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Avian influenza (aka bird flu, avian flu) is caused by a type of influenza virus that is hosted by birds, but may infect several species of mammals. It was first identified in Italy in the early 1900s and is now known to exist worldwide. A strain of the H5N1-type of avian influenza virus that emerged in 1997 has been identified as the most likely source of a future influenza pandemic. Strains of avian influenza virus may infect various types of animals, including birds, pigs, horses, seals, whales and humans. However, wild fowl act as natural asymptomatic carriers, spreading it to more susceptible domestic stocks. Avian influenza virus spreads in the air and in manure and there is no evidence that the virus can survive in well cooked meat.
Diagnosis
How to Recognise Avian InfluenzaWhat to look for
Poultry Vaccination as a strategy for controlling AI in commercial birds
Outbreaks of avian influenza in the poultry industry cause devastating economic losses and is generally controlled through extensive culling of infected birds. Alternative strategies also use vaccination as a supplementary control measure during avian influenza outbreaks.
Advantages of Vaccination
For more information on poultry vaccination see:
Biosecurity Avian Influenza (Fowl Plague) is a potentially devastating disease, predominantly of chickens and turkeys, although the virus can also affect game birds (pheasants, partridge and quail), ratites (ostrich and emu), psittacine and passerine birds.
Avian Influenza is caused by an orthomyxovirus, or influenza virus and can survive for considerable lengths of time outside of the host and birds are infected through contact with other birds, mechanical vectors such as vehicles and equipment and personnel travelling between farms, markets and abattoirs. Precautionary requirements include cleaning and disinfection of premises and the establishment of a Biosecurity barrier to help prevent spread of disease is essential. For more information on biosecurity see the links below
Latest Avian / Bird Flu NewsCatch up with the latest bird flu news from across the globe with our daily bird flu updates...Sign up for our weekly newsletter... Bookmark this page and keep up-to-date with ease... TIP - Click the flags for that Country's News Only Friday, July 30, 2010 Avian Influenza - Situation in Egypt - Update 35 EGYPT - The Ministry of Health has announced a new human case of A(H5N1) avian influenza infection. The case is a 20-year-old woman from Shobra Elkhima district, Qliubia Governorate who died on 27 July. She had had contact with sick and dead poultry. Of the 110 laboratory-confirmed cases of Avian influenza A(H5N1) reported in Egypt, 35 have been fatal. Monday, July 26, 2010 Avian Influenza – Situation in Indonesia - Update 2 INDONESIA - The Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. A 13-year-old girl from Sukoharjo District in Central Java Province developed symptoms on 16 June, was hospitalized on 21 June and died on 24 June. Of the 167 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 138 have been fatal. WHO Reports Human H5N1 Cases Reach 501 GLOBAL - WHO reports that there have been 33 cases of H5N1 flu in humans so far this year, 15 of whom have died. Most of the victims have been in Egypt (19 cases) but there have also been seven cases in Viet Nam, five in Indonesia and one each in Cambodia and China. These bring the totals since 2003 to 501 cases, of whom 297 have died. Thursday, July 22, 2010 500 Notified Human Cases and More to Come GLOBAL - Since November 2003, the epidemic intelligence team at the French Institut de Veille Sanitaire has been gathering data on influenza A(H5N1) circulation in poultry and on human cases worldwide. As Indonesia notifies the world's 500th case to the World Health Organization, authors Tarantola et al. discuss the epidemiological situation and trends of A(H5N1) influenza. Although the overall number of cases reported worldwide has decreased, influenza A(H5N1) continues to circulate intensely in some countries and more cases are to be expected, especially in Egypt and Indonesia. Friday, July 16, 2010 Sentinel Chickens Provide Early Warning of AI AUSTRALIA - According to I.J. East of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in Canberra and co-authors, the surveillance of sentinel chickens is a potential avenue for monitoring the circulation of AI viruses and could provide an early warning system for the commercial poultry industries. Monday, July 12, 2010 WHO Reports Human H5N1 Cases Reach 500 GLOBAL - WHO reports that there have been 31 cases of H5N1 flu in