OIE: Highly pathogenic influenza A viruses (infection with) (non-poultry including wild birds), Namibia

Information received on 12/02/2019 from Dr Adrianatus Florentius Maseke, Chief Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Windhoek, Namibia

Summary

Report type

Immediate notification

Date of start of the event

02/02/2019

Date of confirmation of the event

07/02/2019

Report date

12/02/2019

Date submitted to OIE

12/02/2019

Reason for notification

First occurrence of a listed disease in the country

Causal agent

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

Serotype

H5N8

Nature of diagnosis

Clinical, Laboratory (basic)

This event pertains to

a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks

Summary of outbreaks

Total outbreaks: 2

Outbreak Location

  • Karas ( Halifax Island, Luderitz, Luderitz Luderitz Marine Research Quarantine Centre, Luderitz, Luderitz )

Total animals affected

Species

Susceptible

Cases

Deaths

Killed and disposed of

Slaughtered

Jackass Penguin:Spheniscidae (Spheniscus demersus)

7002

225

217

8

0

Outbreak statistics

Species

Apparent morbidity rate

Apparent mortality rate

Apparent case fatality rate

Proportion susceptible animals lost*

Jackass Penguin:Spheniscidae (Spheniscus demersus)

3.21%

3.10%

96.44%

3.21%


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

Epidemiology

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
  • Unknown or inconclusive
  • Source of infection might be migratory wild birds.

Epidemiological comments

African penguins (Jackass penguins) at a conservation site (breeding site) on the Halifax Island, which is a small rocky island about 100 m (330 ft) from the mainland, near Lüderitz, showed signs suspected to be of highly pathogenic avian influenza. These were neurological signs (head tilting, twitching, incoordination), corneal opacity and lethargic/comatose behaviour. The disease is currently limited to African penguins only; no other wild birds are affected at the Halifax Island.

Control measures

Measures applied
  • Surveillance outside containment and/or protection zone
  • Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone
  • Quarantine
  • Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste
  • Selective killing and disposal
  • Disinfection
  • Vaccination prohibited
  • No treatment of affected animals

Measures to be applied
  • No other measures

Diagnostic test results

Laboratory name and type

Central Veterinary Laboratory ( National laboratory )

Tests and results

Species

Test

Test date