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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 17, 2009 West Nepal Destroys Chickens Due to AI Fears NEPAL - Some 1,000 live chickens that were smuggled into Nepal from India were destroyed in western Nepal, Nepali national news agency RSS reported today. Tuesday, June 09, 2009 Nepal Govt Lifts Ban on Bird Flu NEPAL - Nepal government has lifted ban on farming and transporting of poultry products in a bordering village in eastern parts of the country nearly three months after the first case of bird flu was detected. Monday, June 08, 2009 Bird Flu Ban on Poultry Trade Lifted in E Nepal NEPAL - The government has lifted its ban on poultry trade in eastern Nepal, following a previous outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Monday, March 16, 2009 Media Orientation on Bird Flu Organised NEPAL - Twenty-five health journalists and editors representing several Nepalese media organisations participated in a one-day media orientation on the H5N1 virus, known commonly as avian influenza. The orientation, sponsored by the Government of Nepal, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and its project, AI.COMM, was held on Sunday at the Hotel Himalaya in Lalitpur. Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Eastern Nepal Destroys Poultry Products NEPAL - At least 232 chickens, one duck, 26 pigeons and 41 eggs were destroyed in Pathamari village of Jhapa district in eastern Nepal after the detection of bird fluin the locality, the National News Agency RSS reported on Wednesday. Monday, March 02, 2009 Perishing Poultry Sparks Flu Fear NEPAL - The death of more than 1,000 chickens in two poultry farms at Halesimarga in Tankisinabari VDC-3, adjoining the Pushpalal Chowk in Biratnagar sub-metropolis-1, in Morang district has triggered a fear of bird flu among the local people. Tuesday, February 24, 2009 More Birds Killed in Eastern Nepal NEPAL - The Rapid Response Teams deployed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative to control the bird flu outbreak have killed 1,035 chickens, 10 ducks, 53 pigeons and destroyed 205 eggs in Ruibari and surrounding areas of Sharanamati village in Jhapa district in eastern Nepal by Monday. Monday, February 23, 2009 Bird Flu Virus Detected in East Nepal Again NEPAL - Another case of bird flu virus (H5N1) has been detected in Jhapa district of east Nepal, some 320 km south-east of capital Kathmandu, local news web site, eKantipur, reported on 20 February. New Case of Bird Flu in Nepal NEPAL - The veterinary authorities have reported sent a report to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about one new case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Thursday, February 19, 2009 Avian Flu Outbreak in Nepal Contained but Risks Remain NEPAL - The H5NI virus has been brought under control after a month-long outbreak in poultry in Jhapa district, nearly 500 km south-east of the capital, according to government officials. However, the potential for new outbreaks is great, according to avian flu specialists. Monday, February 16, 2009 Nepal Lacks Resources to Control Bird Flu NEPAL - Although the country has successfully controlled the first outbreak of H5N1 avain inlfuenza, it is at high risk of recurring outbreaks, said Prabhakar Pathak, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services in Kathmandu. Thursday, February 12, 2009 After Culling, Nepal is Free of Bird Flu NEPAL - Nearly a month after its first bird flu case was noticed in a southeastern border region, Nepal’s Agriculture Ministry announced, on Wednesday, that the country is free of bird flu. Tuesday, February 10, 2009 Nepal Government Says Bird Flu Under Control NEPAL - An outbreak of bird flu in eastern Nepal has been brought under control, official news reports said Tuesday. Monday, February 02, 2009 Nepalese Poultry Sector in Crisis NEPAL - Around 60,000 people employed directly and indirectly in poultry business in Chitwan are at risk of losing their jobs after the rumours about bird flu were heard in Jhapa in eastern Nepal. Monday, January 26, 2009 Ward to Treat H5N1 Patients NEPAL - Keeping in view the possibility that avian flu virus might infect people, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Science (BPKIHS) here in Dharan began setting up a separate ward to treat such patients. No Case of AI Infection Reported in Kathmandu NEPAL - With panic spreading among the public about the bird flu, Nepali authorities confirmed Sunday that no person has been infected with the virus and the virus has not spread in the capital Kathmandu, local media reported. Thursday, January 22, 2009 More than 18,000 Birds Culled as Avian Flu Hits Eastern Nepal NEPAL - Nepalese health authorities have culled more than 18,000 birds in eastern Nepal, where bird flu was discovered in chickens, official reports said Thursday. Monday, January 19, 2009 East Nepal Tightens Surveillance After AI Scare NEPAL - The local authorities of bordering districts in eastern Nepal have more tightened surveillance after bird flu was detected in chicken in Mechinagar Municipality of Jhapa district, some 320 km southeast of Nepali capital, Kathmandu. Tuesday, January 06, 2009 Bird Flu Alert Triggered in Nepal Border NEPAL - Following the reported outbreak of Avian Influenza in bordering Indian state of West Bengal a few days ago, Nepali Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has directed local administrations in the areas bordering the Indian state to fully prohibit the import of birds, ducks and poultry products from India, The Himalayan Times daily reported on Tuesday. Friday, May 16, 2008 Bird Flu Alert Sounded in Jhapa NEPAL - Jhapa district administration office has sounded alert to prevent bird-flu after the disease appeared in the Indian districts bordering Nepal.
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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.

