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Hong Kong - Black-headed gull carcass tests positive for H5N6 virus in Lau Fau Shan

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  • Pathfinder
    replied
    Highly pathogenic influenza A viruses (infection with) (non-poultry including wild birds),
    Hong Kong (SAR - PRC)
    Information received on 10/02/2018 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
    Date of start of the event 07/02/2018
    Date of confirmation of the event 09/02/2018
    Report date 09/02/2018
    Date submitted to OIE 10/02/2018
    Reason for notification Recurrence of a listed disease
    Date of previous occurrence 21/12/2017
    Manifestation of disease Clinical disease
    Causal agent Highly pathogenic influenza A virus
    Serotype H5N6
    Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
    This event pertains to the whole country
    New outbreaks (1)
    Outbreak 1 Lau Fau Shan, Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long , HONG KONG
    Date of start of the outbreak 07/02/2018
    Outbreak status Resolved (07/02/2018)
    Epidemiological unit Not applicable
    Affected animals
    Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
    Black-headed Gull:Larus ridibundus(Laridae) 1 1 0 0
    Affected population A dead black-headed gull was collected on 7 February 2018 in Lau Fau Shan, Tin Shui Wai. The species is an abundant winter visitor in Hong Kong.
    Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1
    Total animals affected
    Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
    Black-headed Gull:Larus ridibundus(Laridae) 1 1 0 0
    Outbreak statistics
    Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
    Black-headed Gull:Larus ridibundus(Laridae) ** ** 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 the ongoing national surveillance program on wild birds. There are two poultry farms located within three kilometres of where the bird was found. No abnormalities or signs of avian influenza were found in the two poultry farms. The Hong Kong Wetland Park is located within three kilometres of where the bird was found. No spread of disease was evident. The date of end of the outbreak is the same as the date the bird was found (7 February 2018).
    Control measures
    Measures applied
    • Screening
    • Disinfection
    • Vaccination permitted (if a vaccine exists)
    • 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) Black-headed Gull immunohistochemical test 08/02/2018 Positive
    Tai Lung Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (National laboratory) Black-headed Gull real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) 08/02/2018 Positive
    Tai Lung Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (National laboratory) Black-headed Gull virus isolation 09/02/2018 Positive
    Centre of Influenza Research, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong (Regional Reference Laboratory) Black-headed Gull gene sequencing Pending
    National Influenza Centre, Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health (Regional Reference Laboratory) Black-headed Gull gene sequencing Pending
    Future Reporting
    The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.
    ...

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  • Pathfinder
    replied
    Black-headed gull carcass tests positive for H5N6 virus
    ********************************************


    The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 9) that the carcass of a black-headed gull found in Lau Fau Shan, Tin Shui Wai, was confirmed as having the H5N6 avian influenza virus after laboratory testing.

    The bird carcass was found and collected near a public toilet at Ngau Hom Tsuen, Lau Fau Shan. It was suspected to have the H5 virus after initial laboratory testing yesterday (February 8). The black-headed gull is a common winter visitor.

    The spokesman said two chicken farms are within 3 kilometres of where the dead bird was found. The AFCD has already informed the chicken farms concerned and found no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza among the chicken flocks so far. The AFCD will also phone poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters will be issued to pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons, reminding them that proper precautions must be taken. The AFCD will continue to monitor the situation closely.

    The Hong Kong Wetland Park is also within 3km of where the bird was found. Cleaning and disinfection has been stepped up at the Wetland Park. Notices have also been put up to remind visitors to pay attention to personal hygiene. The Wetland Park will keep a close watch on the situation of birds inside the Park.

    The spokesman said the department will conduct 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 personal 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 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/Friday, February 9, 2018
    Issued at HKT 20:15

    NNNN

    The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 9) that the carcass of a black-headed gull found in Lau Fau Shan, Tin Shui Wai, was confirmed as having...

    Leave a comment:


  • Hong Kong - Black-headed gull carcass tests positive for H5N6 virus in Lau Fau Shan


    Black-headed gull carcass tests positive for H5 virus
    ******************************************


    A carcass of a black-headed gull found in Lau Fau Shan, Tin Shui Wai was suspected to be positive for the H5 avian influenza virus based on preliminary testing, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 8). Further confirmatory tests are being conducted.

    The bird carcass was found and collected near a public toilet at Ngau Hom Tsuen, Lau Fau Shan today. The black-headed gull is a common winter visitor.

    The spokesman said the two chicken farms are within 3 kilometres of where the dead bird was found. The AFCD already informed the chicken farms concerned and found no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza among the chicken flocks so far. The AFCD will also phone poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters will be issued to pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons reminding them that proper precautions must be taken. The AFCD will continue to monitor the situation closely.

    The Hong Kong Wetland Park is also within 3 km of where the bird was found. Cleansing and disinfection has been stepped up at the Wetland Park. Notices have also been put up to remind visitors to pay attention to personal hygiene. The Wetland Park will keep a close watch on the situation of birds inside the Park.

    The spokesman said the department will 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 personal 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 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/Thursday, February 8, 2018
    Issued at HKT 21:38


    A carcass of a black-headed gull found in Lau Fau Shan, Tin Shui Wai was suspected to be positive for the H5 avian influenza virus based on preliminary testing, a spokesman for the...

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