H5N1 in Iran?

This event, if it proves to be H5N1 follows the contention of migratory birds carrying the influenza to their wintering sites....Keep your heads up and dodge those guanno bombs...



High mortality observed in wild birds in Iran

Information received on 12 October 2005 from Dr Mansour Sayari, Head of Iran Veterinary Organization, Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture, Tehran:

Report date: 12 October 2005.

Reason for immediate notification: an emerging disease with significant morbidity or mortality, or zoonotic potential.

A high mortality was observed in wild waterfowl (wild ducks) at Poldasht, coast of Arras, West Azerbaijan province.

No pathological agent has been identified yet. No post-mortem lesions are seen in dead birds; weakness and death are the only evidences.

Date of start of the event: 2 October 2005.

Total number of deaths: 3,673.

Source of outbreak or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive.

Control measures undertaken:

- quarantine;

- movement control inside the country;

- screening;

- zoning;

- disinfection of infected areas.

Note by the OIE Animal Health Information Department: the negative laboratory tests do not mention for which disease the diagnostic was negative. It is likely to be avian influenza. A confirmation from the Veterinary Services of this country has been requested.

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OIE Animal Health Information Department
[email protected]

... Further details will be published in the next issue of weekly Disease Information, available on line as from Friday 14 October 2005 afternoon (GMT).



www.oie.int...