Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza In The Netherlands
NETHERLANDS - Follow-up report No. 2 (via OIE) on the avian influenza outbreak in the Netherlands.
14 March 2003
3 minute read
See also: 23 May 2003,
16 May 2003,
9 May
2003,
2 May 2003,
25
April 2003,
18 April 2003,
11 April 2003,
4 April 2003,
28 March 2003,
21 March 2003,
7 March 2003,
7 March 2003
Information received on 10 March 2003 from Dr Frederik H. Pluimers, Chief Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries, The Hague:
End of previous report period: 5 March 2003 (see Disease Information, 16 [10], 60, dated 7 March 2003).
End of this report period: 10 March 2003.
New outbreaks:
| Location | No. of outbreaks |
| Gelderland province | 21 |
| Utrecht province | 4 |
Description of affected population in the new outbreaks: 17 flocks of layer hens, 3 flocks of breeding hens, 2 flocks of broiler parents, 1 flock of broilers (also present on this holding: 1 flock of layer hens), 1 flock of turkeys, 1 flock of ducks and 1 small backyard flock.
Total number of animals in the new outbreaks:
| species | susceptible | cases | deaths | destroyed | slaughtered |
| avi | 586,368 | ... | 16,611 | 569,757 | 0 |
Diagnosis:
A. Laboratory where diagnosis was made: Central Institute for Animal Disease Control (CIDC(1)), Lelystad.
B. Diagnostic tests used: virus isolation in embryonated fowl eggs.
C. Causal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H7.
Epidemiology:
A. Source of agent / origin of infection: the type of strain isolated on one of the infected holdings and the fact that many of the holdings (20 in total) had free-housing facilities strongly suggests introduction via waterfowl.
B. Mode of spread: contiguous or possibly through indirect contact with wildlife (waterfowl). Contiguous contact (spatial spread) is possible between holdings that are located within an area of 1 km of an infected flock. For eight outbreaks, contiguous contact is the most likely route of infection.
Control measures during reporting period:
- quarantine and movement control inside the country;
- stamping out;
- screening;
- zoning.
Poultry holdings surrounding the confirmed outbreaks in a one-kilometre zone are being culled pre-emptively. The remaining poultry holdings within a three-kilometre zone around the confirmed outbreaks are being clinically inspected and sampled to exclude the presence of avian influenza.
For the killing of the birds, several methods are currently in use:
- Gassing with CO2 or CO gas.
- Electrocution.
- Lethal injection (on smaller holdings).
The carcasses are removed from the site in sealed, leak-proof containers, after which they are transported to the rendering plant for destruction by incineration.
(1) Centraal Instituut voor DierziekteControle
Source: OFFICE INTERNATIONAL DES EPIZOOTIES - 14th March 2003
