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Highly pathogenic avian influenza reported in Russian bird populations
Highly pathogenic avian influenza reported in Russian bird populations
Editorial team (eurosurveillance.weekly@hpa.org.uk), Eurosurveillance editorial office
The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus type A(H5N1), which continues to infect humans in Vietnam and Indonesia, has been reported to have infected bird populations in Russia, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE, http://www.oie.int) [1]. The disease has been reported in 13 villages in the Novosibirsk region in Siberia, and was first detected on 18 July 2005. The virus is believed to have been transmitted to domestic poultry from wild waterfowl after contact at open reservoirs. A total of 18 513 domestic birds have been slaughtered in the three affected districts. There are controls on the movement of poultry, and many other bird populations in the region are being screened. Affected farms are being disinfected. In Europe, there has been concern that the highly pathogenic A(H5N1) virus could be carried in by birds migrating from Russia [2].
Avian influenza in wild birds has also recently been reported in Mongolia and in domestic poultry in Kazakhstan (influenza type A and type A(H5) respectively ? further subtyping pending) [3,4]. The H5N1 virus was also detected in Xinjiang province in China in June [5]. This province borders on Mongolia and Kazakhstan.
Vietnam continues to report cases of human avian influenza. Three more human cases of H5N1 infection were confirmed on 5 August, bringing the total since mid-December 2004 to 63 cases, of which 20 have been fatal [6]. One fatal and one probable human case of H5N1 infection were reported in Indonesia at the end of July, where H5N1 has affected domestic poultry since March 2005, and recently, pigs [7]. Between February and May 2005, four fatal human cases of H5N1 infection were also reported in Cambodia [8].
The European Union responded to the reports of circulating A(H5N1) virus in Russia and Kazakhstan on 8 August by asking member states to ban the import of feathers and live birds from these countries with immediate effect. The European Commission Standing Committee on the Food Chain will review this ban in September [9].
References:
OIE. Highly pathogenic avian influenza in Russia ? follow-up report no.1. 5 August 2005. (http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/a_current.htm#Sec7)
Eurosurveillance. Scientists' report outlines European priorities in tackling infectious diseases. Eurosurveillance 2005; 10(6): 16/6/2005 (http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ew/2005/050616.asp#1)
OIE. Avian influenza in Mongolia in migratory birds. 8 August 2005 (http://www.oie.int/Messages/050808MNG.htm)
OIE. Avian influenza in Kazakhstan. 2 August 2005 (http://www.oie.int/Messages/050802KAZ.htm)
OIE. Highly pathogenic avian influenza in China. Follow up report number 1. 20 June 2005 (http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_65.HTM#Sec1)
WHO CSR. Avian influenza ? situation in Vietnam ? update 27. Disease outbreak news, 5 August 2005. (http://www.who.int/csr/don/2005_08_05/en/index.html)
WHO CSR. Avian influenza ? situation in Indonesia ? update 26. Disease outbreak news, 29 July 2005. (http://www.who.int/csr/don/2005_07_29c/en/index.html)
WHO CSR. Avian influenza ? situation in Cambodia ? update 17. Disease outbreak news, 4 May 2005 (http://www.who.int/csr/don/2005_05_04/en/index.html)
European Commission. Avian influenza in Russia and Kazakhstan: import of feathers and live birds banned. Midday Express, 8 August 2005 (http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressRele...guiLanguage=en)
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