WattAgNet: H5N1 avian influenza cases reported in Cambodia

Written November 18, 2015 By Jackie Linden
The agriculture ministry has reported the country’s first cases of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry since March of 2014

According to a Cambodian agriculture ministry report to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), two outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been confirmed in the northwest of the country.

Both cases were in free-range duck flocks described as “backyard” in the provinces of Battambang and Siem Reap. Of the 8,800 birds in the flocks, 2,280 died.

According to the official report, after having been informed by the owners that their duck flocks were sick and dying, the district and provincial veterinary services investigated and took samples from sick ducks, which were sent to the National Veterinary Research Institute for testing. The test samples were confirmed positive with the H5N1 variant.

The usual control measures are being applied, namely movement controls within the country, disinfection and dipping/spraying. Vaccination is prohibited and there is no treatment of infected birds. A policy of stamping-out will be followed.