ZIMBABWES EXPERIENCES H 5 N 2 IN OSTRICHES

ZIMBABWE’S EXPERIENCES H 5 N 2 IN OSTRICHES

The Outbreak? Ø Matabeleland North Province Ø Two ostrich properties l Mimosa and Dollar Bubi • during routine surveillance in November 2005 Ø Antibodies first detected in slaughter stock and later in all classes Ø No clinical signs, no deaths Ø Combined population of 16 000 ostriches Ø Outgrower system practiced

Response Poultry and ostrich farmers notified All ostrich farms put under quarantine and screened for AI antibodies Ø Slaughter of ostriches suspended Ø Self-imposed ban on the export of all ostrich and poultry products Ø Increased serosurveillance on all farms Ø Sera sent to RSA for determination of N type Ø Determined as H 5 N 2 Ø Communications with SADC, OIE and trading partners Ø Ø

Surveillance Background Ø Zimbabwe has been routinely screening for AI for the last 6 years Ø All Newcastle Disease cases are tested for AI Ø 6% of all ostrich slaughter stock tested Ø 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. Ø Poultry industry collected samples from properties adjacent to their properties if any as well as from their outgrowers if any Ø DVS has been collecting samples from small holder farmers. Ø A more comprehensive sampling plan has been made but has yet to be implemented. Ø

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

Compartmentalization Ø Ø Ø 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.

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

Functions of taskfoce Ø Develop the contingency plans l 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

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

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

The End Tatenda Siyabonga Thank you