AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE.

The highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza virus spread continues in some parts of the world,with Egypt recording 3 new cases in man bringing the total to 10 new cases in 2015. The spread of the avian influenza virus has dropped the prices of poultry products in Xiamen ,China.The recent H7N9 bird flu case in china has reduced the sales, consumption and marketing of poultry products.The confirmation of H7N9 outbreak has stopped the purchasing of ducks,geese,doves and quail.The report from disease prevention and control confirmed 2 new cases in man, which has brought total number to 5. This has prompted the populace to hands off poultry/poultry products ,resturants/hotels have also stopped preparing recipes with poultry products. The poultry markets in the outskirts with poultry have to undergo disinfection before selling their products. The HPAI infection in China has lead to the ban of poultry products in Hong kong. The Hong kong government has issued a statement that only local chickens be allowed in the markets and placed a 21 day ban on other sources of poultry,this took effect on 1/1/2015 when H7N9 was detected in a consignment from Guandong. BE PROACTIVE=SURVEILLANCE +BIO SECURITY.