Dr. P.M. Dlamini (Epidemiologist-Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services)

1. Swaziland NAI Country Status Reportpresented at the N.A.I. Workshop Pretoria South Africa 7-9 March 2006 Dr. P.M. Dlamini (Epidemiologist-Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services) Dr. R.S. Nxumalo (Senior Veterinary Officer-Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services Dr. C. Mabuza (Director of Medical Services-Ministry of Health and Social Welfare)

2. 1. RISK OF INTRODUCTION OF AI • MIGRATORY BIRDS A.1. Palaeartic migratory birds • Most common intercontinental migratory species are: -European Swallow (Hirundo rustica) -Common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucus) -Steppe Buzzard (Buteo buteo) -Redback Shrike (Lanius collurio) -Willow Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) • Start arriving Oct/Nov and leave by April • Do not breed in Swaziland • Do not involve high risk carriers of AI

3. RISK OF INTRODUCTION OF AI (cont.) A.2. Intra regional migratory birds • Considered to be in low densities in Swaziland • Most common is Great spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius) and a few other cuckoo species • Do breed in Swaziland A.3. Waterfowls in Swaziland • Movement not considered migratory but more nomadic • Movement considered to be within Southern African region (little information avail?) • No regular pattern of movement

4. RISK OF INTRODUCTION OF AI (cont.) B. LIVESTOCK FARMING SYSTEMS B.1 Backyard poultry • >70% domestic poultry are backyard indigenous breeds • Mostly chickens;very few ducks, turkeys and guinea fowl • Predominant in communal homes, but also suburban • Mostly outside more esp. in winter (post harvest period) B.2. Commercial poultry • May comprise 20% of poultry being layers & broilers • All housed but in different biosecurity levels (V.few high, mostly moderate esp. smallholder commercial units)

5. RISK OF INTRODUCTION OF AI (cont.) C. Trade in poultry C.1. Formal trade • large commercial units mostly and smallholder commercial units • Through 1 large export abattoir (contract growers) and about four small abattoirs for smallholder commercial units C.2. Informal trade • In markets, road side and on farms • Significant for the occassional commercial rearer and a lot of small holder commercial farmers • Market broilers mostly, but also indigenous backyard poultry

6. 2. CAPACITY • A. Human Resource

7. 2. CAPACITY (cont.) B. Diagnostics • Only 1 vet diagnostics lab. (CVL), 1 Central Public Health Lab. and 6 hospital labs

8. 2. CAPACITY (cont.) C. Infrastructure • Lab. infrastructure limits live virus tests • Lab relatively equipped for serological tests • Lab. consumable accessibility severely affected by resource limitations • Communication facilities exist in general, but insufficient for effective internal networking • Public awareness resources limited, currently mobilising policy makers to support AI activities

9. 3. PREPAREDNESS • Preventive position • Establishment of a cross sectoral AI committee • Public awareness - spread info. in media about disease incl. preventive action, biosafety and public safety • Any cases of abnormal high mortality are investigated for AI as differential, particularly with NCD endemicity • Active lobbying of policy makers, and other authorities incl. local UN Agencies • Preparedness plan developed with planned programs However, various programs (incl. targeted surveillance) not yet effected - hindered by resource shortfalls.

10. PREPAREDNESS (cont.) B. Controlling of outbreak Avian Influenza • In-terms of the contigency plan a stamping out policy will be adopted in an outbreak • Strict biosecurity measures will be enforced • Vaccination to be considered for modified stamping out Human Influenza • Mobilise regional epidemic teams as per preparedness plan • 1 hospital per region to be designated regional referral • Samples expeditiously sent to South Africa via central lab