• FluTrackers.com Inc. does not provide medical advice. Information on this web site is collected from various internet resources, and the FluTrackers board of directors makes no warranty to the safety, efficacy, correctness or completeness of the information posted on this site by any author or poster. The information collated here is for instructional and/or discussion purposes only and is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other medical condition. Every individual reader or poster should seek advice from their personal physician/healthcare practitioner before considering or using any interventions that are discussed on this website. By continuing to access this website you agree to consult your personal physican before using any interventions posted on this website, and you agree to hold harmless FluTrackers.com Inc., the board of directors, the members, and all authors and posters for any effects from use of any medication, supplement, vitamin or other substance, device, intervention, etc. mentioned in posts on this website, or other internet venues referenced in posts on this website.
  • We are not asking for any donations. Do not donate to any entity who says they are raising funds for us.

_|Nigeria: July-26-2008, HPAIV H5N1 In Poultry|_

Giuseppe

Giuseppe

Emeritus
[WAHID Interface] Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Nigeria
Information received on 24/07/2008 from Dr Junaidu A. Maina, Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Dept. of Livestock & Pest Control Services, ABUJA, Nigeria

? Summary
Report type Immediate notification (Final report)
Start date 19/07/2008
Date of first confirmation of the event 22/07/2008
Report date 24/07/2008
Date submitted to OIE 24/07/2008
Date event resolved 23/07/2008
Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence 09/01/2008
Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus Serotype H5N1
Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to the whole country

? New outbreaks

* Outbreak 1 - Birnin Kebbi Central Market, Birnin Kebbi, Birnin Kebbi, KEBBI
Date of start of the outbreak 27/06/2008
Outbreak status Resolved (27/06/2008)
Epidemiological unit Not applicable
Affected animals: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
* Birds - 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
Affected population: A local chicken sampled during routine surveillance at live bird market

* Outbreak 2 - Gombe Pantami market, Gombe, Gombe, GOMBE
Date of start of the outbreak 19/07/2008
Outbreak status Resolved (23/07/2008)
Epidemiological unit Not applicable
Affected animals: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
* Birds - 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
Affected population: A single duck sampled during routine surveillance exercise at live bird market.

? Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 2
Total animals affected: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
* Birds - 2 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 0

? Outbreak statistics
Species - Apparent morbidity rate - Apparent mortality rate - Apparent case fatality rate - Proportion susceptible animals lost*
* Birds - 100.00% - 0.00% - 0.00% - 0.00%
* Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

? Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection Unknown or inconclusive

? Epidemiological comments
Detailed epidemiological investigation is being conducted, but available evidence so far suggest contact with wild birds may have led to the infection.

? Control measures
Measures applied Movement control inside the country
Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
Modified stamping out
Vaccination prohibited
No treatment of affected animals

Measures to be applied No other measures

? Diagnostic test results
Laboratory name and type National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom (Regional Reference Laboratory)
Tests and results: Species - Test - Test date - Result
* Birds - haemagglutination inhibition test (HIT) - 23/07/2008 - Positive
* Birds - reverse transcription ? polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) - 23/07/2008 - Positive
* Birds - virus isolation - 23/07/2008 - Positive

? Future Reporting
The event is resolved.No more reports will be submitted.
-
http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=7217
-------
 
Re: _|NIGERIA: IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION REPORT TO OIE, HPAIV H5N1 IN POULTRY|_

Re: _|NIGERIA: IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION REPORT TO OIE, HPAIV H5N1 IN POULTRY|_

The H5N1 findings in Nigeria came during routine surveillance, according to an epidemiology report submitted by Nigeria today to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

On Jun 27, veterinary officials detected the virus in a chicken at a live bird market in Kebbi state, in northwestern Nigeria. On Jul 19, animal health workers found the virus in a duck at a live bird market in Gombe state in the east-central part of the country. The reports did not say if bird deaths were reported in the area or if the birds that were sampled appeared sick.

A detailed investigation was under way to determine the source of the virus, which might be contact between poultry and wild birds, the OIE report said. Officials said they have restricted the movement of birds inside the country and have disinfected the areas where the birds were kept. No birds were culled.

