India, Bangladesh August 27 thru ...

India - UP seeks Centre's help to tackle rising fever cases

Lucknow, August 27 Following a sudden spurt in incidents of vector-borne diseases in the state and the health hazard posed by waterlogging at various places, the state government has asked the Centre to supply more of the drug malathion and rapid blood testing kits.
In a recent letter to the central government, the state said that it would help bring the situation under control and provide better diagnostic facilities.

(snip)

Also, with the state facing shortage of rapid blood testing kits in the district, it has demanded around one lakh such kits.

"These are necessary to facilitate quick diagnosis so that treatment can be started soon. This will prevent spreading of rumours of mysterious fever. We expect that this demand will also be met soon," Trivedi added.

Chief Minister Mayawati, meanwhile, said that the state government has requested the Union Health Minister to provide medicines and necessary equipment for treatment of people affected by malaria.

She said that so far around 50,000 people have been treated for fever by Health Department in Kanpur Dehat.

She said of the 12,600 blood slides made for testing, just 600 were found positive for malaria and rest had fever due to other viral infections.

Of the 124 who died in Kanpur Dehat, she said fever has killed only 21, the rest were suffering from other viral diseases.

(snip)

http://www.expressindia.com/la...

Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!

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by: flubergasted @ Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 21:59:37 PM CDT

New readers...

Previous articles concerning this "mystery fever" can be found in the "Not Birdflu But Close" diary.  Future articles will be posted here.

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by: Okieman @ Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 22:12:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Scientific panel formed to check fever that killed over 120

India - A panel of scientists, including experts from National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, has been formed to contain a mysterious fever that has claimed over 120 lives in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur division in the last three weeks, an official said Wednesday.

'The scientific panel will be headed by M.M. Gore of NIV.(Snip) Gore's field of specialisation is anti-viral immunology, she said. Besides NIV experts, scientists and doctors from Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science, Lucknow, B.R.D. Medical College Gorakhpur and other hospitals are also the members of the panel, sources said. I.S. Srivastava, director general (medical and health), confirmed that the scientific panel has been constituted to counter the mysterious fever.

The unofficial count of the deaths due to the mysterious disease in six districts of Kanpur division is 160. The worst hit by the mystery disease is Akbarpur district, where 100 people have died, said a district administration official. Several villages of the district including Akorhi, Satti, Naseerpur and Chataina are badly affected, he added. Even as experts fear the disease can spread to adjoining districts of Kanpur division, health officials refused to comment.

The mysterious disease, which is afflicting about 8-10 people daily, is marked by high fever, an official said. Symptoms of the mystery disease are similar to that of malaria and jaundice, he added. Continued: http://www.newdelhinews.net/st...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:31:31 AM CDT

Map link

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:34:01 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh - Encephalitis (CDC Present)

Doctors team visit Encephalitis-hit Gorakhpur
August 28th, 2008 - 8:15 pm ICT by ANI -

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Aug 29 (ANI): A team of doctors deputed by the Union Government, including two from the United States, visited Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh today to examine patients suffering from Encephalitis.

The team, along with the two doctors of US''s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, visited Gorakhpur to examine patients and study the virus that causes the disease.

The fatal vector-borne disease spreads through viral infection and has already claimed 171 lives during this season.

" From January 1, record shows that 851 people were admitted out of which 171 people have died, said Lalit Mohan, a doctor at the local BRD hospital to reporters.

Most of the patients fall in the age group of 6 months to 12 years. The death toll due to disease is rising and experts have expressed serious concern.

The disease causes inflammation of the brain. The initial symptoms of the disease are recurring fever and vomiting.

Experts feel that parents as well as the local doctors have failed to understand the seriousness of this mild fever, which can prove to be fatal.

The disease is endemic to the region and experts say that immediate measures are required to contain the virus from spreading. (ANI)

http://www.thaindian.com/newsp...

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by: Okieman @ Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 09:08:21 AM CDT

Viral Fever Spreads In Kapur Dehat

Viral spreads in Kanpur Dehat, full hospitals have no relief for patients

Kautilya Singh
Posted online: Friday , August 29, 2008 at 01:31:32

Kanpur Dehat, August 28 Over 1,000 patients are turning up at the District Hospital of Kanpur Dehat every day with complaints of fever.

[snip]

More than 250 casualties have been reported in the district during this period. But the authorities claimed that only 21 deaths were caused due to viral fever. According to official records, 124 people have died in the last 30 days, of which, 103 deaths were caused by malaria, jaundice and other water and vector-borne diseases.

Viral fever, which was first reported in Thadwara and Pulandar, has now spread across to 400 villages under the blocks of Akbarpur, Amraudha, Malasa and Dherapur. The district authorities, however, claim that only 136 villages were affected by the disease and only a few cases have been detected in other areas.

[snip]

http://www.expressindia.com/la...

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by: Okieman @ Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 21:24:04 PM CDT

lots of speculation and few actual facts IMO

Here's a series of quotes from the various articles above:

She said of the 12,600 blood slides made for testing, just 600 were found positive for malaria and rest had fever due to other viral infections.
Of the 124 who died in Kanpur Dehat, she said fever has killed only 21, the rest were suffering from other viral diseases.
The fatal vector-borne disease spreads through viral infection and has already claimed 171 lives during this season.
124 people have died in the last 30 days, of which, 103 deaths were caused by malaria, jaundice and other water and vector-borne diseases.

Now, I have to wonder what is meant by "other viral infections". It would appear to be simply a non-diagnosis; they know what it wasn't...it wasn't malaria and it apparently wasn't bacteriological or fungal, so by default it is presumed to be viral.  But apparently no idea of what virus it is.

Since they apparently don't know what virus it is, how are they so certain it is a "vector borne disease through viral infection". Have they found this virus in a vector? How could they, when they haven't (apparently) found the virus.

The "diagnoses" of encephalitis and jaundice seem more like descriptions of the symptoms of the disease, not a diagnosis of the disease itself.

Always have a plan B.

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by: maryinhawaii @ Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 01:25:30 AM CDT

Punjab State, India - Flood and Disease

Flooded by disease complaints, Punjab releases Rs 1 crore
29 Aug 2008, 0717 hrs IST, Priya Yadav ,TNN

CHANDIGARH: After floods, it's the threat unleashed by stagnant, toxic waters that refuses to ebb. With a staggering 8,500 people diagnosed with skin diseases and over 1,000 others in the grip of viral fever, an alarmed Punjab government has released another Rs 1 crore for the four flood-hit districts of the state.

As household goods remain soaked and dead cattle raise a stench, people have been increasingly complaining of excruciating body pain as a result of viral fever. According to the health department, "Some 1,100 patients are being treated for viral fever in Kapurthala , Moga, Jalandhar and Ferozepur , while 2,697 cases of conjunctivitis have been reported from the 162 affected villages."

Unfortunately, more bad news seems to be coming. '' We are dreading an outbreak of gastroenteritis, jaundice, cholera, malaria and dengue,'' said a senior health official, adding '' because these diseases generally strike after a few days of stagnation.'' The situation is said to have worsened with river water, already rendered toxic due to industrial waste, mixing with flood waters.

[snip]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

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by: Okieman @ Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 08:09:48 AM CDT

Undiagnosed fatal Illness Uttar Pradesh, India

The mystery virus striking children dead in eastern Uttar Pradesh (UP) has been diagnosed as "acute encephalitis syndrome" by Union Health Ministry experts.  Simply put, they do not know what is causing the acute brain fever.

Within weeks, about 800 cases and 150 deaths were reported from 13 districts (Snip) and experts predict that the numbers could rise. "Less than 5 per cent blood and serum samples have tested positive for Japanese encephalitis (JE), which has seen major outbreaks in the region each year," (Snip)"Usually, at least 15-20 per cent samples test positive for JE during an outbreak, but the low positivity is causing confusion this year [2008].

With 4 crore [40 million] children in 27 districts in UP being vaccinated against JE this year, experts wonder why the fever refuses to go away. There is no problem with the Chinese vaccine SA 14-14-2," (Snip) "We suspect some children could have missed the vaccination drive." All the hospitalised children have reported symptoms of acute encephalitis.

"Since less than 5 per cent have tested positive for JE, we are investigating whether the outbreak is a combination of JE and water-borne enterovirus that caused the disease in 2006," said Dr Lal.  The Centre is sending a 4-member team comprising a microbiologist, a pediatrician, an entomologist, and an epidemiologist to Lucknow and Gorakhpur to track the outbreak and collect blood and serum samples from hospitalisd children for viral culture.

"Apart from rapid tests for JE done using kits developed by Pune's National Institute of Virology, we will do virus culture to track the elusive cause of the current outbreak," (Snip)the result could be expected within 2 or 3 days of collection of the samples.

Although the details are skimpy, age distribution and clinical description lacking, yet the available information can be used to propose a provisional diagnosis to be investigated.  Heavy rainfall and flooding, febrile illness resembling malaria, and relatively large numbers of death does remind one of leptospirosis.  Immediate serological testing for this disease is warranted. Continued: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 11:00:16 AM CDT

Kailali, Nepal - Viral Fever

Comment:  Please see map.  Kailali is just across the border from Uttar Pradesh.  Also please note this article is addressing disease in adults versus children.  Many articles concerning this "mystery fever" make it appear that it is only effecting children, but adults are catching it also.  Since it appears many different diseases are circulating in the region it may be certain ones are infecting children more (encephalitis) while others are infecting all ages.

Diseases Grip Hundreds of PLA Personnel in Kailali

Shivraj Bhatt
Dhangadhi, August 30

Hundreds of People's Liberation Army personnel living in cantonments under the Kailali-based Seventh Division of the PLA are suffering from various diseases.
Over 1,000 PLA fighters are suffering from various diseases in division headquarters Talband alone, a source at the seventh division said.
According to Bikram Bahadur Singh, assistant health worker at the division, most of the patients are suffering from viral fever. He said some 200 PLA fighters were visiting the outpatient department of the division in Talband every day for treatment.
The government had posted a medical team headed by a doctor in the seventh division last year. The team attends to PLA fighters lodged in different sub-divisions.
"The government clinic in the division headquarters doesn't even have cetamol tablets," Dr Hari Kumar Shrestha of the government clinic at the division said. He said he had asked the district public health office (DPHO) for medicines, to no avail.
"The DPHO said it is unable to send medicines to the camps as it didn't even have medicines to distribute to government-run health posts. The DPHO says the government hasn't released budget for procuring medicines this year," Dr Shrestha added.
He warned that the disease might take epidemic proportions if medicines were not made available on time.
The condition of 60 women fighters in Talband is worsening, Dr Shrestha said, adding, "More than 140 nursing mothers in the sub-divisions are suffering the most. The condition of mothers and babies is worsening due to lack of nutritious food. Most of them are suffering from viral fever," Dr Shrestha added.

http://www.thehimalayantimes.c...

