OIE: Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Italy

Information received on 02/05/2016 from Prof. Dr. Romano Marabelli, Chief Veterinary Officer, Secretary General, Ministry of Health, Rome, Italy

Summary

Report type	Immediate notification
Date of start of the event	29/04/2016
Date of confirmation of the event	02/05/2016
Report date	02/05/2016
Date submitted to OIE	02/05/2016
Reason for notification	Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence	17/01/2015
Manifestation of disease	Clinical disease
Causal agent	Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype	H7N7
Nature of diagnosis	Clinical, Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to	a defined zone within the country

Summary of outbreaks

Total outbreaks: 1

Outbreak Location

Total animals affected

Species	Susceptible	Cases	Deaths	Destroyed	Slaughtered
Birds	17000	2000	600	16400	0

Outbreak statistics

Species	Apparent morbidity rate	Apparent mortality rate	Apparent case fatality rate	Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds	11.76%	3.53%	30.00%	100.00%

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

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection	Unknown or inconclusive
Epidemiological comments	The positivity regards a commercial farm of layer hens (free-range/organic). Increased mortality rate was reported during the last two to three days. A protection zone of three kms and a surveillance zone of ten kms have been established around the farm, which is under restriction. Depopulation has been completed.

Measures applied	Disinfection / Disinfestation Traceability Stamping out Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone Vaccination prohibited No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied	No other measures

Laboratory name and type

Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute (IZS), Venezie - Padova ( National laboratory )

Tests and results

Species	Test	Test date	Result
Birds	gene sequencing	02/05/2016	Positive
Birds	haemagglutination inhibition test (HIT)	30/04/2016	Positive
Birds	reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)	30/04/2016	Positive