Nigeria's last H5N1 outbreak occurred in October 2007, according to an overview from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).



http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/jul2508birds-br.html
 
Re: _|NIGERIA: IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION REPORT TO OIE, HPAIV H5N1 IN POULTRY|_

Re: _|NIGERIA: IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION REPORT TO OIE, HPAIV H5N1 IN POULTRY|_

Fresh bird flu outbreak in Nigerian poultry

Mon 28 Jul 2008, 11:27 GMT
<INPUT id=CurrentSize type=hidden value=13 name=CurrentSize>
[-] Text [+]

ABUJA, July 28 (Reuters) - An outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu virus has been found in two Nigerian poultry markets, the first discovery in almost 10 months in Africa's most populous nation, the agriculture ministry said on Monday.
Junaidu Maina, agriculture director for the livestock department, said the infected chickens and ducks were located last week in the northern cities of Kano and Katsina.
"Immediate actions have already been taken to control the outbreak. The affected farms are being depopulated and disinfected," he said.
The virus, which can spread to humans, was first discovered in Nigeria in February 2006 and infected poultry in 25 states before being contained. The last Nigerian outbreak was in October 2007.
The outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu began in Asia five years ago and has been found in about 60 countries and territories, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health. The virus has killed 243 people since 2003. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Randy Fabi; Editing by Nick Tattersall)

http://africa.reuters.com/country/NG/news/usnL8632024.html
 
Re: _|NIGERIA: IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION REPORT TO OIE, HPAIV H5N1 IN POULTRY|_

Re: _|NIGERIA: IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION REPORT TO OIE, HPAIV H5N1 IN POULTRY|_

[NEW UPDATE] Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Nigeria
Information received on 25/07/2008 from Dr Junaidu A. Maina, Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Dept. of Livestock & Pest Control Services, ABUJA, Nigeria

? Summary
Report type Immediate notification
Start date 22/07/2008
Date of first confirmation of the event 24/07/2008
Report date 25/07/2008
Date submitted to OIE 25/07/2008
Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence 09/01/2008
Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus Serotype H5N1
Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to the whole country

? New outbreaks
* Outbreak 1 - Kadarko quarters, Katsina, KATSINA
Date of start of the outbreak 22/07/2008
Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit Farm
Affected animals: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
* Birds - 110 - 31 - 31 - 79 - 0
Affected population: A small backyard flock with mixed species of local chickens, Guinea fowls and ducks

* Outbreak 2 - Fagen Kawo, Dawakin Tofa, KANO
Date of start of the outbreak 22/07/2008
Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit Farm
Affected animals: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
* Birds - 4253 - 1514 - 1514 - 2739 - 0
Affected population: A commercial backyard poultry flock, but the owner keeps few ducks within the premises

? Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 2
Total animals affected: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
* Birds - 4363 - 1545 - 1545 - 2818 - 0

Outbreak statistics: Species - Apparent morbidity rate - Apparent mortality rate - Apparent case fatality rate - Proportion susceptible animals lost*
* Birds - 35.41% - 35.41% - 100.00% - 100.00%
* Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

? Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection Unknown or inconclusive

? Epidemiological comments
Detailed investigation is on-going, but information so far indicates the introduction of new species into the existing flock as the possible cause of the outbreak

? Control measures
Measures applied Quarantine
Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
Modified stamping out
Vaccination prohibited
No treatment of affected animals

Measures to be applied Movement control inside the country
Screening

? Diagnostic test results
Laboratory name and type National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom (Regional Reference Laboratory)
Tests and results: Species - Test - Test date - Result
* Birds - haemagglutination inhibition test (HIT) - 24/07/2008 - Positive
* Birds - reverse transcription ? polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) - 24/07/2008 - Positive
* Birds - virus isolation - 24/07/2008 - Positive

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

-
http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=7220
-------
 
_|Nigeria: More than 4,000 animals lost, Two New Epizootic (kano, Katsina)|_

_|Nigeria: More than 4,000 animals lost, Two New Epizootic (kano, Katsina)|_

[NEW UPDATE] Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Nigeria

Information received on 25/07/2008 from Dr Junaidu A. Maina, Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Dept. of Livestock & Pest Control Services, ABUJA, Nigeria

? Summary
Report type Immediate notification
Start date 22/07/2008
Date of first confirmation of the event 24/07/2008
Report date 25/07/2008
Date submitted to OIE 25/07/2008
Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence 09/01/2008
Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus Serotype H5N1
Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to the whole country

