News Reports for February 26, 2009

Bird flu hits 11 provinces of Vietnam nationwide

HANOI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Bird flu continues to spread wide in Vietnam with another newly-infected northern Dien Bien province, raising the number of Vietnamese provinces hit by the virus to 11, (Snip) In Dien Bien province, bird flu has broken out in two communes of the province, leading to the culling of about 1,460 ducks and more than 1,000 their eggs, (Snip)

Samples of dead ducks found in the province tested positive to the H5N1 virus, said the department. It is likely that Vietnam will see more bird flu outbreaks in more provinces in coming days, said the department.

So far this year, 11 provinces of Vietnam nationwide have been hit by avian flu, including four provinces in Mekong Delta, namely Ca Mau, Soc Trang, Hau Giang and Bac Lieu, four northern provinces of Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh and the newly-confirmed Dien Bien, two central provinces of Nghe An and Quang Tri, and southern province Khanh Hoa, said the department. http://news.xinhuanet.com/engl...
 

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 Feb 26, 2009 at 05:26:36 AM UTC

China - Hong Kong - Blame ducks for bird flu?

A leading virologist said on Thursday that ducks are to blame for the resurgence of the H5N1 bird flu virus in China and Vietnam, and called for wider surveillance and vaccination of ducks to stop the problem.

The virus has infected at least 14 people in both countries since the start of this year, killing seven of them.

Experts said what was mystifying about the latest round of outbreaks was the absence of the disease in poultry in China despite the human infections. H5N1 is passed primarily from animal to human.

Robert Webster, a leading H5N1 expert, told a medical conference in Hong Kong that 'silent infections' of H5N1 in ducks may be the reason behind the human cases in China.

'In China, there is no disease (in poultry) ... I suspect there are some viruses in duck populations that they (authorities) don't know about ... Maybe there are silent infections, it's a vast country.'

Webster said it was very difficult to get farmers to vaccinate their apparently healthy ducks, especially when these exercises cost a lot of money.

Source
http://health.asiaone.com/Heal...

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by: Kobie @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 11:34:55 AM UTC

US - Comments and review - Flu fighters come up big

If you're reading this, it's a fair bet medical science - at some point - has saved your life. The miracles of modern medicine are astounding. Now, researchers are on the verge of concocting antibodies that may knock out the flu - Asian, swine, bird, Spanish and all strains in between.

The discovery is the brainchild of the Harvard Medical School, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Burnham Institute. Researchers claim they have apparently found the "Achilles heel" of influenza, the weak point that will bring it down for good. Much more study needs to be done, of course, but the implications are monumental. The next step will be tests on ferrets, then humans. The feeling is three years should be enough to get the vaccine finally flowing into the public.

In short, the folks in white smocks are coming through for us again. But as with all scientific discoveries, the breakthrough should be cause for cautious celebration, with warning labels.

When it comes to illness and disease, it is foolhardy to always expect a miracle. Sometimes the Superman shows up, often he doesn't. Good flu news is no reason to let down your guard or rely on researchers.

Source
http://deseretnews.com/article...

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by: Kobie @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 11:37:40 AM UTC

India - West Bengal to begin culling after reports of bird flu in Siliguri

Authorities in West Bengal have said about 5,000 birds would be culled after Siliguri reported cases of H5N1 strain of bird flu virus.  

The cases were sent to a testing lab in Bhopal and results were positive. Officials said they would begin culling soon.

The culling operation will be carried out within a three kilometers radius. We have not yet received information on bird census. Tentatively 5,000 need to be culled, said Kausturi Sengupta, acting Sub Divisional Officer, Siliguri.

Officials have also put a ban on the buying and selling of the hens or other poultry products within a span of three kilometers.

Source
http://news.smashits.com/35470...

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by: Kobie @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 11:50:19 AM UTC

Culling begins in Punding

SILIGURI, Feb. 26: Culling operation started today at the Punding forest villages in Kurseong sub-division in Darjeeling district. By evening, around 500 birds were slaughtered whereas the culling target is around 2100. (Snip) the culling time, slated to end by night today, might be extended till tomorrow. Bird Flu resurfaced with a few hundreds of the birds dying in a couple of days at the Punding forest villages in Sukna. http://www.thestatesman.net/pa...  

