.00%	10.00%	100.00%	**

* 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	The affected birds are free range layer hens. The property has several dams that attract wild ducks. A Restricted Area of 3 km diameter surrounded by 7 km diameter Control Area has been established around the property, which is under quarantine restriction. Tracing is underway. Depopulation has commenced. The N type has not yet been determined.

Control measures

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

Diagnostic test results

Laboratory name and type

Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute ( Local laboratory )

Tests and results

Species	Test	Test date	Result
Birds	polymerase chain reaction (PCR)	14/11/2012	Positive

Laboratory name and type

Australian Animal Health Laboratory ( National laboratory )

Tests and results

Species	Test	Test date	Result
Birds	gene sequencing	15/11/2012	Positive
Birds	real-time PCR	15/11/2012	Positive

Future Reporting

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