Surveillance and Response - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Indian scenario

POULTRY AT A GLANCE Poultry population:485 million (one time count) Duck population:31 million Total egg production:51 billion per annum Total broiler production: 1200 million (meat 1.65 mil MT) Pattern of rearing:Both Backyard & Organized Marketing:Mostly open market (10% processed) Migratory birds:Mostly during winters Value of output 220 mil US$ (meat & egg only)

Past outbreaks in India Country free from HPAI till 17 th February, First incidence in Feb-March, 2006 in Maharashtra, which spilled over to adjacent districts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Second episode in a solitary backyard farm in Imphal district of Manipur in July Third episode in West Bengal (Phase-I) [15 districts] and Tripura [2 districts] from January to May, Fourth incidence in Assam [9 districts], West Bengal (Phase-II) [5 districts] & Sikkim (1 district) from November, 2008 to May, 2009.

Present outbreak in West Bengal Outbreak in West Bengal notified on 14th January, 2010 in two villages in Khargram block of Murshidabad District. Detected in eight more villages in same block Also notified in 3 villages in adjacent block in same district. Likely poultry population to be culled: About 0.3 million. Last outbreak notified on 30 th January, 2010

Outbreaks localized in very small areas of Eastern, NE& Western India )

Strategic control operations in India (1/3) Immediate notification of the infected and surveillance zone. Deployment of Central Teams for assistance and supervision of culling, mopping, disinfection and sterilization of the infected zone. Intensive human health surveillance in the area of operation. Deployment of RRTs for culling (maximum 950 on some critical days).

Strategic control operations in India (2/3) Ban on movement of poultry & poultry products from and into the infected/notified sites. Ensure supply of PPE kits, N-95 masks and anti- virals to the outbreak spots. Culling of all poultry within 3 kms of the foci of infection. Release of funds for immediate compensation.

Strategic control operations in India (3/3) Strengthening of border posts for stopping illegal movement of poultry or products A joint IEC campaign by the Animal Husbandry & Health Ministries in print and electronic media. Creation of a 5 KM depopulated zone of poultry in the States bordering West Bengal to check spread of infection. Constant surveillance in West Bengal and adjoining states for poultry mortality.

Existing system of Animal Disease Reporting Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, New Delhi State Veterinary Services (Director) District Veterinary Services (DVO/ DAHO) Block Veterinary Services (BLDO/ BAHO) Veterinary Hospital (Veterinary Officer) Village Level (Farmer/ Village Representative/ Veterinary Field Assistants

Surveillance for Animal Diseases A Central Act `The Prevention and Control of Infectious & Contagious Diseases in Animals Act 2009’ enacted in India. All the notifiable diseases have been included in the reporting system 109 diseases (85 animal & 24 Fish) National Animal Disease Reporting System being strengthened. The Veterinary Dispensaries / Hospitals (i.e. the primary disease reporting units) are obligatory to report the Disease. The villages to be allotted code numbers by concerned State Monitoring Unit. The online system to have links to the information on different livestock/ poultry diseases.

Surveillance: Chain of communication National surveillance plan for Avian Influenza is based on State Surveillance Plans. State surveillance plans are prepared based on common vulnerable criteria e.g. sharing of common international border with HPAI infected countries, presence of water bodies frequented by migratory birds, flyways of migratory birds, poultry population and its concentration etc.

Diagnosis / Surveillance Programme under implementation National Strategy is to contain it at its origin in animal. Sustained, active, focused surveillance. Poultry, migratory birds etc. covered. In the event of unusual mortality samples tested at equipped laboratory. Active surveillance undertaken by collecting samples (tissue, swab and serum) randomly from all parts of the country. Since November, 2005, more than 0.6 million samples collected & tested for AI.

Surveillance for AI in Poultry in India Surveillance for poultry began in 2001 Intensified since 2004 It is rigorous since the first episode of bird-flu in 2006 Sampling done from: –Domestic poultry including ducks –Migratory and wild birds –Imported Grand-Parent Stock (under quarantine) –Any livestock produce containing poultry origin products Nature of samples –Morbid tissues –Clinical swabs (tracheal or cloacal) –Faecal sample –Blood serum

Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory High Security Animal Disease Laboratory OIE Ref. Lab for HPAI Network of AI Surveillance laboratories National Institute of Virology

Overall control and response strategies Control and containment of Avian Influenza includes culling of birds & mopping-up, clean-up, disinfection and sanitization operations. After an outbreak surveillance is stepped up immediately throughout the country. In addition, surveillance becomes more vigorous in 0-10 km areas from the infected site. Post-operation surveillance plan issued in consultation with the State Government for implementation after control operations. The Action Plan of Animal Husbandry is revised in November, 2006 based on past experiences. Being further revised.

Constraints in disease control Affected poultry reared in backyard, having less bio-security. Poultry a source of supplementary income. Lack of awareness. High poultry concentration. High duck population.

Resource availability for handling bird-flu related emergencies Two national reference laboratories for confirmation of avian influenza, one for poultry and other animals (HSADL, Bhopal) and the other for human (NIV, Pune). Five regional diagnostic laboratories for preliminary screening of samples. BSL –II, III and BSL – IV Facilities Financial resources are shared equally between the Centre and the State Government for bird-flu operations. No external funding sought. 80% of veterinary work-force trained in handling bird-flu related emergencies. More being conducted.

Constant Vulnerability to Avian Influenza (1/2) Continuance of HPAI in many countries in the world Porous international border with frequent movement across the border. Improper disposal of infected or dead poultry. Vulnerability at scale of operation: Better biosecurity at high scale of poultry production system with least in the backyard poultry.

Constant Vulnerability to Avian Influenza (2/2) Natural routes of migratory birds for winter roosting Mixed farming system (chicken & ducks) in backyard poultry in the Eastern and North-Eastern states Thriving live poultry market with improper hygienic conditions Inadequate awareness (producers, consumers, stake-holders) Inadequate infra-structure in some states to handle emergencies

Response of Govt. of India on H1N1  India never reported H1N1 in pigs and poultry.  However, GOI responded immediately to the OIE guidelines and instructed the states to undertake measures: 1.Physical surveillance for swine influenza in pigs has been heightened particularly in areas having sizeable pig population 2.In case of any report / suspicion / media reports, sample has to be collected and dispatched to HSADL, Bhopal for testing and confirmation 3.Regular Reporting – No case of H1N1 in Pigs

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