Costa Rica Reports Fowl Typhoid Outbreaks
COSTA RICA - The Costa Rican veterinary authorities have reported six outbreaks of fowl typhoid in five commercial layer farms located in Alajuela and one in San Jose.
14 January 2014
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The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received a second follow-up report from the country's competent authorities. The outbreaks reportedly took place during the months of June, August, September and December 2013.
The report states that the causal agent of the outbreaks has been identified as Salmonella Gallinarum and the outbreaks have an effect on the entire country. A serotyping test was carried out at the National Animal Health Laboratory, the national laboratory, on 21 December 2013, confirming the presence of the disease in the country.
The OIE reports that a total of 111771 birds were found susceptible to the outbreak, out of which 14241 cases were reported. Out of the 14241 affected birds, a total of 11402 deaths have been recorded. A total of 36794 layers were slaughtered.
According to the OIE, epidemiological investigations are still on-going in neighboring holdings and any reported suspicion is followed up.
The OIE, in conjunction with the Costa Rican veterinary authorities, have applied several control measures. These include quarantine, movement control inside the country, zoning, disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s). Vaccination has, however, been prohibited.
The source of the outbreaks remains inconclusive.
