9 May 2010
Avian Influenza in an emu – Ein Gedi Israel
Avian Influenza H5N1 was detected in a mini-zoo in an emu. The mini-zoo is located in Kibbutz Ein
Gedi (map 1), an isolated village on the shores of the Dead Sea. The location of EIn Gedi is in a hot
desert sparsely populated area at the lowest altitude in the world. There are no other villages or any
other inhabited locations within a radius of 12.5 kilometers (see map 2).
The mini-zoo included individual separate enclosures. Each one housed a different species of birds.
The mini-zoo included three emus, 20 peafowl, 20 cockatiels, 70 finches, 2 quails and 2 chickens.
On 29/05/10 an emu in the mini-zoo presented with feed refusal and weakness. On 01/05/10 it died
and was buried. On 02/05/2010 its mother showed the same symptoms and died two days later. The
head of the second emu was sent to the Southern Avian Health Laboratory and the brain was tested
by viral isolation in embryonated eggs. The brain was also forwarded to the Avian and Fish Diseases
Division of the Kimron Veterinary Institute for PCR.
On 06/05/2010, it was found to be positive to H5N1 (PCR in the Kimron Veterinary Institute) and on
07/05/2010 it was also found positive by viral isolation in the Southern Avian Health Laboratory.
In the mini-zoo, in the same enclosure, there was also one more emu (the father) – which was sitting
on eggs (fig. 1).
On 06/05/2010 all the birds in the mini-zoo were sampled, culled and buried on site. None of these
birds showed any clinical signs.
Mitzpe Shalem, the nearest commercial poultry farm, containing two turkey breeding flocks, is located
12.5 kilometers (see map 3) and was also sampled.
All the testings of the culled birds and the commercial turkey breeder farm (12.5 kilometers away)
were negative by PCR.
The cleaning and disinfection of the site are expected to b e finished till 13/05/2010.
As mentioned, there are no farms in the protection and surveillance zones.
The epidemiologic investigation did not reveal evidence of introduction of new birds into the mini-zoo
during the past year. People who were taking care of the birds had no contact with other birds. The
birds' feed storage bins were always maintained closed and there was no apparent possibility of
entrance of wild birds into the feed storage bins. Sparrows (Passer domesticus) were abundant in the
enclosure of the emus during their feeding. The emus received also leftovers of the kibbutz dining
room.
Immediate notification sent to the EU and OIE on 07/05/10, is attached.
Dr. Moshe Chaimovitz, Director of Veterinary Services and Animal Health
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Map 1 – Location of Ein Gedi
Map 2 – Distance between the case of H5N1 and
the nearest commercial farm.
Map 3 – location of the mini-zoo within the
Fig 1- The third emu (male) sitting on eggs
kibbutz
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Israel
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Immediate Notification:
Confirmation
Report Details
Logged in:Michel Bellaiche
Outbreak Details
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Control and Epi
Reason Reoccurrence of a listed disease | Disease: Highly pathogenic avian influenza | Editing Draft report
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Immediate notification report - Report reference: Emu , Ref OIE: 9226, Country: Israel
Report Summary
Disease
Causal Agent
Clinical Signs
Date of first
confirmation of the
event
Highly pathogenic avian
influenza
HPAIV
Yes
Animal type
Terrestrial
Serotype(s)
Reason
H5N1
Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of Start of Event 29/04/2010
06/05/2010
Date of report
06/05/2010
Diagnosis
Suspicion, Clinical, Laboratory
(advanced)
Date Submitted To
OIE
Date Of Last
Occurrence
Name of Sender of
the report
Number Of Reported
Submitted= 0, Draft= 1
Outbreaks
post office box 12 BEIT DAGAN
Address
Position
50250
Telephone
+972(3)9681761
Fax
Email
[email protected]
Entered by
Outbreak (this report - draft) ( Ein Gedi )
Province
District
Unit Type
HADAROM
Dead Sea
Not applicable
Species
Birds
Measuring units
Animals
Affected Population
Location
Ein Gedi
Susceptible
115
Dr Michel Bellaiche
Epidemiologist
+972(3)9681761
Dr Michel Bellaiche
Latitude
31,4586
Cases
2
02/02/2010
Longitude
35,3888
Deaths
2
Start date
29/04/2010
Destroyed
113
End Date
Slaughtered
0
On 29/05/10 an emu in a minizoo of the kibbutz Ein Gedi showed
feed refusal and weakness. On 01/05/10 it died and was buried.
On 02/05/2010 its mother showed the same symptoms and died
two days later. On 06/05/2010, it was found to be positive to H5N1
(PCR from the brain). In the minizoo were also one more emu (the
father, in the same enclosure) and in other enclosures: 2 quails, 20
peacocks, 70 finches, 20 cockateils and 2 chickens. None of these
birds showed clinical symptoms. All the birds were culled and
buried on spot. There are no commercial birds in the 10 kilometers
radius. The location of EIn Gedi is in the lowest altitude of the
world.
Outbreak summary: Total outbreaks = 1 (Draft)
3
Species
Birds
Susceptible
115
Cases
2
Deaths
2
Destroyed
113
Slaughtered
0
Epidemiology
Epidemiological
comments
Source of the
No birds were introducted to the
outbreak(s) or origin
minizoo since several months/
of infection
•
Unknown or
inconclusive
•
Disinfection of infected
premises/establishment
(s)
Dipping / Spraying
Control Measures
•
•
•
Applied
Animals treated
•
•
Stamping out
Quarantine
Movement control
inside the country
Screening
Zoning
No
To be applied
Vaccination
Prohibited
•
Yes
Country / Zone
Country or zone
a zone or compartment
Diagnostic test results
Laboratory
Name of Laboratory
Type
Local
Southern Avian Diseases
laboratory
Laboratory
National
Avian and Fish Diseases Division,
laboratory
Kimron Veterinary Institute
Species Test Type
Birds
Birds
pathogen isolation by
egg inoculation
polymerase chain
reaction (PCR)
Date Results
Result
Provided
06/05/2010 Pending
06/05/2010 Positive
Outbreak maps
4
Final report
Future Reporting
What further reports will be
submitted in relation to this
event?
The event is resolved. However, there are 1 unresolved outbreaks.
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.
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this report to OIE?
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World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) - Version: 1.4
Copyright © World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) 2010
Release date:20th November 2009
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