Civets in Vietnam's national park die from bird flu

Niko · Mar 11, 2008

<table class="lan18" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="97%"><tbody><tr><td class="hei22" height="25" valign="bottom"> Civets in Vietnam's national park die from bird flu
</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" height="4">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="50%"> <tbody><tr> <td height="8">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="97%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="48%">www.chinaview.cn

2008-03-11 13:13:33 </td> <td class="hui12" align="center" width="26%"> </td> <td class="hui12" align="center" width="12%">

Print</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="80%"> <tbody><tr> <td height="20">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table class="lt14" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="97%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="lt14"> HANOI, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Specimens from four Owston's palm civets in Vietnam's Cuc Phuong National Park, which died in February, have been tested positive to bird flu virus strain H5N1, local newspaper Pioneer reported Tuesday.
According to tests by Vietnam's Central Veterinary Diagnosis Center, the four civets were infected with H5N1. Specimens from a civet in the national park in northern Ninh Binh province, which died on March 2, has been tested negative to the virus.
The park's staff named Tran Quang Phuong said that after the deaths of five Owston's palm civets in late February and early March, there are now eight civets in the park.
In June 2005 when bird flu was hard hitting Vietnam, three Owston's palm civets in the national park died. According to tests by a laboratory in China's Hong Kong, they were infected with H5N1.
It has remained unknown why the civets have been infected with the disease, the newspaper said.
Vietnam's Department of Animal Health on March 10 said the country currently has nine localities having poultry being hit by bird flu: Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Tuyen Quang, Ninh Binh,Phu Tho, Ha Nam and Hanoi in the northern region, and southern Vinh Long province.
Bird flu outbreaks in Vietnam, starting in December 2003, have killed and led to the forced culling of dozens of millions of fowls in the country.

</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="50%"> <tbody><tr> <td height="15">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table class="hei12" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="90%"> <tbody><tr> <td align="right" height="25"> Editor: Jiang Yuxia </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="80%"><tbody><tr><td height="15">http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/11/content_7765038.htm

NOTE: Civets are not cats - icon used was closest match for civet - Niko
</td></tr></tbody></table>

AlaskaDenise · Mar 11, 2008

Re: Civets in Vietnam's national park die from bird flu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civet

.....Civets are omnivorous, supplementing a meat diet (both hunted and scavenged) with fruit, eggs, and possibly roots.

Dead BF infected birds and their eggs sound like the civet's diet.

.

HenryN · Mar 11, 2008

Re: Civets in Vietnam's national park die from bird flu

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top></TD><TD vAlign=top width=1 rowSpan=2><SCRIPT type=text/javascript></SCRIPT></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>
<DL><DT><TABLE cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap" vAlign=top width="20%"><INPUT id=UidCheckBox type=checkbox value=119514276 name=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Nuccore.Sequence_ResultsPanel.Sequence_RVDocSum.uid sid="1">1: EF124801</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>

Reports<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT> </TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>

<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT>Links</TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 2.8em" vAlign=top align=left colSpan=3>Influenza A virus (A/Owston's civet/Vietnam/1/2005(H5N1)) segment 1 polymerase basic subunit 2 (PB2) gene, complete cds
gi|119514276|gb|EF124801.1|[119514276]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DT></DL>
<DL><DT><TABLE cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap" vAlign=top width="20%"><INPUT id=UidCheckBox type=checkbox value=119514274 name=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Nuccore.Sequence_ResultsPanel.Sequence_RVDocSum.uid sid="2">2: EF124800</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>

Reports<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT> </TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>

<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT>Links</TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 2.8em" vAlign=top align=left colSpan=3>Influenza A virus (A/Owston's civet/Vietnam/1/2005(H5N1)) segment 2 polymerase basic subunit 1 (PB1) gene, complete cds
gi|119514274|gb|EF124800.1|[119514274]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DT></DL>
<DL><DT><TABLE cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap" vAlign=top width="20%"><INPUT id=UidCheckBox type=checkbox value=119514272 name=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Nuccore.Sequence_ResultsPanel.Sequence_RVDocSum.uid sid="3">3: EF124799</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>

Reports<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT> </TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>