? New outbreaks
* Outbreak 1 - Kadarko quarters, Katsina, KATSINA
Date of start of the outbreak 22/07/2008
Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit Farm
Affected animals: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
* Birds - 110 - 31 - 31 - 79 - 0
Affected population: A small backyard flock with mixed species of local chickens, Guinea fowls and ducks

* Outbreak 2 - Fagen Kawo, Dawakin Tofa, KANO
Date of start of the outbreak 22/07/2008
Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit Farm
Affected animals: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
* Birds - 4253 - 1514 - 1514 - 2739 - 0
Affected population: A commercial backyard poultry flock, but the owner keeps few ducks within the premises

? Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 2
Total animals affected: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
* Birds - 4363 - 1545 - 1545 - 2818 - 0

Outbreak statistics: Species - Apparent morbidity rate - Apparent mortality rate - Apparent case fatality rate - Proportion susceptible animals lost*
* Birds - 35.41% - 35.41% - 100.00% - 100.00%
* Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

? Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection Unknown or inconclusive

? Epidemiological comments
Detailed investigation is on-going, but information so far indicates the introduction of new species into the existing flock as the possible cause of the outbreak

? Control measures
Measures applied Quarantine
Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
Modified stamping out
Vaccination prohibited
No treatment of affected animals

Measures to be applied Movement control inside the country
Screening

? Diagnostic test results
Laboratory name and type National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom (Regional Reference Laboratory)
Tests and results: Species - Test - Test date - Result
* Birds - haemagglutination inhibition test (HIT) - 24/07/2008 - Positive
* Birds - reverse transcription ? polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) - 24/07/2008 - Positive
* Birds - virus isolation - 24/07/2008 - Positive

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

-
http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=7220
--------
 
Re: _|NIGERIA: IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION REPORT TO OIE, HPAIV H5N1 IN POULTRY|_

Re: _|NIGERIA: IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION REPORT TO OIE, HPAIV H5N1 IN POULTRY|_

Nigeria Reports New Outbreaks of Bird Flu at Farms in North

By Dulue Mbachu

July 28 (Bloomberg) -- Nigeria, Africa's most-populous nation, reported new outbreaks of bird flu in two of its northern states, the World Organization for Animal Health said.

Both cases, confirmed to be the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, occurred in ``backyard poultry'' in Kano and Katsina states, the organization said a statement posted on its Web site on July 25.

``Detailed investigation is ongoing, but information so far indicates the introduction of new species into existing flock as possible cause of the outbreak,'' the organization said. More than 5,000 birds from the two farms, including chickens, ducks and guinea-fowls, have been destroyed to prevent further spread of the virus, it added.

The H5N1 strain of bird flu has spread to more than 60 countries and has killed 243 people in 12 countries as of June 19, according to the World Health Organization's Web site.

Junaid Maina, head of the livestock in Nigeria's Agriculture Ministry, didn't answer calls to his mobile phone seeking coment.

To contact the reporter on this story: Dulue Mbachu in Lagos via Johannesburg at pmrichardson@bloomberg.net.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=ayDM3XC9bxSA&refer=africa
 
Re: _|NIGERIA: IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION REPORT TO OIE, HPAIV H5N1 IN POULTRY|_

Re: _|NIGERIA: IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION REPORT TO OIE, HPAIV H5N1 IN POULTRY|_

niman said:
Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/07280802/H5N1_Nigeria_North.html
Click to expand...
Commentary

H5N1 Spread Across Northern Nigeria
Recombinomics Commentary 18:47
July 28, 2008

Detailed epidemiological investigation is being conducted, but available evidence so far suggest contact with wild birds may have led to the infection.

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

A small backyard flock with mixed species of local chickens, Guinea fowls and ducks

A commercial backyard poultry flock, but the owner keeps few ducks within the premises

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

The above comments are from two recent OIE filings by Nigeria. The first filing, on 7/22/08 described two H5N1 positive birds identified during routine surveillance at wet markets. The positives did not lead to culling and the evens were considered ?resolved? as noted above.

However, the positives were at opposite ends of northern Nigeria (see satellite map) suggesting the H5N1 was more widespread than the two positive birds, and may extend into Niger, which was the case for outbreaks in early 2006.