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 Feb 26, 2009 at 23:31:58 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

China -Hong Kong - HK Mai Po Nature Reserve to re-open

Hong Kong Mai Po Nature Reserve, which has been closed to the public since Feb. 6, will re-open from Feb. 27, according to the Hong Kong government website on Thursday.

   After the detection of the H5N1 virus in a dead Grey Heron collected at Mai Po Nature Reserve earlier, it was closed as part of the precautionary measures adopted to minimize human contact with wild birds and their droppings.

   As there has not been any new case of birds infected with the H5 virus found near the nature reserve in the past 21 days, which is recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health for avian influenza surveillance in birds, the nature reserve may re-open to the public, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong said Thursday.

   The spokesman said the department will continue to work closely with the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong to ensure that sufficient precautionary measures are being taken.

Source
http://news.xinhuanet.com/engl...

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by: Kobie @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 11:51:22 AM UTC

Russia - Geese with bird flu put down

The staff of the Czech Rybarstvi Hodonin fishing company as well as tens of firemen Wednesday put down a gaggle of 700 geese in some of which vets had discovered a bird flu virus, local vet Ivan Prikryl told CTK.

Control tests will decide about the fate of another roughly 2300 geese and about 350 wild ducks. The result will be known in the night, Prikryl said.

The birds were killed by gas in special containers, which is the most merciful way of killing such a big number of birds, local vet authority head Jaroslav Salava said.

Tens of firemen and police were on the scene. The latter sealed it off.

A virus of bird flu was discovered by local vets when checking the breeding of waterfowl in Rybarstvi, Salava said on Tuesday.

It was discovered in nine out of the 60 randomly checked geese near the Pisecensky pond. However, it is not the risky type H5N1, but the much less dangerous H7 stem, Salava said.

An area with the 1-km radius was created around the focus of the epidemic, Salava said, adding that special veterinary measures for the disinfection of the farms and movement of people and poultry would be in effect there.

Source
http://praguemonitor.com/2009/...

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by: Kobie @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 11:55:44 AM UTC

60 Students Sick with Flu-Like Symptoms

A private school in South Jersey is shutting down because many students are sick with flu-like symptoms.

Nearly 60 of the school's 425 students were absent Tuesday, and many others went home sick, the principal said. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29...

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 Feb 26, 2009 at 12:15:25 PM UTC

Flu finally arrives in central Illinois

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Map, News) - Influenza, strep throat and other upper respiratory infections is showing up later than usual in central Illinois.

Dr. Lamont Tyler of OSF St. Joseph PromptCare said this season's flu vaccine has been more effective than last year's in battling prevalent strains of influenza. As a result, PromptCare had been averaging one or two verified influenza cases each day.

That has changed recently, with the clinic now averaging seven cases a day. PromptCare is averaging more than 10 cases each day of strep throat, in addition to gastroenteritis and other upper respiratory infections.

Dr. Marlito Favila of HealthPoint in Normal says the clinic is also seeing increased numbers of influenza, pneumonia, sinus infections, bronchitis and ear infections. Continued: http://www.examiner.com/a-1872...

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 Feb 26, 2009 at 12:18:54 PM UTC

Nepal - Culling of birds completed in Nepal

The Rapid Response Teams (RRT) deployed to control bird flu in Sharanmati area Jhapa district has completed its culling operation on Wednesday.

The RRTs killed 2891 chickens, 29 ducks, 265 pigeons and destroyed 8257 eggs belonging to some 446 households of the bird flu affected area during the four day operation that begun on Sunday.

According to District Livestock Services Officer Dilip Sapkota, the 45 technicians of the five RRTs will be stationed at Sharanamati area for a week for health check up.

The government has also banned the transportation of poultry products throughout the country.

The first bird flu outbreak was confirmed in Kakarbhitta on January 16. The government had killed 28,000 chickens in the area to control the virus.

