CONTROL OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN BENIN Dr. Christophe MONSIA Director of Livestock

INTRODUCTION The control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza constitutes a complex problem. Choosing the right strategy is not always easy. In Benin, the applied strategy does not include vaccination even though ring vaccination in the surveillance zone was intended under the emergency response plan (PIU)

WHY HAS BENIN NOT VACCINATED? Three key reasons motivated the decision of the Veterinary Services: 1. The weak capacity of the veterinary services. 2. The difficulty in choosing the correct vaccine. 3. The characteristics of the epizootic in Benin.

1.Weak capacity of the veterinary services. WHY HAS BENIN NOT VACCINATED?  Animal diagnostic laboratories (02) with the capacity for serological analysis (IHA, AGID) and traditional PCR.  Veterinary services personnel  Not trained on the DIVA strategy  Insufficiently qualified to carry out a vaccination plan (visiting farms, taking samples, compiling and managing vaccination records) in parallel with a stamping out strategy.  Insufficient logistical tools (vehicles, communication tools) Badly-managed campaign = Large risk the infection becomes endemic

WHY HAS BENIN NOT VACCINATED? 2.Difficulty in choosing the correct vaccine  Multitude of vaccines available with several strains  Dissemination of virus possible through excretion from vaccinated birds  Difficulty in tracking vaccinated birds for follow-up vaccines and monitoring  Free-range poultry in rural areas  Rate of restocking of livestock holdings important  The vaccines  Live compound: Absence of cross protection for s/type  Inactive: Adjuvant toxic for humans, delay

 The outbreaks occurred in sector 4 (Free-range poultry)  A limited spread of the disease due to the low poultry density (On average 30 poultry infected per outbreak).  No commercial farms infected (sectors 1,2). 3.Characteristics of the epizootic WHY HAS BENIN NOT VACCINATED?

HOW HAS BENIN MANAGED OUTBREAKS OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA? 1.Number of Outbreaks Five (5) outbreaks in the city of Cotonou and in the communities of Adjarra, Dangbo, Akpro Missrété and Porto Novo 2.Control measures put in place in the outbreak areas  Demarcation of three zones (Infection, Surveillance, Security)  Preventative culling ( poultry culled),  Disinfection of infected sites,  Payment of compensation to affected persons,  Quarantine and control of movement of poultry,  Cleaning and disinfection of poultry markets,  Appropriate surveillance in infected zones,  Information and awareness of the general public and members of the production chain.

IAHP 15 km. 35 km.  Movement control (poultry, eggs, poultry-derived products)  Weekly visits of poultry rearing facilities  Measures in place : 30 days SECURITY ZONE  Culling, incineration of birds  Disinfection of places that housed sick animals  Closure of markets and poultry slaughterhouses  Measures in place : 30 days INFECTION ZONE  Biosecurity measures in poultry rearing facilities  Control of movement of poultry and poultry derived products  Ring vaccination of poultry from the exterior toward the center.  Measures in place : 30 days SURVEILLANCE ZONE 3 km. 2.Measures implemented in the zones

CONCLUSIONS/PERSPECTIVES Stamping out has allowed Benin to control the outbreaks that appeared in sector 4 farms with limited poultry denisty; Discussions are underway to decide on how to eventually carry out vaccination; This seminar will definitely provide additional information to deepen this discussion; It seems necessary:  To involve all actors in the production chain in the decision on the type of vaccine to adopt to protect commercial poultry or valuable birds. (Only emergency vaccination or associated with preventative vaccination).  To adopt a regional approach to vaccination in elaborating the Avian Influenza control strategies in West Africa where the circulating strains are similar.

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