<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT>Links</TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 2.8em" vAlign=top align=left colSpan=3>Influenza A virus (A/Owston's civet/Vietnam/1/2005(H5N1)) segment 3 polymerase acidic protein (PA) gene, complete cds
gi|119514272|gb|EF124799.1|[119514272]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DT></DL>
<DL><DT><TABLE cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap" vAlign=top width="20%"><INPUT id=UidCheckBox type=checkbox value=119514270 name=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Nuccore.Sequence_ResultsPanel.Sequence_RVDocSum.uid sid="4">4: EF124798</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>

Reports<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT> </TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>

<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT>Links</TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 2.8em" vAlign=top align=left colSpan=3>Influenza A virus (A/Owston's civet/Vietnam/1/2005(H5N1)) segment 8 nonstructural protein (NS) gene, complete cds
gi|119514270|gb|EF124798.1|[119514270]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DT></DL>
<DL><DT><TABLE cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap" vAlign=top width="20%"><INPUT id=UidCheckBox type=checkbox value=119514268 name=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Nuccore.Sequence_ResultsPanel.Sequence_RVDocSum.uid sid="5">5: EF124797</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>

Reports<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT> </TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>

<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT>Links</TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 2.8em" vAlign=top align=left colSpan=3>Influenza A virus (A/Owston's civet/Vietnam/1/2005(H5N1)) segment 5 nucleoprotein (NP) gene, complete cds
gi|119514268|gb|EF124797.1|[119514268]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DT></DL>
<DL><DT><TABLE cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap" vAlign=top width="20%"><INPUT id=UidCheckBox type=checkbox value=119514266 name=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Nuccore.Sequence_ResultsPanel.Sequence_RVDocSum.uid sid="6">6: EF124796</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>

Reports<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT> </TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>

<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT>Links</TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 2.8em" vAlign=top align=left colSpan=3>Influenza A virus (A/Owston's civet/Vietnam/1/2005(H5N1)) segment 6 neuraminidase (NA) gene, complete cds
gi|119514266|gb|EF124796.1|[119514266]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DT></DL>
<DL><DT><TABLE cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap" vAlign=top width="20%"><INPUT id=UidCheckBox type=checkbox value=119514264 name=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Nuccore.Sequence_ResultsPanel.Sequence_RVDocSum.uid sid="7">7: EF124795</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>

Reports<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT> </TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>

<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT>Links</TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 2.8em" vAlign=top align=left colSpan=3>Influenza A virus (A/Owston's civet/Vietnam/1/2005(H5N1)) segment 7 matrix protein (M) gene, complete cds
gi|119514264|gb|EF124795.1|[119514264]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DT></DL>
<DL><DT><TABLE cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap" vAlign=top width="20%"><INPUT id=UidCheckBox type=checkbox value=119514262 name=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Nuccore.Sequence_ResultsPanel.Sequence_RVDocSum.uid sid="8">8: EF124794</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>

Reports<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT> </TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>

<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT>Links</TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 2.8em" vAlign=top align=left colSpan=3>Influenza A virus (A/Owston's civet/Vietnam/1/2005(H5N1)) segment 4 hemagglutinin (HA) gene, partial cds
gi|119514262|gb|EF124794.1|[119514262]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DT></DL>
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2></SCRIPT>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Giuseppe · Mar 12, 2008

Re: Civets in Vietnam's national park die from bird flu

H5N1 kills four civets at Cuc Phuong National Park

Four civets have been killed by the H5N1 bird flu virus in Cuc Phuong National Park, said avian flu authorities Tuesday.

In a meeting with the National Committee on Bird Flu Prevention, director of the National Diagnostic Animal Health Center Nguyen Van Cam said it was unclear what exactly had caused the outbreak.

A total of 16 exotic animals had died at Cuc Phuong between February 8 and March 3, Cam said.

Park officials had sent samples of all the animals for testing at the Ho Chi Minh City Tropical Hospital.

Only the four civets came up H5N1-positive.

The civets were Owston?s palm civets, Reuters reported Tuesday.

Three other civets at the park were killed by the bird flu in June 2005.

The park is located about 90 km south of Hanoi in Ninh Binh Province.

Cam said the disease was possibly spread through the cat-like creatures? food sources.

Truong Van Dung, head of the Veterinary Science Institute under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said other species in the park were at risk of infection.

The National Diagnostic Animal Health Center suggested that the park handle animal waste more effectively, control the number of visitors and other animals entering the infected area while also requiring workers to wear protective suits and go through sterilization when leaving the area.