Map:
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/...

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by: Okieman @ Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 16:03:28 PM CDT

Viral Fever Fear Grips New Delhi

After dengue scare, viral fever fear grips Capital
1 Sep 2008, 0334 hrs IST,TNN

NEW DELHI: The Capital is witnessing a sharp increase in the number of viral fever cases. Private hospitals claim that the OPD load has increased by 30-35% with a majority of cases presenting with symptoms of viral fever. Due to early monsoon, dengue cases have started coming early and doctors say that people are confusing viral fever with dengue as the symptoms are almost the same.

"Dengue is also a viral infection that is spread through mosquitoes. The symptoms of dengue and other viral infections are almost the same, especially in the initial stages, and people are rushing to hospitals even if they have mild fever. At present, nearly 30-35% patients in our OPDs comprise viral fever patients. And everyday there are nearly 5-6 admissions, where dengue is suspected," said Dr G C Vaishnava, head of the department, internal medicine, Fortis Healthcare.

Doctors say they are bombarded with calls from people, especially mothers, to check if their little one is suffering from dengue or simple viral fever. "A lot of mothers call me up to say that their little one is down with high-grade fever and ask me 'is it dengue or viral fever? And what medicine should I give?' This is a wrong practice as prescription over the phone, especially for children, can be dangerous. A doctor has to see a patient to diagnose the condition. But at the same time one should not panic with sudden onset of fever. If high-grade fever continues for more than 24-36 hours then consult a doctor," said Dr Sanjeev Bagai, head of the department, paediatrics, and director Rockland Hospital.

Due to sudden change in weather, viral fever cases have suddenly shot-up in Delhi. There is viral shift in air and chances of viral infections are high.

"One can get viral infection through respiratory tract or from food and water. One should be extra cautious about what they eat or drink and avoid crowded places, as chances of catching infection are high," said Dr Mukesh Mehra, head of the department, internal medicine, Max Healthcare.

As far as treatment is concerned, doctors say, one should be careful and avoid antibiotics until prescribed by a doctor. "People are getting confused between dengue and viral fever and are randomly popping pills without consulting a doctor. One should, at the most, take paracetamol and not indulge in self-medication," said Dr A K Bali, consultant physician, Moolchand Medcity.

However, most importantly, doctors say that one should avoid Ibruprofen, Aspirin and Nemusulide, as these drugs disturb the platelet function. "Not only do they result in platelet dysfunction, but also brings down the platelet count, thereby, making it difficult for doctors to diagnose the problem in the initial stages. The symptoms of dengue and viral fever are almost the same and if one has viral fever and has taken a painkiller, then with low platelet count a physician could mistake it for dengue," said Dr Bagai.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

This last paragraph is interesting.  Could this type of situation cause a physician to confuse dengue fever with influenza, especially H5N1?

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by: Okieman @ Sun Aug 31, 2008 at 21:20:43 PM CDT

Telangana: Vijayashanti calls for united fight

(Snip) Ms. Vijayashanti accused the Congress government and Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy of failing to the come to the rescue of innocent tribals during the recent epidemic in the agency areas of the district.

"A total of 57 people died due to viral fevers. The government did not respond the way it is supposed to," she said. Addressing party cadre at Mulug, she urged the party workers to expose the parties which were making false promises on Telangana.
(Snip)
The Talli Telangana party leader made a whirlwind tour to Eturunagaram and Mulug mandals in the district today. The actress-turned-politician was here to console the victims of recent epidemic in tribal mandals of the district. She interacted with the victims and gave away Rs. 5,000 to three families which lost their members.

She visited the Civil Hospital at Eturunagaram mandal headquarters and talked to S. Puspha and G. Rama Devi who were admitted there. She gave away Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 5,000 respectively.

Ms. Vijayashanti went to Rayanigudem village in Mulug mandal and consoled one D. Laxmamma who lost her husband Laxmi Narasiah due to fever. She promised to give Rs. 1 lakh within three days to her. http://www.thehindu.com/2008/0...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Sun Aug 31, 2008 at 23:25:46 PM CDT

Exodus From Kapur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh, India

Mystery disease forces mass exodus from Uttar Pradesh villages
September 1st, 2008 - 3:26 pm ICT by IANS -

Kanpur, Sep 1 (IANS) Villages around Kanpur, which have seen a mysterious fever claiming over 140 lives in the past four weeks, are now witnessing a mass exodus.In the worst affected Ghaar and Pulandar villages, about 300 families have already moved out.

Over 1,000 people have been infected with the mysterious disease in the two villages, where about 800 families reside. Most of the people in these villages live in thatched houses.

Ailing people lying on cots and team of medicos visiting door to door reflect the alarming situation prevailing in these villages.

In these two villages at least 40 people have died of the mysterious disease, which is marked by high fever and has symptoms similar to malaria.

"The scare of the mysterious fever is driving away people in search of safe locations," Ram Sewak, village head of Pulandar, told IANS.

"Considering the death toll, they (villagers) now think moving out from here is the most viable option to ward off the mysterious disease," he added.

[snip]

http://www.thaindian.com/newsp...

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by: Okieman @ Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:36:13 AM CDT

This will only spread the illness to more areas.

After 4 weeks (I think it has been going on longer, just my opinion) they still don't have a clue as to what is causing this, the method of spread to others and how to treat it.  

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:03:50 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

It sounds as if the number of ill could be as much as 25% of the population

800 families x 5 per family average would be 4000 total population. 1000 ill = 25%. Of course, it could be that the average per family is twice that...so that would be 12.5% infectivity rate. Still quite high.

I also wonder if and how this disease is being tested to try to identify it...that they continue to refer to it as a "Mysterious illness" seems so archaic.

Always have a plan B.

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by: maryinhawaii @ Wed Sep 03, 2008 at 02:30:22 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

5 die of diarrhea in camp for flood displaced

India - Five persons displaced by the floods caused by breach in the Saptakoshi embankment and living in Koshi Barrage camp have died after suffering from a serious bout of diarrhea in the past 24 hours. One of the deceased is an Indian national who was taking shelter at the camp.

Reports quoted police as saying that Tejan Sada, 56 and Ramba Sada, 6 of Shripur died of diarrhea on Saturday evening while Ram Bajhadur Rai of Hariharpur-1 and an unidentified woman also died of the same disease on Sunday. Similarly, Devi Poddar, 65, of Supaul of India breathed her last while undergoing treatment for the disease on Sunday.

According to the District Public Health Office Sunsari, more than 17,000 displaced people at different 29 camps in the district have fallen sick with pneumonia, gastroenteritis, fever and over two dozens are in serious condition.

Meanwhile, some 1,000 more displaced persons due to the Saptakoshi flooding arrived at various Koshi Barrage camps in Sunsari district, taking the number of people taking shelter at various camps in the district to 28,000. Continued: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rw...


Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:40:39 AM CDT

Oops! Location is Nepal,

not India. Sorry about that!

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:44:57 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Virus - Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Virus keeps children home
2 Sep 2008, 0330 hrs IST,TNN

CHENNAI: Body ache, cold, sore throat and cough. On day two, there is high fever, severe body ache and fatigue. That's the most common complaint in doctors' clinics for the last 10 days. The intermittent spells of rain, mostly at night, have led to an increase in viral infections across the city.

Though there are no statistics, doctors quote a 30% increase in patients with these complaints, particularly among school children. The out-patient registers at government medical college hospitals and peripheral hospitals have also seen a steep rise in the number of patients.

Consultant physician Dr T N Ravishankar, honorary secretary, Indian Medical Association, TN chapter, says it's not unusual for viral fevers in August and September. "We call these months the city's second summer. The virus can cause various problems including an increase in body temperature, cold, shivering, fatigue, vomiting, nausea and body ache. Children are affected when they sit with classmates who have the infection. It is therefore important for teachers to identify such children and advise them to rest at home," he said.

[snip]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

Map:
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/...

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by: Okieman @ Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 20:18:48 PM CDT

Soon, a law on promoting hygiene

NEW DELHI: Intentionally allowing diseases of epidemic proportions to spread or overlooking the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses and toxins can cost you a hefty penalty besides jail for a long time.

Waking up to the increased threat of bio-terrorism, India is now ready with the Public Health (Prevention, Control and Management of Epidemics, Bio-terrorism and Disasters) Bill, 2008, which stipulates imprisonment of 2-7 years and a penalty of Rs 2-10 lakh for malignant and intentional offences.

However, for negligent offences, the guilty are liable to serve a term of six months-two years and pay a penalty of Rs 50,000-Rs 2 lakh. The bill will replace the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, in order to improve India's preparedness in combating a public health emergency like an epidemic or a bio-terrorism attack. (Snip) The ED Act was very old and newer diseases like bird flu, HIV and SARS have recently emerged as major public health threats."

"The bill authorises local authorities to take measures and prescribe temporary regulations to prevent an outbreak. It also gives the state government powers to recommend measures like isolation, quarantine, disinfection, inspection and ban on sale, distribution, stocking and marketing of medicines or material which contains toxic substances. States can also take measures like social distancing, closure of schools and markets," he said.

The bill specifically lists 32 diseases and 34 bio-terrorism agents. The diseases specified include avian influenza, HIV, cholera, vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, rabies, small pox, polio, enteric fevers, SARS, plague, TB, typhus, yellow fever and measles.   http://timesofindia.indiatimes...
 

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 22:56:25 PM CDT

Undiagnosed fatal illness, India

"The AES [acute encephalitis syndrome] outbreak report does not indicate why this is not thought to be Japanese encephalitis (JE). Is this a region where JE vaccine has been routinely included in the children's vaccine series for years, and where that coverage has been good, suggesting that most children should be protected?
ProMED-mail would appreciate information on that aspect."
This is a response to ProMED from Dr T Jacob, John Christian Medical College, Vellore, India I

n the last quarter of 2005, over 1500 children died in Eastern Uttar Pradesh districts due to an outbreak of JE.  A quick decision was made by the Government of India to seek licensure of the live SA-14-14-2 (Chinese origin) vaccine.  In May and June 2006, 6.8 million children, one to 15 years were vaccinated in a highly successful campaign, covering more than 98 per cent of targeted children.

