ZIMBABWE’S ZIMBABWE’S EXPERIENCESEXPERIENCES

H5N2 IN OSTRICHESH5N2 IN OSTRICHES

The Outbreak?The Outbreak?

Matabeleland North ProvinceMatabeleland North Province Two ostrich propertiesTwo ostrich properties

Mimosa and Dollar BubiMimosa and Dollar Bubi• during routine surveillance in November 2005during routine surveillance in November 2005

Antibodies first detected in slaughter stock Antibodies first detected in slaughter stock and later in all classesand later in all classes

No clinical signs, no deathsNo clinical signs, no deaths Combined population of 16 000 ostrichesCombined population of 16 000 ostriches Outgrower system practicedOutgrower system practiced

ResponseResponse Poultry and ostrich farmers notifiedPoultry and ostrich farmers notified All ostrich farms put under quarantine and All ostrich farms put under quarantine and

screened for AI antibodiesscreened for AI antibodies Slaughter of ostriches suspendedSlaughter of ostriches suspended Self-imposed ban on the export of all ostrich and Self-imposed ban on the export of all ostrich and

poultry productspoultry products Increased serosurveillance on all farmsIncreased serosurveillance on all farms Sera sent to RSA for determination of N typeSera sent to RSA for determination of N type Determined as H5N2Determined as H5N2 Communications with SADC, OIE and trading Communications with SADC, OIE and trading

partnerspartners

SurveillanceSurveillance

BackgroundBackground Zimbabwe has been routinely screening Zimbabwe has been routinely screening

for AI for the last 6 yearsfor AI for the last 6 years All Newcastle Disease cases are tested for All Newcastle Disease cases are tested for

AIAI 6% of all ostrich slaughter stock tested6% of all ostrich slaughter stock tested 15 % of all ostriches per farm were being 15 % of all ostriches per farm were being

testedtested

Post outbreak surveillancePost outbreak surveillance

All properties were asked to submit 60 blood All properties were asked to submit 60 blood samples per epidemiological unit per month for samples per epidemiological unit per month for testing.testing.

Poultry industry collected samples from Poultry industry collected samples from properties adjacent to their properties if any as properties adjacent to their properties if any as well as from their outgrowers if anywell as from their outgrowers if any

DVS has been collecting samples from small DVS has been collecting samples from small holder farmers.holder farmers.

A more comprehensive sampling plan has been A more comprehensive sampling plan has been made but has yet to be implemented.made but has yet to be implemented.

DiagnosticsDiagnostics

The Central Veterinary Laboratory was involved The Central Veterinary Laboratory was involved in the screening of all samples using the HAI test in the screening of all samples using the HAI test and more recently the ELISA.and more recently the ELISA.

They stepped up their capacity to 2000 samples They stepped up their capacity to 2000 samples per day using the HAIper day using the HAI

Lab is only able to determine H and not NLab is only able to determine H and not N Zimvet, a private Laboratory was authorized to Zimvet, a private Laboratory was authorized to

test on behalf of the CVLtest on behalf of the CVL Proficiency testing between the two Labs-Quality Proficiency testing between the two Labs-Quality

assurance.assurance.

CompartmentalizationCompartmentalization

Zimbabwe decided to follow the compartmentalization Zimbabwe decided to follow the compartmentalization route to allow exportsroute to allow exports

A checklist for farm inspections was designed and used A checklist for farm inspections was designed and used every monthevery month

Emphasis on bioseurity of propertiesEmphasis on bioseurity of properties Poultry farms are submitting 60 blood samples per Poultry farms are submitting 60 blood samples per

month from each epi-unitmonth from each epi-unit Four properties registered as AI free compartments so Four properties registered as AI free compartments so

far in accordance with OIE code, Chapter 1.3.5far in accordance with OIE code, Chapter 1.3.5 The properties have been authorized to export ONLY The properties have been authorized to export ONLY

Hatching and Table eggs and Day old chicksHatching and Table eggs and Day old chicks..

AI taskforceAI taskforce Was set up prior to the outbreakWas set up prior to the outbreak Co-chaired by Ministry of Health and Child Co-chaired by Ministry of Health and Child

Welfare and Veterinary ServicesWelfare and Veterinary Services Multi-stakeholder assn, (WHO, FAO, Wildlife Multi-stakeholder assn, (WHO, FAO, Wildlife

Management & Parks, Ministries of Transport & Management & Parks, Ministries of Transport & Communications and Home Affairs, ZIMRA, Bird Communications and Home Affairs, ZIMRA, Bird Groups)Groups)

Meets once monthlyMeets once monthly At district level, zoonotic subcommittees made At district level, zoonotic subcommittees made

up of MOHCW and Veterinary services meet up of MOHCW and Veterinary services meet monthly.monthly.

Functions of taskfoceFunctions of taskfoce

Develop the contingency plansDevelop the contingency plans a draft has been produceda draft has been produced

ReviewReview• Current world situation on AI & how it could Current world situation on AI & how it could

enter Zimbabweenter Zimbabwe• Current and future surveillanceCurrent and future surveillance• Lab diagnostic capacity, international Lab diagnostic capacity, international

collaborationcollaboration• Control of possible outbreaksControl of possible outbreaks• Zoonotic implicationsZoonotic implications

Awareness ProgramsAwareness Programs

ThroughThrough Electronic and print mediaElectronic and print media Meetings with livestock producers associationsMeetings with livestock producers associations Pamphlets for residents of wetlandsPamphlets for residents of wetlands Communiqués to Provincial Governors-Communiqués to Provincial Governors-

Provincial Admin- District Admin-PeopleProvincial Admin- District Admin-People PolicePolice Cabinet via Secretaries and MinistersCabinet via Secretaries and Ministers

Regional cooperationRegional cooperation

Learning visit to South AfricaLearning visit to South Africa Government and private VeterinariansGovernment and private Veterinarians

Visit by BotswanaVisit by Botswana Words of support from the region.Words of support from the region.

The EndThe End

TatendaTatenda

SiyabongaSiyabonga

Thank youThank you