The Center also asked the park to cook the animals? meals thoroughly before feeding the civets.

Bui Ba Bong, deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasized that civets are considered an endangered species and the park must work to protect the rest of the eight civets at Cuc Phuong.

According to the deputy minister, bird flu outbreaks have hit eight other provinces in the past month.

The ministry aims to control outbreaks nationwide by the end of March, he said.

The virus has killed other exotic animals in the past.

According to Reuters, ostriches in South Africa, as well as a clouded leopard and tigers in Thailand have all been infected with the disease previously.

Reported by Quang Duan

-
http://www.thanhniennews.com/healthy/?catid=8&newsid=36608
------

Giuseppe · Mar 13, 2008

Re: Civets in Vietnam's national park die from bird flu

AVIAN INFLUENZA (45): VIET NAM, CIVET, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
A ProMED-mail post <http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Wed 12 Mar 2008
From: Bill Edstrom <wedstrom@spokanecounty.org>

re: Avian influenza (44): Viet Nam, civet
-----------------------------------------
Granted, the civets you mention are endangered, but what I find more interesting is that 3 non-human primates also died.
How are the non-human primates of the H5N1-endemic world faring? Why don't we hear more about how they are being impacted and what that means to humans?

--
Bill Edstrom, MPH Epidemiologist - Spokane Regional Health District - Spokane, WA 99201-2095 - <wedstrom@spokanecounty.org>

[No primates have, so far, been included in USGS List of Species (wildlife
and domestic animals) Confirmed Infected by H5N1 (Avian Influenza), based
upon referenced reports.
See <http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/avian_influenza/affected_species_chart.jsp>.

The 3 non-human primates Bill Edstrom refers to are 2 langurs (Family:
Cercopithecidae, Subfamily: Colobinae) and one loris (Family: Lorisidae,
Subfamily: Lorinae), which -- according to the cited media report -- died
in the Cuc Phuong National Park between 2 Feb and 2 Mar 2008.

The report mentioned that, during the said period -- in addition to the 5 Owston's palm civets -- 2 common palm civets and 5 peewit hoopie birds died as well.

The director of Viet Nam's Central Veterinary Diagnosis Centre was cited
referring to H5N1 virus in the the 5 Owston's palm civets.
It would indeed be interesting to learn whether the other dead animals were autopsied and laboratory-examined, and about the results of such investigations, if performed. - Mod.AS]
-
http://apex.oracle.com/pls/otn/f?p=..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,71808
------

Giuseppe · Mar 13, 2008

Re: Civets in Vietnam's national park die from bird flu

OIE IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION REPORT
-
Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Vietnam

Information received on 12/03/2008 from Mr Bui Quang Anh, Chief Veterinary Officer, Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, HANOI, Vietnam

Summary
Report type Immediate notification
Start date 02/03/2008
Date of first confirmation of the event 12/03/2008
Report date 12/03/2008
Date submitted to OIE 12/03/2008
Reason for notification Change in epidemiology
New disease agent No
New vector No
New host species Wild species
Increased pathogenicity No
Zoonotic impact No
Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus Serotype H5N1
This event pertains to the whole country

New outbreaks
*Outbreak 1 - Cuc Phuong National Park, Cuc Phuong, Nho Quan, NINH BINH
Date of start of the outbreak 02/03/2008
Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit Not applicable
Affected animals: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
*Wild species - 579 - 6 - 6 - 0 - 0

Affected population
A new host of the disease has been identified: Owston's palm civets (Chrotagale owstoni) in the Cuc Phuong National Park

Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 1
Outbreak statistics: Species - Apparent morbidity rate - Apparent mortality rate - Apparent case fatality rate - Proportion susceptible animals lost*
*Wild species - 1.04% - 1.04% - 100.00% - 1.04%

* Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

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

Control measures
Measures applied No vaccination
No treatment of affected animals

Measures to be applied No other measures
-
http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=6899
------

Giuseppe · Mar 14, 2008

Re: Civets in Vietnam's national park die from bird flu

Health agency urges cordoning bird flu in northern Vietnam park

A Ministry of Health agency has asked local agencies to prevent further spreading of type A H5N1 bird flu virus which killed four Owston?s palm civets at Cuc Phuong National Park in northern Vietnam.

