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February 13, 2006
Surveillance Report: Africa, Asia and Europe
Africa
Estimates are that over 140,000 birds have been infected with H5N1 avian influenza across several states in Nigeria. These are the first confirmed cases of the bird disease on the African continent. Genetic testing of this particular H5N1 strain indicates that it is virtually identical to that seen in birds in China and Turkey. Bird farms across the country have been placed under quarantine and the government has mandated the culling of all birds suspected of having the disease. Approximately 1.5 billion naira ($12 million) has been earmarked in the country for farmer compensation.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country. As the nation’s surveillance and veterinary infrastructure is weak, international organizations are concerned about its ability to contain the immediate problem and respond to the potential health crisis. The medical community is particularly concerned about the introduction of bird flu into a population with endemic HIV/AIDS. Many worry that:
- Case fatality rates may climb even higher than the currently recognized 50%.
- Because of their immuno-suppressed state, persons with HIV/AIDS may act as host to the disease, giving the virus time and opportunity to mutate and adapt for easy human-to-human transmission.
Asia
Azerbaijan is reporting that several dead birds found along its Caspian Sea coastlines have tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza. These birds were discovered in several locations, including in proximity to the capital (Baku) and its Southern Massaly region, near the border with Iran.
Europe
Bulgaria has reported that swans found dead near the Danube Delta have tested positive for H5N1. Click on the following link to see what actions Bulgaria is taking to prevent the spread of H5N1: http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/globalhealth/avianflu_alert011306.cfm#Turkey-article1
A single chicken in northern Cyprus has tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza. All chickens in that flock were immediately culled. This is considered an isolated and fully contained case of disease. The source of infection is unknown.1
Avian influenza has been detected in swans founds dead in three regions in Italy: Calabria, Sicily, and Puglia. The Health Minister reported on Saturday (2/11) that rapid screening tests conducted on the birds suggests that they had a flu virus. Confirmatory tests to indicate strain (like H5N1) are currently underway. All movement of live animals has been prohibited.6
Initial tests conducted on dead swans found in Greece indicate that the birds were infected with the H5 subtype of avian influenza virus. More conclusive testing is currently underway to verify whether these birds died from same strain of the H5 avian influenza virus discovered in 20 other countries.1 In response, Greek authorities have banned the sale of live birds at street markets and are requiring that poultry be kept indoors.6
Slovenia has reported that a dead swan found near the Austrian border (near Moribor) has tested positive for an H5 avian flu. In response to this news, the Austrian region of Carinthia instituted border controls on livestock and food from Slovenia.
References
- Hallam K. Chinese Woman, Dies of Avian Flu, Hong Kong Says (Update 2). Bloomberg News. Accessed 2/10/06.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=71000001&refer=asia&sid=a6YYzuON0ARQ - Nigeria bird flu virus almost matches Turkish one. Reuters. Accessed 2/10/06.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L10280820.htm - Shields J. First avian flu outbreak hits Africa. Voices of America. Accessed 2/10/06.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-02-10-voa25.cfm - Kempe F. Avian meets HIV/AIDS. The Wall Street Journal. November 22, 2005.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB113260898783403395.html - Abbasov R. Bird flu kills again, spreads to new country. Reuters. Accessed 2/10/06.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-02-10T143804Z_01_L09218784_RTRUKOC_0_US-BIRDFLU.xml - Rosenthal E. Bird flu detected in Greece, Italy and Bulgaria. The New York Times. February 12, 2006.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/12/international/europe/12flu.html - Bans imposed as dead swan found in Slovenia. The Telegraph. February 13, 2006.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/13/wflu113.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/02/13/ixnewstop.html
The information presented was compiled by the National Business Group on Health and has been posted with their permission. The views expressed are solely views of the National Business Group on Health and/or source and are not necessarily the views of Aetna Global Benefits. Similarly, the accuracy of this information is solely the responsibility of the author and/or source. For more information on avian flu, please visit the National Business Group on Health's website at: http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/globalhealth/avianflu.cfm