Avian Influenza in Hong Kong

1997-1998

• Highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1 outbreak in poultry population.
• Avian influenza A H5N1 was shown to cause severe respiratory disease in humans. H5N1 isolated from 18 people, 6 patients died.
• First documented case of humans infected directly by contact with live poultry.
• As there were fears of a human influenza pandemic, a stamping out policy was applied. Entire Hong Kong poultry population chickens culled within 3 days.

2002

• Outbreak in February of HPAI H5N1
• Vaccination trial started using Intervet’s Nobilis Influenza H5 vaccine
• Vaccine contained a H5N2 virus strain. 
• The vaccinated flocks were monitored for possible infection. See Monitoring.
• Trial showed that vaccination combined with biosecurity and monitoring is an effective control strategy.
• Control measures applied to live bird markets:
  • Improved hygiene conditions
  • Two rest days a month to prevent virus build up.
• A surveillance program was implemented detect outbreaks early.

For more information see:

• Vaccination of chickens against H5N1 avian influenza in the face of an outbreak interrupts virus transmission
  Trevor M. Ellis, Connie Y. H. C. Leung, Mary K. W. Chow, Lucy A. Bissett, William Wong, Yi Guan, J. S. Malik Peiris
  
• Managing Avian Influenza: the Hong Kong experience
  Asian Poultry Magazine-November/December 2003.
  
• The CDC website
  Hong Kong cases 1997-1998
  
• The Hong Kong Department of Health website.
  Influenza page
  

Evaluation of H5 Avian Influenza Vaccination (14Kb)
Report issued by the USDA on the use of vaccination to control H5N1 avian influenza.
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