Vaccination was conducted only in the JE endemic districts in the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh.  Thereafter single dose JE vaccine has been introduced in the National Immunisation Program in these districts and thus JE vaccination has become "routine" in those districts.
(Snip)
The Immunisation Program in Uttar Pradesh is weak and apparently the use of JE vaccine in the routine system has not been very successful. However, local pediatricians have felt substantial decline of JE from the 2006 JE season.  It is for this reason that the current "acute encephalitis syndrome" is not thought to be JE by the government medical officers.  In one of the reports a couple of weeks ago there was mention that among over 100 children tested, only 5 had evidence of JE virus infection.  Testing for JE virus infection [by the] health system in Uttar Pradesh leaves much to be desired from quality and equity angles. (Snip)

So, Uttar Pradesh has low literacy, high density of population, high birth rate, high infant mortality rate, poor vaccination coverage, high burden of all sorts of infectious diseases, and weak health care and public health systems.  You may recall that Uttar Pradesh (along with neighboring Bihar)is still endemic with wild types 1 and 3 polioviruses.  "The wages of neglect are death." http://www.promedmail.org/pls/...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 23:57:55 PM CDT

Better link:

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 00:09:37 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

More On U.P. Diseases

U.P. reeling under water-borne diseases

Atiq Khan

LUCKNOW: With at least two dozen districts of Uttar Pradesh reeling under the impact of rain-related diseases, the worst may not yet be over for them, despite the decline in floods and respite from the prolonged spell of monsoon.

Already, over 400 people have succumbed to viral fever, malaria, diarrhoea, encephalitis, gastro-enteritis and measles. With runoff of water receding following a lull in rainfall, a fresh outbreak of water and vector-borne diseases has not been ruled out.
Density of mosquitoes

According to health officials, there is a likelihood of a 25 per cent increase in the cases of viral fever and malaria, as also the dreaded encephalitis. "As the run off of rain and flood waters would be reduced to a considerable extent, the density of mosquitoes and viruses would increase in the stagnant water," said R.R. Bharti, Director of Vector-Borne Diseases in the State Medical and Health Directorate here.

[snip]

http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/0...

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by: Okieman @ Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 18:50:17 PM CDT

Disease fears for flood-devastated India, Nepal

SAHARSA, India (AFP) - Hundreds of thousands of flood victims huddled into makeshift camps in India and Nepal face major disease outbreaks if help fails to reach them quickly, aid workers warned Tuesday. They said several camps in India's northern Bihar state and across the border in Nepal, areas devastated when a monsoon-swollen river burst its banks and changed course, were already reporting cases of diarrhoea and other crippling illnesses.
(Snip)
"After two to four days, because of the stagnant water, more people will get sick. There will be more illnesses," government health worker (Snip)

"The important thing now is for there to be some camp management, where the people have access to latrines, clean drinking water and some basic health care," said European Commission humanitarian aid representative Malini Morzaria.
(Snip)
Impoverished Nepal is meanwhile struggling to help 60,000 homeless people on its side of the border."People have started suffering from fever, pneumonia and diarrhoea," said Sanjeev Kafle of the Nepal Red Cross. "We fear there is a high chance of outbreaks of diseases like cholera and Japanese encephalitis." http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Wed Sep 03, 2008 at 00:25:01 AM CDT

Patiala, Punjab, India Viral Fever Outbreak

Patran residents reeling from viral fever
4 Sep 2008, 0435 hrs IST, Parvesh Sharma ,TNN

PATRAN/PATIALA: Viral fever has struck again in a big way with hundreds of town dwellers e contacting the ailment.
According to a health department four-fifths of residents of the Jakhal Road area are suffering from the fever. Though health officials confirmed only three dengue cases last week locals say the number is much higher.

Those with viral fever have been flocking to both private and government hospitals for the past three weeks. However, the officials reportedly woke up to the menace when the number of those affected began to be counted in the hundreds.
Though the worst hit area is Jakhal Road the situation is not better in Tiba Basti, Channa Nagara Road, Anand Basti and some other parts of the town.

Besides, the health authorities are counting only those patients going to the local civil hospital. However, finding no proper facilities there most sufferers are heading for private nursing homes.

"The local civil hospital don't have required facilities. We don't have any alternative, but to take the costly services of private hospital," said Gurnam Singh of Tibba Colony, whose son has been admitted to a private hospital.

When contacted Harbans Singh Sra, Patran additional senior medical officer, said his department has set up special teams of officials that are visiting all areas of the town and distributing chlorine tablets.
With regard to Jakhal Road he confirmed the survey report and said they have been doing their best to control the viral fever.

However, countering the department's claims about formation of special teams, most residents alleged they existed only on paper and no one from department has approached them with required medicine.
The gravity of situation can be gauged from the fact that some private nursing homes don't have space for coming patients and they have been sending back the patients after giving them medicine.

"We haven't seen any major initiative launched by the health department. They should do something immediately to control the outbreak," residents of the Jakhal Road area demanded.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

Map:
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/...

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by: Okieman @ Thu Sep 04, 2008 at 10:58:29 AM CDT

Uttar Pradesh Fever - Two More Districts Engulfed

Fever engulfs two more districts

Express news service
Posted online: Thursday , September 04, 2008 at 03:02:55

Lucknow, September 3 The cases of fever have started pouring in from more districts of the state even as the state government struggled to contain its spread.

After affecting Mirzapur, Soanbhadra, Mainpuri and Kanpur, fresh cases of fever have been reported from Aligarh and Mahamayanagar (Hathras).

Following the sudden rise in such cases, the district magistrate of Hathras, PR Mishra, has declared a medical emergency in the district and has alerted all the hospitals and health centres. The Chief Medical Officer of the district has been directed to launch a drive against quacks. The two worst affected blocks in Mahamayanagar are Sikandrarao and Hasayan.

"The cases have started rising in the district all of a sudden. Apart from putting all the medical services on alert, we have also formed a special team to immediately cater to the two worst affected blocks," Mishra said.

"While inspecting health services in the worst-affected blocks, I found that quacks are making money by playing with the health of people and making the cases more complex. Thus, I have asked the health officials to make the people aware about how to reach the government health facilities. At the same time, I have asked them to start a special drive against quacks and put them behind bars for playing with the lives of people," Mishra said.

The situation in adjoining Aligarh is no different. As per official records, there have been no deaths due to fever but in just last one month over 10,000 fever cases have been reported at various health centres in the district. Out of these 10,000 cases, around 290 are malaria, while remaining are viral cases.

"It is true that fever cases in the government health centres have more than doubled but we have prepared all health centres to tackle the situation. Blood slides are being made at a large scale to ensure that these fever cases are identified quickly and right treatment is given to the patients as soon as possible," said CP Jain, CMO, Aligarh.

http://www.expressindia.com/la...

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by: Okieman @ Thu Sep 04, 2008 at 11:41:46 AM CDT

Suspected Dengue

Suspected dengue claims life in Kalyan
Posted On Saturday, September 06, 2008

A reported rise in the number of cases of suspected dengue and malaria cases in the suburbs is causing panic amongst residents of Kalyan. The KDMC meanwhile maintains that the situation is under control

Santosh Shinde

It seems that the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) is not affected by the rising number of patients being affected by fever and suspected dengue as it is busy conducting awareness programmes instead of getting into action. Last fortnight, a youth lost his life reportedly because of suspected dengue but the health department was busy with arranging awareness camps.

Amol Chauhan (24), a resident of Siddharth Nagar in Kalyan west died of suspected dengue. If medical practioners are to be believed then several cases of viral fever are pouring in at various private and government hospitals in the suburbs.

The latest case of a patient being admitted with suspected dengue is Vijay Gangane (38), a resident of Sanghavi Estate, a residential complex of 1500 flats. Gangane is now admitted at a private hospital in Kalyan West.

Dr Vasudev Rao of the hospital says, "Daily more than twenty patients come to our hospital complaining of high fever. Two patients were also tested positive with the help of the IGM kit daily and there are cases of positive reports for malaria as well. We also intimate any such cases to the authorities." Medical experts said that the number could be higher as many patients couldn't afford the test as it cost a steep Rs 660.

When contacted, Dr Sanjeev Kamble, Chief Medical Officer of KDMC said, "Many cases of fever have been reported till date and till now we received 25 reports of blood samples from NIV stating that the reports are negative. Some other reports are still pending with the NIV." Kamble also justified that his department was trying its best to combat any possibilities of a possible outbreak of any epidemic. He informed that his department was conducting awareness programmes in their area. However when asked about the number of such dengue-malaria awareness programs, he said that till date there were only four sessions of awareness program carried out by KDMC Health Department.

http://www.mumbaipluses.com/Do...

Map:
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/...  

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by: Okieman @ Fri Sep 05, 2008 at 16:39:31 PM CDT

Mystery Fever - Orissa, State, India

Mystery fever grips Odisha villages

KalingaTimes Correspondent
Kendrapara, Sept 7: The district wing of the state health department has sounded an alert in several villages of Derabish block with nearly 100 residents falling sick due to suspected attack of Chikungunya like virus-borne disease.

Panic has taken firm grip in Hatabanapur village and Jhinkadi village of the said block with the disease casting its shadow almost on every household.

There are reports of virus borne disease spreading rapidly to neighbouring villages. The national-high-side villages are located in close vicinity of Paradip port town and sizeable chunk of the population of these villages are migrant workers. Some of the migrant workers might be the carrier of the virus borne disease.

"We are keeping round-the-cloak vigil on the situation. From the reports received from the medical teams, it is believed that villagers are hit by intense viral fever," according to members of the medical team who visited the affected villages.

The sick villagers are undergoing rigour and most of them are going through high body temperature. Besides some of them are experiencing excruciating pain on bone joints.

"We are keeping close watch on the situation in these villages. The medical teams stationed in these villages are taking stock of the situation," said Chief District Medical Officer Kashinath Nayak.

http://www.kalingatimes.com/od...

Map:
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/...

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by: Okieman @ Sun Sep 07, 2008 at 16:20:35 PM CDT

Nepal Flood And Disease

Eight more flood victims die of diseases; toll climbs to 36

Somnath Bastola /Byas Shankar
Itahari/Rajbiraj, September 7:

The aftermath of the Saptakoshi flood fury continues to claim lives with unflinching regularity.
Eight displaced, who were housed in various relief camps in Sunsari and Saptari districts, died of high fever and dysentery in the past 24 hours.
So far, the death toll from flood-related diseases stands at 36 - 25 in Sunsari and 11 in Saptari. Five-year-old Nitesh Kumar Kamat and middle-aged Mohamad Usman (50) - both Haripur-8 residents - died of fever in Sunsari today, according to the Sunsari District Police Office. Babita Rai, Jasira Khatun, Sitadevi Hindawal and Taphail Khan of Haripur-2 had died of dysentery last night. Earlier, 19 people had succumbed to fever and dysentery in Sunsari district.
"Hundreds are suffering from dysentery in Paschim Kausaha. Timely treatment is few and far between. The displaced have not been able to visit the hospital as flood has swept the Mahendra highway in several places. The condition of 16 in Haripur-2 is critical," said Kileshwor Yadav, an ex-chairman of Haripur VDC.
Doctors have warned that epidemic scare loomed large if the sanitation in the camps did not improve over the next few days.
Meanwhile, two victims, staying in Bhardaha camp in Saptari district, died of dysentery last night. Both are Indian nationals - three-year-old Taphjul Khan of Sitapur in Supaul district and six-month baby Khusbu Ray of Madhepura district in Bihar, according to Saptari District Public Health Office.
Earlier, nine people had died of the fever and dysentery in Saptari. Around 25,000 victims have taken shelter in camps at Bhardaha, Portaha and Rajbiraj in Saptari.

