title: Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N2) in Italy during October 1997 to January 1998.
abstract: Between the month of October 1997 and January 1998, eight outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza were diagnosed in the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions in north-eastern Italy. For each of the eight outbreaks, influenza A virus of subtype H5N2 was isolated and the inoculation of susceptible chickens confirmed these viruses to be extremely virulent with intravenous pathogenicity indices in 6-week-old chickens of 2.98 to 3.00. Although it was not possible to trace the origin of infection, the epidemiological investigation revealed connections between several outbreaks and emphasized the well-known risk factors for avian influenza such as bird movement, rearing of mixed populations and contact with migratory waterfowl. Control measures listed in European Union directive 92/40/EEC were implemented promptly and spread of the infection to intensively-reared domestic poultry was avoided.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Capua
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marangon
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Selli
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Swayne
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pozza
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Parenti
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Cancellotti