An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) serotype H7N3 was reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Friday by Joaquin Braulio Delgadillo Alvarez, Director General of Animal Health, National Service of Health and Agrifood Quality (SENASICA), Ministry of Agriculture, Stockbreeding, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food, Mexico.
Public domain image/ Metamario
The outbreak started on Apr. 18 on a farm in Tepatitlan de Morelos, Jalisco State, which was detected through active surveillance. Of the 151,000 susceptible birds, 10 cases were confirmed. The source of the outbreak in unknown at this time.
The bird flu virus was confirmed at the Level 3 Biosecurity Laboratory, SENASICA.
Following active surveillance on-going in Altos de Jalisco area, H7N3 avian influenza virus was isolated in a commercial layer farm. The flock had been vaccinated against the disease 18 weeks beforehand; birds did not show any clinical signs. A 3 km outbreak area and a 10 km area around the outbreak were established, and 3 other farms from the same company, that are empty, were identified in the area around the outbreak.
The farm is under quarantine and the birds were sent to an authorized slaughterhouse near the site. Epidemiological investigation is on-going.
Officials applied the following measures to the outbreak: Movement control inside the country; quarantine; zoning; vaccination prohibited; no treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied: disinfection/ disinfestations; stamping out and official destruction of animals products.
Jalisco is a western Mexican state fringing the Pacific Ocean.
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