OIE: Highly pathogenic avian influenza, United Kingdom

Information received on 05/06/2008 from Dr Nigel Gibbens, Chief Veterinary Officer, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, LONDON, United Kingdom

Summary

Report type Immediate notification
Start date 22/05/2008
Date of first confirmation of the event 04/06/2008
Report date 05/06/2008
Date submitted to OIE 05/06/2008
Reason for notification New strain of a listed disease
Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype H7N7
Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to the whole country

New outbreaks

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1
Outbreak Location and Affected population
  • ENGLAND (Shenington, Oxfordshire) : Laying flock of Gallus Gallus.
Total animals affected
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Birds 25000 15000 10000 15000
Outbreak statistics
Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds 60.00% 40.00% 66.67% **

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

Epidemiology

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
  • Unknown or inconclusive
Epidemiological comments First noted two weeks ago with mild clinical disease. Marked clinical disease in two sheds was then observed on 31 May 2008.
Epidemiological investigation is in progress.

Control measures

Measures applied
  • Stamping out
  • Movement control inside the country
  • Screening
  • Zoning
  • 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 VLA Weybridge (OIE抯 Reference Laboratory)
Tests and results
Species Test Test date Result
Birds haemagglutination inhibition test (HIT) 05/06/2008 Positive
Birds neuraminidase inhibition assay 05/06/2008 Positive
Birds real-time PCR 05/06/2008 Positive
Birds virus isolation 05/06/2008 Positive
Birds virus sequencing 05/06/2008 Positive

Future Reporting

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