News Reports for April 10

China - Migratory birds put officials on alert

Liu Huajin grows more and more tense the closer spring gets.

Liu, an official at Xingkai Lake Natural Reserve in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, is charged with preventing outbreaks of avian flu at the reserve. And at a time when millions of birds from southern China and Southeast Asia are stopping at the lake to rest on their way back to Russia and other neighboring countries, the burden of this responsibility grows particularly heavy.

"The temperature is rising. The ice on the lakes is melting, which is attracting more birds," he said.

The situation exposes the reserve, which sits along the China-Russia border, to possible bird flu outbreaks.

"It is a vital time for anti-bird flu work as tens of thousands of birds come here every day," Liu said after a recent trip out to an observation post.

[snip]

The authorities have so far set up 10 observation posts within the reserve. They issue daily reports on any suspicious or abnormal activity by migratory birds.

If dead birds are found in the reserve, they are immediately collected and taken to the bird flu laboratory in Harbin, the provincial capital, for testing, Liu said.

The area surrounding where the dead birds are found is placed under quarantine. [emphasis mine - see comment below]

In addition, more than 100 local residents, including farmers and fishermen, have been given basic training about how to deal with avian flu, Liu said.

Xingkai Lake is only one of many stops for migratory birds in Heilongjiang Province. Its dense river systems and vast plains make it an ideal place for birds to rest during their migrations.

Full story at http://english.peopl...

---

Please explain to me how to tell/explain to migratory birds they cannot move as they are under quarantine ;-)
 

Eat pudding first - who know's what might happen next! - Anon

---

by: AnnieB @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 04:23:36 AM UTC

I think the quarantine refers to

prohibition of movement of birds in or out of the area by people.  There were rumors in 2005 with the initial Qinghai outbreak that subsequently, they found that some people were poaching these birds and bringing them back to their own neighboring farms to breed, and/or others were bringing their own herds of domestic ducks to graze in that area.  I personally have a suspicion that was how the Qinghai reassortment happened.



All 'safety concerns' are hypothetical.  If not, they'd be called side effects...

---

by: SusanC @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 12:41:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

New cases of bird flu in Sindh, NWFP

KARACHI, April 9: The government on Monday reported new bird flu cases in poultry farms in Sindh and the North West Frontier Province. "Two to three days back we found traces of H5N1 virus in small poultry farms in Sindh and the NWFP," said Mohammad Afzal, Commissioner for Livestock at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

"We have culled all the birds at these farms and disinfected the area."

He said some 300 to 350 birds had been culled at one farm but did not say how many H5N1 cases of bird flu had been discovered.

Since late last year, outbreaks of avian flu have swept from Asia to Britain, as well as touching Egypt and Nigeria.

Mr Afzal said quarantine and vaccination measures were also being used in and around the affected farms.

(snip)

http://www.dawn.com/...

---

by: Kelly Phan @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 04:24:22 AM UTC

Studies find clues in warding off pandemics

One of the enduring riddles of the 1918 pandemic - the worst flu season in the history of humankind - was why some cities were spared the high death toll that ravaged other municipalities.

In some major cities throughout the United States, people were dying so quickly of the rare strain of flu that there were not enough gravediggers to bury the dead.

Researchers reporting in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in two analyses have found that in cities where health officials imposed stringent containment measures, the population fared better than in cities where plans were helter-skelter or were cobbled together too late to make a difference.

(snip)

In an era when even the best medical minds had no idea that the globe-circling pandemic was caused by a virus, some cities were able to limit infections through common sense methods, scientists say. They also theorize that lessons from the past can have relevance today should another pandemic strike.

Schools, theaters, churches and dance halls in cities across the country were closed. Kansas City, Mo., instituted a ban on weddings and funerals if more than 20 people were to gather.

New York City staggered shifts at factories. The mayor of Seattle ordered people to wear face masks.

In cities with stringent enforcement of such plans, fewer people died.

