Experiences in control of avian influenza in Europe, the Russian Federation and the Middle East.
An unprecedented global epidemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 has and continues to present enormous challenges to the international community for control in the animal reservoir. Enhanced biosecurity, good surveillance, both passive and active, supplemented by strong veterinary services, can reduce the risk for incursion and subsequent spread in free countries. Surveillance of mortality and laboratory testing among wild birds are useful early indicators of incursion of the virus into areas in which domestic poultry are not infected. Conventional control methods used widely in Europe and the Middle Eastern region involve stamping-out, zoning, quarantine, movement restrictions, enhanced surveillance and disinfection. Use of preventive vaccination is increasing in the region. In the Russian Federation, all backyard poultry considered to be at high risk for infection have been vaccinated since 2006. Several countries in the Middle East permit the use of vaccine, although rarely as part of a formal statutory programme. In the European Union, conventional approaches for control have proved effective, but both emergency and preventive vaccination could be used. Application of such programmes would have to be preceded by an evaluation of the risks for introduction and spread and might be restricted.
Brown
I H
IH
Community Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey, UK. i.h.brown@vla.defra.gsi.gov.uk
Pittman
M
M
Irza
V
V
Laddomada
A
A
D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D003132:Commerce; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005062:European Union; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D007391:International Cooperation; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary; D014730:Veterinary Medicine
D007252:Influenza Vaccines