Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza In The Netherlands
NETHERLANDS - Follow-up report No. 1 (via OIE) on the avian influenza outbreak in the Netherlands
Information received on 5 March 2003 from Dr Frederik H. Pluimers, Chief Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries, The Hague:
End of previous report period: 2 March 2003 (see Disease Information, 16 [10], 58, dated 7 March 2003).
End of this report period: 5 March 2003.
Nature of diagnosis: clinical and laboratory.
Date of initial detection of animal health incident: 28 February 2003.
Estimated date of first infection: 21 February 2003.
Outbreaks:
Registration No. | Location |
03/01 | Gelderland |
03/02 | Gelderland |
Description of affected population in the outbreaks: laying hens / free range poultry holdings.
Total number of animals in the outbreaks:
species | susceptible | cases | deaths | destroyed | slaughtered |
avi | 44,600 | 20-95% | 20-95% | 44,600 | 0 |
Diagnosis:
A. Laboratory where diagnosis was made: Central Institute for Animal Disease Control (CIDC), Lelystad.
B. Diagnostic tests used: virus isolation in embryonated fowl eggs, haemagglutination inhibition test.
C. Causal agent: Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H7. For outbreak No. 03/01, nucleotide sequencing has demonstrated the presence of multiple basic amino acids at the cleavage site of the haemagglutinin.
Epidemiology:
A. Source of agent / origin of infection: the type of strain isolated on one of the infected holdings and the fact that both of the holdings had free-housing facilities strongly suggests introduction via waterfowl.
B. Mode of spread: possibly by indirect contact with waterfowl.
Control measures during reporting period:
- quarantine, and movement control inside the country;
- stamping out;
- screening;
- zoning;
- Outbreak 03/01 and outbreak 03/02 were culled on 5 March 2003;
- All carcasses are being destroyed by incineration.
Source: OFFICE INTERNATIONAL DES EPIZOOTIES - 7th March 2003