Friday, December 5, 2008

Suspicion of lowpathogen Avian influenza in Inner Østfold

Published: 04.12.2008 Last update: 04.12.2008

It is suspected a case of the mild form of animal disease Avian influenza (lavpatogen Avian influenza) in a hobby bird crew in Inner Østfold. This is now trying to confirm or disprove suspicions. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has ordered animal content restrictions.


National Veterinary Institute notified the Norwegian Food Safety Authority on 2 December that the analysis of samples uttatt in a routine monitoring (OK program) have shown that animals in the crew have developed antibodies to Avian influenza virus. One of the ten uttatte samples from the flock have given positive results.

Analysis results indicate that the animals in the flock may have had contact with the Avian influenza virus, but we can not be sure whether the animals are now carriers of the virus. It is therefore taken new samples from the animals in the crew to determine this.

Since the animals do not show signs of illness, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority considers that there is no reason to fear that the crew is infected with the severe variant of Avian influenza (høypatogen Avian influenza). The Norwegian Food Safety Authority considers that there are grounds for suspicion that the crew may be infected with the mild form of animal disease Avian influenza (lowpathogen Avian influenza), when infection with this type of Avian influenza virus can progress without symptoms.

The severe form of Avian influenza (highpathogen Avian influenza) is an animal illness that can lead to significant economic consequences for the Poultry industry if it get a foothold in this country.

Because influensavirus may change when it occurs in animal populations, there is a certain danger that lavpatogene virus can be converted into høypatogene over time. Detection of specific lowpatogene variations of Avian influenza virus (SubType H5 and H7) will be handled as an A-Illness, with relatively comprehensive measures.

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has ordered animal content where the birds are restricted to minimize the risk of contamination. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority on the chart have been contacts between the flock which it is associated with suspected infections and other poultry.

If found lowpathogen Avian influenza virus, it will also be created a risk zone for at least 1 km radius around the flock. In such a risk zone will be imposed ban on moving Poultry and other things that can lead to infection. It will also be introduced a number of restrictions on transport in and out of the Poultry herds at risk.
hat-tip Dutchy

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