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The article focuses on a study which explored the epidemic outbreaks of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in 2007 and 2008. It also describes the laboratory diagnosis of a H5N1-positive cases that were conducted at the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (CVDL) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The efforts to control the epidemic outbreak of H5N1 in the country are also described, including immediate depopulation, quarantine, intensive surveillance, and closing of live bird markets. Complete eradication of HPAI was achieved in KSA on April 30, 2008.

The article details a study which described the outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) that occurred in a small flock of peafowl in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The study documented the isolation, identification and molecular characterization of the HPAI H5N1 virus in 40 peafowl. Birds that were affected with HPAI H5N1 were characterized with depression, anorexia and white diarrhea. Examination of brain and liver tissues from four dead birds, using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), revealed H5N1 subtype of avian influenza. The H5N1 subtype were also found to belong to the genetic clade 2.2.

Highly pathogenic influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 has caused mortality and morbidity in many species of domestic and wild bird. The Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii) is a solitary bird that inhabits semi-desert regions. It is known to be susceptible to avianpox, avian paramyxovirus type 1, and low-pathogenicity avian influenza H9N2. We report an outbreak of H5N1 HPAIV in Houbara bustards, which were introduced into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for falconry purposes. Ninety-three per cent mortality (38 out of 41 birds) in the infected Houbara bustard flock and about 62.5% mortality (10 out of 16 birds) in falcons that came in contact with these birds were observed. Pooled cloacal and tracheal swabs from Houbara bustards as well as visceral organ homogenates collected in Houbara bustards and falcons were tested by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and virus isolation was attempted in specific pathogen free hens' eggs. The viruses isolated were characterized as HPAIV H5N1. Phylogenetic analysis of the haemagglutinating and Neuraminidase (NA) genes revealed that the viruses isolated from Houbara bustards and falcons were closely related to each other and to Kuwaiti H5N1 strains isolated in 2007. Interestingly, they were genetically distinguishable from the co-circulating A/H5N1 viruses in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia causing outbreaks in domestic birds. This case emphasizes the need for surveillance of this endangered species in its natural habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 2007, two outbreaks of avian influenza virus (AIV) in backyard and commercial ostrich flocks were first reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The infected ostriches suffered from depression, anorexia, and diarrhea and some exhibited sudden death. A rapid AIV-group antigen detection and real-time reverse-transcription PCR (rtRT-PCR) were initially performed on cloacal and tracheal swabs collected from diseased birds. Pools from positive-tested swabs for each flock were utilized for virus isolation in specific-pathogen-free embryonating chicken eggs. H5N1 AIV was identified in the harvested allantoic fluids by hemagglutination followed by hemagglutination inhibition and rtRT-PCR. The viruses responsible for these two outbreaks were sequenced and characterized as HPAIV H5N1 (A/ostrich/Saudi Arabia/6732-3/2007 and A/ostrich/Saudi Arabia/3489-73VIR08/ 2007) from backyard and commercial flocks, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of both isolates revealed that the two viruses belong to clade 2.2 sublineage II and cluster with the HPAIV H5N1 isolated from falcons and turkeys during 2007 in KSA.

The first outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) occurred in two "backyard" flocks of Houbara bustards and falcons in February 2007. Subsequent outbreaks were seen through the end of 2007 in "backyard" birds including native chickens, ostriches, turkeys, ducks, and peacocks. From November 2007 through January 2008, H5N1 HPAI outbreaks occurred in 19 commercial poultry premises, including two broiler breeder farms, one layer breeder farm, one ostrich farm, and 15 commercial layer farms, with approximately 4.75 million birds affected. Laboratory diagnosis of all H5N1-positive cases was conducted at the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (CVDL) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A combination of diagnostic tests was used to confirm the laboratory diagnosis. A rapid antigen-capture test and real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR (rtRT-PCR) assay on clinical and field specimens were conducted initially. Meanwhile, virus isolation in specific-pathogen-free embryonating chicken eggs was performed and was followed by hemagglutinin (HA) and hemagglutination inhibition tests, then rapid antigen-capture and rtRT-PCR tests on HA-positive allantoic fluid samples. In most HPAI cases, a complete laboratory diagnosis was made within 24-48 hr at the CVDL. Saudi Arabian government officials made immediate decisions to depopulate all H5N1-affected and nonaffected flocks within a 5-km radius area and applied quarantine zones to prevent the virus from spreading to other areas. Other control measures, such as closure of live bird markets and intensive surveillance tests on all poultry species within quarantine zones, were in place during the outbreaks. As a result, the HPAI outbreaks were quickly controlled, and no positive cases were detected after January 29, 2008. The KSA was declared free of HPAI on April 30, 2008, by the World Animal Health Organization.

Since early 2007, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has experienced several highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreaks in the falconry and poultry sectors. The public health threat associated with peculiar husbandry systems, requiring close contact between humans and birds of prey, highlights the need of an improved understanding of the epidemiology and of the viral characteristics of H5N1 viruses circulating in the region. Here we report molecular and phylogenetic analyses of H5N1 viruses isolated in the KSA in 2007 in distinct compartments of avian husbandry. From the results of our investigation it appears that two separate introductions into the different sectors occurred. The identification of specific amino acid mutations, which are described as genetic signatures of human influenza A viruses or known to confer resistance to antiviral drugs, raises concerns for the possible human health implications of the KSA H5N1 viruses.