Earlier, Agriculture Minister Jayprakash Gupta had asked the international community and donor agencies to provide help to Nepal to fight the disease.

Source
http://www.newstrackindia.com/...

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by: Kobie @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 12:19:21 PM UTC

Flu Takes the Life of Teenager, Possibly a Second

FREDERICK COUNTY, MD - After one local teenager died from the flu last week, health officials are investigating the death of a second teenager who may have fallen victim to the virus.

Zachary Weiland was a 10th grade student at Mount Airy Christian Academy. He died on Sunday at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore. Now, the Frederick County Health Department is also investigating the death of another teenager, 13 year old Ian Willis. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29...

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 Feb 26, 2009 at 12:22:34 PM UTC

Ok, it's not H5N1, but still, isn't this a bit unusual?

Normally the few who die of seasonal flu are very young or very old. Were these teenagers suffering from some underlying condition I wonder, or do we have a particularly virulent strain in the maryland area this year?

Always have a plan B.

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by: maryinhawaii @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 06:55:14 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Lassa Fever - Nigeria

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has announced that there is currently an outbreak of the deadly Lassa Fever within the FCT and neighbouring Nassarrawa state.  The disease has already claimed 8 lives in 3 weeks, and over 93 cases have been confirmed.

Lassa fever is a very deadly disease that can spread quickly within a short period of time. It initially has malaria type symptoms and so is easily mistaken for malaria and under-treated early.  It is, however, very critical to catch it in the very early stages.  This is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted traditionally by rat urine/feces contamination of food, drink and household items/goods.

It is also transmitted via body fluids and appears to be airborne in the current form in Abuja.

Symptoms include fever, general fatigue and weakness, headache, sore throat, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, abdominal pain, and red spots.  In advanced/severe cases, it may lead to a swollen face, bleeding from orifices (eyes, mouth, nose, genitalia), low blood pressure, etc.

The good news is that the necessary steps to curb the growing epidemic are being taken by the FCT Health & Human Services Secretariat, the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.  So there is no need to panic. The FCTA is setting up an emergency quarantine facility. (Snip)

Concern has been expressed previously about the increase in the number of Lassa fever cases in Nigeria during the past year.  The figures of 8 deaths and 83 cases within a period of 3 weeks are very significant, since about 80 percent of human Lassa fever virus infections are asymptomatic.  Those affected suffer multi-system disease when the virus affects several organs in the body, such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys.  The incubation period of Lassa fever ranges from 6-21 days. Continued: http://apex.oracle.com/pls/otn...

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 Feb 26, 2009 at 12:57:34 PM UTC

Lassa fever is another viral hemorrhagic fever.

Some viruses that cause hemorrhagic fever can spread from one person to another, once an initial person has become infected. Ebola, Marburg, Lassa and  Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever viruses are examples. This type of secondary transmission of the virus can occur directly, through close contact with infected people or their body fluids. It can also occur indirectly, through contact with objects contaminated with infected body fluids. For example, contaminated syringes and needles have played an important role in spreading infection in outbreaks of Ebola hemorrhagic fever and Lassa fever.

http://www.medicinenet.com/vir...

In areas of Africa where the disease is endemic (that is, constantly present), Lassa fever is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. While Lassa fever is mild or has no observable symptoms in about 80% of people infected with the virus, the remaining 20% have a severe multisystem disease. Lassa fever is also associated with occasional epidemics, during which the case-fatality rate can reach 50%.

http://www.cdc.gov/Ncidod/dvrd...

Does the fact that it's endemic mean that they are likely to diagnose it correctly (IOW, not call it Lassa fever when it's really bird flu)?

"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."  Flannery O'Connor

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by: Jane @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 16:23:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Jane, thanks for adding the info.

"Does the fact that it's endemic mean that they are likely to diagnose it correctly (IOW, not call it Lassa fever when it's really bird flu)?"

