![]() |
||
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 Tuesday, February 09, 2010 Bangladesh Culls Chickens After Bird Flu Outbreak BANGLADESH - Bangladesh has culled about 13,000 chickens after fresh outbreak of bird flu in the country last month, officials said Monday. Monday, February 08, 2010 H5N1 Influenza Re-strikes Myanmar MYANMAR - Bird flu H5N1 has re-struck Myanmar with one case occurring in Yangon's Mayangong township in the beginning of this month, according to a statement of the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) Saturday, Xinhua News Agency informed. Three Districts in Nepal Ban Poultry Imports NEPAL - Authorities in Gorkha have imposed a ban on the import of poultry birds from outside the district. The ban has been imposed after first case of bird flu surfaced in Pokhara, said chief at District Livestock Office, Chhetra Bahadur KC. Avian Influenza - Situation in Egypt - Update 28 EGYPT - The Ministry of Health has announced two new cases of human H5N1 avian influenza infection. Both patients are women, currently in hospital and they had contact with sick or dead poultry. OIE Reports Bird Flu from Nepal, Cambodia, Myanmar GLOBAL - The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has received reports from all three countries of recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) caused by the H5N1 virus. Friday, February 05, 2010 Live Poultry Sales to be Banned as of July in Egypt EGYPT- A government-appointed committee for combating the H5N1 and H1N1 viruses has decided to ban the sale of live poultry nationwide, starting in July 2010. Environment Minister Maged George said live poultry will be gradually phased out to be replaced by frozen poultry produced by licensed slaughterhouses. Duck, Chicken Culls Continue in Cambodia CAMBODIA - Authorities continued to destroy ducks and chickens on Thursday in the second day of a cull intended to prevent an outbreak of bird flu from spreading beyond Takeo province's Pralay Meas village. Thursday, February 04, 2010 Bird Flu Detected in Pokhara, Nepal NEPAL - Tests conducted in a sophisticated lab in London have confirmed suspicion of prevalence of bird flu, the Avian Influenza H5N1 virus, in Pokhara. WHO Reports Human H5N1 Toll for January 2010 GLOBAL - The WHO reports that there have been four cases of H5N1 bird flu in humans up to the end of January this year, all in Egypt. The cumulative total since 2003 is 471 cases, of whom 282 have died. Wednesday, February 03, 2010 Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in Humans: Lessons from Egypt EGYPT - Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) has ravaged the Egyptian poultry population. Ninety human cases, including 27 fatalities have been recorded by 30 December, 2009. However, epidemiological information on the infection in humans in Egypt is scarce. Fasina et al. analysed the first three years of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in Egypt between 20 March 2006 and 31 August 2009 and found that more cases occurred in females than males, especially in 2006 and 2007. Women in the age group 20 to 39 years had the greatest tendency to be infected. It took an average of one day and 18 hours to seek medical assistance in patients who recovered and of six days in fatal cases. Children sought treatment much earlier than adults. On average, patients died 11 days after the onset of symptoms. Exposure to infected poultry remained the most important risk factor. Status Report on Avian Influenza Outbreak in West Bengal WEST BENGAL, INDIA - As on 2 February, 149,473 birds have been culled and 17,874 eggs have been destroyed. A total of 15 people have been identified with flu symptoms but none has been in contact with poultry. Cambodia Confirms New Outbreak of Bird Flu CAMBODIA - Cambodia announced on 3 February that the country is again hit by a new outbreak of bird flu. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries says a new outbreak of H5N1 was found in Pralay Meas Village, Rominh Commune, Koh Andeth District in Takeo province. Tuesday, February 02, 2010 Bird Flu Returns to Bangladesh BANGLADESH - Two new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been reported in Bangladesh. Monday, February 01, 2010 Bird Flu Alert in Balasore, West Bengal INDIA - The outbreak of bird flu in Murshidabad district of neighbouring West Bengal has spread panic among the poultry farmers in Balasore district. While the border villages in Balasore and Mayurbhanj have been put on alert, Chief District Veterinary Officers (CDVOs) of both the districts have been asked to inspect chicken farms and hatcheries. Avian Influenza - Situation in Egypt - Update 27 EGYPT - The Ministry of Health of Egypt has announced four new cases of human H5N1 avian influenza infection. The cases are not linked epidemiologically. All four are currently in a stable condition in hospital. Of the 94 laboratory confirmed cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) reported in Egypt, 27 have been fatal. Four More Outbreaks of H1N1 in Viet Nam VIET NAM - The veterinary authority has reported four further outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). H5N1 Flu Outbreaks Continue in West Bengal WEST BENGAL, INDIA - Three further outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Friday, January 29, 2010 Bird Flu Returns to Northern Viet Nam VIET NAM - Around 1,500 fowls have been disposed of in two communes of Dien Bien District since Monday after the H5N1 virus was spotted on January 14, the second time in 11 months at Thanh Hung Commune and third time at Thanh Yen Commune. 1M Doses of Bird Flu Vaccine SINGAPORE - The Health Ministry will be buying about one million doses of H5N1 avian flu pre-pandemic vaccine soon. Bird Flu Outbreak Kills Fowl in Lampung Regency INDONESIA - The local husbandry agency in East Lampung regency, Lampung, reported Friday that a bird flu outbreak has killed hundreds of fowl in three districts during the first month of the year.
|
||


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.


