OIE: Highly pathogenic avian influenza ,Italy

Information received on 15/08/2013 from Prof. Dr Romano Marabelli, Chief Veterinary Officer, Department for Veterinary Public Health, Food Safety and Collegial Bodies for Health Protection, Ministry of Health, Rome, Italy

Summary

Report type	Immediate notification
Date of start of the event	10/08/2013
Date of pre-confirmation of the event	14/08/2013
Report date	15/08/2013
Date submitted to OIE	15/08/2013
Reason for notification	Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence	02/2006
Manifestation of disease	Clinical disease
Causal agent	Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype	H7
Nature of diagnosis	Clinical, Laboratory (basic)
This event pertains to	a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks

Summary of outbreaks

Total outbreaks: 1

Outbreak Location

EMILIA-ROMAGNA ( Ostellato, FERRARA )

Total animals affected

Species	Susceptible	Cases	Deaths	Destroyed	Slaughtered
Birds	128000	105000	4000	0	0

Outbreak statistics

Species	Apparent morbidity rate	Apparent mortality rate	Apparent case fatality rate	Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds	82.03%	3.13%	3.81%	3.13%

* 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

Timely notification from the farmer of suspect clinical signs allowed the detection of the disease affecting a commercial farm of layer hens. A protection zone of 3 km and a surveillance zone of 10 km have been established around the farm, which is under restriction. Tracing is underway and depopulation has commenced. Further diagnostic examination, also to determine the N type, and the epidemiological investigation are on-going.

Control measures

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

Diagnostic test results

Laboratory name and type

Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute (IZSVe), PADOVA ( National laboratory )

Tests and results

Species	Test	Test date	Result
Birds	polymerase chain reaction (PCR)	14/08/2013	Positive

Future Reporting

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