"A primary lesson of the 1918 influenza pandemic is that it is critical to intervene early," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in a statement last week.

(snip)

"Nonpharmaceutical interventions may buy valuable time at the beginning of a pandemic while a targeted vaccine is being produced," he said.

(snip)

http://nsnlb.us.publ...

---

by: Kelly Phan @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 04:55:36 AM UTC

Study documents resistance to Tamiflu, calls for alternatives

MILWAUKEE, WIS. - Tamiflu-resistant strains of flu have been found in patients who haven't taken the drug, suggesting the mutated virus is capable of spreading between humans, according to an international team of researchers that includes a University of Wisconsin-Madison scientist.

Experts say the study, which showed anti-viral resistance in the milder influenza B viruses, means Tamiflu-resistant strains of other flu viruses, such as the more fatal avian flu, could spread between humans, too.

"This is a yellow caution light," said William Schaffner, a flu expert and head of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, who was not involved in the study.

"We need to continue to be prudent in how we use these anti-viral drugs," he said.

Schaffner said overuse of anti-virals causes the viruses to mutate and become resistant to current medications. If the resistant viruses become more common, then new drugs will have to be developed to fight the flu, he said.

(snip)

http://www.clarionle...

---

by: Kelly Phan @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 06:45:56 AM UTC

Somebody finally vocalized the fact that H2H is already happening.

I wonder if 'yellow caution light' means level 4.  I don't know about anybody's thoughts, but in my opinion, we need to switch to level 4. Now!

---

by: Kelly Phan @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 06:48:58 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think they were saying they'd found tamiflu resistance in milder strains of flu which spreads h2h (like influenza b) n/t

Always have a plan B.

---

by: maryinhawaii @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 07:35:00 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

That is what it says. n/t

---

by: Edna Mode @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:41:39 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Another concern

Schaffner said overuse of anti-virals causes the viruses to mutate and become resistant to current medications.

That is what concerns me about the "Tamiflu blanket".  When efficient H2H is acquired, I sure hope they are able to develop a vaccine before that version of the virus develops resistance.

I hear the train a comin'
It's rolling round the bend
~The Man in Black

---

by: SouthernBlueNeck @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 10:19:05 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Campus emergency plan isn't for the birds

There is an emergency plan for Cal State Long Beach students should there be an avian flu outbreak, said a representative of the Housing & Residential Life office Monday.

(snip)

"CSU as a whole was trying very hard not to ignore this," Olin said. "What they had done essentially was set up lines of communication and some scenarios of what we could do if [an avian flu outbreak occurs]."

Olin said that if the avian flu spreads to the CSULB campus, the university's Emergency Operations Center has a response team that would handle the campus in case of a disaster and form a plan. University Police Chief Jack Pearson would head the center.

The Emergency Operations Center's plan states that if a disaster occurred, Pearson or his designee, Sgt. Scott Brown, would be responsible for activating the Emergency Operations Center. He would then ask the incident commander, CSULB President F. King Alexander, to start the plan.

Olin also said that one of the most difficult aspects of planning in case of a future disaster is that no one can predict what will actually happen in an emergency situation.

"If something bad happens, what we don't know is which people are going to get sick, who's not going to be here, how many people are going to be sick," Olin said. "So you have a little trouble making exact plans."

(snip)

http://media.www.dai...

****My old school.  I see lots of noise, but nothing concrete.  Still--a wishy washy plan is better than no plan at all. 

---

by: Kelly Phan @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 06:54:10 AM UTC

when the pandemic reaches campus

they sure better have activated the plan a few weeks previously!

Who's going to get sick? Why not assume 1/2 of everyone over 44, and 3/4 of everyone under 44, just for preparation purposes?

No one is immune, and this is "an unprecedented" virus, so, that is being optimistic. Why think your Cat.1 levees are going to be ok with a Cat. 5 storm still lurking off the coast, only getting bigger and stronger instead of going away?