That is one of the reasons I posted this. Lots of bird flu in the poultry in Nigeria. Most likely the wild birds too. Nigeria has only admitted to one human case of bird flu in all this time. This is a fairly large outbreak of hemorrhagic fever and probably will grow larger. Lassa Fever is a very dangerous disease and this outbreak may be airborn according to this report and that makes it even more dangerous. Intial symptoms appear to be flu-like so in light of the facts, I don't believe they will be looking for bird flu cases. Of course, I don't think they have up until now anyway or they probably would have found some.  

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 Feb 26, 2009 at 17:13:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thousands of birds culled in India after 24 cases of bird flu reported

 
www.chinaview.cn  2009-02-26 17:27:36      
http://news.xinhuanet.com/engl...

   NEW DELHI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government has culled more than 8,000 birds in the east India's Darjeeling area after 24cases of bird flu have been reported recently, government officials said on Thursday.

   The bird flu outbreak took place in Punding Forest of Darjeeling area, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries officials said.

   Containment and surveillance measures are being carried out in the area while a rapid response team sent by the central government was assisting local health authorities there, said the officials.

   All the bird flu cases had no exposure to poultry, said the officials who are monitoring the situation on a daily basis.
 

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by: Pixie @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 13:08:22 PM UTC

WHAT?

....after 24cases of bird flu have been reported recently, government officials said on Thursday.
All the bird flu cases had no exposure to poultry, said the officials....

Twenty-four recent human cases? Did I miss something in the past few days?

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by: Andrzejek @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 14:33:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Darjeeling: 24 human cases?

Crofsblog

Thousands of birds culled in India after 24 cases of bird flu reported.

(Snip) I'm skeptical. First, the source of the report is the animal-husbandry department, not the health department. Second, 24 human H5N1 cases would set India's media on fire, complete with scathing reports on government incompetence and terrified villagers. But I don't find the story in The Statesman, which is a major West Bengal newspaper. The Telegraph has only a brief item on the confirmation of B2B H5N1 in Siliguri.

So it's an interesting report, and I'll certainly check for corroboration, but the story as given sounds highly unlikely. http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/...

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 Feb 26, 2009 at 18:01:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Commonground

has corrected what was apparently Xinhau's misreading of an official report.  The Indian government report noted that the 24 individuals suffered "URI/Fever" but nothing further:

From Commonground at PFI:

Above report must be a mistake]

Status Report on Avian Influenza outbreak as on (25.02.09)

-- West Bengal

- District Darjeeling
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, GOI has notified fresh Avian Influenza outbreak in Punding Forest Busty [block Kurseong], district Darjeeling on 24th February, 2009.

- District Dakshin Dinajpur
- Containment measures are continuing in the notified areas of Dakshin Dinajpur.
- Central Rapid Response Team of MoHFW is assisting the state health authorities.
- Culling activity has been completed on 21.2.2009.
- A total of 8273 birds have been culled.

- 75 cullers are under chemoprophylaxis.

- Surveillance activities is continuing in 0-3 Km and 3-10 Km. In 0-3 Km area total population of 22566 is covered on daily basis. 24 cases of URI/Fever have been identified in the community on 24.2.2009 but had no exposure history to sick/dead poultry.
.............
DS/GK/flu-478
http://pib.nic.in/release/rele...
hat-tip Ironorehopper

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by: Pixie @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 18:34:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

or are they just cleaning up the mess with the usual denials?

(Copy of maryinhawaii's comment to fix bolding issue --- Bronco Bill)

Supposedly just a misquote, they say now. But this from the original post adds to my suspicions

Containment and surveillance measures are being carried out in the area while a rapid response team sent by the central government was assisting local health authorities there, said the officials.

They don't send rapid response teams to assist local health authorities for simple URI cases do they?

hmmm

Always have a plan B.

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by: maryinhawaii @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 02:02:50 AM EST

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by: Bronco Bill @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 12:11:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Rapid response teams

They don't send rapid response teams to assist local health authorities for simple URI cases do they?

Yes, they send rapid response teams every time there's an H5N1 outbreak in birds.  My understanding is that, as part of this, they do door-to-door screening.  We end up with reports about how many URI and fever cases are in the area (always large numbers), and (always, miraculously) a disclaimer that none of the fever or URI cases reported any exposure to sick or dead poultry.

