Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, Chinese Taipei (OIE, July 17 2012): 38 illegally imported pet birds infected

[Giuseppe]

[Source: OIE, full page: (LINK). Edited.]


Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Chinese Taipei


Information received on 17/07/2012 from Dr Kwo-Ching Huang, Chief Veterinary Officer and Deputy Director General, , Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine Council of agriculture, Executive Yuan , Taipei, Chinese Taipei

• Summary
  • Report type Immediate notification (Final report)
  • Start date 07/07/2012
  • Date of first confirmation of the event 16/07/2012
  • Report date 17/07/2012
  • Date submitted to OIE 17/07/2012
  • Date event resolved 07/07/2012
  • Reason for notification First occurrence of a listed disease
  • Manifestation of disease Sub-clinical infection
  • 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 - Luchu Township, T'AO-YUAN
    • Date of start of the outbreak 07/07/2012
    • Outbreak status Resolved (07/07/2012)
    • Epidemiological unit Not applicable
    • Affected animals: Species – Susceptible – Cases – Deaths – Destroyed – Slaughtered
      • Birds – 38 – 37 – 0 – 38 – 0
      • Affected Population: Illegal movement of pet birds
• Summary of outbreaks
  • Total outbreaks: 1
  • Outbreak statistics: Species - Apparent morbidity rate - Apparent mortality rate - Apparent case fatality rate - Proportion susceptible animals lost*
    • Birds - 97.37% - 0.00% - 0.00% - 100.00%
    • * Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
• Epidemiology
  • Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
    • Illegal movement of animals
• Epidemiological comments
  • Thirty-eight birds were intercepted at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on 7 July 2012.
  • The birds were smuggled by a passenger travelling from Macao to Taiwan and euthanized immediately on the spot and sent to National Laboratory, Animal Health Research Institute, for further investigation.
  • H5N1 HPAI virus has been identified from these birds and HA0 cleavage sequencing demonstrated its high pathogenicity.
  • The cleaning and disinfection of the environment and facilities were completed on 7 July 2012.
  • All staff in contact with the birds have been under monitoring of Health Authority for 10 days and found healthy.
  • According to the OIE Terrestrial Code, this event does not affect the free status of H5N1 HPAI in Chinese Taipei.
• Control measures
  • Measures applied
    • Stamping out
    • Quarantine
    • Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
    • Vaccination prohibited
    • No treatment of affected animals
  • Measures to be applied
    • No other measures
• Diagnostic test results
  • Laboratory name and type Animal Health Research Institute (National laboratory)
    • Tests and results: Species – Test - Test date – Result
      • Birds - gene sequencing - 16/07/2012 - Positive
      • Birds - reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) - 13/07/2012 – Positive
      • Birds - virus isolation - 13/07/2012 – Positive
• Future Reporting
  • The event is resolved. No more reports will be submitted.

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