Avian Influenza

Norway. There have been five recent outbreaks of pandemic H1N1 (2009) virus in Norway with one incident each in Rogaland, Akershus, Hedmark, and two in Nord-Trondelag. The first outbreak began on October 19 and the most recent began on October 24. Thirty pigs from 2,366 in the various herds have tested positive. The outbreaks were likely caused either by the transfer of infected animals to the herd or by contact with infected humans. Epidemiological investigations are being conducted to determine when the first signs of disease appeared in the pigs and when the first signs of illness appeared in the farm workers as well as to track the movement of pigs in and out of the farm. Molecular typing to confirm the strains is also being done to establish an epidemiological link between strains affecting pig herds and those affecting humans. A total of 27 farms have been affected since Oct 9.

USA. It was announced on November 18 that a cat from Lebanon, Oregon died from pandemic H1N1 (2009) virus. This is believed to be the first case of a feline dying from the disease in the United States. The cat most likely contracted the disease from a human; a household member had been sick with flu-like symptoms a week prior to the cat developing clinical signs. The 10-year-old male cat was brought to the clinic on Nov. 4 because of labored breathing but died 3 days later. The Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed that the cat tested positive for H1N1. Veterinarians advise sick pet owners and owners of sick pets to wash their hands thoroughly and frequently.

Another cat from Park City, Utah tested positive for pandemic H1N1 (2009) virus after contact with its sick owner. The cat was taken to the veterinarian on November 3 for labored breathing. H1N1 infection was confirmed on November 13 by the laboratory at Iowa State University.

H5N1 in Poultry
France. Ducks on a farm in Saint Aubin du Plain tested positive for low pathogenicity H5 avian influenza on November 13. Poultry on the farm did not show clinical signs, but the disease was found through routine testing. All 9,000 ducks on the farm will be culled and the farm will be disinfected for 21 days to prevent the spread of the disease. An epidemiological investigation of nearby farms showed that the virus has not spread.

Thailand. The northern part of Thailand has been alerted of a possible bird flu outbreak after the death of nearly 100 birds in Nan. The poultry died in six districts of the province between October 7 and November 5. The livestock department in Nan collected samples from the dead birds and sent them to the regional office of the National Institute of Animal Health for testing.
Another outbreak, suspected of being caused by H5N1, killed 1,000 ducks in Suphan Buri province. On November 16, Thailand's Minister of Public Health Witthaya Kaewparadai told provincial health chiefs to prepare 1,500 local rapid response units to work with animal husbandry officials in investigating new outbreaks and controlling the spread of the disease. He added that the rest of the ducks from the infected flock were culled as a precautionary measure and that government workers are awaiting laboratory test results from Kasetsart University to confirm the cause of death. Director-General Dr Manit Theeratantikanont of the Disease Control Department urged local residents to inform officials or health volunteers if they find any poultry or wild birds dead of unknown causes.