Hong Kong - Oriental magpie robin tests positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N6

[Gert van der Hoek]

Preliminary testing of an Oriental magpie robin found in Kwai Chung has returned a positive result for the H5 avian influenza virus, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (November 18), adding that further confirmatory tests are being conducted.

The dead bird was found and collected on the second floor staircase of Wing Yiu House, Lai Yiu Estate, Kwai Chung, yesterday (November 17). Oriental magpie robins are common resident birds in Hong Kong.

The spokesman said cleaning and disinfection have been stepped up at the venue, adding that there are no poultry farms within 3 kilometres of the location where the dead bird was found.

In view of the case, the AFCD has phoned poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters have been issued to farmers, pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons reminding them that proper precautions must be taken.

The spokesman said the department would conduct frequent inspections of poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented. The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance.

"People should avoid contact with wild birds and live poultry and their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. The public can call 1823 for follow-up if they come across suspicious, sick or dead birds, including the carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman said.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will continue to be vigilant over imported live poultry as well as live poultry stalls. It will also remind stall operators to maintain good hygiene.

The Department of Health will keep up with its health education to remind the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent avian influenza.

The AFCD, the FEHD, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police will strive to deter the illegal import of poultry and birds into Hong Kong to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreaks caused by imported poultry and birds that have not gone through inspection and quarantine.

All relevant government departments will continue to be highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza. Health advice is available from the "H5N1 Health Advice" page on the AFCD website at www.afcd.gov.hk.

Ends/Wednesday, November 18, 2015

[Pathfinder]

Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Hong Kong (SAR - PRC)

Information received on 24/11/2015 from Dr Thomas Sit, Chief Veterinary Officer / Assistant Director (Inspection & Quarantine), Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Hong Kong , Hong Kong (SAR - PRC)

Summary Report type Immediate notification (Final report) Date of start of the event 17/11/2015 Date of confirmation of the event 23/11/2015 Report date 24/11/2015 Date submitted to OIE 24/11/2015 Date event resolved 17/11/2015 Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease Date of previous occurrence 29/04/2015 Manifestation of disease Clinical disease Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus Serotype H5N6 Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced) This event pertains to the whole country

New outbreaks (1)

Outbreak 1 Wing Yiu House, Lai Yiu Estate, Kwai Chung, HONG KONG Date of start of the outbreak 17/11/2015 Outbreak status Resolved (17/11/2015) Epidemiological unit Not applicable Affected animals Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered Oriental Magpie-Robin:Copsychus saularis(Muscicapidae) 1 1 0 0

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1 Total animals affected Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered Oriental Magpie-Robin:Copsychus saularis(Muscicapidae) 1 1 0 0 Outbreak statistics Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost* Oriental Magpie-Robin:Copsychus saularis(Muscicapidae) ** ** 100.00% ** *Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter **Not calculated because of missing information

Epidemiology Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection Unknown or inconclusive Epidemiological comments An intensive surveillance system is in place for all poultry farms, poultry markets and pet bird shops in Hong Kong. The H5N6 infected wild bird was detected in our ongoing surveillance program on wild birds. No spread of disease was evident. The date of end of the outbreak is the same as the date the bird was found (17 November 2015).

Control measures Measures applied Screening Disinfection / Disinfestation No vaccination No treatment of affected animals Measures to be applied No other measures

Diagnostic test results Laboratory name and type Species Test Test date Result Tai Lung Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (National laboratory) Oriental Magpie-Robin immunohistochemical test 18/11/2015 Positive Tai Lung Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (National laboratory) Oriental Magpie-Robin polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 18/11/2015 Positive Tai Lung Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (National laboratory) Oriental Magpie-Robin virus isolation 23/11/2015 Positive Centre of Influenza Research, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong (Regional Reference Laboratory) Oriental Magpie-Robin gene sequencing Pending

Future Reporting The event is resolved. No more reports will be submitted.

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http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Diseaseinformation/WI