Africa: New Avian Influenza Flare-Ups - Virus Remains a Global Threat

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Africa: New Avian Influenza Flare-Ups - Virus Remains a Global Threat

Posted to the web 24 January 2008 Rome

Recent avian influenza outbreaks in 15 countries demonstrate that the

H5N1 virus remains a global threat and requires close monitoring and

strong control efforts, FAO said today.

Since December 2007, Bangladesh, Benin, China, Egypt, Germany, India,

Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Myanmar, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and

Viet Nam have confirmed new H5N1 outbreaks in poultry stocks. Except

for a few cases in wild birds in China, Poland and United Kingdom,

most of the confirmed outbreaks occurred in domestic poultry,

including chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks.

" Globally, much progress has been achieved in keeping the H5N1 avian

influenza virus under control. We are better prepared today to deal

with the disease than we were three years ago, " said FAO's Chief

Veterinary Officer ph Domenech. " Surveillance, early detection and

immediate response have improved and many newly infected countries

have managed to eliminate the virus from poultry. "

" But the H5N1 avian influenza crisis is far from over and remains

particularly worrying in Indonesia, Bangladesh and Egypt, where the

virus has become deeply entrenched despite major control efforts, "

Domenech said.

Virus persists

Countries should continue to keep a close eye on the evolving

situation. " The virus has not become more contagious to humans but has

managed to persist in parts of Asia, Africa and probably Europe. It

could still trigger a human influenza pandemic, " Domenech warned.

Commenting on individual countries, FAO's Chief Veterinary Officer

said that India is struggling to keep the worst-ever avian influenza

outbreak in West Bengal under control.

Indonesia remains one of the worst affected countries with 31 out of

33 provinces infected since 2004, many heavily. The continuing number

of human cases gives cause for concern.

" We have observed that new H5N1 avian influenza virus strains have

recently emerged in Indonesia with the possible effect that vaccines

currently in use may not be fully protecting poultry against the

disease. This requires more investigations and the development of

better poultry vaccines, " Domenech said.

The government of Indonesia and FAO, on behalf of the network of

OIE/FAO international reference laboratories, are working together in

implementing a virus monitoring programme to examine the problem more

carefully.

In Bangladesh, 21 out of 64 districts have been infected with H5N1 and

the situation seems to be worsening. The disease appears to be endemic

in the country, and surveillance and control campaigns have so far not

succeeded in interrupting virus transmission between provinces. FAO is

strengthening its presence in Bangladesh to support the government in

its efforts to bring the disease under control.

Egypt has stepped up the fight against avian influenza, but recent

outbreaks indicate that control efforts need to be strengthened,

Domenech noted.

" The reporting of new outbreaks in poultry, disinfection, culling,

movement control and biosecurity on farms and markets remain

insufficient and need to be improved. Vaccination campaigns had been

generally successful on commercial farms, but not among small-scale

producers, " Domenech said.

Following the initial success of vaccination on industrial poultry

farms, the control measures may have slackened. The disease was thus

given an opportunity to reappear in the industrial sector seemingly

resulting in a wider redistribution throughout the country. Domenech

also confirmed that the potential change of virus strains should be

further investigated. FAO is working closely with the government of

Egypt in strengthening all aspects of disease detection, control and

communication.

In West Africa, Benin, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo have had outbreaks in

2007. There is a serious risk that the virus becomes well-established

in the region, Domenech warned. " Virus circulation in Nigeria could be

a potential source of infection for neighbouring countries despite

intense efforts from the Nigerian government to control the disease in

poultry, " he said. FAO continues to work closely with the governments

in the region in improving disease control.

In Europe, Germany, Poland, the Russian Federation and the United

Kingdom reported new avian influenza outbreaks recently.

" The detection and immediate response in all countries, especially in

the European Union, is very effective, " Domenech said. " But we are

seeing virus infections in poultry that are not transmitted by wild

birds. This raises questions about other ways of virus transmission

and potential reservoirs of infection, like in free ranging ducks, " he

added.

With FAO's assistance, more than 50 countries have been able to

control and eliminate the disease in poultry.

" Surveillance and immediate control interventions, biosecurity, proper

vaccination and culling and the strengthening of veterinary services

are key elements for successful H5N1 avian influenza control

campaigns, " Domenech said.

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