The Health Preventive Department has issued a directive requesting provincial health departments in Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa to instruct the park to control the number of visitors, nearby residents and animals from entering the infected site.

The agency also announced that all park employees who took care of the afflicted animals are under quarantine and administered Tamiflu doses.

According to reports at a meeting held earlier this week by the National Bird Flu Prevention Committee, four of the 16 civets that died between February 8 and March 3 in the park were tested positive for the virus.

Causes of the outbreak are yet to be known.

The park, located about 90 kilometers south of Hanoi, covers three provinces including Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa.

Statistics by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reveal that bird flu has affected at least 12 provinces and cities, mostly in the north.

Source: SGGP

-
http://www.thanhniennews.com/healthy/?catid=8&newsid=36700
------

Giuseppe · Mar 16, 2008

Re: Civets in Vietnam's national park die from bird flu

AVIAN INFLUENZA (47): VIET NAM, CIVET

A ProMED-mail post <http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Sat 15 Mar 2008 - From: Leanne Clark - <scpvet@gmail.com>

re: Avian Influenza (44) * Viet Nam, Civet 20080312.0991
--------------------------------------------------------
The posting regarding avian influenza in Owston's civets (_Chrotogale
owstoni_) refers to an event which occurred in our centre, the Carnivore
and Pangolin Conservation Program (CPCP) of Cuc Phuong National Park, Viet Nam.

The CPCP runs a rescue and rehabilitation centre for carnivores and
pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade in Viet Nam, as well
as a successful conservation breeding program for the Owston's civet.
The CPCP Captive Management Team is committed to ensuring the health and welfare of animals in the centre. Animal health is constantly monitored,
and any problems are quickly investigated. It is because of this that a diagnosis was quickly achieved, and measures were put in place to protect
the health of staff and remaining animals in the centre.

Currently all staff and animals are healthy, with no signs of disease.

This posting aims to clear up some misunderstandings in the recent coverage
of this outbreak.

Species and number of individuals involved
------------------------------------------
During February 2008, a number of wild birds, and both wild and captive
animals, died in the national park.
There are many possible reasons for this, including the very severe cold spell which was just coming to an end.

1. Captive mammals cared for by the CPCP
- Owston's civet (_Chrotogale owstoni_): During February 2008, 4 captive
Owston's civets died. These animals tested POSITIVE for AI H5N1. On 2 Mar
2008 a further Owston's civet died, however this animal tested NEGATIVE for
AI H5N1.

- common palm civet (_Paradoxurus hermaphroditus_): During February 2008, 2 captive common palm civets died. These animals had been recently confiscated from the wildlife trade. Both were in quarantine within the CPCP. Both animals died secondary to severe wounds associated with hunting (one snare trap wound, one dog bite wound penetrating the thoracic cavity).
These animals both tested NEGATIVE for AI H5N1.

2. Other animals
A number of other animals (including 3 captive primates, 2 wild civets, and
6 wild black-crested bulbuls) also died in February. Samples from these
animals were sent to the NVDC Laboratory, Department of Animal Health for
testing. While we believe that all animal samples have tested NEGATIVE for H5N1, subscribers should refer to the Department of Animal Health, Hanoi, for more details on these animals.

Tests conducted
---------------
Detailed medical records were kept throughout the outbreak and thorough
post mortem examinations were conducted. Frozen necropsy tissues were
tested at the National Veterinary Diagnostics Centre (NVDC) of the
Department of Animal Health in Hanoi. Diagnosis was confirmed using both
PCR and viral culture. For more details concerning tests, subscribers are
directed to the NVDC, Hanoi.

Diet fed to civets in the CPCP
------------------------------
The CPCP has never fed poultry meat to animals inside the centre. Since the
2005 outbreak of H5N1 in the centre, no duck eggs, chicken eggs, or pork
has been fed to the animals.

Prior to the recent disease outbreak, civets were fed a mixture of locally
available fruits (banana, apple, pear, grape), raw beef, freshwater shrimp,
earthworms, grasshoppers, crabs, fish and frogs. Since 15 Feb 2008, the
diet has consisted of fruit (banana, grapes, apple, pear), beef, shrimp,
fish, and a commercially prepared cat food. As a further safety measure,
beef is now cooked prior to feeding.

