OIE: Highly pathogenic avian influenza ,Mexico

Information received on 08/01/2013 from Dr Hugo Fragoso Sánchez, Director general de salud animal, Servicio nacional de sanidad, inocuidad y calidad agroalimentaria (SENASICA), Secretaría de Agricultura, ganadería,desarrollo rural, pesca y alimentación (SAGARPA), Mexico, Mexico

Summary

Report type	Immediate notification
Date of start of the event	03/01/2013
Date of pre-confirmation of the event	07/01/2013
Report date	08/01/2013
Date submitted to OIE	09/01/2013
Reason for notification	First occurrence of a listed disease
Manifestation of disease	Clinical disease
Causal agent	Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype	H7N3
Nature of diagnosis	Clinical, Laboratory (basic)
This event pertains to	a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks

Summary of outbreaks

Total outbreaks: 2

Outbreak Location

AGUASCALIENTES ( San Francisco de los Romo, San Francisco de los Romo Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes )

Total animals affected

Species	Susceptible	Cases	Deaths	Destroyed	Slaughtered
Birds	284755	2990 **	740	0	284015

Outbreak statistics

Species	Apparent morbidity rate	Apparent mortality rate	Apparent case fatality rate	Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds	**	0.26%	**	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 last outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza serotype H7N3 occurred in September 2012 in the northeastern part of the State of Jalisco. Following control and eradication measures, passive and active surveillance was strengthened and on 3 January 2013 SENASICA was informed of an increase in mortality and a decrease of egg production on a commercial layer farm in the State of Aguascalientes. Timely notification from the farmer and surveillance activities allowed immediate depopulation of the two affected production units, reason why both outbreaks identified are closed.
The first outbreak had a population of 146,755 birds aged 21-80 weeks, of which 2,990 sick and 740 dead. Clinical signs were conjunctivitis, edema, cyanosis and palpebral, comb and chin swelling as well as opisthotonos and sudden death. Additionally, during post-mortem inspections, hemorrhages were identified in trachea, lungs and tonsils. Control measures included vaccination of laying and breeding hens within the zone around the outbreaks and the buffer zone and the strengthening of biosecurity and control of poultry goods movements.
The second outbreak was detected during active surveillance conducted in the State of Aguascalientes and the virus was isolated in another commercial layer farm with a population of 138,000 birds over 81 weeks old, which was also depopulated. In both outbreaks, cleaning and disinfection of facilities and equipment as well as destruction of hen manure have been carried out. After depopulation, sentinel birds will be introduced in order to confirm the absence of infection and viral circulation.
Active and passive surveillance continues at national level. Epidemiological investigation is on-going.

Control measures

Measures applied	Stamping out 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

Biosecurity Laboratory Level 3, Mexico-United States Commission for the Prevention of Foot and Mouth Disease and Other Exotic Diseases of Animals ( National laboratory )

Tests and results

Species	Test	Test date	Result
Birds	virus isolation	07/01/2013	Positive

Future Reporting

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