OIE: Highly pathogenic avian influenza, South Africa

Information received on 12/04/2011 from Dr Bothle Michael Modisane, Chief Director Partnerships, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Food Safety and Biosecurity, PRETORIA, South Africa

Summary

Report type Immediate notification
Start date 01/02/2011
Date of first confirmation of the event 16/03/2011
Report date 11/04/2011
Date submitted to OIE 12/04/2011
Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence 07/2006
Manifestation of disease Clinical disease
Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype H5N2
Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to the whole country

New outbreaks

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 5
Location(s)
  • WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE (AI_WCP2011_01, Oudtshoorn; AI_WCP2011_02, Uniondale; AI_WCP2011_03, Oudtshoorn; AI_WCP2011_04, Oudtshoorn; AI_WCP2011_05, Uniondale)
Total animals affected
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Birds 14913 100 ** 100 0 0
Outbreak statistics
Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds ** 0.67% ** 0.67%

* 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 Commercial ostrich farms. Farms tested positive on serology during routine surveillance, but tested negative on PCR and no virus could be found. Diagnosis only confirmed after several follow-up PCR tests. South Africa only reports outbreaks on confirmation on PCR tests. Initially no clinical signs or mortalities were seen.

Control measures

Measures applied
  • Quarantine
  • Screening
  • Vaccination prohibited
  • No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied
  • Stamping out

Diagnostic test results

Laboratory name and type Agricultural Research Council - Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (ARC – OVI) (National laboratory)
Tests and results
Species Test Test date Result
Birds haemagglutination inhibition test (HIT) 16/03/2011 Positive
Birds real-time PCR 09/04/2011 Positive
Birds real-time PCR 12/04/2011 Positive

Future Reporting

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