humans so far this year, 13 of whom have died. Most of the victims have been in Egypt (19 cases) but there have also been seven cases in Viet Nam, four in Indonesia and one each in Cambodia and China. These bring the total number of cases since 2003 to 500 cases, of whom 296 have died. Wednesday, July 07, 2010 Study: US Songbirds Carry Low-Risk Bird Flu US - Songbirds such as sparrows and thrushes carry various forms of bird flu and could potentially spread the viruses to pigs and poultry, US researchers reported on Tuesday. USAID Expands Support to Prevent Bird Flu BANGLADESH - Stamping Out Pandemic and Avian Influenza (STOP AI) Bangladesh project yesterday launched a cleaning and disinfection (C&D) programme to improve the security of the live bird market at Sreepur pouroshava in Gazipur. Tuesday, July 06, 2010 Preening May Contribute to Bird Flu Virus Infection in Wild Birds ITALY - Both viral RNA and infectious avian influenza viruses (AIVs) were detected on swabs rubbed on the preened feathers of wild mallard ducks, and natural preening behaviour by waterbirds could facilitate the ingestion of AIV particles stuck on birds' feathers, thus promoting a preening-mediated infection route, according to research by Dr M. Delogu of the University of Bologna and co-authors. Avian Influenza – Situation in Indonesia - Update INDONESIA - The Ministry of Health has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. A 34-year-old female from South Jakarta District, DKI Jakarta Province developed symptoms on 25 May, was hospitalized on 27 May and died on 1 June. Of the 166 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 137 have been fatal. Wild Birds with Bird Flu Found Dead in Tibet CHINA - Wild birds found dead in Tibet in May were infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Friday, July 02, 2010 Viet Nam Reports Bird Flu in Northern Province VIET NAM - Bird flu occurred in a local farm of the northern Thai Nguyen province of Viet Nam, said the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday. Thursday, July 01, 2010 Cambodian Project Raises H5N1 Awareness CAMBODIA - Poultry farmers in three border provinces exhibited improved awareness of avian influenza following the introduction of a village-based education project, though in some areas more than 20 per cent still say they would eat an animal found to be infected with the disease, according to survey results released this week. Wednesday, June 30, 2010 Nepal's Govt Tightens Poultry Imports NEPAL - Quarantine office at Jogbani customs has destroyed around 5,000 broiler chicken and chicks imported from India without government permission in the last two months. The government has been closely monitoring the imports of poultry products from the southern neighbour following the outbreak of bird flu there last year. Monitoring of Avian Flu Outbreaks Compared ITALY - Active surveillance seems to be most effective in detecting infection, especially when a vaccination programme is in place, according to researchers who had monitored four bird flu outbreaks in turkeys in Italy between 2000 and 2005. Monday, June 28, 2010 Russia Reports Wild Birds with Bird Flu RUSSIA - A total of 367 wild birds found dead in Tyva Republic were infected with H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Friday, June 18, 2010 No New Outbreaks of HPAI in Mongolia MONGOLIA - The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reports that Monolia is free from avian influenza. Bangladesh Reports One New HPAI Outbreak BANGLADESH - Bangladesh has reported a new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in birds. Thursday, June 17, 2010 New Isolation Unit for Bird Flu Vaccine Trial US - A new isolation unit in Rochester will be a temporary home for people participating in bird flu vaccine trials conducted by University of Rochester Medical Center. Wednesday, June 16, 2010 No New Occurence of Bird Flu in Laos LAOS - The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has provided an update on the bird flu situation in Laos.
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How to Recognise Avian Influenza
Outbreaks of avian influenza in the poultry industry cause devastating economic losses and is generally controlled through extensive culling of infected birds. Alternative strategies also use vaccination as a supplementary control measure during avian influenza outbreaks.
Avian Influenza (Fowl Plague) is a potentially devastating disease, predominantly of chickens and turkeys, although the virus can also affect game birds (pheasants, partridge and quail), ratites (ostrich and emu), psittacine and passerine birds.