Sounds like they haven't seen the current cfr or don't understand it won't automagically go down to seasonal rate.

Have trouble telling the students and families to have exact plans and preps in storage for infection control and supply chain disruption, and can anyone really evacuate home? when they want to hide behind "if".

"Trying hard not to ignore this"? -need to kick it up a meganotch; it requires more action than managing not to ignore the idea of a panflu year hanging over your head.

A wishy-washy plan is worse than saying, "none at all" -you better get ready to save yourselves; it lures the public into thinking there is actaully a workable plan with good outcomes in place, and there ain't.

---

by: crfullmoon @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:56:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Watching what happened to New Orleans

was tragic enough.  Given that NOLA was a micro-shade of a pandemic, thinking about what happens when the pandemic comes is terrifying.  "No one knew the levees would break" easily becomes "no one knew the pandemic would be this bad".

I will never forget those images of hell on earth, especially the people trying to escape that hell being turned back on the bridges, and people who wanted to help being turned away.  To me, that foreshadowed a city under quarantine.  If the future brings hell to us, I know that I want to be as prepared as I can to shelter my children within their own home until it passes.

I hear the train a comin'
It's rolling round the bend
~The Man in Black

---

by: SouthernBlueNeck @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 13:56:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Implausible deniability - Katrina to BF

SouthernBlueNeck,

  The plausable deniability worked in the past but Sept-11th drew alot of critisim. Katrina raised the bar again - followed by Bandi Achia (sp?) tsunami.

  I hope there will not be any "I did not know" going around. Infact I would like to see a public noticed mailed to each person. Then if they decide to do nothing that is their choice. They should be free to make it.

  City under quarantine - perhaps. If the city starts early enough there will be police driving around and people will have supplies.

  Later four things will happen. More people will get sick. Supplies could run short. More of the police force will call in sick and bordom will set in. Then a quaranteen may look more like "Escape from New York" than Katrina.

  We weill how things turn out.

Kobie

---

by: Kobie @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 17:25:57 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

If only that public notice would go out

in a manner to which people would pay attention, but I'm not holding my breath. 

I'm a pretty naive guy, but I've learned something over the last few years and it's that even if something seems implausible, that doesn't mean it's not going to happen.  I think the mechanism is already in place to set up the deniability - "Look, you were warned.  We put up a website.  Yeah, we only told you to prepare for two weeks, but no one thought this flu would be so bad".  Given the amount of information presented for mass consumption by the general public thus far, that would appear to them to be true.

I don't want to appear to be overly pessimistic, just realistic.  The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, and based on the past behavior of TPTB, the level of preparation and notice that we're currently seeing is most likely all that we are going to get, just like inferior levees were all that New Orleans got despite years of warnings.  So, like many of the other posters here, I'm doing everything within my means to prep my family, and encouraging those around me to do the same. 

There are days that I feel like that guy in the cartoons wearing the "The end is near" sandwich board :-)

I hear the train a comin'
It's rolling round the bend
~The Man in Black

---

by: SouthernBlueNeck @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 18:11:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Public notice - risky

SouthernBlueNeck,

  Hi. Jusst "doing everything within my means to prep my family, and encouraging those around me to do the same. " is great.

  "Monkey see, monkey do" - people will follow.

  TPTB - I am not sure why they are not pushing prepping more. If you ask somone to prep for three days they may prep for one. If you ask for two weeks they may prep for four or five days.

  Since the onset of BF is unknown and they want action not panic I can see why TPTB have not said "Thou shalt prep" Also the news paper.

  My local news papar ran the headlins "Active Hurricane season - but that is what they said last year" So if TPTB say prep now and things do not happen till 2008 or 2009 then people may ignore them.

  Just some thoughts.

Kobie

---

by: Kobie @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 18:28:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

If TPTB want action and not panic then they better start getting the word out to the public in a very big way.

