News Reports for July 19, 2012

India: H1N1 cases rise to 119 (Maharashtra)

MUMBAI: The count of positive cases for H1N1 influenza in the city jumped to 119 on Wednesday after eight people, including two children, tested positive.

A two-year-old boy from Jogeshwari and an eight-year-old girl from Chandivali were the latest to test positive, (Snip)  a 28-year-old female from Powai, a 35-year-old woman from Malad and another 73-year-old woman from Goregaon had to be admitted. All are stable." A 58-year-old man (Snip), a 24-year-old woman (Snip) and another 64-year-old woman (Snip) tested positive and were treated on an OPD basis. 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 @ Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 05:07:26 AM UTC

Australia: Residents warned of 'more aggressive' flu (Western Australia)

The public health doctor for Western Australia's mid-west and Murchison is urging people to treat the flu seriously, after a tripling in the number of cases in the region so far this year.

Dr Marisa Gilles says this year's flu is more aggressive than last year and there have already been deaths as a result of it.

She says people need to take notice of the warning signs and see their doctor quickly as treatment can only be given within 72 hours of initial symptoms. Continued: http://www.abc.net.au/news/201...

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 Jul 19, 2012 at 05:12:25 AM UTC

Australia: Flu season prompts ambulance 'code orange' (Victoria)

A glut in hospital admissions causes ambulance delays, prompting a 'code orange' health alarm, according to Ambulance Victoria.

Audio interview: http://media.canberratimes.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 Jul 19, 2012 at 05:43:38 AM UTC

PLoS ONE: Avian Influenza A Virus in Wild Birds in Highly Urbanized Areas

Abstract:

Avian influenza virus (AIV) surveillance studies in wild birds are usually conducted in rural areas and nature reserves. Less is known of avian influenza virus prevalence in wild birds located in densely populated urban areas, while these birds are more likely to be in close contact with humans. Influenza virus prevalence was investigated in 6059 wild birds sampled in cities in the Netherlands between 2006 and 2009, and compared with parallel AIV surveillance data from low urbanized areas in the Netherlands. Viral prevalence varied with the level of urbanization, with highest prevalence in low urbanized areas. Within cities virus was detected in 0.5% of birds, while seroprevalence exceeded 50%. Ring recoveries of urban wild birds sampled for virus detection demonstrated that most birds were sighted within the same city, while few were sighted in other cities or migrated up to 2659 km away from the sample location in the Netherlands. Here we show that urban birds were infected with AIVs and that urban birds were not separated completely from populations of long-distance migrants. The latter suggests that wild birds in cities may play a role in the introduction of AIVs into cities. Thus, urban bird populations should not be excluded as a human-animal interface for influenza viruses. http://www.plosone.org/article...

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 Jul 19, 2012 at 05:49:21 AM UTC

Mexico bird flu: Millions of chickens slaughtered to contain H7N3 outbreak

GUADALAJARA, Mexico - Authorities in Mexico have slaughtered nearly four million chickens as they seek to contain an outbreak of bird flu in the central-west state of Jalisco. (Snip) more than 9.3 million birds were being monitored for the H7N3 virus (Snip)

Several laboratories have been tasked with making 80 million vaccines to prevent the spread of the disease, (Snip) They should be ready by the end of this month.

Bird flu has been detected at 33 of the 253 chicken farms in Jalisco inspected by Senasica, Informador reported. (Snip) 82 farms were found to be free of the disease and 138 were under "strict surveillance."

Earlier this month, the Mexican government declared a national animal emergency (Snip) The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization has confirmed the bird flu epidemic. The virus has cost the Mexican poultry industry $50 million since it was first detected on June 20.

(Snip)

According to the UN, the H7N3 virus has occasionally caused human disease but has not shown itself to be easily transmittable between humans. http://www.globalpost.com/disp...

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 Jul 19, 2012 at 05:57:36 AM UTC

Residents of a Grasshopper "Suspect" Bird Flu

http://www.balipost.co.id/medi...

July 20, 2012 | BP

Tabanan (Bali Post) - The case of suspected bird flu reappeared in Tabanan. This dangerous virus detected attacking one of the residents in the village of Grasshoppers, Karachi, on Sunday. 