The second filing, two days later, described outbreaks on two farms, which were both in northern Nigeria, but at locations far from each other and far from the wet markets, suggesting H5N1 was present throughout northern Nigeria and likely in neighboring countries.

The second reported noted that both commercial outbreaks included waterfowl, lending support to the earlier report which suggested wild birds may have been the H5N1 source for the outbreaks.

Although Nigeria has not reported H5N1 since the beginning of 2007, new outbreaks are not a surprise. Nigeria is located at the intersection of three major flyways and more infections are expected, including locations near Lagos, along the southern coast of Nigeria and neighboring countries.


.
 
Re: _|Nigeria: More than 4,000 animals lost, Two New Epizootic (kano, Katsina)|_

Re: _|Nigeria: More than 4,000 animals lost, Two New Epizootic (kano, Katsina)|_

Via allAfrica.com, a report from The Daily Trust in Abuja:
Nigeria:
Agency Strategises Against Fresh Outbreak of Bird Flu.

Excerpt:
The Kano State office of the Avian Influenza Control and Human Pandemic Preparedness Project (AICP) has swung into action to control the recent outbreak of the avian influenza detected in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of the state and Kadarko village in Katsina State. A statement from the AICP Kano office signed by the project communication desk officer, Alhaji Surajo Ibrahim Gaya stated that immediate actions had been adopted by the AICP to put the outbreak of the disease under control. The statement said, "The affected farms have been depopulated and disinfected by an expert team led by the state project desk officer, Animal Health Component, Dr Sarki B. Muhammad." This, according to the... [read full story]
http://www.newstin.com/tag/us/71575165
 
Nigeria: Flu Kills 1,000 Birds in Kano

Nigeria: Flu Kills 1,000 Birds in Kano

Nigeria: Flu Kills 1,000 Birds in Kano

This Day (Lagos)
1 August 2008
Posted to the web 1 August 2008
Ibrahim Shuaibu
Kano

Experts from the federal government in conjunction with officials of Kano state government have depopulated and disinfected birds affected by avian influenza after discovery of an outbreak in a farm at Fagen Kawo village of Dawakin-Tofa local government area, Kano state.

THISDAY checks in Kano revealed that about one thousand birds had been lost in the farm at Fagen Kawo as a result of the outbreak, while the state government and the Federal government had moved in swiftly for intervention.

A statement signed by Surajo Ibrahim Gaya, an official of the state Ministry of Information and made available to THISDAY said a team led by the Kano state Project Desk Officer, Animal Health Component, Dr Sarki B Mohammed, was conducting a detailed epidemiological investigation to trace the source of the out break in the farm and another affected farm in Katsina state.

The statement added that a team set up by the federal government headed by Professor P. A. Abdul of the veterinary teaching hospital; ABU Zaria, in company of experts from Abuja office of Avian Influenza control project and other related agencies have visited the farm and some live birds market in Kano state.

Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr Abba Sayyadi Ruma, in a press statement enjoined the general public to continue to practice hygienic behaviors and strict bio-security measures on their farms, in the markets and report any suspicion to appropriate authorities.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200808010275.html
 
Re: _|Nigeria: July-26-2008, HPAIV H5N1 In Poultry|_

Bird flu under control ? FG

THE federal government has said it would continue to do everything possible to control Avian Influenza (bird flu) in Nigeria, to prevent its transmission to human beings.

The minister of agriculture and water resources, Dr. Abba Sayyadi Ruma, gave the assurance in a press release issued to journalists in Abuja by the chief veterinary officer of Nigeria, Dr. Junais Maina,

According to the release, Dr. Ruma confirmed new outbreaks of Avian Influenza in Faggen Kawo village of Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano, and Kadarko quarters, GRA in Katsina states.

The statement which was made available by Surajo Ibrahim Gaya, Kano projects desk officer AICP, enjoined the general public to continue to practice hygienic behaviors and ensure strict bio-security measures on their farms, in the markets and report any suspicious situation to appropriate authorities.

Meanwhile, in Kano, immediate actions have been taken to control the outbreak of the diseases as the affected farms have been depopulated and disinfected by a team led by the state projects desk officer, Dr. Sarki B. Muhammad.

In addition, detailed epidemiological investigation is on going to trace the source of the outbreak.

