Avian influenza in Italy 1997-2001.
From 1997 to 2001, Italy has been affected by two epidemics of high-pathogenicity avian influenza. The first epidemic was caused by a virus of the H5N2 subtype and was limited to eight premises in backyard and semi-intensive flocks. The prompt identification of the disease was followed by the implementation of European Union (EU) directive 92/40/EEC and resulted in the eradication of infection without serious consequences to the poultry industry. The 1999-00 epidemic was caused by a virus of the H7N1 subtype that originated from the mutation of a low pathogenic virus and resulted instead in a devastating epidemic that affected industrially reared poultry, culminating in the infection of 413 flocks. The description of the epidemics and the result of the control policies are reported.
Capua
I
I
National Reference Laboratory for Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via Romea 14/A, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy.
Marangon
S
S
dalla Pozza
M
M
Terregino
C
C
Cattoli
G
G
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology
D007252:Influenza Vaccines