[snip]

http://www.thehimalayantimes.c...

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by: Okieman @ Sun Sep 07, 2008 at 16:21:52 PM CDT

Interesting

The steady stream of news which was coming out of India has ceased. Curious.

---

by: Okieman @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 22:16:50 PM CDT

New Delhi Chikungunya Fears

Chikungunya fear grips Capital
10 Sep 2008, 0301 hrs IST, Kounteya Sinha,TNN

NEW DELHI: Delhi, which is already reeling under a dengue crisis with 142 positive cases, now faces a high risk of seeing an outbreak of chikungunya.

Compared to last year's 59,535 positive chikungunya cases, the country till August 2008 has already recorded over 70,000 cases. Karnataka is the worst affected with over 45,000 positive cases. A viral disease, chikungunya is generally not fatal, but has no known treatment. It is characterised by high fever lasting between seven and 10 days, painful joints, headache, vomiting, fatigue and nausea and is spread by the same vector as dengue Aedes aegypti. Scientists fear that Delhiites returning from states like Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra may bring the virus into the Capital.

The warning was also sounded by director-general of health services Dr R K Srivastava when he reviewed the state of vector borne diseases in Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh on September 2.

[snip]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

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by: Okieman @ Tue Sep 09, 2008 at 20:25:19 PM CDT

*297 Dead, Viral Fever - Viral Fever

Viral fever kills 297 in Rampur
September 10th, 2008 - 8:40 pm ICT by IANS -

Rampur (Uttar Pradesh), Sep 10 (IANS) An outbreak of viral fever has claimed 297 lives in Rampur in Uttar Pradesh, the district's chief medical officer Vinod Kumar said Wednesday.As many as 28 people died Friday, forcing some to dub it a "killer Friday".

According to District Magistrate Shankar Lal Pandey, 30 villages were badly affected. Health department teams had been deployed to control the further spread of the fever.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsp...

Map:
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/...

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by: Okieman @ Wed Sep 10, 2008 at 09:14:44 AM CDT

50 people hospitalised in Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow, Sep 16 (IANS) At least 50 people of Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki district have been hospitalised during the last 24 hours, an official said Tuesday.

(snip)

All the patients have been admitted to the district hospital here, where the condition of 20 people is stated to be serious. 'Though the exact cause behind the incident is yet to be established, the number of the patients reflects an outbreak of infectious diseases in the district,' said Raman.

A majority of the patients admitted to the hospital are from Saadatganj and Anoopganj locality of Barabanki, about 40 km from here.

Health officials do not rule out the possibility of spurt in water-borne diseases and other infectious diseases in the district. http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20...

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by: NorthOf49 @ Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 12:25:29 PM CDT

whoa

... holding my breath...

things are accelerating...

Tell the truth

---

by: Goju @ Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 13:29:04 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Not bf, but reflection of healthcare/pharmaceutical issues

Measles vaccination kills 4 infants in Maharashtra
http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

AURANGABAD: Four infants aged between eight and 12 months died on Saturday, a day after they were administered measles vaccine at Waghola village, about 30km from Aurangadad.

Six other infants in the same age group are battling for their lives at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad.

Aurangabad deputy director, health, M I J Qazi, said: "The health department immediately stopped the vaccination drive, which was launched in Aurangabad, Jalna, Beed and Hingoli districts on September 12." About 4,000 vaccine bulbs had been sent to each district, he added.

The police have seized the vaccines and other materials and sent them for forensic examination. Aurangabad rural DSP Prabhakar Shelke said a case has been registered. (continued)

Related news stories:
Four Maharashtra officials suspended after infants' death
http://sify.com/news/fullstory...

Measles deaths: Govt suspends five employees of Health Dept
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/...

Measles vaccine proves fatal for 4 infants in Maharashtra
http://sify.com/news/fullstory...
---------------
Note:  A 17yo boy in the Ukraine died May 12 after receiving a measles vaccine with serum developed in India (link).

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by: AlohaOR @ Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 01:51:40 AM CDT

India: Bird flu scare in Assam, 300 poultry dead

http://www.thaindian.com/newsp...
(Hat-tip Avian Influenza Daily Digest)

Guwahati, Nov 26 (IANS) More than 300 poultry birds have died in the past five days in some villages in Assam, fueling fears of bird flu, officials said here Wednesday, adding that a general alert was sounded in the area. A veterinary department official said up to 300 chicken and ducks died an unnatural death in some villages around Hajo, about 35 km west of Assam's main city of Guwahati.

"We have sent samples for laboratory tests to Pune and Bangalore for confirmation. We don't know for sure if the poultry deaths were due to bird flu," a veterinary department official said requesting not to be named.

Authorities Wednesday imposed a ban on sale of poultry and have sounded a general alert in about 40 villages in a radius of five kilometers from the area where the deaths were reported.

"By Thursday we shall be getting the laboratory test reports and maybe we have to start the culling process as there has been large-scale reports of deaths coming in from nearby areas," Kamrup district magistrate R.C. Jain said. (snip)

Residents of the area said a large number of birds were falling sick.

"We saw normal birds dying almost instantly without any symptoms. Now we find some of the poultry in the area a little sick," said Biswa Das, a villager.

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by: AlohaOR @ Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 21:06:14 PM CST

Days after India says it's clean, bird flu strikes Assam block

http://www.indianexpress.com/n...
Hat-tip: Avian Influenza Daily Digest

Amitav Ranjan Posted: Nov 27, 2008 at 0027 hrs IST

New Delhi : Almost a fortnight after India declared itself free of avian flu, preliminary reports have confirmed a fresh outbreak of the virus in Hajo block of Kamrup district in Assam where more than 200 poultry birds have died since last Saturday.

"Preliminary tests by the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory have indicated bird flu to be the reason behind the poultry deaths. The confirmatory test from the same lab is expected tomorrow. The outbreak will be declared once the report identifies the strain," Government officials said today. (snip)

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by: AlohaOR @ Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 23:09:29 PM CST

OIE Report on Assam H5N1 outbreak

http://www.oie.int/wahis/publi...

HPAI H5N1
Location: Hajo, Rajabazar, Kamrup, ASSAM
Date of start of outbreak: Nov. 21, 2008
324 (of 391) backyard poultry died, mainly in a small village

Epidemiological investigation is ongoing. Stamping out of all domestic poultry is being applied in an approximately 5-km-radius zone around the outbreaks followed by compensation of the owners.
An intensive surveillance campaign has been launched in a 10-km-radius zone including:
- closure of poultry markets and prohibition on sale and transportation of poultry products in the infected zone;
- disinfection of premises after culling and sealing of premises where appropriate.

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by: AlohaOR @ Fri Nov 28, 2008 at 17:32:06 PM CST

Bird flu: Meghalaya sounds alert

http://timesofindia.indiatimes...

Nov. 28, 2008
SHILLONG: With authorities in neighbouring Assam ordering culling of poultry after suspected cases of bird flu in its Kamrup district, Meghalaya on Friday sounded an alert to prevent outbreak of the disease in the state. (snip)

[A veterinary official] ruled out culling of poultry as of now. Culling of poultry began on Friday in Kamrup district of Assam that shares border with Meghalaya's Ri Bhoi and West Khasi Hills districts.

Meghalaya already has in place 150 rapid response teams along with 2,170 personnel with protective equipment that was procured last year after the outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal.

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by: AlohaOR @ Fri Nov 28, 2008 at 17:38:48 PM CST

Assam bird flu due to migratory birds: Ramadoss

http://www.sindhtoday.net/sout...

Chennai, Nov 29 (IANS) Migratory birds are behind the fresh outbreak of bird flu in Assam, Indian Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said Saturday, adding that culling operations had started in the northeastern state and 'inter-country bird movements are under close scrutiny'. (snip)

On Thursday, the outbreak of bird flu in Assam was confirmed after laboratory tests confirmed strains of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza. More than 300 birds died in the past week in Kamrup district of Assam. (snip)

Asked about the frequent bird flu outbreaks in India, Ramadoss said: 'Winter is a favourable period for the spread of bird flu. These migratory birds come southwards (to India) from other countries.' While saying that there is 'no need to panic', he added that these 'migratory bird movements cannot be stopped completely'.

Meanwhile, authorities in Assam have culled over 12,000 of the estimated 60,000 birds to be killed. The culling of ducks and chicken is being carried out in 48 villages within a 5 km radius of village Thakurchuba in Kamrup district, about 40 km west of Assam's main city of Guwahati. (snip)

India has been pointing fingers at Bangladesh and Thailand for the spread of the disease.

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by: AlohaOR @ Sat Nov 29, 2008 at 17:03:23 PM CST

Orissa restriction on purchasing chicken from other states

http://www.dnaindia.com/report...
Saturday, November 29, 2008  19:37 IST

BHUBANESWAR: With the beginning of culling operations in bird flu-hit Assam, Orissa government on Saturday asked district collectors of the border districts to ban transportation of chicken and other poultry items from neighbouring states, official sources said.

The instruction was issued by the Fisheries and Animal Resource development department secretary to the concerned officials as part of the state's preparedness to meet the possible outbreak of avian flu.

Though there was no report of bird flu being reported from any part of the state, the government asked the transport commissioner to set up special squad to keep a tab on the movement of poultry items from other states. (snip)

Though bird flu broke out in neighbouring West Bengal last year, Orissa had remained unaffected.  

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by: AlohaOR @ Sat Nov 29, 2008 at 17:13:16 PM CST

Centre's aid sought to check H5N1 spread

http://www.thestatesman.net/pa...

KOLKATA, Nov. 27: The state government sought the Centre's assistance to prevent the spread of the H5N1 virus in the state.

In the wake of a Bird Flu outbreak in the neighbouring Bangladesh, the state blamed its failure in carrying out surveillance of poultry in the Darjeeling Hill on the agitation of the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha. The state ARD officials could not carry out surveillance in Darjeeling due to the ongoing impasse.

Recently, the department of animal husbandry and dairying has asked the state to maintain strong surveillance on poultry in all districts following a Bird Flu outbreak in Bangladesh. But, a few senior officials of state animal resources development department said though all possible steps have been initiated in all districts, no such step could be initiated in Darjeeling.

Mr Anisur Rahman, state ARD minister, admitted that they were finding it difficult to carry out surveillance of poultry as directed by the Centre.

"We have informed the Centre about the situation. We have sought their assistance to maintain surveillance as our officials are facing trouble to carry out the programme which is needed to nip the H5N1 virus in the bud," the minister said. It may be recalled that the state suffered hugely after it failed to check the spread of the H5N1 virus in January last year. (continued)

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by: AlohaOR @ Wed Dec 03, 2008 at 06:35:32 AM CST

Bird flu reaches outskirts of Guwahati

http://www.newkerala.com/topst...

