OIE: Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Zimbabwe

Information received on 01/06/2017 from Dr Unesu Hildah Ushewokunze-Obatolu, Principal Director, , Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services, Harare, Zimbabwe

Summary

Report type	Immediate notification
Date of start of the event	17/05/2017
Date of confirmation of the event	01/06/2017
Report date	01/06/2017
Date submitted to OIE	01/06/2017
Reason for notification	New strain of a listed disease in the country
Causal agent	Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype	H5N8
Nature of diagnosis	Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to	a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks

Summary of outbreaks

Total outbreaks: 1

Outbreak Location

MASHONALAND EAST ( LANARK, SEKE )

Total animals affected

Species	Susceptible	Cases	Deaths	Killed and disposed of	Slaughtered
Birds	2000000	7845	7845	75155	0

Outbreak statistics

Species	Apparent morbidity rate	Apparent mortality rate	Apparent case fatality rate	Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds	0.39%	0.39%	100.00%	4.15%

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

Epidemiology

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection

Unknown or inconclusive

Epidemiological comments

The affected farm has 8 separately managed sites which are at least 1km apart. One of the eight sites was affected, a parent breeding unit for broilers with 83,000 birds. A total of 3,045 birds died within a week at this site showing signs consistent with highly pathogenic avian influenza. The affected site is close to a small dam where there are a number of different migratory waterfowl, which are tentatively suspected to be source of infection.

Control measures

Measures applied	Movement control inside the country Surveillance outside containment and/or protection zone Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone Screening Traceability Quarantine Official destruction of animal products Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste Stamping out Zoning Disinfection Vaccination prohibited No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied	No other measures

Diagnostic test results

Laboratory name and type

Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa ( Regional Reference Laboratory )

Tests and results