ZIMBABWE’S EXPERIENCES H5N2 IN OSTRICHES

The Outbreak?  Matabeleland North Province  Two ostrich properties Mimosa and Dollar Bubi Mimosa and Dollar Bubi during routine surveillance in November 2005 during routine surveillance in November 2005  Antibodies first detected in slaughter stock and later in all classes  No clinical signs, no deaths  Combined population of ostriches  Outgrower system practiced

Response  Poultry and ostrich farmers notified  All ostrich farms put under quarantine and screened for AI antibodies  Slaughter of ostriches suspended  Self-imposed ban on the export of all ostrich and poultry products  Increased serosurveillance on all farms  Sera sent to RSA for determination of N type  Determined as H5N2  Communications with SADC, OIE and trading partners

Surveillance Background  Zimbabwe has been routinely screening for AI for the last 6 years  All Newcastle Disease cases are tested for AI  6% of all ostrich slaughter stock tested  15 % of all ostriches per farm were being tested

Post outbreak surveillance  All properties were asked to submit 60 blood samples per epidemiological unit per month for testing.  Poultry industry collected samples from properties adjacent to their properties if any as well as from their outgrowers if any  DVS has been collecting samples from small holder farmers.  A more comprehensive sampling plan has been made but has yet to be implemented.

Diagnostics  The Central Veterinary Laboratory was involved in the screening of all samples using the HAI test and more recently the ELISA.  They stepped up their capacity to 2000 samples per day using the HAI  Lab is only able to determine H and not N  Zimvet, a private Laboratory was authorized to test on behalf of the CVL  Proficiency testing between the two Labs-Quality assurance.

Compartmentalization  Zimbabwe decided to follow the compartmentalization route to allow exports  A checklist for farm inspections was designed and used every month  Emphasis on bioseurity of properties  Poultry farms are submitting 60 blood samples per month from each epi-unit  Four properties registered as AI free compartments so far in accordance with OIE code, Chapter  The properties have been authorized to export ONLY Hatching and Table eggs and Day old chicks.

AI taskforce  Was set up prior to the outbreak  Co-chaired by Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and Veterinary Services  Multi-stakeholder assn, (WHO, FAO, Wildlife Management & Parks, Ministries of Transport & Communications and Home Affairs, ZIMRA, Bird Groups)  Meets once monthly  At district level, zoonotic subcommittees made up of MOHCW and Veterinary services meet monthly.

Functions of taskfoce  Develop the contingency plans a draft has been produced a draft has been producedReview Current world situation on AI & how it could enter Zimbabwe Current world situation on AI & how it could enter Zimbabwe Current and future surveillance Current and future surveillance Lab diagnostic capacity, international collaboration Lab diagnostic capacity, international collaboration Control of possible outbreaks Control of possible outbreaks Zoonotic implications Zoonotic implications

Awareness Programs Through  Electronic and print media  Meetings with livestock producers associations  Pamphlets for residents of wetlands  Communiqués to Provincial Governors- Provincial Admin- District Admin-People  Police  Cabinet via Secretaries and Ministers

Regional cooperation  Learning visit to South Africa Government and private Veterinarians Government and private Veterinarians  Visit by Botswana  Words of support from the region.

The End TatendaSiyabonga Thank you