(Date of previous outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the People´s Republic of China reported to the OIE: June 2004 [in poultry]).

Report date: 21 May 2005.

Nature of diagnosis: clinical and laboratory.

Date of initial detection of animal health incident: 4 May 2005.

Estimated date of primary infection: 15 April 2005.

Date of laboratory tests: 18 May 2005.

Location of the outbreak: Niannaisuoma village, Quanji town, Gangcha county, Qinqhai province (in the central part of the country). The place is an important rendezvous of migratory birds on one of their Asia-Europe routes.

Description of affected population: migratory birds found dead, including bar-headed goose (Anser indicus), great black-headed gull (Larus ichthyaetus), brown-headed gull (Larus brunnicephalus), ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) and great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo).

Total number of birds found dead: 519.

Laboratory where diagnosis was made: National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory (Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricutural Sciences).