Guwahati, Dec 5 : Culling operations began here at Patgaon, in the outskirts of the city in Assam, amid fears of an outbreak of Bird flu in the region.

The poultry sale has been banned in the area as experts were debating over the health hazard in properly cooked chicken.

Starting from Hajo area, the disease spread over almost half of the entire Kamrup (Rural) and all the pockets around the city as these places have major broiler business supplying chickens to the huge market of the city, said Kamrup DC R C Jain.

Deputy Commissioner Mr Jain confirmed that bird flu has spread to Azara area of the district after affecting a large part of Hajo in the district.

Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (HSADL) has already confirmed presence of the virus of the dreaded bird flu among the diseased backyard fowls of Sarpara and Patgaon villages of Kamrup district.

This is the fourth case of outbreak of the dreaded disease caused by the H5N1 virus in the State. The first case was detected in Rajabazar village of Hajo Revenue Circle in the same district on November 27.

The Sarpara village is located under the Rampur Development Block of Palasbari Revenue Circle, while Patgaon comes under the Rani Development Block of Azara Revenue Circle, just two km from the Guwahati airport.

[snip]

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by: Pixie @ Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 07:44:59 AM CST

Assam India Raises Pandemic Concerns

Rapid H5N1 Spread in Assam India Raises Pandemic Concerns
Recombinomics Commentary 16:35
December 6, 2008
Mr. Mukul Das, a culling official said, "Cases of bird flu were reported ten days back, but the laboratory has confirmed now. The epicentres have been confirmed. The bird flu operation has been started."
Villagers like Montu Ali in Kamrup region were unwilling to hand over their chicks despite the culling officers making them understand the results of the virus spreading further.
Ali, a poultry farm owner said, "They say that they will pay us Rs 20 per bird, but the market price is Rs 22 per bird.

The above comments raise concerns that the recent spread of H5N1 to five districts (see update map), will be increased by delayed testing and below market compensation.  The above comments indicate the poultry in the five districts has been dying for the past 1-2 weeks, which increases the change of spread to resident wild birds as well as those eating the birds, including villagers.  A year ago birds began dying in West Bengal in December, but the first OIE report was not filed until mid-January, and culling operations began in late January and February.  The result was the largest outbreak in India and Bangladesh reported to date, and the first confirmed human case (in Dhaka in Bangladesh).

It is likely that the number of human cases in India and Bangladesh were markedly higher than the one confirmed case.  These additional infections in humans, as well as other mammals eating dead or dying birds increases the likelihood of genetic changes leading to more efficient transmission human to human.  A year ago there was a confirmed H2H2H transmission chain in Pakistan, which began with a culler who fatally infected a brother, who the infected two additional brothers.  Published sequences from India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are clade 2.2.3, raising concerns that similar increases in transmission efficiencies could evolve from the infections in Indian and/or Bangladesh.

The early start of the outbreak in Assam and Bangladesh raises concerns that the outbreak could spread as the temperature drops and more birds migrate to and through the area.
http://www.recombinomics.com/N...

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by: unpathedhaunts @ Sat Dec 06, 2008 at 12:41:45 PM CST

Alert in Assam as bird flu spreads

Alert in Assam as bird flu spreads

GUWAHATI: Medical workers were going door-to-door to look for people with symptoms of avian influenza in northeast India yesterday as the infection in birds spread further, officials said.
So far, no human cases of infection of the deadly H5N1 virus have been reported in the affected Assam state, but authorities stepped up a health drive after 150 people developed some symptoms of the infection.
"About 150 people were treated for fever and upper respiratory tract infections in bird flu-hit areas. We have put the patients in isolation," senior health official Parthajyoti Gogoi said.
Bird flu was ruled out in all cases, the official added.
The virus has spread in the past two weeks across six Assam districts, where an estimated 300,000 people live in the affected areas.
More than 250,000 poultry have been slaughtered so far and an estimated 150,000 more have been ordered to be killed.
The government was "worried" about the infection spreading to humans, as authorities may not be able to cope, local health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
New Delhi has rushed federal medical experts, including epidemiologists and microbiologists, to the affected areas.
The medical teams brought supplies of equipment as a preventative measure in case the virus spreads to humans, including 10,000 Tamiflu capsules, 6,000 surgical masks and two ventilators.
Experts suspect the disease was carried by migratory birds who are immune to the virus.
The sale of poultry and poultry products has been banned in most parts of the state.
Officials said poultry owners took advantage of a shortage of trained health workers and hid their stock to evade culling and seizure, further complicating the situation.
The country reported its worst outbreak of bird flu early this year in the eastern state of West Bengal.
While no human cases have been reported in the country, experts fear the H5N1 virus might mutate or combine with the highly contagious seasonal influenza virus and spark a pandemic that could kill millions of people.
Since the virus resurfaced in Asia in 2003, it has killed more than 200 people in a dozen countries, the World Health Organisation says. - Agencies
http://www.gulf-times.com/site...

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by: unpathedhaunts @ Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 17:48:39 PM CST

Hospitalized Malda Health Care Workers Raise H5N1 Concerns

Commentary

Recombinomics Commentary 14:41
December 22, 2008
http://www.recombinomics.com/N...

local reports said four boys, between 12 to 14 years, had fallen ill in the locality and their sickness was yet to be identifed. The boys were volunteering in culling operation.

At least four culling personnel were taken ill during culling and mopping operations in Malda last evening. One of them Mohd Ellius was admitted to the isolation ward for observation. According to the Malda CMOH, Dr Srikanta Roy, Mohd Ellius was suffering from abdominal pain.

Two others, one Mohd Sazzad from Satgharia and another person with the same name, from Sujapur, who were working as labourers, fell ill.

Including two employees in the hospital and the Malda Sadar Mulpur was admitted to primary health center
===============

The above comments describe illness associated with cullers in Malda, as well as two hospital workers (see Malda map).  It is unclear if the two sets of cullers described above are the same four people, and there is little information on symptoms, so the relationship of their illness to the culling remains unclear.

However, concern is increased by the hospitalization of two hospital workers.  More information on their symptoms and linkage, if any, to cullers would be useful.

---

by: Pixie @ Mon Dec 22, 2008 at 09:09:37 AM CST

Confirmed H5N1 Spread to Kurigram Bangladesh

Recombinomics Commentary 19:50
December 22, 2008
http://www.recombinomics.com/N...

Livestocks officials on Monday night started culling birds in 500 square metres area of a house of Balatari village of Kurigram municipality after they detected the bird flu virus .

District livestocks official Nazrul Islam told bdnews24.com they would kill hens, ducks and pigeons and the eggs in every house in.
====================

The above comments describe a confirmed H5N1 outbreak in Kurigram, Bangladesh. Kurigram is in the northeast tip of Bangladesh, so it is only 10-15 miles from the borders of Cooch Behar, Assam, and Meghalaya (see zoomed map). This outbreak comes days after the outbreak in Natore, and suggests H5N1 is widespread in Bangladesh, Assam, West Bengal, and neighboring districts.

Bangladesh was able to confirm the H5N1 on the same day as the collection, in marked contrast to India, which collects samples or carcasses and sends them to Bhopal for a series of tests. The delay in testing in India has cast serious doubts about negative test results and announcements of control and lack of reports of excessive poultry deaths.

Some media reports are even claiming that the confirmed cases in Assam are not really H5N1, even though the confirming letters are posted on the government website.

The large number of confirmed outbreaks in Bangladesh, Assam, and West Bengal (see updated map) suggest more confirmations will be reported in the near term.

---

by: Pixie @ Mon Dec 22, 2008 at 15:28:41 PM CST

Flu-like Mystery Disease

Also posted in today's news diary.

'Mysterious disease' hits Manipur

Newmai News Network January 07, 2009 11:02:00

Imphal : At least twenty-seven persons have been reportedly infected and hospitalized with a "mysterious disease" in Churachandpur district of Manipur during the past three days. Interestingly even as the dreaded avian influenza continues to stalk neighboring Assam state, the Churachandpur patients reportedly show headache, fever, coughing and shivering. Besides, deaths of fowls have been reported in Misao Lhavom village, in the district.  According to reports reaching here, villagers of Misao Lhavom village, about 7 km from Churachandpur district headquarters, were infected following an 'outbreak' of an unknown 'disease'. The 'disease' has left at least 27 ill, including an infant, and are currently undergoing treatment at the Churachandpur district hospital, a reliable source said. The source also revealed that mysterious deaths of fowls were reported from the village.
According to sources from the Churachandpur district hospital, the first case was reported on Sunday, January 4 when a 15 year girl from the village was brought for treatment. The number increased to 16 on Monday, while another 10 cases was reported Tuesday, the source said. All the cases were similar, the source added.
According to the chief medical officer (CMO) of the hospital, S Haojel, noting the high possibility of malaria in the area, they have tested blood samples of the patients. However, the results were negative, stated the CMO and informed that the symptoms of the 'unknown disease' include headache, fever, cough and shivering. The CMO further informed that all the 27 patients have been kept separately at the female health workers' hostel which is currently lying vacant. To take care of the 27 patients, nurses from other health sub-centers of the district have been deployed.      
Meanwhile, reliable sources informed that following the reports of the death of fowls in the Misao Lhavom village, a veterinary team has been dispatched on Tuesday evening to verify the  cause.

http://www.morungexpress.com/f...

Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl...

---

by: Okieman @ Tue Jan 06, 2009 at 14:13:04 PM CST

Additional information

Hat-tip to Dutchy over at Flu Trackers

Bird flu alarm in Manipur
OUR CORRESPONDENT

Imphal, Jan. 6: A team of veterinary experts rushed to Churachandpur district this afternoon following reports of an outbreak of suspected bird flu at Misao Lahvom, a tribal village.

The villagers reported that nearly 70 birds had died and more than 20 villagers fallen sick because of an "unknown disease".

However, there have been no human deaths. "We received information about the death of chickens and villagers suffering from fever and headache. We are going there to verify the reports and make an on-the-spot assessment," said the animal disease specialist of the veterinary department, Gopal Singh, before leaving here for the village.

The team carried masks and medicines for bird flu, but department officials said there was no reason to be panicky, as the villagers could be suffering from some other disease like fever or malaria.

The team will collect blood samples of affected villagers and carcasses of fowl and samples of any poultry found sick.

"We cannot say anything without testing the birds and blood samples," Gopal Singh said.

The samples will be sent to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal and National Institute of Virology, Pune.

Official sources said 20 villagers have been brought to the government hospital at the district headquarters since Sunday.

Several other affected persons are still in the village, located nearly 8km from the district headquarters in the south.

"First, an 18-year-old girl, Nemneilam, fell sick on Sunday. Several neighbours visited her the same night. Within hours, those who visited her fell sick with the same symptoms - fever, headache and loss of consciousness," Lungthung, a villager, said.

