15.11.2005

The epidemiology report on the case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in a quarantine facility in Essex has now been received from the National Emergency Epidemiology Group and was published by Defra today.
The main findings of the report are:
Within the species documented as coming from Taiwan only the Mesias were infected with H5N1 and 53 out of 101 birds had died.
Infection with H5N1 was transmitted between the Mesias, but there is no evidence of transmission to other species in the facility including the sentinel birds.
The original identification of HPAI H5N1 on October 21 was made from a pool of tissues derived from a Pionus Parrot (Surinam) and a Mesia (Taiwan). It has not been possible to say whether the virus isolated came from the parrot tissue or the mesia tissue or both. However, in the light of the other evidence the balance of probabilities is that the source was the Mesia sample. The H5N1 strain is most closely associated with a virus isolated from ducks in China early this year. This is consistent with Defra's working hypothesis of 23 October that the likeliest origin of the infection was the birds from Taiwan.
The report sets out a reconciliation between the total numbers of birds imported and their eventual fate based on the available evidence. Investigations undertaken to date have not established any evidence of live birds being removed from the facility during the period of quarantine.
Announcing the publication of the report Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said:
"This report contains significant epidemiological findings and helps to further our understanding of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. In particular the apparent lack of transmission of H5N1 between species in the facility will be of interest to the international community . The available evidence points to the Mesias, which were documented as imported from Taiwan, as the most likely source of the virus."
The facility had not been used since 9 March 2005. On 16 September 2005 a consignment of 148 parrots (Caiques, Pionus, Macaws and Amazons) arrived from Surinam. On 28 September a consignment of 186 birds (Mynahs, Mesias and Laughing Thrushes) documented as coming from Taiwan entered the facility. The 30-day quarantine period restarted with the arrival of the birds from Taiwan.
A number of birds died within the quarantine period: these were either submitted for testing, frozen or reported as incinerated. All remaining live imported birds (234) and 4 sentinel chickens within the facility were humanely destroyed on 21 October. Essex County Council are continuing their investigation into the events in the quarantine facility.
Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs announced a review of avian quarantine arrangements and procedures for captive birds on 31 October. The review will make recommendations on any changes needed to policies or procedures in order to ensure that they are as secure as possible (Defra).