Information received on 27 November 2004 from Dr Hawari Bin Hussein, Director General, Department of Veterinary Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Kuala Lumpur:

End of previous report period: 2 November 2004 (see Disease Information, 17 [45], 328, dated 5 November 2004).

End of this report period: 26 November 2004.

Avian influenza virus sub-type H5 was detected on 19 November 2004 within the framework of intensive surveillance. The positive sample was traced to village chickens in Pulau Besar village, Tumpat district, State of Kelantan (06?10´ 85.5" N - 102?10´ 69.5" E). This village is within a 10-km radius of the index outbreak.

Egg inoculation showed no embryonic mortality 3 days after inoculation. Further tests will be conducted.

Susceptible chickens, ducks and other birds were culled as a precautionary measure. Culling and disinfection were completed on 22 November 2004.

No clinical cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza were observed during intensive surveillance.

Additional information received on 1 December 2004 from Dr Hawari Bin Hussein, Director General, Department of Veterinary Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Kuala Lumpur:

Date of the report: 1 December 2004.

The RT-PCR⁽¹⁾ test result showed that the avian influenza virus reported on 26 November 2004 [see above] was sub-typed N1. Thus, the virus was confirmed as avian influenza H5N1.

(1) RT-PCR: reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction