September 9, 2010

Taiwanese swine herds struck by AH1N1

The Taiwanese veterinary authorities have reported an outbreak of AH1N1 flu in the country, affecting swine herds.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received an immediate notification on September 7. According to the report, the outbreak occurred on September 2 in T'ai-Tung.

A total of four cases were identified, while 4,000 of the animals showed signs of susceptibility to the disease.

The farmer reported pigs with signs of parakeratosis to the prefecture animal disease control competent authority, a zinc deficiency was suspected. Samples were collected and sent to the Animal Health Research Institute for diagnosis.

Samples were also subjected to swine flu virus test including pandemic AH1N1 flu virus test under the routine active and passive surveillance programme. Positive results in virus isolation, RRT-PCR and gene sequencing were obtained on September 2, 2010, which demonstrated that pigs were infected by the pandemic AH1N1 flu virus.

Movement control was implemented and disinfection and cleaning of the index farm have been conducted and completed. Follow-up tests were conducted and negative results in RRT-PCR and virus isolation were obtained on September 6, 2010.

Six pig farms within 3 kilometres radius around the index farm have been investigated and monitored. No clinical evidence of infection was found.

Although the issue has been resolved, the cause of the outbreak remains unidentified.