Travel Health Advisory

Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. The disease, which was first identified in Italy more than 100 years ago, occurs worldwide. All birds are thought to be susceptible to infection with avian influenza, though some species are more resistant to infection than others. Infection causes a wide spectrum of symptoms in birds, ranging from mild illness to a highly contagious and rapidly fatal disease resulting in severe epidemics. The latter is known as “highly pathogenic avian influenza”. This form is characterized by sudden onset, severe illness, and rapid death, with a mortality that can approach 100%. According to different media reports, HPAI - H5N1 has been reported in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Japan, Korea, Indonesia and China. Also Under investigation / rumours and suspicions / other information:

Nepal: More than 200 chickens died in the past 10 days in Bara district.

India: In Dhubri district, lower Assam, about 1,000 poultry birds had died since January but none of the villages reported deaths in one day or in a large batch. A survey was conducted in 29 villages and the results determined the cause of the deaths due to coccidiosis, chronic respiratory disease and bacilliary white diarrhoea.

Bangladesh: The update (9 February 2004) on avian influenza in animals in Asia, published on the website of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) contains this text about Bangladesh:

"Further to a request by the OIE Animal Health Information Department on information that has been circulated on the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Bangladesh, on 31 January 2004 the Delegate of Bangladesh to the OIE sent the following answer:

I have received your letter enquiring about the possible presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in Bangladesh, along with a copy of a report extracted on-line.

The incident that generated speculation that chicken deaths were linked to avian influenza was responded to immediately and the affected poultry farms were promptly inspected by qualified and experienced veterinarians. In accordance with the typical approach to surveillance inspection of birds, follow up on reports of sick birds, examination of flock records and post-mortem examination of dead birds were carried out and experts were fully satisfied that deaths were in no way linked to avian influenza virus.

In the wake of the bird flu outbreak in some Asian countries, the Bangladesh Government has taken some steps to strengthen surveillance at the field level, sero-monitoring and measures to restrict illegal entry of birds. Surveillance teams headed by veterinarians are formed at the district and subdistrict level. They are advised to follow the standard surveillance method and asked to communicate immediately if they suspect any case. To date there is no evidence of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in Bangladesh.

We are keeping a vigilant eye on the industry and the industry is fully co-operating with us.

Bangladesh has been regularly providing the OIE with disease reports and is pledged to notify the OIE about all the notifiable diseases. Bangladesh is fully aware of its commitment and knows the consequence of suppression of facts and would not hesitate to provide you with any relevant information.

Dr Salehuddin Mahmud
Director General
Department of Livestock Services
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
Bangladesh"

Source: WHO , OIE and FAO sites, collected by Ayshanie Labe