Luca Busani Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie The Italian experience in the control of Avian Influenza applying emergency and prophylactic vaccination

The AI challenge in Italy High density of susceptible species (turkeys) in a limited area (Densely Populated Poultry Area- DPPA) Wetlands and resting sites for migratory waterfowl in close proximity of this DPPA Several introductions of LPAI viruses from wild birds resulting in some cases in major epidemics

ITALY - VENETO AND LOMBARDY Distribution of poultry poultry 95 million bird places Mallard population in Italy: 110,000 birds/year

Total direct costs: 170 million euros Italy: AI outbreaks from 1997 to HPAI: H5N2 8 outbreaks, backyard flocks, prompt eradication 2000 LPAI-HPAI: H7N1, total costs € 500 million LPAI: H7N1 78 outbreaks LPAI: H7N3 388 outbreaks 2004 LPAI: H7N3 28 outbreaks (September- November) 2005 LPAI: H5N2 15 outbreaks (April-May)

LPAI: prevention control strategies Increase of farms bio-security level Prompt detection of any AI virus introduction in: Poultry Wild birds Vaccination (H5–H7 virus subtypes) Reduction of farm density, mainly turkey farms (long term strategy)

VACCINATION AREA Lombardia Veneto More than 1000 farms More than 31 million birds

Laboratory data Poultry populations data Reports to decision makers Central data collection and analysis Poultry vaccination data Monitoring activity Vaccination: data management system

Numbers of vaccination in Italy ( ) Capons41,000301,000268,000192,000211,000 Guinea Fowls--84,00075,00041,000 Cockerels-1,061,0001,261,000-- Laying hens6,534,00026,830,00013,263,0007,577,0005,459,000 Turkeys16,303,00047,242,00036,171,00028,318,00010,908,000 Total (doses)23 million75 million51 million36 million17 million Cost (€)4 million13 million9 million6 million3 million Vaccination-related costs: 35 million € payed by the farmers

From 31/12/02 vaccination of turkeys (H7N1) R0=3.0 IC ( ) R0=0.6 IC ( ) Weekly incidence rate of LPAI H7N3 outbreaks

a)emergency vaccination b)preventative vaccination c,d) poor adherence to the vaccination protocol c) 17 flocks vaccinated only once or twice, instead of three times as scheduled; d) all flocks vaccinated only once LPAI epidemics and vaccination in Italy

Conclusions I Emergency and prophylactic AI vaccination can reduce financial losses due to AI epidemics In order to maintain trade, vaccination must be coupled with monitoring and aimed at eradication Wild birds and backyard flocks must be included in the monitoring programs The problems related to AI vaccines and vaccination must be considered when intervention is planned

Conclusion II Control of AI in DPPAs requires a coordinated territorial strategy including surveillance, early detection and prompt intervention and vaccination should be part of it This strategy must be adapted to the field conditions It requires dedicated resources The sustainability in the long period is the major drawback

Grazie per l’attenzione… Luca Busani Istituto Zooprofilattico delle Venezie – CREV Stefano Marangon Istituto Zooprofilattico delle Venezie