1. ZIMBABWE’S EXPERIENCES
H5N2 IN OSTRICHES

2. The Outbreak? Matabeleland North Province Two ostrich properties
Mimosa and Dollar Bubi
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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 1.3.5
The properties have been authorized to export ONLY Hatching and Table eggs and Day old chicks.

8. 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.

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

10. 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

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

12. The End
Tatenda
Siyabonga
Thank you