It should be in the form of newspaper articles, announcements on the radio and on TV now. The REAL PANIC will be when all of a sudden they say you better prep today because the pandemic has started. Then everyone, except a few like us who have already prepared, will go into mass panic! You are talking about 300 million in the US alone running to the grocery stores, gas stations, banks, doctor's office screaming for Tamiflu, etc. And this will happen all within a few days.

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 18:56:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Carol@SC - After seeing the Cipro run after one anthrax letter I believe you.

Carol@SC,

  Yes, you are right. IMO there is not enough slack in the supply chain for everyone, or even half the people to buy two weeks worth of food in three days. I see it when they say snow - no beer, batteries, bread or milk.

  Secon is the learning curve. Dr. Daves spread sheet helped me re-think my food prep. I'm used to camping for a few days not three or more weeks of food planning. It will be an even bigger shock to those used to daily trips to the store.

  Then there is skills curve. Learning how to care for sick people in the home.

  Carol you are not alone.

Kobie.

---

by: Kobie @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 19:20:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Just to make matters worse . . .

Can't you just imagine how many traffic accidents that many people running around trying to do everything would cause?

Nobody would get anything done, because everyone would be tied up in traffic for hours.  Of course, foot traffic alone will be enough to empty every shelf in every store, in a true panic. 

It'll be a wonderful time to be able to stay home.
Absolutely wonderful.  Nowhere else I'd rather be.

I've said for months that those in power aren't thinking clearly when they talk about not wanting to panic the herd - it should be accepted that at some point the herd will panic, and then decide would it be preferable to have the herd panic while it is healthy, or while it is sick, and infectious (and scared witless).

It seems like a no-brainer to me.
 

---

by: Clawdia @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 21:31:37 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Clawdia, I've thought about the traffic for a long time. Look at Xmas time....n/t

I am not like other birds of prey....

---

by: Commonground @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 22:09:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

These are questions to which we will have no answer

Personally, I think the capacity for public panic over bad news is overrated.  I think it is more likely that after a few days of frenzy people will accept the news and get to work getting ready.

I think people are more likely to be panicked into irrational behavior when they are taken by surprise by something for which they have little or no time to prepare.  That's when you will see incidents at the supermarket.

I do believe that burnout is a factor to consider.  The swine flu story has already resurfaced to provide ample cover for those who want to slip back into the comfortable land of denial.  Those people will live in the land of denial no matter what the news or when it is presented, so nothing would be lost there.

If this drags on for a couple more years, there will be plenty of angry people who will say they wasted time and money prepping for something that will never happen.  I know people who were angry about seat belt laws when they were passed.  Some have never had accidents and still fuss when they have to put on their seat belts, but I know others who have survived accidents because of the seat belt.  They don't fuss any more.

That's just my opinion which is not worth much these days.  At any rate, it's a purely academic discussion - we have the information we have and do the things we think we need to do based on that information, all the while hoping that we're wrong.

I hear the train a comin'
It's rolling round the bend
~The Man in Black

---

by: SouthernBlueNeck @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 19:04:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

...

Hi Carol@SC - we cross-posted with almost the same thought :-)

I hear the train a comin'
It's rolling round the bend
~The Man in Black

---

by: SouthernBlueNeck @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 19:06:31 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

SouthernBlueNeck : Great minds think alike. LOL

"Hi Carol@SC - we cross-posted with almost the same thought :-)"

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

     

---

by: Carol@SC @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 22:14:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oh Carol

If you're thinking like me, I think I feel sorry for you ;-) 

I hear the train a comin'
It's rolling round the bend
~The Man in Black

---

by: SouthernBlueNeck @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 23:04:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Souther BlueNeck - don't underate yourself - particualy when there are fact. n/t

---

by: Kobie @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 19:22:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thanks Kobie

When all is said and done, opinions are only worthwhile if they've inspired some action.  I kind of feel like I've been beating my head against the wall lately, but I haven't give up yet - I think I'm beginning to see a crack in the wall :-)

I hear the train a comin'
It's rolling round the bend
~The Man in Black

---

by: SouthernBlueNeck @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 23:06:29 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Me too - the wall will crack.

