The Situation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Outbreaks in Turkey

The first avian influenza (AI) outbreak occurred on 5 October, 2005, in north-west Turkey. On 13 October 2005, the virus was confirmed as H5N1 in Weybridge CVL, AI-NDV Reference Laboratory. Based on genetic analysis of the NA gene, the virus showed a close similarity to A7 Great Black Headed Gull/Qinghai/1/05 (99.6 % identity). Therefore, there is a direct relationship between the recent central Asian and Turkey isolates. The HA gene of the Turkish isolate was most similar to A/Grebe/Novosbirsk/05 (98.7% identity), and the Turkish isolate has therefore direct relationship with recent Russia, Mongolia and China isolates. The second outbreak of AI in Turkey occurred on 26 December 2005 in Igdir, close to the Iranian and Armenian border. The second outbreak was also due to H5N1 and it exhibited a significant spreading potential within the eastern region of the country. A total of 2 246 954 susceptible animals in the protection zone were culled with compensation.