Biosecurity in the CPCP
-----------------------
Since 2005, the CPCP has had a strict biosecurity protocol. This protocol
aims to safeguard the health of staff, and reduce the risk of introducing
disease or spreading disease between animals in the centre.

VIRKON (DuPont) footbaths, at the correct concentration required to kill AI
H5N1 virus, are used at the front gate of the centre, at the entrance to
the quarantine facility, and at the entrance gates to each of the
individual enclosure blocks. Staff are encouraged to wash their hands with
soap and water on arrival, both before and after contact with animals or
their enclosures, and before leaving at the end of the day.

Since this outbreak began, staff are required to wear personal protective
equipment (including N95 face mask, goggles, rubber boots, gloves and
waterproof coat) when they have direct contact with an animal or when
entering any animal enclosure.

Ongoing investigations
----------------------
The CPCP is currently cooperating with the management of Cuc Phuong
National Park and the NVDC, Department of Animal Health staff to conduct a
thorough and ongoing investigation into the epidemiology of this disease
outbreak. A range of Environmental samples have been collected and tested
by the NVDC laboratory.

All remaining animals in the centre have received a thorough physical examination under general anaesthesia. Oropharyngeal swabs from these animals are currently being tested for active virus, and serum is being tested for antibodies to AI H5N1, by the NVDC laboratory in Hanoi.

For any further information, please feel free to contact CPCP Program
Manager, Tran Quang Phuong (<carnivore@vnn.vn>) or veterinarian Leanne
Clark (<scpvet@gmail.com>).

Subscribers are also directed to the article on the 2005 outbreak of H5N1
in Owston's civets in Cuc Phuong National Park for more information. The
article is found at
<http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1634780>.

--
Leanne Clark -Veterinarian - Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program (SCP) - Cuc Phuong National Park - Ninh Binh Province - Viet Nam
<scpvet@gmail.com>

[We are most grateful to Dr Clark for this firsthand, authoritative,
detailed report, including useful background, which address the queries and
requests for information included in our previous postings on the mortality
of Owston's civets (4 positive, 1 negative) and common palm civets (2
negative) in the Cuc Phuong National Park. As to the (apparently negative)
3 captive primates (reportedly, 2 langurs and one loris), official
information from the Department of Animal Health, Hanoi (either to us or,
duly, to the OIE) is anticipated. - Mod.AS] [See above - IRONOREHOPPER]
-
http://apex.oracle.com/pls/otn/f?p=..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,71845
------

Giuseppe · Mar 16, 2008

Re: Civets in Vietnam's national park die from bird flu

AVIAN INFLUENZA (47): VIET NAM, CIVET

A ProMED-mail post <http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Sat 15 Mar 2008 - From: Leanne Clark - <scpvet@gmail.com>

re: Avian Influenza (44) * Viet Nam, Civet 20080312.0991
--------------------------------------------------------
The posting regarding avian influenza in Owston's civets (_Chrotogale Owstoni_) refers to an event which occurred in our centre, the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program (CPCP) of Cuc Phuong National Park, Viet Nam.

The CPCP runs a rescue and rehabilitation centre for carnivores and pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade in Viet Nam, as well as a successful conservation breeding program for the Owston's civet.
The CPCP Captive Management Team is committed to ensuring the health and welfare of animals in the centre. Animal health is constantly monitored,
and any problems are quickly investigated. It is because of this that a diagnosis was quickly achieved, and measures were put in place to protect the health of staff and remaining animals in the centre.

Currently all staff and animals are healthy, with no signs of disease.

This posting aims to clear up some misunderstandings in the recent coverage of this outbreak.

Species and number of individuals involved
------------------------------------------
During February 2008, a number of wild birds, and both wild and captive animals, died in the national park.
There are many possible reasons for this, including the very severe cold spell which was just coming to an end.

1. Captive mammals cared for by the CPCP
- Owston's civet (_Chrotogale owstoni_): During February 2008, 4 captive Owston's civets died. These animals tested POSITIVE for AI H5N1. On 2 Mar 2008 a further Owston's civet died, however this animal tested NEGATIVE for AI H5N1.

- common palm civet (_Paradoxurus hermaphroditus_): During February 2008, 2 captive common palm civets died. These animals had been recently confiscated from the wildlife trade. Both were in quarantine within the CPCP. Both animals died secondary to severe wounds associated with hunting (one snare trap wound, one dog bite wound penetrating the thoracic cavity).
These animals both tested NEGATIVE for AI H5N1.

