Report type

Immediate notification

Date of start of the event

01/12/2017

Date of confirmation of the event

04/12/2017

Report date

05/12/2017

Date submitted to OIE

05/12/2017

Reason for notification

Recurrence of a listed disease

Date of previous occurrence

05/05/2017

Manifestation of disease

Clinical disease

Causal agent

Highly pathogenic influenza A virus

Serotype

H5N6

Nature of diagnosis

Laboratory (basic), Laboratory (advanced), Necropsy

This event pertains to

a defined zone within the country

Summary of outbreaks

Total outbreaks: 1

Outbreak Location

• TAINAN CITY ( Taijiang National Park )

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

On 1 December 2017, one dead black-faced spoonbill was found in Taijiang National Park (Republic of China) by the staff of the National Park and was sent to the National Laboratory (Animal Health Research Institute, AHRI) by the local Livestock Disease Control Center (LDCC). H5N6 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected and confirmed by the AHRI in the evening of 4 December 2017.
The LDCC disinfected the neighboring areas of the spot where the dead black-faced spoonbill was found and has completed clinical examination and sampling of all poultry farms (four chicken farms) within 5 km radius of the spot. All chicken in the four farms are clinically healthy. They are under intensified surveillance for three months to detect, if any, spreading of the virus.
In addition, to be further well-prepared for the increased risk of HPAI epidemics, the government have launched active surveillance over three categories of higher risk poultry farms: (1) poultry farms located within 3 km radius around wetlands nationwide; (2) outdoor feeding duck farms; and (3) native chicken farms.
According to preliminary analysis by the AHRI, the current H5N6 virus is different (identity 92.4%) from the H5N6 virus that was detected in February 2017, but is closely related to the one found in wild birds in Japan last November. The HA genomic sequences share about 99% identity with the H5N8 virus which has caused major outbreaks in Europe from late 2016 to early 2017. The NA genome is similar to the HxN6 which is widespread in wild birds in Eurasia.

Measures applied

• Movement control inside the country
• Surveillance outside containment and/or protection zone
• Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone
• Quarantine
• Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste
• Disinfection
• Ante and post-mortem inspections
• 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