Report type

Immediate notification

Date of start of the event

02/02/2017

Date of confirmation of the event

05/02/2017

Report date

06/02/2017

Date submitted to OIE

06/02/2017

Reason for notification

New strain of a listed disease in the country

Causal agent

Highly pathogenic influenza A virus

Serotype

H5N6

Nature of diagnosis

Laboratory (advanced)

This event pertains to

a defined zone within the country

Summary of outbreaks

Total outbreaks: 1

Outbreak Location

• HUALIEN COUNTY ( Yuli Township )

Total animals affected

Outbreak statistics

* Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter;
** Not calculated because of missing information;

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection

• Unknown or inconclusive

Epidemiological comments

The animal health authority, BAPHIQ, entrusts the Wild Bird Society of Taipei (a non-governmental organization) to conduct active surveillance of wild bird for avian influenza. One dead young goose was found on a country road in Hualien County by the Wild Bird Society of Taipei and was sent to the National Laboratory (Animal Health Research Institute, AHRI) on 2 February 2017. H5N6 subtype HPAI was detected and confirmed by the AHRI in the evening of 5 February 2017. The HA and NA genomic sequences of the virus seem to share high similarity (99%) with those of the virus which has caused major outbreaks in Korea and Japan according to preliminary analysis by the AHRI.
The Local Disease Control Center (LDCC) disinfected the neighboring areas of the spot where the dead goose was found and has completed clinical examination and sampling of all poultry farms (2 duck farms) within 1 km radius of the spot. All ducks in the 2 farms are clinically healthy. Surrounding poultry farms within 3 km radius of the index spot will also be sampled as soon as possible and they are under intensified surveillance for 3 months to detect, if any, spreading of the virus. Until 21 February 2017, all waterfowls of Hualien County must be slaughtered locally, no dispatch to other regions of the country is allowed.

Measures applied

• Movement control inside the country
• Screening
• Disinfection / Disinfestation
• Quarantine
• Zoning
• Vaccination prohibited
• No treatment of affected animals

Measures to be applied

• No other measures

Laboratory name and type

Animal Health Research Institute ( National laboratory )

Tests and results

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