2. Other animals
A number of other animals (including 3 captive primates, 2 wild civets, and 6 wild black-crested bulbuls) also died in February. Samples from these animals were sent to the NVDC Laboratory, Department of Animal Health for
testing. While we believe that all animal samples have tested NEGATIVE for H5N1, subscribers should refer to the Department of Animal Health, Hanoi, for more details on these animals.

Tests conducted
---------------
Detailed medical records were kept throughout the outbreak and thorough post mortem examinations were conducted. Frozen necropsy tissues were tested at the National Veterinary Diagnostics Centre (NVDC) of the
Department of Animal Health in Hanoi. Diagnosis was confirmed using both PCR and viral culture. For more details concerning tests, subscribers are directed to the NVDC, Hanoi.

Diet fed to civets in the CPCP
------------------------------
The CPCP has never fed poultry meat to animals inside the centre. Since the 2005 outbreak of H5N1 in the centre, no duck eggs, chicken eggs, or pork has been fed to the animals.

Prior to the recent disease outbreak, civets were fed a mixture of locally available fruits (banana, apple, pear, grape), raw beef, freshwater shrimp, earthworms, grasshoppers, crabs, fish and frogs. Since 15 Feb 2008, the diet has consisted of fruit (banana, grapes, apple, pear), beef, shrimp, fish, and a commercially prepared cat food. As a further safety measure, beef is now cooked prior to feeding.

Biosecurity in the CPCP
-----------------------
Since 2005, the CPCP has had a strict biosecurity protocol. This protocol aims to safeguard the health of staff, and reduce the risk of introducing disease or spreading disease between animals in the centre.

VIRKON (DuPont) footbaths, at the correct concentration required to kill AI H5N1 virus, are used at the front gate of the centre, at the entrance to the quarantine facility, and at the entrance gates to each of the individual enclosure blocks. Staff are encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water on arrival, both before and after contact with animals or their enclosures, and before leaving at the end of the day.

Since this outbreak began, staff are required to wear personal protective equipment (including N95 face mask, goggles, rubber boots, gloves and waterproof coat) when they have direct contact with an animal or when
entering any animal enclosure.

Ongoing investigations
----------------------
The CPCP is currently cooperating with the management of Cuc Phuong National Park and the NVDC, Department of Animal Health staff to conduct a thorough and ongoing investigation into the epidemiology of this disease
outbreak. A range of Environmental samples have been collected and tested by the NVDC laboratory.

All remaining animals in the centre have received a thorough physical examination under general anaesthesia. Oropharyngeal swabs from these animals are currently being tested for active virus, and serum is being tested for antibodies to AI H5N1, by the NVDC laboratory in Hanoi.

For any further information, please feel free to contact CPCP Program Manager, Tran Quang Phuong (<carnivore@vnn.vn>) or veterinarian Leanne Clark (<scpvet@gmail.com>).

Subscribers are also directed to the article on the 2005 outbreak of H5N1 in Owston's civets in Cuc Phuong National Park for more information. The article is found at <http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1634780>.

--
Leanne Clark -Veterinarian - Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program (SCP) - Cuc Phuong National Park - Ninh Binh Province - Viet Nam
<scpvet@gmail.com>

[We are most grateful to Dr Clark for this firsthand, authoritative, detailed report, including useful background, which address the queries and requests for information included in our previous postings on the mortality of Owston's civets (4 positive, 1 negative) and common palm civets (2 negative) in the Cuc Phuong National Park. As to the (apparently negative) 3 captive primates (reportedly, 2 langurs and one loris), official information from the Department of Animal Health, Hanoi (either to us or, duly, to the OIE) is anticipated. - Mod.AS] [See above - IRONOREHOPPER]
-
http://apex.oracle.com/pls/otn/f?p=..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,71845
------

Civets in Vietnam's national park die from bird flu

Niko

Editor, Senior Moderator

AlaskaDenise

In Memoriam

HenryN

Retired

Giuseppe

Emeritus

Giuseppe

Emeritus

Giuseppe

Emeritus

Giuseppe

Emeritus

Giuseppe

Emeritus

Giuseppe

Emeritus