Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Pakistan
PAKISTAN - This is a Follow-up report (No. 1) via OIE on the recent outbreak of Avian Influenza in Pakistan.
8 March 2004
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See also: 30 January 2004
Information received on 1 March 2004 from Mr Rafaqat Hussain Raja, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Islamabad:
End of previous report period: 27 January 2004 (see Disease Information, 17 [5], 24, dated 30 January 2004).
End of this report period: 6 February 2004.
Location of the outbreaks: the outbreaks were reported at Poultry Estates 1 & 2, Korangi, Karachi, and in adjacent areas of Angara Goth, Karachi.
Description of affected population in the outbreaks: chiefly layers and molting flocks.
Total number of animals in the outbreaks:
| species | susceptible | cases | deaths | destroyed | slaughtered |
| avi | 6,300,000 | 20,000 | approx. 10,000* | ... | 0 |
* Mortality ranged from 50% to 80%.
Causal agent: national laboratories isolated H7 and H9 strains of avian influenza virus. The OIE Reference Laboratory in Weybridge, United Kingdom, confirmed H7 strain.
Epidemiology:
A. Source of agent / origin of infection: the avian influenza virus was probably introduced by wild migratory birds/waterfowl. Epidemiological investigations to confirm this supposition are being launched.
B. Mode of spread: the widespread nature of the infection was due to improper/careless handling and disposal of dead poultry.
C. Other epidemiological details: no case of human infection has been reported from anywhere in the country.
Control measures during reporting period:
- Imposition of a temporary ban on the import of poultry and poultry products of any kind from avian influenza infected countries or from countries where the disease is suspected.
- A committee comprised of officials from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, and the National Institute of Health, has been constituted and is constantly monitoring and reviewing the situation.
- All the remaining birds at affected farms have been quarantined and vaccinated using H7 and H9 strains of avian influenza virus.
- Zoosanitary measures have been instituted and inter-provincial movements of poultry and their products have been restricted.
- Control of wildlife reservoirs in poultry farms.
- Zoning.
- The Livestock Department of Sindh province has been further investigating the area of origin of infection.
- International assistance for control of avian influenza was requested. The FAO(1) Office accordingly extended emergency assistance to Pakistan.
(1) FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Source: Office International des Epizooties - 5th March 2004