He also claimed that nearly 70 chickens had died in the past week.

The chief medical officer of the district, Singkhojan, visited the village today and collected 130 blood samples from the villagers.

Deputy commissioner Sumant Singh visited the district hospital this afternoon to inspect the patients. He reportedly sent an SOS to the health directorate for a medical team.

A team from Imphal is likely to arrive tomorrow.

The Zomi Economic Planning and Development Agency, an NGO based in the district, today wrote to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, New Delhi, informing it of the suspected bird flu in the village and urged the institute to immediately intervene.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/...

---

by: Okieman @ Tue Jan 06, 2009 at 17:18:07 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Another article

Avian flu like outbreak in Manipur; 22 hospitalized
Correspondent IMPHAL, JAN 6:
Article published on 1/7/2009 1:36:24 AM IST

More than 22 people from Misao Lhavom village under Churachandpur district have been hospitalized with unknown disease but with similar symptoms to that of avian influenza during the last 24-hours, official sources said Tuesday.
Health officials have been on avian flu alert following recovery of dead domestic fowls in the same village caused by a disease unbeknown to the medical officers.
A total of 16 people in the age group of 15 to 55 years were hospitalized at a government hospital in Churachanpur district yesterday at around 11 pm after they complained of severe headache, cough, while some felt unconscious after vomiting, the symptoms of which were similar to avian flu. Six more people were admitted to the hospital Tuesday morning on the recommendation of health officials who reached the village to take stock of the situation.
Doctors first assumed the symptoms to be that of "Malaria Optimal" and recommend blood test for confirmation of the same.
Finding negative results of the blood test, a team of medical officers led by the district chief medical officer, Dr. Thang Khan Piang was rushed to the village.
The findings suggested that the disease was "very close to avian influenza".
"We found the symptom to be very similar to the avian influenza as many chicken were also found dead during the last few days in the village" said Dr. Piang. Villagers said 12 chickens died yesterday.
The medical team also collected blood samples of the villagers and fowls to further investigate and detect the type of disease that was spreading like an epidemic in the village. The CMO said that the blood samples would be sent to authorized testing laboratories after consulting with the higher authorities of the state health department.

http://www.nagalandpost.com/Sh...

---

by: Okieman @ Tue Jan 06, 2009 at 18:11:11 PM CST

[ Parent ]

27 Hospitalized Patients in Manipur India Raise Concerns

Commentary

Recombinomics Commentary 20:06
January 6, 2009
http://www.recombinomics.com/N...

At least twenty-seven persons have been reportedly infected and hospitalized with a "mysterious disease" in Churachandpur district of Manipur during the past three days.

the Churachandpur patients reportedly show headache, fever, coughing and shivering

the first case was reported on Sunday, January 4 when a 15 year girl from the village was brought for treatment. The number increased to 16 on Monday, while another 10 cases was reported Tuesday

reliable sources informed that following the reports of the death of fowls in the Misao Lhavom village, a veterinary team has been dispatched on Tuesday evening to verify the cause
=============

The above description of 27 hospitalized patients in Manipur is cause for concern. The Miaso Lhavom village is about 80 miles south of confirmed H5N1 in Assam, about 50 miles from the Bangladesh border, and 100 miles from excess poultry deaths in Manipur (see updated map). Moreover, birds in the village are dying. There are also reports of buffalo deaths in Nungba, about 25 miles northwest of the village.

The large number of hospitalized cases in three days is without precedent for avian influenza, but large clusters of unconfirmed cases, especially in Indonesia, remain suspect since most testing is done after Tamiflu treatment has begun.

More information on testing of the poultry, as well as an influenza A rapid test on throat swabs from the hospitalized patients, would be useful.

---

by: Pixie @ Tue Jan 06, 2009 at 15:56:54 PM CST

Likely H5N1 In Manipur Village With Hospitalized Patients

Commentary

Recombinomics Commentary 01:21
January 7, 2009
http://www.recombinomics.com/N...

they complained of severe headache, cough, while some felt unconscious after vomiting, the symptoms of which were similar to avian flu.

The findings suggested that the disease was "very close to avian influenza".

"We found the symptom to be very similar to the avian influenza as many chicken were also found dead during the last few days in the village" said Dr. Piang. Villagers said 12 chickens died yesterday.
========

The above comments strongly suggest the poultry in the Misao Lhavom village near Churachandpur, Manipur (see updated map) is infected with H5N1.  These infections are not a surprise because of the proximity of the village to confirmed H5N1 in adjacent countries or districts, or the excessive poultry deaths in southern Tripura.

The symptoms in the villagers are also consistent with H5N1.  However, India has never reported H5N1 in humans or migratory birds, and these failures are testing related.  Human H5N1 is detected with a throat swab, but the media reports describe blood collections from the patients and poultry.

Poultry also tests negative in blood tests because the birds die before antibody levels reach detectable levels.  All initial H5N1 positive poultry in Assam was detected via tests on tissue samples, not serum samples.

The large number of patients with symptoms is unusual.  In 2005 there were large numbers of symptomatic patients in central and northern Vietnam, but those were mild cases and details of test results were never disclosed.

The increase in the number of cases in Manipur is alarming, and serious testing is required.

---

by: Pixie @ Tue Jan 06, 2009 at 20:05:00 PM CST

Hmmm, hope their right

No bird flu in Manipur
Correspondent, IMPHAL, JAN 7 (NPN):
Article published on 1/8/2009 1:31:25 AM IST

In a relief to the panic gripped villagers of Misao Lhavom under Churachandpur district who feared avian flu outbreak in their village following hospitalization of 22 people Tuesday, laboratory tests of blood samples collected from fowls has confirmed that there was no outbreak of avian flu.
Villagers earlier reported death of fowls in large scale and people were hospitalized after they complained of severe headache, cough, vomiting etc.
Head of Animal Disease Investigation, state veterinary department, P Rajen said that the death of fowls was caused by a disease called "Comibacillosis".
"We have tested the blood samples collected from the dead and alive chickens of the village Misao Lhavom where many people were reportedly hospitalized Tuesday and found the disease that killed the chicken as Comibacillosis, an ordinary disease of the domestic fowls," P Rajen said. He said the villagers need not fear as the disease was a common water and food borne disease which could be controlled.
He also ruled out that those people who were affected by an unknown disease might have been caused by chicken related disease. He suspected the disease to be water borne as the people were consuming the same water they use for feeding chicken.
Rajen expressed disappointment on the medical team of the state health department for using the term "Avian Influenza" even as he observed that the disease from which the villagers were suffering was similar to it. He said the "sensitive" word has caused panic to the people of the state.

http://www.nagalandpost.com/Sh...

-------------

No bird flu in Manipur'
Font size: Decrease font Enlarge font
Newmai News Network January 08, 2009 11:16:00
Imphal : Clarifying over the speculation of outbreak of avian influenza flu in Manipur, the Disease Investigation Laboratory (DI Lab) has refuted any such occurrence in the state. Speculations arose after 27 persons were hospitalized besides some reported death of fowls in the south district of Churachandpur and Tamenglong. Dr. Rajen, officer of Disease Investigation Laboratory (DI Lab) stated that the death of the chickens was due to 'water-borne disease'.
Cases of dead of about sixteen chickens in Churachandpur district over the last four days were due to a water-borne disease known as Colibacillosis which is a common disease, Dr. Rajen said. "We came to know of the result after the joint director of the Veterinary department of Churachandpur sent a sample to the directorate," he informed.
However, not ruling out a possible outbreak of bird flu in the near future, the officer of the DI Lab informed that surveillance works are under process to check any eventuality. He also pointed to the need for steps and measures to check the avian flu and warned that Manipur was a 'very sensitive place for it'.
Meanwhile, regarding the "unknown disease" that is reportedly attacking domestic animals in the Nungba area in Tamenglong district as reported by the village authority to the department, Dr. Rajen asserted that the death of the animals was due to 'delay in timely vaccination'. He added that 'BQ' was the disease which had caused the death of the animals.

http://www.morungexpress.com/r...

---------------

Okieman Comment:  Now...maybe they are correct.  No bird flu here...move along.  Or,...maybe they are correct, but not telling about the bird flu which infected the poultry first, leading to the concurrent colibacillosis.  Or there is no colibacillosis, but is bird flu.  Dead chicken and sick people either way, but if bird flu is there then they (and we) have a huge problem.  If it was bird flu infecting this many people would they tell the populous?  Probably not.  I probably wouldn't.  If you did, scared and possibly infected people would scatter over three different countries. Hopefully they are correct though and all is well and these folks are being treated for colibacillosis and they all get well.  See below for the entry for colibacillosis in the on-line Merck Vet Manual:

Colibacillosis occurs as an acute fatal septicemia or subacute pericarditis and airsacculitis. It is a common systemic disease of economic importance in poultry and is seen worldwide.
Etiology and Pathogenesis:
Escherichia coli is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium normally found in the intestines of poultry and most other animals; although most are nonpathogenic, a limited number produce extraintestinal infections. Pathogenic strains are commonly of the O1, O2, and O78 serotypes, but serotypes O11, O15, O18, O51, O115, and O132 have also been reported for E coli isolates associated with cellulitis and colibacillosis. There is considerable diversity of serogroups among clinical isolates, and only a small percentage of these isolates belong to serotypes O1, O2, or O78. In fact, 18-29% of avian E coli isolates cannot be typed. Therefore, no single E coli serotype used as a bacterin can provide full protection against all of the serotypes that cause E coli infections. Virulence factors include the ability to resist phagocytosis, utilization of highly efficient iron acquisition systems, resistance to killing by serum, production of colicins, and adherence to respiratory epithelium. Virulent E coli are generally nontoxigenic, poorly invasive, and do not possess common adhesins.
Large numbers of E coli are maintained in the poultry house environment through fecal contamination. Initial exposure to pathogenic E coli may occur in the hatchery from infected or contaminated eggs, but systemic infection usually requires predisposing environmental factors or infectious causes. Mycoplasmosis, infectious bronchitis, Newcastle disease, hemorrhagic enteritis, and turkey bordetellosis precede colibacillosis. Poor air quality and other environmental stresses may also predispose to E coli infections.
Systemic infection occurs when large numbers of pathogenic E coli gain access to the bloodstream from the respiratory tract or intestine. Bacteremia progresses to septicemia and death, or the infection extends to serosal surfaces, pericardium, joints, and other organs.

Clinical Findings and Lesions:
Signs are nonspecific and vary with age, organs involved, and concurrent disease. Young birds dying of acute septicemia have few lesions except for enlarged, hyperemic liver and spleen with increased fluid in body cavities. Birds that survive septicemia develop subacute fibrinopurulent airsacculitis, pericarditis, perihepatitis, and lymphocytic depletion of the bursa and thymus. (Unusually pathogenic salmonellae produce similar lesions in chicks.) Although airsacculitis is a classic lesion of colibacillosis, whether it results from primary respiratory exposure or from extension of serositis is unclear. Sporadic lesions include pneumonia, arthritis, osteomyelitis, and salpingitis.