The release added that a team set up by the federal government headed by Prof. P.A. Abdul of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, ABU Zaria, in conjunction with officers from Abuja National Office of Avian Influenza Control projects, National Veterinary Research Institute, VOM and Kano state AICP officials have already visited the affected farm where blood sample from birds were taken for analysis at Vom, Plateau state.

The state communication component desk office had carried out sensitization and awareness campaign on hygienic practices for the disease prevention at the affected area.
-
http://www.triumphnewspapers.com/bird482008.html
-------
 
Re: _|Nigeria: July-26-2008, HPAIV H5N1 In Poultry|_

Nigeria: Stakeholders Raise Alarm Over Fresh Bird Flu Outbreak

4 August 2008
STAKE HOLDERS at the just concluded 39th meeting of the National Council on Information and Communications (NCIC) have expressed concern on the apparent ignorance of Nigerians over the hazards of avian influenza popularly called Bird flu.

The stakeholders said this recently, in Yenagoa capital of Bayelsa State and urged the Federal Government to get the citizenry more informed on the dangers of bird flu in the country.


This was stated in the communique released at the end of the five-day conference in the state, as a result of the new outbreak of bird flu noticed in some states of the country.

They observed, there is need for aggressive enlightenment in order to encourage food production in the country.

According to the communique, "Aggressive publicity should be stepped up sequel to the new outbreaks of avian influenza in Kano and Katsina States and the risk factors involved especially for those who make contact or prepare poultry products."

"Government at all levels are urged to evolve aggressive agricultural initiative to forestall food crisis and boost food production in the country. Fertilizers should be distributed promptly twice a year to states to correspond with the planting seasons."

They called on the 36 state governors and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to establish archives for the preservation of records.

Earlier, the Minister of Information and Communication, Mr. John Odey, in his key note address noted that information in known world wide as an important tool for good governance and development and Nigeria is no exception to this reality.

Odey noted, "we live in an information age, where the wealth and productive capacity of nations is geometrically related to the information and communication infrastructure available to its populace.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200808041248.html
 
Re: _|Nigeria: July-26-2008, HPAIV H5N1 In Poultry|_

[AVIAN INFLUENZA, POULTRY, WILD BIRDS, NIGERIA] NIGERIA: New bird flu strain confirmed
KANO, 13 August 2008 (IRIN) -
A highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza never previously registered in sub-Saharan Africa has been detected in northern Nigeria but local health officials have downplayed the significance.
​
?After a 10-month lull, we have recorded avian influenza outbreaks in two northern states and laboratory analysis showed that the virus belongs to the sub-type related to a different kind [of bird flu] that is found in Europe,? Ibrahim Ahmed, chief epidemiologist in Nigeria?s Federal Department of Livestock, told IRIN.
The new strain of avian influenza was found on two farms in Kano state and its northern neighbour Katsina in July. It was confirmed as avian flu by the World Reference Laboratory in Italy, Ahmed said.
?It is likely the new strain might have been introduced to the country by migratory birds.?
Avian flu was first recorded in Nigeria on a farm in Jaji in northern Kaduna state in February 2006. From there it quickly spread to 25 out of the country?s 36 states, with Kano being the worst hit.
The country has experienced periodic resurgences of the virus, but up until July 2008, the strain was always the same as the initial H5N1 found on the farm in Jaji, Ahmed said.
The latest outbreak was first reported on 16 July on a poultry farm in Fagen-Kawo village where more than half of the village?s 4,249 chickens died and the remaining 1,665 were culled, said Surajo Ibrahim Gaya, Kano Communication Desk Officer on Avian Influenza.
?This is an indication that our surveillance and control strategies are working as we have successfully controlled the earlier introduction and our surveillance network is vigilant enough to detect this newly introduced strain as soon as it came into the country?, Ahmed said.
:eek: Blood and sputum samples of a 25 year-old poultry worker DanHussaini Jibrin, who had had contact with sick chickens, were analysed at Asokoro Reference Laboratory in Nigeria?s capital Abuja where he was quarantined for two days after complaining of mild fever.
​
?We were relieved the result of the analyses on the worker?s blood and sputum showed no bird flu infection,? Gaya said.
Nigeria has so far recorded one human casualty of the avian influenza in February 2006 when a young girl died of avian flu she contracted while cleaning chicken houses in the country?s commercial capital Lagos.
aa/nr
-
---------
 
Re: _|Nigeria: July-26-2008, HPAIV H5N1 In Poultry|_

[OIE] Bird flu strain in Nigeria already known to scientists

PARIS , France 13 August 2008 :

During routine surveillance in Nigeria for highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry, one chicken and one duck sampled in June and July 2008 at the live bird markets of Gombe and Kebbi, were found positive for the H5N1 virus.

