Influenza A (H3N2), Denmark (WAHID Interface - OIE World Animal Health Information Database, 10/30/09, edited)

[Giuseppe]

Influenza A (H3N2), Denmark (WAHID Interface - OIE World Animal Health Information Database, 10/30/09, edited)

Influenza A (H3N2), Denmark

Information received on 30/10/2009 from Dr Jan Mousing, Chief Veterinary Officer, Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Soborg, Denmark

• Summary
  • Report type Follow-up report No. 1
  • Start date 28/09/2009
  • Date of first confirmation of the event 21/10/2009
  • Report date 30/10/2009
  • Date submitted to OIE 30/10/2009
  • Reason for notification Emerging disease
  • Morbidity 1.3 %
  • Mortality 0.5 %
  • Zoonotic impact The potential for infecting humans is unknown but cannot be ruled out.
  • Causal agent Influenza A (H3N2)
  • Serotype Other
  • This event pertains to the whole country
  • Related reports
    • Immediate notification (23/10/2009)
    • Follow-up report No. 1 (30/10/2009)

• New outbreaks
  • Outbreak 1 - (H3N2-2009-006) Idom, Holstebro, North
    • Date of start of the outbreak 06/10/2009
    • Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
    • Epidemiological unit Farm
    • Affected animals: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
      • other species - 10000 - 230 - 0 - 0
      • Affected Population The holding consists of minks (Mustela vison) for fur production. The clinical signs have been seen in the upper respiratory organs as sneezing and coughing followed by pneumonia. The first samples were collected on 6 October 2009.
  • Outbreak 2 - (H3N2-2009-003) Hjerm, Struer, North
    • Date of start of the outbreak 29/09/2009
    • Outbreak status Resolved (29/10/2009)
    • Epidemiological unit Farm
    • Affected animals: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
      • other species - 30000 - 30 - 0 - 0
      • Affected Population The holding consists of minks (Mustela vison) for fur production. The clinical signs have been seen in the upper respiratory organs as sneezing and coughing followed by pneumonia. The first samples were collected on 29 September 2009. The official restrictions on the farm were lifted on 29 October 2009 due to the absence of clinical signs for more than 7 days.
  • Outbreak 3 - (H3N2-2009-005) Holstebro, Holstebro, North
    • Date of start of the outbreak 06/10/2009
    • Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
    • Epidemiological unit Farm
    • Affected animals: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
      • other species - 6000 - 93 - 0 - 0
      • Affected Population The holding consists of minks (Mustela vison) for fur production. The clinical signs have been seen in the upper respiratory organs as sneezing and coughing followed by pneumonia. The samples were collected on 6 October 2009.
  • Outbreak 4 - (H3N2-2009-004) Holstebro, Holstebro, North
    • Date of start of the outbreak 01/10/2009
    • Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
    • Epidemiological unit Farm
    • Affected animals: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
      • other species - 5000 - 50 - 0 - 0
      • Affected Population The holding consists of minks (Mustela vison) for fur production. The clinical signs have been seen in the upper respiratory organs as sneezing and coughing followed by pneumonia. The samples were collected on 1 October 2009.
  • Outbreak 5 - (H3N2-2009-002) Skave, Holstebro, North
    • Date of start of the outbreak 28/09/2009
    • Outbreak status Resolved (29/10/2009)
    • Epidemiological unit Farm
    • Affected animals: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
      • other species - 23000 - 270 - 0 - 0
      • Affected Population The holding consists of minks (Mustela vison) for fur production. The clinical signs have been seen in the upper respiratory organs as sneezing and coughing followed by pneumonia. The first samples were collected on 28 September 2009. The official restrictions on the farm were lifted on 29 October 2009 due to the absence of clinical signs for more than 7 days.

• Summary of outbreaks
  • Total outbreaks: 5
  • Total animals affected: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
    • other species - 74000 - ** - 673 - 0 - 0
  • Outbreak statistics: Species - Apparent morbidity rate - Apparent mortality rate - Apparent case fatality rate - Proportion susceptible animals lost*
    • other species - ** - 0.91% - ** - 0.91%
    • * 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
  • Results from sequencing performed at the Department of Virology (State Serum Institute) available on 21 October 2009 revealed that the virus appears to be a novel human-animal reassortant. It is composed of HA and NA genes with human-like sequences. All other six segments are closest to swine genes. On this basis, it is likely that the virus is a novel swine influenza virus infecting minks. The potential for infecting humans is unknown, but with human-like surface proteins, such a potential cannot be ruled out. Official restrictions have been placed on the involved mink holdings. Official restrictions are lifted when clinical signs have been absent for at least seven days.

• Control measures
  • Measures applied
    • Quarantine
    • Movement control inside the country
    • Screening
    • No vaccination
    • No treatment of affected animals
  • Measures to be applied
    • No other measures

• Diagnostic test results
  • Laboratory name and type State Serum Institute (National laboratory)
    • Tests and results: Species - Test - Test date - Result
      • other species - real-time PCR - 21/10/2009 - Positive

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

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<cite cite="http://www.oie.int/wahis/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=8600" >WAHID Interface - OIE World Animal Health Information Database</cite>

[Rwilmer]

Re: Influenza A (H3N2), Denmark (WAHID Interface - OIE World Animal Health Information Database, 10/30/09, edited)

I don't like the sound of this. Sounds like another pandemic is iminent.

[Toaster2]

Re: Influenza A (H3N2), Denmark (WAHID Interface - OIE World Animal Health Information Database, 10/30/09, edited)

Any links to Ukraine ?

[Giuseppe]

Re: Influenza A (H3N2), Denmark (WAHID Interface - OIE World Animal Health Information Database, 10/30/09, edited)

Any links to Ukraine ?

This information is not available.

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Influenza A (H3N2), Denmark (WAHID Interface - OIE World Animal Health Information Database, 10/30/09, edited)

Any links to Ukraine ?

Not any indication at all to Ukraine:

The spread of a human seasonal flu strain H3N2 to at several Mink farms was reported some time ago. Ferret owners know the flu can jump to and from humans to ferrets and vice versa.

- different strain, no H1N1

- different region, many many miles away

- no serious human H3N2 cases reported from Denmark

As always with co-circulation of the new H1N1 and H3N2 (may be other flu strains too), there is a risk of re-assortment or recombination.