OIE:HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IN THE PEOPLE´S REPUBLIC OF CHINA(Xinjiang)

 

HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IN THE PEOPLE´S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

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

Information received on 8 June 2005 from Mr Jia Youling, Director General, Veterinary Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing:

Report date: 8 June 2005.

Nature of diagnosis: clinical and laboratory.

Location of the outbreak: Xinjiang autonomous region,Tacheng district, Tacheng city.

Description of affected population: geese.

Total number of animals in the outbreak:

susceptible: 2,177

cases: 1,042

deaths: 460

destroyed: 13,457

slaughtered: 0

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

Diagnostic tests used: RT-PCR(1) and intravenous pathogenicity index test (7 June 2005).

Causal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virus type H5N1.

Source of agent / origin of infection: under investigation.

Mode of spread: migratory birds.

Other epidemiological details: the index farm is a backyard farm.

Control measures:

- quarantine;

- stamping out;

- movement control inside the country;

- zoning;

- vaccination.

(1) RT-PCR: reverse transcriptase – polymerase chain reaction