South Africa - Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in birds

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Highly pathogenic avian influenza, South Africa

Information received on 26/06/2017 from Dr Bothle Michael Modisane, Chief Director , Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Animal Production and Health, PRETORIA, South Africa

Summary Report type Follow-up report No. 1 Date of start of the event 19/06/2017 Date of confirmation of the event 22/06/2017 Report date 26/06/2017 Date submitted to OIE 26/06/2017 Reason for notification New strain of a listed disease in the country Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus Serotype H5N8 Nature of diagnosis Clinical, Laboratory (advanced) This event pertains to a defined zone within the country Related reports Immediate notification (22/06/2017) Follow-up report No. 1 (26/06/2017)

New outbreaks (1)

Outbreak 1 (HPAI_H5N8_2017_002) HPAI_H5N8_2017_002, Dipaleseng, MPUMALANGA Date of start of the outbreak 20/06/2017 Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided) Epidemiological unit Farm Affected animals Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered Birds 243000 25000 25000 0 0 Affected population Commercial layer farm

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1 Total animals affected Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered Birds 243000 25000 25000 0 0 Outbreak statistics Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost* Birds 10.29% 10.29% 100.00% 10.29% *Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

Epidemiology Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection Unknown or inconclusive Epidemiological comments Coordinates modified to protect confidentiality as required by South African Legislation.

Control measures Measures applied Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone Traceability Quarantine Vaccination prohibited No treatment of affected animals Measures to be applied Official destruction of animal products Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste Stamping out Disinfection

Future Reporting The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

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http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=24148

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MEDIA STATEMENT 22 JUNE 2017

AVIAN INFLUENZA CONFIRMED IN MPUMALANGA

Following the outbreak of Avian Influenza that was announced in Zimbabwe on 2 June
2017, The South African Veterinary Authority was today notified on of high mortalities
on a breeder flock in Villiers close to the Mpumalanga Provincial border.

Samples were collected on the farm and have yielded a positive result for a Highly
Pathogenic Avian Influenza, H5N8. The Department has agreed with the company to
euthanize the birds in affected houses in collaboration with the NSPCA.

The affected property has 12 self-contained sites with a total of approximately 285 000
birds, and so far only one self - contained site, with approximately 24 000 birds has
been affected. As part of the emergency response, the farm has been placed under
quarantine and Veterinary services will continue to monitor the farm.

The Mpumalanga Veterinary Authorities are on the farm, assisting with quarantine
implementation, culling and disinfection of the farm. The affected farm is on the banks of
the Vaal River and it is suspected that wild birds may be involved. The influenza is
carried by live birds which make it difficult to control and contain to a particular area. We
have intensified our early detection and requested owners to enhance their biosecurity
in order to prevent contact with wild birds.

Vaccination against Avian Influenza is prohibited by law. There are several reasons for
not allowing vaccination of chickens, and the most pertinent are that vaccinated birds
mask the disease and therefore create an endemic situation; surveillance for absence of
disease is also impossible in vaccinated birds as they all test positive.

The department has sent out notices to all poultry owners, outlining the biosecurity
measures they have to take, and detailing how the surveillance will be conducted. This
can be found on the DAFF and SAPA websites.

To report any high death numbers of wild birds please contact your local State Vet,
Animal Health Technician or Extension Officers
Media enquiries:
Bomikazi Molapo 0788013711
Bomikazim@daff.gov.za

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON AVIAN INFLUENZA

1. What is bird flu?
a. Just like flu, it is a winter disease
b. It affects all types of birds, and some show signs more than others
c. It moves from chicken to chicken easily and very quickly

2. How do you stop it?
a. Owners of chickens should prevent contact with wild birds by avoiding
i. feeding chickens outside
ii. Leaving open water sources
iii. Leaving chickens roaming outside and picking up wild bird faeces
b. When chickens are sick, do not move them from the premises
c. Be careful of vehicles and people coming on to your premises from affected areas
d. When your chickens are sick, do not move eggs, chickens, bedding, manure and any
other tools around and to other owners.
e. When your chickens are sick, put them in a locked up place and ensure they do not
make contact with other chickens and wild birds; also make sure you are thoroughly
clean before going to another premises with chickens.

3. Does it affect people?
a. Generally not; however, people that work closely with large numbers of chickens may
contract the disease.
b. This type of bird flu is not known to have caused any death or serious sickness in
people.

4. How do you see it?
a. The chickens will look sick and then they die in numbers higher than normal

5. What do you need to do?
a. Contact your local agriculture official to assist. The Department will pay for samples
to rule out Avian Influenza if sent to the ARC-OVR through the State Vet office.

http://www.nda.agric.za/docs/media/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA%20CONFIRMED%20IN%20MPUMALANGA.pdf

http://www.daff.gov.za/daffweb3/Home/aid/877

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South Africa reports outbreak of H5N8 bird flu, industry body says

South Africa reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu at a farm in the Free State province, agricultural industry body group AgriSA said on Friday.

Poultry producer Astral confirmed that the H5N8 bird flu strain was found on its Villiers farm on the outskirts of the Free State province, it said in a statement.

The company said the farm had been quarantined and the site affected would be depleted of all birds.
...

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-birdflu-safrica-idUSKBN19E0NE

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Highly pathogenic avian influenza, South Africa

Information received on 22/06/2017 from Dr Bothle Michael Modisane, Chief Director , Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Animal Production and Health, PRETORIA, South Africa

Summary Report type Immediate notification Date of start of the event 19/06/2017 Date of confirmation of the event 22/06/2017 Report date 22/06/2017 Date submitted to OIE 22/06/2017 Reason for notification New strain of a listed disease in the country Causal agent Avian Influenza Virus Serotype H5N8 Nature of diagnosis Clinical, Laboratory (advanced) This event pertains to a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks (1)

Outbreak 1 (AI_H5N8_2017) AI_H5N8_2017, Dipaleseng, MPUMALANGA Date of start of the outbreak 19/06/2017 Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided) Epidemiological unit Farm Affected animals Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered Birds 24000 5000 5000 0 0 Affected population Commercial broiler breeder farm. Process has started to cull remainder of birds.

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1 Total animals affected Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered Birds 24000 5000 5000 0 0 Outbreak statistics Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost* Birds 20.83% 20.83% 100.00% 20.83% *Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

Epidemiology Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection Unknown or inconclusive Epidemiological comments Coordinates modified to protect confidentiality as required by South African Legislation.

Control measures Measures applied Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone Traceability Quarantine Vaccination prohibited No treatment of affected animals Measures to be applied Official destruction of animal products Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste Stamping out Disinfection

Diagnostic test results Laboratory name and type Species Test Test date Result Agricultural Research Council - Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (ARC-OVI) (OIE Reference Laboratory) Birds polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 22/06/2017 Positive

Future Reporting The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

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http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=24127