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by: AlohaOR @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 13:53:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Tests for bird flu on two farms

Page last updated at 12:40 GMT, Thursday, 26 February 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_...

Birds on two poultry farms in Suffolk and Norfolk have tested positive for a strain of avian flu.

Vets from Defra carried out the tests at Bernard Matthews breeder sites in Ubbeston in Suffolk and near Yaxham in Norfolk.

The birds tested positive for avian influenza but not the highly pathogenic H5 or H7 types.

Defra has not advised a cull of the birds but has placed a movement restriction on them.

A Defra spokesman said: "A routine veterinary investigation is ongoing at poultry premises into the possible presence of a notifiable avian disease. Laboratory tests are ongoing and there is no conclusion yet.

Further tests

"Routine veterinary investigations into notifiable diseases occur on a regular basis.

"It is a legal requirement to notify the Animal Health Agency of the possibility of such diseases whenever these cannot be ruled out by a vet or an animal keeper as part of the diagnosis of illness in animals or birds."

A second series of tests is taking place to identify the strain of influenza.

A Bernard Matthews spokesman said the firm had taken advice from the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

As a duty of care to workers the HPA recommended that workers in direct contact with the birds be given Tamiflu treatments, the spokesman said.

He added that it was a low pathogenic form of influenza which happens to flocks of poultry and wild birds all over the world.

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by: Pixie @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 13:10:26 PM UTC

Bird flu hits Norfolk farm

26 February 2009 13:05
http://new.edp24.co.uk/content...

Two Bernard Matthews turkey breeding farms have been hit by strains of avian flu.
The strain is not the deadly H5 or H7 types of the disease, but has meant restrictions have been placed on the farms near Dereham in Norfolk and Halesworth in Suffolk.

As a precautionary measure staff are being given Tamiflu treatment.

Vets were called in to the company after an unusual drop in egg production levels, a spokesman for the firm said.

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by: Pixie @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 13:23:35 PM UTC

They assume it is low-path

because apparently the birds are not dead.  We do see H5N1 in poultry that is very much alive in Indonesia and Vietnam, but that, it is surmised, has been due to bad or mismatched vax.

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by: Pixie @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 13:24:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I don't like assumptions

Especially when they start throwing Tamiflu around.

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by: Clawdia @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 17:40:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Drop in egg production

 Eggs are laid every couple of days. Nice to know of another warning sign - drop in egg production.

 The drop in egg laying could be cause by anything but intersting to note.

 With a huge stack of tamiflu about to go in the bin (news article from a couple of days ago) TPTB may feel its ok to ust it and throw tamiflu around.

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by: Kobie @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 19:30:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Confused, and just a little suspicious, about Tamiflu

I remember reading in the past, maybe on the Effect Measure blog, that Tamiflu does not break down in the environment, or the water supply. So why does it go bad sealed in a sterile box and is all of a sudden about to "expire." Expiration dates have more to do with regulations that actual shelf life. It isn't instantly useless... I can understand a bit of degredation in effectiveness, but one would think they could calculate, or at worst get some from the shelf and sample and evaluate, how much of the effectiveness has worn off, and recalculate the necessary dosage. Oh, but then they wouldn't be able to sell us more!

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by: David @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 21:08:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

As far as I'm concerned

Only an idiot would throw away Tamiflu just because it has a date stamped on the box.

Mine 'expired' in late 2007.  I think it's still good, and if the day comes that we need it, we'll use it.

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by: Clawdia @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 21:25:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think you're right, Tamiflu doesn't have an "off" switch.

I recall hearing something a while back about Roche being about to tell corporations and governments that the expiry date on their supplies would be extended.  (Just for them or for all of us, I'm not sure; it has something to do with rules and approval, maybe its likely effectiveness vs. guaranteed?  Oh, no, on second thought, rather how it was stored, with the idea being that big supplies would have been taken care of according to Roche's recommendations and wouldn't have deteriorated.)

