Low Path Avian Flu Virus Detected in Laos
LAOS - The Laotian veterinary authorities have reported the detection of low pathogenic H5N6 bird flu in Luangprabang.
16 September 2014
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The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received an immediate notification on Monday, 15 September.
According to the OIE, a total of 200 birds were found susceptible, out of which two cases were reported. The two affected birds were reportedly found dead. The remaining 198 birds were destroyed.
Real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) was carried out at the National Animal Health Laboratory on 17 July. The test was found to result positive.
The OIE reports that an active surveillance for avian influenza in five targeted provinces of Northern Laos started in July 2014 with financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
As of 15 September 2014, the laboratory diagnostic results from the National Animal Health Laboratory (NAHL) have revealed that a poultry farm where were introduced one-day-old chicken and ducks was positive for H5N6 as confirmed by real-time PCR.
It is now planned to send the positive samples to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory for sequencing.
Introduction of new live animals and legal movement of animals have been found to be the major causes of the outbreak.
