Recent avian influenza outbreaks in 15 countries demonstrate
that the H5N1 virus remains a global threat and requires close
monitoring and strong control efforts, the U.N. Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Thursday.
Since December 2007, Bangladesh, Benin, China, Egypt, Germany,
India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Myanmar, Poland, Russia, Ukraine,
Turkey and Vietnam have confirmed new H5N1 outbreaks in poultry
stocks. Except for a few cases in wild birds in China, Poland and
Britain, most of the confirmed outbreaks occurred in domestic
poultry, including chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks, FAO
said.
"Globally, much progress has been achieved in keeping the H5N1
avian influenza virus under control. We are better prepared today
to deal with the disease than we were three years ago," said FAO's
Chief Veterinary Officer Joseph Domenech.
"Surveillance, early detection and immediate response have
improved and many newly infected countries have managed to
eliminate the virus from poultry."
"But the H5N1 avian influenza crisis is far from over and
remains particularly worrying in Indonesia, Bangladesh and Egypt,
where the virus has become deeply entrenched despite major control
efforts," Domenech said.
Countries should continue to keep a close eye on the evolving
situation. "The virus has not become more contagious to humans but
has managed to persist in parts of Asia, Africa and probably
Europe. It could still trigger a human influenza pandemic,"
Domenech warned.
Commenting on individual countries, FAO's chief veterinary
officer said India is struggling to keep the worst-ever avian
influenza outbreak in West Bengal under control.
Indonesia remains one of the worst affected countries with 31
out of 33 provinces infected since 2004, many heavily. The
continuing number of human cases gives cause for concern, according
to FAO.
"We have observed that new H5N1 avian influenza virus strains
have recently emerged in Indonesia with the possible effect that
vaccines currently in use may not be fully protecting poultry
against the disease. This requires more investigations and the
development of better poultry vaccines," Domenech said.
"The reporting of new outbreaks in poultry, disinfection,
culling, movement control and biosecurity on farms and markets
remain insufficient and need to be improved. Vaccination campaigns
had been generally successful on commercial farms, but not among
small-scale producers," Domenech said.
Domenech also confirmed that the potential change of virus
strains should be further investigated. FAO is working closely with
the government of Egypt in strengthening all aspects of disease
detection, control and communication.
With FAO's assistance, more than 50 countries have been able to
control and eliminate the disease in poultry.
"Surveillance and immediate control interventions, biosecurity,
proper vaccination and culling and the strengthening of veterinary
services are key elements for successful H5N1 avian influenza
control campaigns," Domenech said.
(Xinhua News Agency January 25, 2008)