Highly pathogenic avian influenza in the People´s Republic of China
virus type H5N1 in wild birds
(Date of previous outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the People´s Republic of China reported to the OIE: June 2004 [in poultry]).
Information received on 21 May 2005 from Mr Jia Youling, Director General, Veterinary Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing:
Report date: 21 May 2005.
Nature of diagnosis: clinical and laboratory.
Date of initial detection of animal health incident: 4 May 2005.
Estimated date of primary infection: 15 April 2005.
Date of laboratory tests: 18 May 2005.
Location of the outbreak: Niannaisuoma village, Quanji town, Gangcha county, Qinqhai province (in the central part of the country). The place is an important rendezvous of migratory birds on one of their Asia-Europe routes.
Description of affected population: migratory birds found dead, including bar-headed goose (Anser indicus), great black-headed gull (Larus ichthyaetus), brown-headed gull (Larus brunnicephalus), ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) and great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo).
Total number of birds found dead: 519.
Laboratory where diagnosis was made: National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory (Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricutural Sciences).