OIE:EQUINE INFLUENZA IN TUNISIA

EQUINE INFLUENZA IN TUNISIA

(Date of previous outbreak of equine influenza in Tunisia reported to the OIE: 1998).

Immediate notification report

Translation of information received on 16 June 2005 from Prof. Malek Zrelli, Director General of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources, Tunis:

Report date: 16 June 2005.

Reason for immediate notification: re-occurrence of a listed disease or infection in a country or zone/compartment.

Precise identification of agent: equine-2 influenza virus (H3N8).

Date of first confirmation of the event: 14 June 2005.

Date of start of the event: 30 May 2005.

Clinical disease: yes.

Nature of diagnosis: clinical and laboratory.

Details of outbreak:

First administrative division Lower administrative division Type of epide-miolo-gical unit Name of the location Date of start of the outbreak Spe-cies Number of animals in the outbreak
susceptible cases deaths destroyed slaugh-tered
Manouba Ksar Said farm Ksar Said 30 May 2005 equ 13 4 0 0 0

Description of affected population: stable, comprising 13 purebred Arab and English thoroughbred racehorses, totally isolated and without contact with other stables or farms in the vicinity.

Diagnosis:

Laboratory where diagnosis was made Species examined Diagnostic tests used Date Results
French Agency for Food Safety (AFSSA(1)), Maisons-Alfort, France equ

- ELISA(2);

- ELISA(2); - complement fixation test.

14 June 2005 positive
haemagglutination inhibition test 15 June 2005 positive

Source of outbreak or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive. Incorrectly vaccinated animals.

Control measures undertaken:

- quarantine;

- movement control inside the country;

- vaccination;

- disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s).

Vaccination in response to the outbreak:

First administrative division Species Total number of vaccinated animals Details of the vaccine
Manouba equ ... inactivated vaccine, with adjuvant

Treatment of affected animals: yes (antibiotics, antipyretics and vitamin C).

Vaccination prohibited: no.

Other details/comments:

- Controlled, limited outbreak.

- Information note sent to regional Veterinary Services, with centres where horses are gathered (training and racing centres, horse farms and stud farms) being placed under surveillance.

- Awareness campaign to ensure that horse owners and breeders respect the equine influenza vaccination protocol.

- Launching of booster vaccination for racehorses and sports horses.

(1) AFSSA: French Agency for Food Safety.

(2) ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay