Latest information on Avian Influenza
--------------------------------------
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) type H5N1 infection was confirmed
in Malaysia last week, increasing to 9 the number of countries where HPAI
H5N1 has been confirmed. 3 additional human cases have been diagnosed in
Viet Nam in the past 2 weeks. Attention was drawn this week to reports of
H5N1 detection in pigs in China during 2003, but the significance of the
finding must be interpreted in the environment and conditions in which it
was detected. To understand the factors related to AI epidemics and to
improve the quality of diagnostic and surveillance information, FAO is
launching sub-regional surveillance and diagnosis networks, the 1st being
for Southeast Asia, with national and international partners.

Country situation

Thailand:

Total number of AI affected as determined by the Thai government since 3
Jul 2004 reached 98 in 26 provinces. AI infection in native chickens in
Koke sa lood, Lopburi Province, layer chickens in Wiharndang, Saraburi
Province, and ducks in Bang bua tong, Nontaburi Province were confirmed on
23 Aug 2004. Within the 98 areas, 73 areas in 24 provinces have undergone a
21-day surveillance period without additional cases. Total number of
poultry destroyed since 3 July is 324 859 and 35 000 quail eggs since 3 Jul
2004. Regulations came into effect to control the illegal use of AI
vaccines. Under these regulations, users of vaccine can be fined and jailed
for up to 3 years.

Viet Nam:

The most recently reported mortalities in birds involved approximately 3400
quails in the province of Hau Giang on 02 Aug 2004. Some 17 000 chickens
and other birds have [been] culled in Hau Giang province in the past month.
More than 45 000 chickens, 3000 ducks and 15 000 quail have been culled in
Viet Nam since April 2004. A woman was confirmed to have died of H5N1 bird
flu in the Hau Giang province. 2 children from northern Ha Tay province
also died of AI in early August. In response to the reported events, Viet
Nam stepped up culling poultry in the area.

Malaysia:

On 18 Aug 2004, H5N1 infection was reported in 2 chickens at a backyard
operation in Kampung Baru Pasir Pekan, Kota Bharu, Kelantan State, about 10
km to [the] border with Thailand. There were 103 chickens and ducks and 62
pet birds at the village.

The case was discovered during routine checks, following reports that AI
had infected chickens in Narathiwat, Thailand. These cases were located
some 100 kilometres from the village, at a location with both river and
road connection. The government has suspended exports to Singapore and all
other markets. The area within a 10-kilometre radius of the village has
been quarantined.

China:

The National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory reported that AI H5N1
virus had been found in pigs prior to 2004. H5N1 virus was found in a
sample taken from a pig in 2001, and again in 2003. In early 2004, the
Ministry of Agriculture carried out nationwide surveillance, including some
samples from pigs, and no H5N1 virus was found in swine. [For complementary
information, see our postings on avian influenza, porcine, China. - Mod. AS].

--
Joseph Domenech
Chief, Animal Health Service
Animal Production & Health Division
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
<http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/home/en/home.html>