Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Japan - JAPAN - Follow-up report No. 1 (confirmation of diagnosis) via OIE, confirming the recent outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Japan.

See also: 16 January 2004

Information received on 13 January 2004 from Dr Masako Kurimoto, Director of Animal Health and Animal Products Safety Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tokyo:

End of previous report period: 12 January 2004 (see Disease Information, 17 [3], 8, dated 16 January 2004).

End of this report period: 13 January 2004.

Outbreaks:

Location	No. of outbreaks
Yamaguchi prefecture	1

Description of affected population in the outbreak: one layer flock.

Total number of animals in the outbreak:

species	susceptible	cases	deaths	destroyed	slaughtered
avi	36,640	...	5,965	8,274	17

Diagnosis:

A. Laboratory where diagnosis was made: National Institute of Animal Health, Ibaraki Prefecture.

B. Diagnostic tests used:

- haemagglutination inhibition test positive on 12 January 2004;

- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and intravenous pathogenicity index test positive on 13 January 2004.

C. Causal agent: avian influenza virus subtype H5N1.

Epidemiology:

A. Source of agent / origin of infection: unknown; under investigation.

B. Mode of spread: unknown.

Control measures:

- quarantine;

- movement control is being applied to the affected farm and other farms within a 30-km-radius zone around the affected farm;

- disinfection and surveillance is being performed around the farms within a 30-km-radius of the affected farm;

- stamping out;

- screening;

- vaccination is not being done.

Source: Office International des Epizooties - 16th January 2004