Diagnosis:
Unlike pathogenic E coli associated with illnesses in other animal species, avian isolates are generally nonhemolytic on sheep (5%) blood agar. Isolation of a pure culture of E coli from heart blood, liver, or typical visceral lesions in a fresh carcass indicates primary or secondary colibacillosis. Consideration should be given to predisposing infections and environmental factors. Pathogenicity of isolates is established when parenteral inoculation of young chicks or poults results in fatal septicemia or typical lesions within 3 days. Pathogenicity can also be detected by inoculation of the allantoic sac of 12-day-old chick embryos. Resulting gross lesions include cranial and skin hemorrhages in addition to encephalomalacia in embryos inoculated with virulent isolates.

Treatment and Control:
Treatment strategies include attempts to control predisposing infections or environmental factors and early use of antibacterials indicated by susceptibility tests. Most isolates are resistant to tetracyclines, streptomycin, and sulfa drugs, although therapeutic success can sometimes be achieved with tetracycline. In fact, 90% of clinical isolates are resistant to tetracycline, with 60% of isolates resistant to 5 or more antibiotics. Fluoroquinolone use is controversial because the use of these drugs in commercial broilers is believed to select for resistant Campylobacter spp associated with human foodborne infections. Commercial bacterins, administered to breeder hens or chicks, have provided some protection against homologous E coli serotypes.

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/...

---

by: Okieman @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 15:57:02 PM CST

This is a common poultry disease, and uncommon for colibacillosis to be transmitted b2H

Here's what it says about the symptoms, transmission etc. in humans

Colibacillosis
Colibacillosis is caused by Escherichia coli infection. E. coli is a bacteria which normally inhabits the intestinal tract of all animals. There are a number of different strains, many species-specific. Not all strains are pathogenic. In poultry, E. coli infections may cause septicemia, chronic respiratory disease, synovitis (inflammation of the joints which can lead to lameness), pericarditis (inflammation of the sac around the heart), and salpingitis (inflammation of the oviduct). Humans with colibacillosis usually manifest diarrhea which may be complicated by other syndromes depending on the E. coli serotype. These complications may include fever, dysentery, shock, and purpura (multiple small purplish hemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes).
The incubation period is 12 hours to 5 days, although 12-72 hours is most common. Transmission is via the fecal-oral route. Colibacillosis is often food- or water-borne.
In most cases, symptomatic treatment (fluids, antidiarrheals) is all that is required. In more severe infections, antibiotics such as tetracycline and chloramphenicol may be necessary.
In Florida, colibacillosis is not a reportable zoonotic disease.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PS019

Now, I'm going to have to go back to your earlier post to check this, but as I recall the first victim, a 16 or 18 year old girl, was visited by several villagers who then shortly became ill themselves. Sounds H2H, not water or food borne infection, unless their subsequent illness after exposure was purely coincidental.

On the other hand, if it is a water borne disease as they say, and the villagers simply got it because they drank from the same water source as the affected poultry, then wouldn't a much larger number of villagers have come down with this disease almost simultaneously, presuming they all drank water every day??  Also the article I quote says colibacillosis is usually "species specific" so it would be very odd and coincidental for an  e coli infection species specific for chickens and an e coli infection species specific for humans to be found in the same drinking water at the same time, and thus simultaneously infect both hosts. IMHO, of course.

Always have a plan B.

---

by: maryinhawaii @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 23:10:12 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Bovine deaths

Meanwhile, regarding the "unknown disease" that is reportedly attacking domestic animals in the Nungba area in Tamenglong district as reported by the village authority to the department, Dr. Rajen asserted that the death of the animals was due to 'delay in timely vaccination'. He added that 'BQ' was the disease which had caused the death of the animals.

BQ is probably referring to Black quarter or Blackleg disease (Gangraena emphysematosa), an infectious bacterial disease of sheep and cattle, caused by Clostridium chauvoei bacteria. It is found all over the world. A symptom of blackleg is characteristic swellings which make a cracking sound under pressure. Blackleg vaccine gives immunity against it.
Source: Wikipedia

---

by: AlohaOR @ Sat Jan 10, 2009 at 16:30:37 PM CST

[ Parent ]

One other thing, no diarrhea...a primary symptom of this kind of e coli infection. n/t

Always have a plan B.

---

by: maryinhawaii @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 23:13:06 PM CST

E. coli

I didn't think there was an e.coli on the planet that didn't present with diarrhea as its primary complaint at onset.

I still don't think there is.

And I've HAD e. coli.  Wouldn't wish it on a dog.

---

by: Clawdia @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 23:43:51 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Which indicates that this diagnosis is BS, and we'd better keep an eye on Manipur, yes? n/t

Always have a plan B.

---

by: maryinhawaii @ Thu Jan 08, 2009 at 12:45:33 PM CST

[ Parent ]

BS

Yes - without doubt in my book.

Put this in the blender with China and 'Nam, and I do not like the mix one little bit.

---

by: Clawdia @ Thu Jan 08, 2009 at 13:57:18 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Not only does e.coli always present with diarrhea in livestock

it also has a peculiar odor that is immediately identifiable once you've experienced it. E coli "scours" are very common in stressed calves, with a distinctive color and odor.

My daughter almost died from e coli (from tainted WalMart formula) when she was five months old. Initially she had diarrhea, but as the illness progressed (doc kept diagnosing ILI), the diarrhea disappeared. Her only symptoms (to a layman) were persistant fever ( 103 +/-)and lethargy.

Mt point is that if an e coli infection has progressed, there may be no more diarrhea.

---

by: Andrzejek @ Mon Feb 09, 2009 at 18:30:30 PM CST

[ Parent ]

As it progresses, yes.

My point was, however, that it is always a chief complaint at onset.

---

by: Clawdia @ Mon Feb 09, 2009 at 19:20:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Still no diagnosis

Cause of mystery disease in CCpur being probed
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 08 2009: STATE AUTHORITY is yet to confirm the mysterious disease that spread among the villagers of Churachandpur district today.

Sudden death of 17 chickens and subsequent hospitalisation of 32 villagers mostly women with a mysterious illness since Sunday had once evoked a bird flu scare in the district particularly in the affected Misao Lhahvom village,72 kms south of state capital.

Though experts confirmed that there's no bird flu,they're still collecting blood samples of the hospitalized villagers to verify the disease.

Close on the heels of Additional Director of the state health services Dr Th Bhubolchandra's visit to hill district headquarters on Wednesday, a team headed by State Program Officer Nimaichand from state vector borne diseases came down to Churachandpur town today.

"They collected the blood samples of the patients besides visiting the village today" a villager said.

According to an employee of Churachandpur district hospital, most of the patients admitted there complained of high fever followed by unconsciousness.

Presently 28 patients mostly women were given treatment at the hospital after 10 of them were discharged, he added.

Locals believe that the cause of the disease might be related with food poisoning of the recent Christmas celebration.

However Dr Motilal, Director of state health services said it was viral fever.

Meanwhile due to outbreak of another unknown disease/epidemic hundreds of cattles or livestocks including cows, bulls, buffaloes and their calves have been reportedly dying over the last three weeks at Nungba area in Manipur's Tamenglong district.G Poukhuilung,president of Nungba Area Village Authority Association in a memorandum to the Minister of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry sought government's help.Responding to his memorandum,a team of state veterinary doctors have also rushed to the hill district along the necessary medicines.

However there's no report of confirming the details of the disease that hit the remote hill villages till the filing of this report.

http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=22...

-------------

Deadly Strep Virus
Reported by: Rachel Cox

Thursday, Jan 8, 2009 @07:13pm CST

CLOVIS --- Two people from Clovis are dead and one is recovering in the hospital after they got sick from a dangerous strain of Strep. The state health department is investigating what caused it. On New Year's Eve a 23-year-old pregnant woman went to the Plains Regional Medical Center after she started having contractions. Doctors soon found out she had invasive Group A Strep. They were unable to stabilize her and she and the baby passed away. The next day a 53-year-old man was transferred to the Veteran Affairs Hospital in Amarillo. It was there they found he also had the Group A Strep, and he died later that day. This isn't always deadly, a 58-year-old man has it and is now recovering in a Lubbock hospital. Doctors say a recent rise in viral infections in the area may be to blame. Strep is very contagious, doctors say the best medicine is to wash your hands regularly. Some of the symptoms of Group A Strep are a sore throat, fever, muscle aches, cough and a possible skin infection.

http://myhighplains.com/conten...

---

by: Okieman @ Thu Jan 08, 2009 at 21:41:35 PM CST

Sorry about the second article

I meant to post it on a different diary.

---

by: Okieman @ Thu Jan 08, 2009 at 21:42:40 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Still A Mystery Disease

Only seven remain in isolation
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, January 10 2009: Against the backdrop of discharging 15 patients from the hospital today, a mere seven ailing villagers including a twelve-year-old girl were all that remain in the temporary isolation ward, five days after an avian flu like illness hit a tiny hamlet of Misao Lhahvom, seven kilometres south-east of Lamka.

Forty-two people from the village have undergone treatment in the isolation ward of the district hospital here since Monday after an unknown illness struck them in an epidemic scale.

Though the state medical officials were still at a loss what exactly is behind the mass illness with symptoms of high fever and cough, Dr L Asha Nanda Singh, Regional Director (H & FW) today claimed that the germ infecting the villagers was air-bone and that it was contacted not from drinking water or the foods they share.

'It is advisable that the village school is closed until the situation is completely under control,' he said.

Advising villagers to cover till their nose with the shawl they put on to prevent further spreading of the illness, the director also asked them to scale down social gathering to avoid unnecessary social contact.

In addition to seven patients released yesterday, 15 more headed for homes today taking the number in the isolation ward to seven � five female and two male.

The sole patient who was re-admitted after being discharged was among the seven that were left behind.

Assistance for the villagers that suffered a blow from the unknown disease still pours in as COMFA representatives gifted them five bags of rice and another one by Rural Aid Service.

Visiting the district hospital here to take stock of the efficacy it has established with, Vumlunmang (IAS), Secy Health and Dr Motilal Singh, Director Health were taken aback by the condition of the second biggest state sponsored hospital in the state.

'Too dirty' is their initial comment on seeing the filthy wards.

The duo called on the Medical Superintendent to immediately rope in services of youth clubs, NGOs or Philanthropic organizations to sanitise the entire premises besides re-allocating its whooping 72 odd Grade IV employees.

They also quizzed the superintendent on why patients have to run for Kerosene oil and petrol every time any form of operation was needed.

A life-size generator set was installed sometime last year but hospital officials said the 20 plus litres of oil needed to run the generator every hour was unaffordable.