This was the first positive finding in Nigeria of the disease since the last reported case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in January 2008.

The new outbreak was reported promptly to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) by the veterinary authority of Nigeria on 24 July 2008 .

An epidemiological investigation was initiated and samples were send to the OIE/FAO reference laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie in Padova , Italy for further investigation.

The laboratory is part OFFLU, the worldwide OIE/FAO avian influenza laboratory network.

Tests conducted at the laboratory confirmed that the virus from Gombe closely resembles the virus isolated from wild birds in Central Europe ( Romania and the Czech Republic ) in 2007.

It is the first detection of this strain on the Africa continent.

It is still unclear how the virus of this specific sublineage was introduced into Africa .

Further investigations on additional isolates of the virus from Kebbi, Kano and Katsina states in Nigeria are in progress at the laboratory in Padova.

?This finding supports the consensus amongst scientists that avian influenza infections caused by viruses of the H5N1 subtype are still a concern for animal health and that continuous surveillance, early detection and reporting are essential to understand the evolution of the situation? said OIE Deputy Director General, Dr Gideon Br?ckner.

He emphasised that this incident was not caused by a new strain of the virus and that there is no evidence of increased human health risks linked to the novel introduction of this strain into Africa .

Maria Zampaglione
Updated : 13-Ao?-2008
-
http://www.oie.int/eng/press/en_080813.htm
--------
 
Re: _|Nigeria: July-26-2008, HPAIV H5N1 In Poultry|_

Tests conducted at the laboratory confirmed that the virus from Gombe closely resembles the virus isolated from wild birds in Central Europe ( Romania and the Czech Republic ) in 2007.
Click to expand...


The above description leaves no doubt that the H5N1 in Nigeria is clade 2.2.3 (Uvs Lake strain).
 
Re: _|Nigeria: July-26-2008, HPAIV H5N1 In Poultry|_

Source: http://www.modernghana.com/news/178674/1/bird-flu-in-nigeria-again.html

Bird Flu In Nigeria Again!
By Daily Guide - Daily Guide
Business/Finance | Thu, 14 Aug 2008

A new strain of avian influenza virus (bird flu), never before reported in Africa, has been detected in Nigeria, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has announced.

A statement by the organisation said tests conducted by Nigeria and FAO showed that the new virus strain was similar to strains identified last year in Italy, Afghanistan and Iran.

The statement further said the new virus ?is genetically distinct from other forms detected in Nigerian outbreaks in 2006 and 2007?.

?It seems unlikely that wild birds have carried the strain to Africa, since the last migration of wild birds from Europe and Central Asia to Africa occurred in September 2007.

?This year's southerly migration into Africa has not really started yet,? Scott Newman, International Wildlife Coordinator of FAO's Animal Health Service, said in the statement.

He also pointed out other avenues the virus could reach Nigeria as international trade or illegal and unreported movement of poultry.

?This increases the risk of an avian influenza spread to other countries in Western Africa,? the statement noted.

It said the FAO had already called for increased surveillance to monitor the virus and track its spread.

?Many countries have succeeded in getting the virus under control; but as long as avian influenza remains endemic in some countries, the international community needs to be on alert,? FAO's chief veterinary officer, Joseph Domenech, said.

Since the avian flu epidemic caused by the H5N1 strain started five years ago in Asia, more than 60 countries have so far been affected.

In Nigeria, bird flu was first confirmed in February 2006 and infected poultry in 25 states before being contained.

The statement said FAO has a team of animal health experts and veterinary epidemiologists working in the country.

In Ghana, when the virus was detected last year, a total of 1,965 birds were destroyed on three farms and the government has to pay Over GH?8,800 as compensation to three poultry farmers whose birds and farm implements were destroyed as a result of the outbreak of the disease on their farms at Asuokwa, near Sunyani.

