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

Information received on 22/04/2015 from Dr Ping-Cheng Yang, Vice President, Agriculture Technology Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Hsinchu City, Chinese Taipei

Summary

Report type	Immediate notification
Date of start of the event	12/01/2015
Date of confirmation of the event	14/01/2015
Report date	22/04/2015
Date submitted to OIE	22/04/2015
Reason for notification	Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence	2014
Manifestation of disease	Clinical disease
Causal agent	Low pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype	H5N2
Nature of diagnosis	Clinical, Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to	a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks

Summary of outbreaks

Total outbreaks: 7

Outbreak Location

YUNLIN COUNTY ( Mailiao Township )
CHANGHUA COUNTY ( Zhutang Township )
CHIAYI COUNTY ( Liujiao Township )
TAINAN CITY ( Yanshui District Baihe Township )
PINGTUNG COUNTY ( Chaozhou Township Wanluan Township )

Total animals affected

Species	Susceptible	Cases	Deaths	Destroyed	Slaughtered
Birds	244440	**	75319	168521	0

Outbreak statistics

Species	Apparent morbidity rate	Apparent mortality rate	Apparent case fatality rate	Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds	**	30.81%	**	99.75%

* 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

Abnormal mortalities were observed in 7 poultry farms in Changhua County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Tainan City and Pingtung County. Samples were sent to the national Laboratory, the Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI) for diagnosis. H5N2 subtype low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) was confirmed by AHRI. These farms have been put under movement restrictions. The pathogenicity of the virus has been subsequently confirmed by national laboratory as low pathogenic (less than 75% mortality of the tested chickens) on 1st April 2015. All animals on the infected farms have been culled. Thorough cleaning and disinfection have been conducted after stamping out operation. Surrounding poultry farms within 3 km radius of infected farms are under intensified surveillance for 3 months.

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

Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI) ( National laboratory )

Tests and results

Species	Test	Test date	Result
Birds	gene sequencing	15/01/2015	Positive
Birds	gene sequencing	18/01/2015	Positive
Birds	gene sequencing	29/01/2015	Positive