"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."  Flannery O'Connor

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by: Jane @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 22:00:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

There has been mention of extending the use by dates

in some of the UK flu plans but I'm not sure if that only applies to pandemic situations.

I also think I read something about the manufacturers being able to do something with the expired pills but I doubt they'd advertise that they were recycling pills.

It irks me that they'll all go to waste but that's part of the price we pay for 'safe' medicines.

I think they were expecting a bad flu year here but it sort of fizzled out the moment they okayed the use of Tamiflu. That said, I've never met anyone who's been issued with an anti viral, no matter how bad the case they've had. We're usually encouraged to stay away from doctors if we've got flu symptoms so how anybody's supposed to benefit from our antivirals stocks, before a true pandemic, is unclear.

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by: UK - Bird @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 22:12:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Just as an aside

The world's record for layer production was a hen that laid 365 eggs in one year. "Normal" hens lay an egg about every 36 hours. My hens drop production in the winter to about an egg every thrid day, due to less daylight (we don't give them extra lighting to force egg production).

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by: Andrzejek @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 23:40:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

What type of hen?

Andrzejek,

 What type of birds do you raise?

Kobie

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by: Kobie @ Sat Feb 28, 2009 at 18:01:54 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I don't recall for certain

but I think the hen was an Astralorp. But I'm  not positive, so don't take that as Gospel.

I have Astralorps, Buff Orpingtons, and Americanas. The first two lay prolific brown eggs. The Americanas lay blue or green eggs. I keep them because the hens are pretty and so are the eggs, but they don't lay quite as well. If it got down to basics, I'd eat the Americanas to make room for more Astralorps.

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by: Andrzejek @ Tue Mar 03, 2009 at 23:55:59 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Bird info - thank you.

   My school did bantem (?) hens and was looking at some for eggs laying - in case things got bad.

 I'm still not real happy with keeping chickens during H5N1 outbreak.  I would keep them indoors.

  The current move to have hens as pets or for eggs in cities bothers me becasue the average person does not read about H5N1.

 Only the sensationalized H5N1 news is broad cast, not the day to day facts. I.E. - smallpox used to fight the problem H5N1 most people did not know they had. Now N1 tamiflu resistance and how it may affect the H5N1 stockpile.

 I'm just worried H5N1 will mess up multiple Thanksgivings.

 Thank you.

KObie

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by: Kobie @ Wed Mar 04, 2009 at 12:22:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Backyard chickens are safe now, unless there's some bird flu nearby.

Even if there were low-path bird flu in your state, it would be at a poultry farm, I think.  Unless wild birds are infected, and they haven't been so far (except ducks?), there shouldn't be a problem with keeping chickens, as I understand it.  (Chickens should be kept away from wild ducks and their ponds, though.)

Ideally, state agriculture departments would have educational materials all ready to go, in case wild birds become infected with bird flu.  Probably most homeowners with chickens don't think about biosecurity measures.  I wonder if there are supplies they should have handy, just in case.  Footwear dipping pans?  Fencing to keep out wild birds or even mice?  Roofing materials to keep wild birds from pooping into the chicken coop?

In a pandemic, people would be glad to have some renewable food supplies like chickens and eggs.  Backyard chickens won't catch the pandemic strain after it changes from the bird form.  

(This is all just how I understand it; no expertise claimed.)
 

"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."  Flannery O'Connor

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by: Jane @ Wed Mar 04, 2009 at 23:59:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'm not sure if this should be in the news thread or not

but most state ag agencies do have avian flu information readily available for producers.

Last year, the stae ag officer came out to my farm and tested our poultry (including ducks). It was a random test. The officer had a lot of interesting handouts, data and "stories". He was enjoyable to visit with.

I am a producer (rancher) of cattle, hogs, sheep and poultry. Our ag office has good information, but nothing compares to what I learn (and apply) from online sources, especially this one.

My concern about "backyard" producers is that their hens tend to be "pets", and I can see folks wanting to bring them in the house to protect them from HPAI, if it should appear. I think that's a really poor idea. They need to be educated about biosecurity, but in a more user-friendly environment than what is available for "regular" producers.