SouthernBlueNeck.

  Me too. Worse there is the fear of being wrong. That a cure will be found. Last year it seemed we would get H5N1 in America. I still get grief over that.

  All that fades away in light of the facts:
  Prepping is good for many emergencies.
  Health dept should have answers to these questions.
  City/town governments should have updated answers.
  We should have be prepared, practice our skills for each day a new generation is born. A huge popultaion to be brought up to speed.
  It is cost effective
  It has given my kids and I some more time together.
  What good is freedom if you can not practice it? Do what you believe in. Do what you want when you want (just don't hurt anyone)

  Best wishes.
Kobie

---

by: Kobie @ Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 12:06:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

CrFullMoon-Campus Pandemic

CrFullMoon,

  Hi. I agree with you. Those behind the Cat. 1 or 2 levee know Cat 5 storms happen. They happen in their area.

  My heart sand when the author wrote:

"Although the avian flu has not yet been carried over into the United States, as was predicted would happen in October of last year, there have been more than 200 reported cases of the avian flu in Asia from 1997 to 2006."

  What if is not BF but something else? What is the campus evac plan?

  As for "Unprecidented" there have been hundreds of outbreaks, a few pandemics and a hand full of plagues. It could be worse - ask the dinosaur about the unprecidented comming of a space rock. The sky is falling.

  The only thing that is "Unprecidented" is if we set a new record for percentage dead - if we hit 4/5ths or 9/10s. Ok we might set a record for highest body count. I am looking for the "First pandemic contained" award myself.

  Apologies for the rant. This is winable - IMHO.

Kobie

 

---

by: Kobie @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 14:02:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Myanmar pledges openness in bird flu fight

http://today.reuters...

BEIJING, April 10 (Reuters) - Military-ruled Myanmar will be open with information should bird flu ever infect humans there, its agriculture minister said on Tuesday, even as it fights an outbreak among chickens that began in late February.

The former Burma is seen by some international health experts as a potential black hole in the global fight against the disease, though recently the junta has been more open to accepting outside help.

"We are concerned that this is a global concern. We like to cooperate with the World Health Organisation, as well as all the concerned organisations," Major General Htay Oo told Reuters in a rare interview through an interpreter.

Newspapers have published daily reports on the latest outbreak north of the former capital, Yangon, after being slow to inform the public during the first outbreak early last year.

About 40,000 fowl have been slaughtered in five areas on the outskirts of the city during the outbreak.

[snip]

"Some suspected human cases have turned out not to be bird flu," added the minister, whose government is the subject of tough U.S. and E.U. sanctions for human rights abuses and the continued detention of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

The possibility of a bird flu outbreak in impoverished and secretive Myanmar worries international health experts, who fear the rudimentary health infrastructure could give the virus the chance to mutate and spread.

[more]

---

by: Nimbus @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:13:57 AM UTC

Malaysian Film on Bird Flu

April 10, 2007 - http://www.bernama.c...

New Channel Of Spreading Information On Bird Flu Control
VIENTIANE, April 10 (Bernama) -- A film titled "Douang Chaipho" (father's heart), providing information on prevention and control of bird flu virus to communities, was recently premiered at the National Culture Hall here,Lao News Agency (KPL) reported.  The one hour film, features the livelihood of a man who makes a living by selling poultry to raise his daughter whose mother has died.
Unfortunately, bird flu broke out nearby their village. In their awareness campaign, the local authorities have banned the movement of poultry.

