“ INDIA DECLARED FREE OF BIRD FLU” India has been declared free of bird flu by International Organization of Animal Health (OIE). AVIAN INFLUENZA IN INDIA See also: 8 June, 2006, 16 March 2006 , 2 March 2006 , 23 February 2006 End of previous report period: 5 June, 2006. End of this report period: 11 August, 2006. Identification of agent: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus subtype H5N1. Date of first confirmation of the event: 18 February 2006. Date of start of the event: 27 January 2006. History of the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): On 18 February, 2006, India notified the OIE of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). Between 27 January, 2006 and 18 April, 2006, outbreaks were notified in Nandurbar and Jalgaon Districts of Maharashtra State and adjacent Surat District of Gujarat State with spillover into the adjoining part of Madhya Pradesh State . The last outbreak was detected on 18 April, 2006 in Jalgaon District of Maharashtra State. The control measures adopted in all the outbreaks were stamping out of entire poultry population including destruction of eggs, feed, consumables, litter and other infected materials around 10 Km. area surrounding each outbreak location, restrictions on movement of poultry, poultry products and personnel to and from the area of outbreak, disinfection and cleaning up of the infected premises etc. Following the last outbreak reported, final cleaning up and disinfection process has been completed on 7 May, 2006. All the measures adopted helped in preventing spread of the disease further. Epidemiological investigation Surveillance for H5N1 (clinical, virological and serological) was carried out in a 15 km radius of the affected area during the period of the first outbreak and till date i.e. 11 August, 2006. Surveillance was also continued and carried out over the rest of the country. Results of surveillance and other relevant information on the outbreaks are available on the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Government of India website at http://www.dahd.nic.in . Conclusion : Article 2.7.12.4 of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2005) states that a country may regain its status as an avian influenza-free country three months after “a stamping-out policy (including disinfection of all affected establishments) is applied, providing that surveillance in accordance with Appendix 3.8.9 has been carried out during that three-month period”. Final culling operations were completed on 27 April, 2006 and final disinfection and cleaning up operations were completed on 7 May, 2006. Surveillance around the areas of outbreaks since completion of operation (including culling, disinfection and clean up) and surveillance in the rest of the country has shown no evidence of the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. India , therefore, declares that it has regained its Notifiable avian influenza free country status. Final report: Yes .
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