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by: Andrzejek @ Thu Mar 05, 2009 at 00:18:53 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

FCO update on bird flu in Laos

The UK Foreign Office (FCO) has updated its travel advice for Laos this week in light of the latest outbreak of Avian Influenza. This month has seen a further outbreak of the disease, which last claimed two human lives in March 2007.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low.  However, as a precaution the FCO advises: "...you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked."
(Snip)
"British nationals living longer term in an Avian-Influenza affected region should take personal responsibility for their own safety in the event of a future pandemic, including considering their access to adequate healthcare and ensuring travel documents are up to date." http://etravel.org/news/4862/

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 Feb 26, 2009 at 16:55:56 PM UTC

US budget notes

Increase funding for Global health Programs.

Boosting the quality of health around
the world is not only a moral consideration; it is
also in the country's interest as pandemics and
poor health care can destabilize whole regions
as well as travel around the globe. In the Budget,
the United States will continue to build on
its commitment to save lives through increasing
investments in global health programs, including
in areas such as maternal and child health,
family planning and other core health programs,
while also emphasizing a commitment to HIV/
AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis through successful
programs such as the President's Emergency
Plan for AIDS relief and the Malaria Initiative.
In addition, together with our multilateral partners,
the Administration will continue to provide
global leadership to improve the health status of
the world's poorest populations.

no details yet... that will be worked out between now and April.

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by: DemFromCT @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 18:14:57 PM UTC

Dem,

Did you want me to enter this in the headlines at the top? If so I need a link. Thanks.

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 Feb 26, 2009 at 19:06:24 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

More local scientists identify flu antibody

For the second time in a week, local scientists have announced the discovery of a human antibody that effectively neutralizes multiple strains of the influenza virus, a development that might eventually lead to a single broad-based flu therapy and a universal vaccine.

(Snip) researchers at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) in La Jolla and Crucell, a Dutch biopharmaceutical company, say they have identified a single powerful human antibody that neutralizes most strains of seasonal flu and bird flu as well as viruses responsible for past pandemics. They dubbed it "supermantibody." The findings are remarkably similar to discoveries reported earlier this week by scientists at The Burnham Institute of Medical Research in La Jolla, with colleagues in Boston and Atlanta. (Snip)

Both teams identified human antibodies that latch onto the stems of mushroom-shaped proteins coating flu viruses. The head of the protein, called hemagluttinin, attaches to host cells and mutates constantly. "Flu vaccines tend to contain antibodies targeted at the tops of hemagluttinin," (Snip)

"The heads are like red flags waving in the breeze of the immune system saying, 'Bind to me.' They are extraordinarily variable, which means you have to design a new flu vaccine every season." The underlying stems, however, contain critical machinery the virus needs to enter and infect host cells. This machinery does not mutate, leaving it vulnerable to antibodies that specifically bind to it. The result: The virus cannot fuse with a host cell and is effectively neutralized.

"This is very exciting because it marks the first step toward the Holy Grail of influenza vaccinology - the development of a durable and cross-protective universal influenza virus vaccine," said Wilson. "Such a flu vaccine could be given to a person just once and act as a universal protectant for most subtypes of influenza, even against pandemic viruses."

The key antibody, known as CR6261, was derived from donor blood by Crucell scientists. They initially thought CR6261 might be rare, but they have since found other donors with it. They now suspect CR6261 might be relatively common, but that the human body doesn't generally produce enough of it to use it efficiently.

Continued: http://www3.signonsandiego.com...  

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 Feb 26, 2009 at 23:39:15 PM UTC

Vietnam reports 2nd bird flu death of the year

Feb 26, 8:51 PM EST
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/s...

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) -- A health official says a 32-year-old man from northern Vietnam has died of bird flu, in the country's second death from the disease this year.

The man was from the northern province of Ninh Binh and died Wednesday at a disease clinic in Hanoi.

Vu Van Can, deputy director of the Ninh Binh health department, says the man tested positive for bird flu, and that he became ill after slaughtering and eating ducks his family raised.

