NIGERIA: NEW AI OUTBREAK CONFIRMED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001487 SENSITIVE SIPDIS USDA FOR FAS RON VERDONK, PATRICK PACKNETT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU EAGR EAID ECON NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: NEW AI OUTBREAK CONFIRMED ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: New outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were confirmed in Northern Nigeria on July 24. Lab results on a potential human AI case were negative and the patient is recovering from seasonal flu-like symptoms. The GON has under taken preliminary surveillance, depopulation and decontamination of the affected farms and on-going monitoring actions continue to control the AI outbreak. Laboratory results indicate that the virus is not the subtype that caused the outbreaks in 2006 and 2007. So far no new outbreaks have been detected since July 24. The quick and thorough procedures taken by the GON during this AI outbreak demonstrate that the substantial USG technical assistance, training and resources devoted to AI in Nigeria have had a positive effect on the GON's capability to respond and handle an outbreak. End Summary. New AI Outbreak -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On July 24 new outbreaks of HPAI were confirmed in a small commercial poultry farm in Kano state and a backyard farm in Katsina state. This was the first report of an AI outbreak since October 2007 when cases were reported in Anambra State. Previously on June 27, during the GON's regularly conducted targeted surveillance in live bird markets in the 11 previously non-infected states, a duck tested positive for AI in Gombe (Gombe state) and a chicken tested positive on July 19 in Birin Kebbi city (Kebbi state). Experts contend that these results indicate that there is possible re-introduction of AI in the country. On July 24, the Federal Department of Livestock issued a press statement informing the public that they will do everything possible, in collaboration with development partners, to control AI in birds and prevent its transmission to humans. Report of Potential Human AI Case -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Report of suspected human case emerged when a 25 year old male who worked on the affected farm in Kano visited the hospital complaining of a sore throat and mild difficulty in breathing. He was prophylactically placed on osetalmimivir while awaiting the results of laboratory samples which were collected and sent to the Human Health AI lab in Asokoro. On July 25 the results for HPAI were negative. Currently the patient has recovered sufficiently from what appears to be seasonal flu-like symptoms and has been discharged from the hospital. Follow up on all exposed persons on the affected farms and neighborhood is ongoing. GON Responds -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Contacts report that the GON has taken the following measures to control the outbreak: -- Preliminary surveillance at the affected locations; -- Modified stamping out through depopulation and decontamination of the affected farms at Kano and Katsina; -- Intensification of monitoring and decontamination; -- Expansion of surveillance centers to cover additional sites for the on-going wild bird surveillance program. The surveillance is being conducted by National Animal Disease Information and Surveillance (NADIS) with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) support. -- Intensification of public information campaigns by NADIS with financial assistance provided by African Development Bank (ADB) through African Union- Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR). ¶5. (SBU) Four GON Special Diagnostic Teams (SDT) were activated to carry out detailed epidemiological investigation at the various affected locations in Gombe, Kebbi, Kano and Katsina, including forward and backward tracing to identify the sources of outbreak. The GON Avian Influenza Control Project reports that mortality on the Kano farm commenced 2 weeks following the introduction of 4 ducks purchased from hawkers (two of which died) and that the outbreak involving the backyard farm in Katsina may be related to the introduction of guinea fowls purchased from Charanchi market. Over 424 samples have been collected including carcasses and sent to National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) lab for analysis. Samples were also sent to the World Reference Library in Padova, Italy for detailed analysis including virus characterization and sequencing. ¶6. (SBU) The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has been notified of the two events through the regular on-line "Immediate Notification" reporting channel known as the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS). The information is thus accessible globally through the OIE web site. ABUJA 00001487 002 OF 002 ¶7. (SBU) Results so far obtained indicate that the virus is a new introduction into the country and not the subtype that caused the outbreaks in 2006 and 2007 in the country. The current virus is related to a different clad that is found in Europe, which makes it likely that it might have been introduced by migratory birds considering the location where the first positive sample was found. (Comment: This is therefore an indication that USG/GON control strategies are working and USG/GON surveillance network is vigilant enough to have detected this newly introduced strain of the virus soon after it came into the country. End Comment). ¶8. (SBU) Comment: So far no new outbreak or positive sample from surveillance has been detected since July 24. The quick and thorough procedures taken by the GON during this AI outbreak demonstrate that the substantial USG technical assistance, training and resources devoted to AI in Nigeria have had positive effect on the GON's capability to respond and handle an outbreak. End Comment. SANDERS