It is still not clear if the claims were concocted or why it was installed at all if it was that costly.

On witnessing the CT scan still remaining idle Dr Motilal Singh who had witness the expensive equipment in similar condition earlier, was taken aback that no efforts were made to make the machine working.

It is worth mentioning that the hospital management has continued to maintain wicked record in maintaining the establishment despite wide scale media critics.

http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?sr...

---

by: Okieman @ Sat Jan 10, 2009 at 18:22:54 PM CST

Villagers still ill

No patients in isolation, but villagers still ill
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, January 13 2009: With the last five patients in isolation under treatment at District Hospital discharged today, the temporary isolation makeshift ward has been cleared of all the all patients who were rushed to the hospital after an unknown disease struck Misao Lhahvom village on Monday last.

Forty eight patients were treated in the isolation ward since last week, and after doctors attending them discharged most of them as clinically stable the last batch of five were discharged today.

Evacuation of the highly publicized ward is expected to bring smiles on the villagers but the entire affair appears otherwise as villagers still continue to reel under the illness with fresh reports of villagers being attacked by the same kind of illness continued to reach the media establishment here although the villagers shied away from being taken to the hospital.

'It's just that we were ashamed to be admitted to the hospital.

But many of us are still suffering from fever, some as recent as last night,' Seipao Misao a village elder told The Sangai Express.

On receiving reports about the illness still ravaging the village, this correspondent visited the village later in the day and witnessed 7 fresh cases of similar symptoms among patients treated in isolation.

There were more than 20 people who claimed they were not very well, but 7 of them said they had high fever that was compounded with headache and cough since yesterday � symptoms similar to patients in isolation.

Chinkhothang, 48 and her 6-year-old daughter Niangmuankim were still under high fever when this correspondent arrived.

'We have been suffering from fever and headache since yesterday, I can cope with it to an extent but she has not eaten anything,' the ailing father said looking down at her still sobbing daughter who rested on his lap.

Niangmuankim had been administered at-least 5 doses of medicines since morning but she fails to recuperate.

Vungzahoih, 42 and his son Seitinthang, 14 also claimed that they have been experiencing fever, headache and cough since last night.

So was the case for 10-year-old Kamlunsang.

Kimluniang, 32 who had been in the isolation ward attending her daughter said she too developed an illness similar to her daughter since last night.

Lhailam, 70 and Zamngaiching, 35 also claimed of similar illness but they were attended by a medical team led by the Chief Medical Officer after being directed by the Deputy Commissioner Sumant Singh to inquire on the reports about fresh cases of illness in the village.

Though it was not know whether the CMO team that stay put in village till dark and reportdly examined more than twenty villagers had inspect the above mention villagers, it is starkly clear that all was not well in the village.

A village elder Seilet was discharged from the isolation ward few days after he was admitted to the hospital, but he claimed that he actually was never well ever since he developed the illness on Monday last.

Though he was hesitant to disclose the exact nature of his discharge he had hinted on disparity on the medical officials as a reason he was sent back home.

http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?sr...

---

by: Okieman @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 22:22:06 PM CST

Fresh bird-flu outbreak in northeast India

http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2...

January 19th, 2009
Posted: 08:45 AM ET

NEW DELHI, India (CNN) - Indian authorities Monday confirmed an outbreak
of bird flu in the remote northeastern state of Sikkim.

Wangchuk Barfungpa, the principal secretary of Sikkim's animal husbandry
department, told CNN that 30 to 40 birds have been found infected so far.

The disease possibly came from the West Bengal or Assam states, he said.
"But everything is under control and all steps are being taken as per the action plan," Barfungpa added.

He ruled out the possibility of any human infection.

On Sunday, Chinese officials announced that a 27-year-old woman from eastern China has died of bird flu, making her the second person to die in that country this year from the deadly virus.

---

by: Bronco Bill @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 08:23:19 AM CST

Nepal-India border: Bird flu comes to the "roof of the world", 40,000 birds culled

Hat-tip Niman, and Helblindi at PFI:

01/23/2009 14:54
http://www.asianews.it/index.p...

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - The bird flu has come to Nepal. No one has died yet, but five people suspected of having been infected by the virus have been hospitalised in critical conditions. Outbreaks were reported in the eastern part of the country, in particular in Jhapa district, with the virus coming probably from India.

The first case was reported last Sunday. Soon after, the government deployed an emergency control team to the area. It includes a doctor, a poultry farmers' representative and security staff under the command of Jhapa's Chief District Officer Laxman Hamal.

Lab tests indicated that dozens of chickens and ducks died from the bird flu. Many children and poultry farmers are also thought to have contracted the infection.

Nepali authorities ordered the border with India closed to all animals that might carry the virus, and ordered its border officials to tighten controls.

The government also ordered the culling of more than 40,000 chickens and ducks in the affected area.

Ramkrishna Khatiwada, head of Central Animal Quarantine and coordinator of the Bird Flu Control team, said the operation will be extended to other areas.

"The second phase operation will involve the major cities, including Kathmandu where chickens and ducks are consumed to a larger extent. The team will cull all birds and ducks to prevent infection," he explained.

---

by: Pixie @ Sat Jan 24, 2009 at 00:45:30 AM CST

Five Critical Suspect H5N1 Cases in Nepal

Commentary

Recombinomics Commentary 20:15
January 23, 2009
http://www.recombinomics.com/N...

five people suspected of having been infected by the virus have been hospitalised in critical conditions
===========

The above comments from Nepal (see updated map) are cause for concern. Although India has reported cases with upper respiratory illness, none were reported as being seriously ill, although test results were not reported because the patients were said to not have contact with poultry, even though they were within a 3 km cull zone of confirmed cases.

Five critical cases in Nepal are a significantly more serious development.

Information on the exposure of these patients, and results of rapid tests would be useful.

---

by: Pixie @ Sat Jan 24, 2009 at 00:46:43 AM CST

Nepal finds suspected human infection of bird flu

www.chinaview.cn 2009-01-25 14:16:44
http://news.xinhuanet.com/engl...

KATHMANDU, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Nepal has found a patient from Damak, eastern Nepal, to be suspected case of human bird flu infection, Nepali national news agency RSS reported on Sunday.

Damak of Jhapa district is some 320 km east of Nepali capital Kathmandu. In mid-January, the first case of bird flu in poultry was detected in Kakarbhitta of the same district.

According to the report, bird flu has been suspected to have infected Santosh Dahal from Damak who was taken to nearby BP Koirala Institute for Health Sciences (BPKIHS) in Dharan. Communication spokesperson for BPKIHS Bijay Rimal said bird flu virus has been suspected to have been found in Dahal's blood sample during test in institute's laboratory.

He said Dahal's blood sample has been sent for further tests in a sophisticated laboratory. He said Dahal was showing symptoms of bird flu infection. The BPKIHS however did not reveal where Dahal's blood sample was sent.

Rimal, however, said it cannot be officially confirmed whether Dahal is infected with bird flu yet as the institute lacked a specific lab to test bird flu. Dahal was referred to Dharan by Lifeline Hospital in Damak following three-day treatment there.

---

by: Pixie @ Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 06:12:03 AM CST

H5N1 Lab Confirmed in Patient in Damak Nepal

Commentary

Recombinomics Commentary 07:53
January 25, 2009
http://www.recombinomics.com/N...

bird flu has been suspected to have infected Santosh Dahal from Damak who was taken to nearby BP Koirala Institute for Health Sciences (BPKIHS) in Dharan. Communication spokesperson for BPKIHS Bijay Rimal said bird flu virus has been suspected to have been found in Dahal's blood sample during test in institute's laboratory. He said Dahal's blood sample has been sent for further tests in a sophisticated laboratory. He said Dahal was showing symptoms of bird flu infection.

Dahal was referred to Dharan by Lifeline Hospital in Damak following three-day treatment there.
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The above comments describe the first lab confirmed H5N1 case in Nepal. The sample has been sent for third party confirmation. Since Weybridge confirmed H5N1 in Nepal poultry, it seems likely that the sample was sent to Mill Hill in England.

This report provides more specifics to reports of human cases in Nepal. An earlier report described 5 patients in critical condition, but specifics were lacking. They were said to have developed symptoms about a week ago, which is consistent with the above case, who was hospitalized locally for 3 three days prior to transfer to Dharan (see satellite map).

More detail on the symptoms and condition of this patient would be useful.

If confirmed, the case would cast serious doubt on India's claim that there are no human H5N1 cases there.

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by: Pixie @ Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 06:12:55 AM CST

Nepal: Bird flu feared as hundreds of chicken die near Biratnagar

nepalnews.com Feb 28 09
http://www.nepalnews.com/archi...

Two days after the government completed its culling and killing operation of poultry and poultry products in Sharanamati VDC of Jhapa to control bird-flu detected in the area a week ago, almost 1,000 chickens in farms in Tankisinuwari of Morang district have died sending a pang of panic among the locals.

Some 400 chickens belonging to Dinesh Sitaula and 600 chickens belonging to Kiran Kafle died on Friday and Saturday, news reports said. The chickens started salivating and had swollen heads before they died, said the owners. The locals are scared of a bird-flu outbreak with flocks of chicken dying.

Initial investigation on the samples have tested negative to bird-flu, according to technicians from the Regional Animal Disease Diagnosis Laboratory (RADDL), Biratnagar.

Veterinary technicians have collected samples of the dead chicken for further investigation. The samples have been brought to Kathmandu for further tests.  

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by: Pixie @ Sat Feb 28, 2009 at 13:24:43 PM CST

No bird flu found in central region of Nepal

www.chinaview.cn 2009-03-04 11:15:06
http://news.xinhuanet.com/engl...

KATHMANDU, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Central Regional Livestock Directorate has said the bird flu virus has not been found in the central region of Nepal till date, The Kathmandu Post reported on Wednesday.

Organizing a press meeting here on Tuesday, the Directorate said the bird flu virus has not been detected in the Central Region and necessary alertness has been maintained to fend off the possible menace.

The Directorate said the ban on import of the poultry and its products are in effect, adding that there has reported any illegal import.

Moreover, it has kept the livestock employees and police on alert round the clock on the border areas from where the poultry is being entered into the central region.

After the first outbreak of the disease in the country on Jan. 16, the government had declared emergency in affected area of Sarnamati village in Jhapa district in eastern Nepal.

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by: Pixie @ Wed Mar 04, 2009 at 05:22:07 AM CST

Bangladesh: H5N1 outbreaks in birds

OIE Report dated July 14

H5N1 outbreak reported in birds at the Abu Siddique poultry farm in North Agrabad, Doublemooring subdistrict, Chittagong district in Chittagong state.  The outbreak was detected June 21; 50 chickens died and 919 were destroyed.  

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by: AlohaOR @ Tue Jul 21, 2009 at 23:05:11 PM CDT