By Felix Dela Klutse
 
Re: _|Nigeria: July-26-2008, HPAIV H5N1 In Poultry|_

<TABLE style="DIRECTION: ltr" width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Scientists Dispute Role of Wildlife Migration in Advancing Nigeria's Latest Bird Flu Outbreak</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>By Howard Lesser
Washington, DC
14 August 2008

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Wildlife Conservation Society's Dr. Kristine Smith - Download (MP3)
Wildlife Conservation Society's Dr. Kristine Smith - Listen (MP3) </SPAN>
Wildlife Conservation Society's Dr. Kristine Smith - Download (Real)
Wildlife Conservation Society's Dr. Kristine Smith - Listen (Real) </SPAN>



Scientists are doubtful that the latest disease-producing strain of avian flu detected in Nigeria originated with wild migratory birds that annually migrate there from Europe or Central Asia. They say the newly discovered strain most likely stems from the illicit or unreported trade of domestic poultry across borders, a process that can be monitored and regulated if governments and health authorities work to implement stronger, protective safeguards. Dr. Kristine Smith is Assistant Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Global Health Programs. She says that the current Class Three wave of bird influenza means a loss of trade and the precautionary destruction of thousands of domestic poultry.

“For Nigeria in particular, it’s been quite serious as far as their economy goes and the direct impact on their poultry industry. H5N1 being a zoonotic disease, meaning infectious to humans, it continues to pose a threat to humans’ health. These high-path H5N1 strains, as far as Nigeria is concerned, we are watching it quite closely in the poultry markets because it obviously is a food security issue,” she said.

Smith says the reason that scientists who are tracking the spread of the disease are dispelling reports of wild bird migrations causing the current bout in Nigeria is that it has been shown that this year’s migration season has not yet begun.

“What we have suspected has caused most of the outbreaks has been through the movement of domestic poultry – domestic chickens or domestic ducks. These animals are moved both legally and illegally within a nation and internationally, and that is how this disease spreads quite a bit. However, wild birds have played a relatively small role in moving the disease from country to country during their migration movements; however, a lot of those times, those infections don’t result in larger infections of poultry and people. This particular strain that has just hit Nigeria has hit well before the migratory movement of birds heading south from Europe and Asia, and so therefore, it’s not likely at all that wild birds played a role in this new outbreak,” she stated.

The Wildlife Conservation Society, which is based at New York’s famed Bronx Zoo, continues to make a serious effort to heighten awareness of the need to trace how poultry enters our food supply system. Calling illegal food trade across borders a multi-billion-dollar industry “comparable to the international drug trade,” Smith says the threat posed by shipping poultry to markets domestically and across borders today is greater than ever before.

“It’s huge, and it’s not limited to poultry and even influenza, but both legal and illegal movement of domestic and wildlife animals and products is largely unrecorded and unregulated and undefined. And given the increased globalization of today’s world, where we have much more contact with different species of animals, wildlife, and livestock and humans, with the trade, we’re seeing an increase in occurrence of these major infectious diseases,” she notes.

Smith, a field veterinarian, credits the capability of Nigerian authorities to curb the spread of the influenza.

“Nigeria has been one of those countries that have been wonderfully working very diligently -- their government, with their internal forces and external international assistance. And they’re doing a wonderful job of responding to these outbreaks,” she says.

Smith points to some advantages that Nigeria has that have enabled its medical and civil authorities to contain the country’s multiple outbreaks effectively.

Sometimes, even though a developing country may have a little bit less infrastructure, sometimes it’s easier for them to contain some of these outbreaks because you don’t have the highways, you don’t have so many commercial poultry farms, where you have people moving from one to another constantly. And so in some ways, it’s almost easier to keep a handle on some of these outbreaks in developing countries as opposed to more developed countries. But it always varies on the type of outbreak that occurs, where it occurs, and in what species it occurs,” she notes.
Although vaccines to lessen the severity of the illness continue to be developed, Smith notes that the virus is constantly adapting and unfolding in new strains. While, the impact of bird flu has thankfully not reached the dreaded levels that were feared two and three years ago, more work remains to be done to find a definitive explanation of how the avian influenza makes its way to countries like Nigeria or to countries like Egypt and Indonesia, where it has taken an even greater economic and human toll.

http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2008-08-14-voa4.cfm
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top