This case preceded the death of poultry several days in a row. Despite the negative results of the examination, Tabanan regency through the Department of Health said the alert. patient suspect bird flu was found in Kediri III health centers, village Beraban, Saturday (7/7) then. One resident, Yun (27), sudden high fever.

 After three days of fever attacked with the heat to 38 degrees Celsius, the victim was rushed to the clinic. The results of medical detection, this woman allegedly infected with bird flu virus. Because, before falling fever, chicken sudden death of the victim. Totaling seven tails. 

"Due to suspicious, we refer the victim to a special room of Tabanan Hospital bird flu," said Kadis Tabanan Health dr. Nyoman Suratmika, Thursday (19/7) yesterday. explained, the results of rapid tests on the negative end of bird flu victims, including those found in birds died suddenly. However, team or intelligence suvrvailen Health Department continue to monitor the development of the victim. 

According Suratmika, victim condition improved after three days in intensive care. "The heat down and allowed to go home. But, we continue to monitor developments," he explained. 

Although negative, the control of the spread of bird flu virus remains tight. Therefore, this deadly virus could emerge at any time. Usually preceded by sudden death and poultry, respectively. 

Anticipating a similar case, the Department of Health set up at least 9 tamiflu box. This medicine is for people who likely contracted the bird flu. "If it appears the case, we already have special wards in hospitals. Everything can be handled here," said Suratmika.

Finally, cases of bird flu appeared in Tabanan, in 2011 in the village of babahan, Penebel. To suppress such cases, poultry farmers are required to maintain health of domestic livestock, especially free-range chicken that used to live in freedom. Previous experience, the bird flu virus mostly attacks the wild chicken, and then transmitted to the residents. (Kmb30)

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by: bgw in MT @ Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 18:16:11 PM UTC

The above article is an Indonesian article n/t

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by: bgw in MT @ Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 18:19:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Map link: Tabanan regency, Bali

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

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 Jul 19, 2012 at 23:51:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

India: Four of a family hospitalised for suspected swine flu symptoms (Tamil Nadu)

A 30-year old woman and her three children, aged between five and one, have been admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital here with suspected swine flu symptoms.

The woman (Snip) had been undergoing treatment at a local Primary Health Centre for severe cough and throat pain for the last two days and she along with her children were shifted here last night (Snip) Hospital officials said necessary tests would be done to ascertain whether the four were suffering from swine flu.

The woman and her children were shifted here in the backdrop of the death of a 26-year old woman member of the same family in a private hospital here. She also had symptoms of swine flu.

Nilgiris District DRO Nirmalraj, who rushed to Porthiada to take stock of the situation, told reporters that a medical team, including two doctors, was carrying out medical examination of the village residence (Snip).

Nirmalraj said the cause of the woman's death would be known only after 48 hours as the hospital authorities were waiting for the medical report. http://newindianexpress.com/st...

(Note: I sure hope they also test for H5N1!)

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 Jul 19, 2012 at 22:40:42 PM UTC

Philippines: Gov't bans poultry from Mexico due to bird flu outbreak

Memorandum Order No. 14, dated July 3, shows the ban covers inbound shipments of domestic and wild birds, as well as poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen from Mexico in order to protect local poultry as well as human health.

"[Based] on the official report submitted to the Office International des Epizooties (OIE, or the World Organization for Animal Health.)... there was an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Mexico," the memo read. The department said that avian flu with serotype H7 was detected by Mexico's Agricultural service in three commercial farms in that country.

Following the report, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala ordered the immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation of the application and issuance of veterinary quarantine clearance for the importation of poultry and related products from Mexico.

Mr. Alcala also tasked the department's veterinary quarantine officers or inspectors in all major ports nationwide to block and confiscate all shipments of poultry and poultry products from the Central American country. Continued: http://www.bworldonline.com/co...

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 Jul 19, 2012 at 23:11:29 PM UTC

Please post new news stories to...

News Reports for July 20, 2012

Thank you!

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by: AlohaOR @ Fri Jul 20, 2012 at 04:27:25 AM UTC