13 October 2005

Bird Flu Confirmed in Turkey, Suspected in Romania, October 13, 2005

(Spread of virus could also increase likelihood of human cases)

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) confirms that a dangerous bird flu virus has appeared in domestic birds in northwestern Turkey on a farm near the Aegean Sea.

OIE analysis indicates a close genetic link between the Turkish virus and one that has killed birds in Russia. 

Highly pathogenic avian influenza appeared in Siberia in August on one farm where some 10,000 domestic birds were destroyed.  The dangerous H5N1 was also detected in wild birds in the region, however, giving rise to predictions that migrating flocks could soon carry the virus westward. 

Sick birds in Romania are also being tested for H5N1, and OIE says a high probability exists that the same virus will be found.

The OIE is renewing its advice for vigilance among poultry producers to be on alert at the first sign of sickness in flocks.

In a separate statement summarizing the public health implications, the World Health Organization (WHO) said October 13, “The spread of H5N1 to poultry in new areas is of concern as it increases opportunities for further human cases to occur. However, all evidence to date indicates that the H5N1 virus does not spread easily from birds to infect humans.”

H5N1 has caused the deaths or destruction of more than 150 million birds in Asia. Almost 120 cases of human illness have been confirmed with 60 deaths. 

International health experts warn that a global flu pandemic could occur if the virus develops the capability to pass more easily among humans.

The United States is leading an 80-nation coalition to improve preparedness for a flu pandemic.  (See related article.)  For information on U.S. and international efforts to combat avian influenza, see Bird Flu.

Following are the releases from the OIE and the WHO:
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World Organisation for Animal Health [OIE]
[Paris, France]
13 October 2005

Update on Avian Influenza in Turkey and Romania

Samples collected from sick turkeys in Kiziksa, Balikesi in Turkey and sent to the OIE Reference Laboratory, Weybridge, UK are confirmed today to contain avian influenza virus H5N1.The virus isolated seems to be very close to one of the viruses isolated in Siberia .

In Romania, laboratory tests conducted yesterday at the Institute for Diagnostic and Animal Health (Bucharest) have now identified the virus collected in sick poultry in the locality of Ceamurlia-de-Jos to be of subtype H5.  Further tests being necessary, confirmatory diagnosis are being carried out in Weybridge, and results are expected soon. The probability to find the same virus is high.

The OIE again strongly recalls the importance for affected countries as well as for countries at risk to carry out all relevant mechanisms to ensure early detection of sick poultry and for a rapid response in the immediate control of the animal disease. The rapid response consists in eliminating the sick and the in contact animals in case of suspicions based on clinical signs showed to veterinarians on the farm. In particular, the involvement of farmers in the report of the first occurrence of unexplained mortalities in their herds and the creation of rapid and equitable compensation schemes, as well as the support to national veterinary services being able to manage rapid responses in case of suspicions and outbreaks are crucial elements for the control of avian influenza in animals worldwide.

The OIE also recalls that the transmission of the AI virus to humans by food consumption is not reported. The virus in meat is killed at a cooking temperature of 70° Celsius during several seconds.

October 2005

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World Health Organization
[Geneva, Switzerland]

Avian influenza – new areas with infection in birds – update 34

13 October 2005

Tests conducted by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) have today confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in samples taken from domestic birds in Turkey.

In Romania, investigations of recent poultry deaths have, to date, identified the H5 subtype of avian influenza virus. Further testing is under way to determine the strain and whether the virus is highly pathogenic. Authorities in the two countries have undertaken control measures as recommended by OIE and FAO. WHO is sending diagnostic reagents and other supplies to support testing in national laboratories. Viruses from both outbreaks have been sent for further analysis to the Central Veterinary Laboratory Agency-Weybridge (UK), which is an OIE/FAO reference laboratory. Viruses are also being sent to WHO reference laboratories for comparison with human H5N1 isolates from Asia.

Public health implications

The spread of H5N1 to poultry in new areas is of concern as it increases opportunities for further human cases to occur. However, all evidence to date indicates that the H5N1 virus does not spread easily from birds to infect humans. WHO advises countries experiencing outbreaks in poultry to follow certain precautions, particularly during culling operations, and to monitor persons with a possible exposure history for fever or respiratory symptoms. The early symptoms of H5N1 infection mimic those of many other common respiratory illnesses, meaning that false alarms are likely.

The WHO level of pandemic alert remains unchanged at phase 3: a virus new to humans is causing infections, but does not spread easily from one person to another.

WHO continues to recommend that travellers to areas experiencing outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 in poultry should avoid contact with live animal markets and poultry farms. Large amounts of the virus are known to be excreted in the droppings from infected birds. Populations in affected countries are advised to avoid contact with dead migratory birds or wild birds showing signs of disease.

Direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and objects contaminated by their droppings, is considered the main route of human infection. Exposure risk is considered highest during slaughter, defeathering, butchering, and preparation of poultry for cooking. There is no evidence that properly cooked poultry or poultry products can be a source of infection.

Countries located along migratory routes need to be vigilant for signs of disease in wild and domestic birds. Recent events make it likely that some migratory birds are now implicated in the direct spread of the H5N1 virus in its highly pathogenic form.

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