(Date of previous outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Afghanistan reported to the OIE: 2002).

Reason for immediate notification: re-occurrence of a listed disease or infection in a country.

Identification of the agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1

Date of the start of the event: 2 March 2006

Date of first confirmation of the event: 15 March 2006

Thirteen outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in poultry (chicken and turkey) in five provinces of Afghanistan (4 in Jalalabad, 6 in Kabul, 1 in Laghman, 1 in Vardak and 1 in Kunar).

The diagnosis has been made by the Central Diagnostic Laboratory in Kabul and by the OIE/FAO Reference Laboratory for avian influenza and Newscastle disease in Padua (Italy).

The control measures applied are as follows:

- quarantine;

- movement control inside the country.

The disinfection of the infected area has just begun.