Israel - Avian flu H5N8 confirmed in Jezreel Valley

[Gert van der Hoek]

Avian flu in Jezreel Valley

13 11 2016

The Agriculture Ministry announced, Sunday, that an outbreak of avian flu has been discovered in a chicken coop of Kibbutz Heftziba, in the Jezreel Valley between Afula and Beit She'an, in the eastern part of northern Israel.

Tests were ordered on the bodies of birds that died in the last few days. The ministry stressed there was no danger from eating eggs or poultry from the kibbutz, but called on the public to be alert and report suspicious findings of bird carcasses.

[Pathfinder]

Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Israel

Information received on 13/11/2016 from Dr Nadav Galon, Director, Veterinary Services and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, BET DAGAN, Israel

Summary Report type Immediate notification Date of start of the event 09/11/2016 Date of confirmation of the event 13/11/2016 Report date 13/11/2016 Date submitted to OIE 13/11/2016 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

New outbreaks (1)

Outbreak 1 (HEFZI-BAH) HEFZI-BAH, Yizreel, HAZAFON Date of start of the outbreak 09/11/2016 Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided) Epidemiological unit Farm Affected animals Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered Birds 34500 1800 1500 0 0 Affected population 21 weeks old heavy breeders. 4 pens. One pen only (containing 5,200 birds) was affected. All the dead birds were found in this affected pen.

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1 Total animals affected Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered Birds 34500 1800 1500 0 0 Outbreak statistics Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost* Birds 5.22% 4.35% 83.33% 4.35% *Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

Epidemiology Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection Contact with wild species Epidemiological comments Israel is on the migration route of wild birds coming from Europe to Africa. The migration is ongoing and this virus strain probably arrived from Europe with migrating birds. The farm is located in an aquaculture area with multiple fish ponds, attracting migrating birds.

Control measures Measures applied Movement control inside the country Quarantine Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone Zoning Vaccination prohibited No treatment of affected animals Measures to be applied Screening Disinfection / Disinfestation Surveillance outside containment and/or protection zone Stamping out Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste

Diagnostic test results Laboratory name and type Species Test Test date Result Kimron Veterinary Institute, Avian Diseases Division (National laboratory) Birds pathogen isolation by egg inoculation Pending Kimron Veterinary Institute, Avian Diseases Division (National laboratory) Birds real-time PCR 13/11/2016 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=21531