Last week, a 23-year-old woman from the northern province of Quang Ninh died of bird flu, becoming the first person in Vietnam to die of the disease in 2009.

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by: Pixie @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 02:24:07 AM UTC

Man dies of bird flu in Vietnam

Posted: 27 February 2009 1109 hrs
http://www.channelnewsasia.com...

HANOI - A 32-year-old man in Vietnam has died of bird flu, becoming the second fatality from the virus in the country so far this year, a medical official said Friday.

"The patient, 32, died on February 25," said Nguyen Van Thai, head of the intensive care unit at Hanoi's tropical diseases institute.

He had tested positive for the H5N1 strain of the virus earlier this month, said a female doctor at the hospital who did not want to be named.

She said he fell sick on February 3 and was moved to the hospital two days later with a high fever and respiratory problems.

Vietnam has the world's second highest bird flu death toll after Indonesia, with 54 deaths.

They include the latest case and a 23-year-old woman who died earlier this month.

According to the latest animal health department report, 11 of 63 provinces across Vietnam have been hit with the H5N1 strain.

The H5N1 virus typically spreads from birds to humans via direct contact, but experts fear that it could mutate into a form easily transmissible between humans, with the potential to kill millions in a pandemic. - AFP/vm

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by: Pixie @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 04:00:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Vietnam confirms 2nd human case died of bird flu in 2009

Another version of the story from Vietnam, with different timing.  I tend to think the direct quote from the hospital physican in the preceeding stories is likely more reliable than the quote report in the local paper which Xinhau has picked up:

www.chinaview.cn  2009-02-27 10:45:21      
http://news.xinhuanet.com/engl...

   HANOI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A 32-year-old man from Vietnamese northern Ninh Binh province, who had been tested positive to H5N1 virus, died of the virus.

   The patient died on Wednesday after 13 days of being treated at the National Institute of Infectious and Tropical Disease, the local newspaper Pioneer reported Friday.

   The patient, named Cu Van Chieu, was taken to hospital on Feb. 13 with severe breathing difficulty. He had contact with fowls before developing bird flu symptoms. He is the third bird flu patient in Vietnam this year and the 2nd human case died of the H5N1 virus this year.

   Xinhua reporter tried to contact with Nguyen Huy Nga, head of the Department of Preventive Health and Environment under the Ministry of Health, but the health official refused to provide any information regarding to the 2nd human case died of the bird flu.

   Vietnam has reported three human cases of bird flu so far this year, including an eight-year-old girl from northern Thanh Hoa province in early January, and a 23-year-old woman from northern Quang Ninh province who has died of the virus, and the newly 2nd human case died of the disease.

   The eight-year-old girl has been recovered much after being treated on time.

   In 2008, bird flu killed five people in Vietnam.

   So far this year, 11 provinces of Vietnam nationwide have been hit by avian flu, including four provinces in Mekong Delta, namelyCa Mau, Soc Trang, Hau Giang and Bac Lieu, four northern provincesof Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh and the newly-confirmed Dien Bien, two central provinces of Nghe An and Quang Tri, and southern province Khanh Hoa, according to Vietnam's Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Friday.

   Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung on Thursday urged ministries, agencies and localities to be more drastic implementing measures to bring bird flu under control.
 

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by: Pixie @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 04:13:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Japan: H7 bird flu virus detected in quails at Aichi farm

Friday 27th February, 03:41 AM JST
http://www.japantoday.com/cate...

TOKYO - The highly pathogenic H7 bird flu virus has been detected at a quail farm in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, the farm ministry said Friday. As the infected quails have not died, the virus ''may be of attenuated virulence,'' the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry said.

It is the first time since February 2007 that bird flu has been detected at a farm in Japan, and the detection of the H7 virus is the first ever in the country. The prefectural government of Aichi detected the virus during a regular inspection at the farm, according to the ministry. The farm stopped shipping quails on Wednesday.

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by: Pixie @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 04:06:39 AM UTC

Please post new news stories to ...

News Reports for February 27, 2009

Thank you!

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by: AlohaOR @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 05:15:33 AM UTC