OIE: Equine influenza, India

Information received on 27/11/2008 from Dr Natarajan Gokulram, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi, India

Summary

Report type Immediate notification
Start date 20/06/2008
Date of first confirmation of the event 07/07/2008
Report date 27/11/2008
Date submitted to OIE 28/11/2008
Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence 1988
Causal agent A/equi-2
Serotype H3N8
Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (basic), Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 2
Outbreak Location and Affected population
  • JAMMU & KASHMIR (Katra, Katra, Jammu; Anantnag, Anantnag) : animals basically used for local transport
Total animals affected
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Equidae 10000 17967 16
Outbreak statistics
Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Equidae ** ** 0.09% **

* Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
** Not calculated because of missing information

Epidemiology

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
  • Unknown or inconclusive
Epidemiological comments Note by the OIE Animal Health Information Department: In addition to Anantnag, several other districts (Budgam, Pulwama, Srinagar, Kupwara, Baramula) are affected. More than two outbreaks are then reported, as shown by the number of affected districts.

Control measures

Measures applied
  • Movement control inside the country
  • Screening
  • Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
  • No vaccination
  • Treatment of affected animals (symptomatic treatment of infected animals)
Measures to be applied
  • No other measures

Diagnostic test results

Laboratory name and type National Research Centre on Equines, Sirsa Road, Hisar, Haryana (National laboratory)
Tests and results
Species Test Test date Result
Equidae haemagglutination inhibition test (HIT) 07/07/2008 Positive
Equidae virus isolation 07/07/2008 Positive

Future Reporting

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