Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Thailand - THAILAND - This is a Follow-up report (No. 1) via OIE on the recent outbreak of Avian Influenza in Thailand.

See also: 23 January 2004

Information received on 30 January 2004 from Dr Yukol Limlamthong, Director General, Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Bangkok:

End of previous report period: 23 January 2004 (see Disease Information, 17 [4], 16, dated 23 January 2004).

End of this report period: 30 January 2004.

New outbreaks:

Location	No. of outbreaks
32 provinces	156

Description of affected population in the new outbreaks: broilers, layers, native chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, ostriches, quail, peacocks.

Number of animals in the new outbreaks (partial data*):

Location (Province)	No. of affected farms	No. of birds	No. of farms covered by stamping out	No. of birds destroyed
Angthong	1,313	2,955,056	287	2,078,747
Bangkok	73	1,531,224	...	1,057,685
Chainat	2	5,764	2	5,764
Kalasin	7	24,958	81	95,960
Kampaengphet	...	221,109	...	220,745
Kanchanaburi	2,863	1,196,263	1,892	927,137
Nakhonpathom	242	601,132	10	65,150
Phichit	36	...	...	234
Phitsanuloke	...	...	...	4,380
Ratchaburi	15	439,900	9	198,780
Sakonnakhon	203	7,017	203	7,017
Singburi	45	657,775	7	302,575
Sukhothai	...	...	2	83,086
Suphanburi	...	...	850	4,706,323
Uthaithani	1,524	124,883	536	113,025
Uttaradit	477	2,947,534	59	328,529

* These data relate to 16 of the 32 infected provinces.

Diagnosis:

A. Laboratory where diagnosis was made: National Institute of Animal Health, Regional Veterinary Research and Development Centers (7 centers), Department of Livestock Development.

B. Diagnostic tests used:

- haemagglutination inhibition test;

- agar gel precipitation test;

- virus isolation;

- intravenous pathogenicity index test.

Positive results were obtained between 25-30 January 2004; 66,082 samples were tested of which 156 were positive.

C. Causal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virus type A, subtype H5.

Epidemiology:

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

B. Mode of spread: horizontal spread by fomites.

Control measures during reporting period:

- stamping out;

- quarantine;

- movement control inside the country;

- screening;

- zoning.

Vaccination is prohibited.

Source: Office International des Epizooties - 6th February 2004