Emergency report

Information received on 24 January 2004 from Dr Sorn San, Chief of the National Animal Health and Production Investigation Center, Phnom Penh:

Date of the report: 24 January 2004.

Nature of diagnosis: clinical and laboratory.

Date of initial detection of lesions/clinical signs: 12 January 2004.

Estimated date of primary infection: 11 January 2004.

Outbreaks:

Description of affected population: layer hens.

Total number of animals in the outbreak:

Diagnosis:

A. Laboratory where diagnosis was made: national centre for influenza, Pasteur Institute of Paris, France.

B. Diagnostic tests used: RT-PCR⁽¹⁾, on 21 January 2004.

C. Causal agent: avian influenza A virus subtype H5; H5N1 confirmed on 23 January 2004. Further analysis for confirmation and identification of other possible subtypes is being conducted.

Source of agent / origin of infection: unknown; investigations under way.

Control measures:

- stamping out;

- disinfection and quarantine of the infected farm;

- control of animal movements.

(1) RT-PCR: reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction

Note by the OIE Animal Health Information Department: The OIE Animal Health Information Department did not receive any official information on the avian influenza situation in Cambodia between 1996 and January 2004. In 1995, highly pathogenic avian influenza was declared to be present throughout the country.