Descorne En Bovinos

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Mexico (H7N3)
A significant threat to poultry production not to be underestimated
Contributors: Sherrilyn Wainwrighta, Carlene Trevenneca, Filip Claesa, Moisés Vargas-Terána, Vincent Martina, Juan Lubrotha
a

VOL. 26 - AUGUST 2012
CONTENTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Overview Avian influenza viruses and virulent strains H7N3 history H7N3 HPAI outbreaks inMexico Genetic properties of the Mexican H7N3 HPAI virus: A/chicken/Jalisco/CPA1/2012 Response to H7N3 HPAI in Mexico Mexico’s responses to HPAI outbreaks Immediate response: risk communication Threat and economic impact of HPAI outbreaks 1 1 2 3 4 4 4 6 6 7 7 8 8 8

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

1. OVERVIEW

Other countries at risk, with unpredictableoutcomes The current H7N3 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks occurring in Jalisco, Mexico, demonstrate the constant risk from the circulation of avian influenza viruses to poultry industries throughout the world. In countries that have significant commercial poultry industries, with high numbers of animals living in high-density populations, HPAI outbreaks can cause rapid and severeeconomic losses to agro-industry and trade. Countries with weaker infrastructure might not withstand shocks to food prices and the resulting food insecurity, especially for more vulnerable households. This outbreak and its rapid spread through a major production area that also supplies export markets is a stark reminder of the need for constant high levels of biosecurity, and the inherent challengesin actually achieving this, especially in mixed systems where backyard holdings are also present. Robust surveillance systems need to constantly monitor for H5 and H7 subtypes of avian influenza viruses. While the origin is unknown, it is highly suspected that a low pathogenic strain of a wild bird origin infected domestic poultry. Ever-stronger alliances combining industry, government and farmersA robust system that seamlessly combines passive and active surveillance, implemented by the government administration and proactively reinforced by private industry, is a more sensitive model for prevention, early warning and response. Early response should put in immediate motion the response mechanisms to contain a disease outbreak, including the fielding of trained personnel to investigateincreased morbidity and mortality in poultry flocks, to conduct examinations of the affected animals, and to take appropriate samples for immediate dispatch to laboratories. Field teams and laboratories should always include avian influenza in the differential testing regime for avian cases.
Recommended citation for this article FAO. 2012. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Mexico (H7N3) - Asignificant threat to poultry production not to be underestimated. EMPRES WATCH, Vol. 26-August 2012. Rome

10. Food safety aspects 11. Prevention and Good practices 12. Use of vaccines in response to AI outbreaks 13. Recommended actions when responding to an outbreak 14. References

Honing response and response times A timely, agreed upon contingency plan as has been implemented in Mexico throughthe activation of the National Emergency Animal Health System (DINESA)1 for this H7N3 HPAI outbreak merits recognition. An emergency plan should incorporate clear responsibilities for the government veterinary services, wildlife officials and specialists, public and private stakeholders (including backyard poultry producers), as well as public health and public information officials, to addressanimal and human health concerns and food safety in a well-coordinated response. In many epidemics, the first detected outbreaks of disease are found weeks to months after the initial introduction occurred. Often, the clinical findings are initially presumed to be other endemic diseases, and mistreated or addressed on that basis. The authorities are alerted only once other measures have failed...