However, the father and his daughter not only were uncooperative by moving poultry against the ban but touched and consumed poultry without fear. They paid no heed to the warnings about the danger of the flu by local authorities, friends and villagers.  The warnings have pointed to the infection of the flu among domestic animals and the spread to human beings. Paying no heed to the warnings, the man paid the dear price. His dear daughter was infected with the virus and died suddenly.  When his daughter's story spread out, the man was strongly critisised by villagers.

Dr Bounlai Phommasak, Director of the National Avian and Human Influenza Coordination Office (NAHICO) and the UNICEF resident representative, expressed thanks to the Government of Japan for support funds through multi-sided cooperation in the production of this film.

This film's content provides quite complete information and knowledge on bird flu prevention and control in communities, particularly at the current period of bird flu outbreak.

(Yesterday I posted a story detailing how puppets were being used to promote bird flu awareness.  It seems that the Asian countries are utilizing some very creative methods to publicize this threat.)


"I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man."  Thomas Jefferson

---

by: History Lover @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 14:41:20 PM UTC

Thailand, Laos to Boost Anti-Bird Flu Cooperation

April 10, 2007 -
http://etna.mcot.net...

BANGKOK, April 10 (TNA) - Thailand and Laos plan to boost their cooperation in controlling avian influenza, or bird flu.  Thai Public Health Minister Dr. Mongkhol Na Songkhla and his Laotian counterpart Dr. Ponmeg Dalaloy signed an agreement Tuesday to increase cooperation in fighting against avian influenza.

Dr. Mongkhol said that the agreement was a further step in the public health cooperation between the two neighbouring countries which began in 1995. It would improve the prevention and control of the deadly bird flu as well as re-emerging infectious diseases including malaria and tuberculosis.

The agreement provides that when a bird flu patient is found in Laos, the Lao government is required to inform the Thai government directly, or to notify the World Health Organization (WHO) accordingly.

(more)

"I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man."  Thomas Jefferson

---

by: History Lover @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 14:46:58 PM UTC

Philippine Anti-Bird Flu Task Force Inclusion

April 10, 2007 -
http://www.pia.gov.p...

Region 8 AI task force bats for anti-bird flu inclusion in disaster management plans
Tacloban City (April 10) -- There is no let up in the task of keeping the Region and the Philippines avian flu free. This is the official stand of the Region 8 Task Force Avian Influenza as it meets today at the DA-RFU Multipurpose Hall to assess what has been accomplished by the different agencies and the local government units.

Director Leo Caneda of the Department of Agriculture called for the integration of the Avian Influenza Work Plan for 2007 of the cooperating agencies. He also called for a single spokesperson so that there is no disparity in the message. He suggested that the Philippine Information Agency be furnished all the agencies' information (repository of all information) about avian flu and the PIA will be the one to disseminate the information.

Another output of the meeting is the suggestion to include Avian Flu in the disaster management plans of the various local government units and to invite the director of the Office of Civil Defense in the next Task Force meeting.

Of the four main courses of action of the Task Force, the Simulation will be conducted subject to the go signal from the Department of Agriculture. Dr. Nick Bautista of the Department of Health said that there is a need for simulation, because talking or telling about the action which will be done in case of outbreak, is very different from doing the action.

(more)

"I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man."  Thomas Jefferson

---

by: History Lover @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 15:16:19 PM UTC

Avian Flu, SARS in Tufts' Sights

http://www-tech.mit....

By Charlie Russo
THE BOSTON GLOBE
April 10, 2007

The idyllic setting of Tufts University's central Massachusetts campus, where for 30 years students have trained to become veterinarians, will soon become a new frontline in the fight against diseases such as Avian flu and SARS.

After more than a decade of planning and negotiations, Tufts plans to break ground this summer on a biocontainment lab, the first of what the school hopes will be a spate of new life sciences buildings on a 106-acre site adjacent to its veterinary campus. The lab will study diseases animals transmit to humans, known as zoonotics, and those spread through food and water.

The research will focus on microorganisms that could be used to infect large numbers of people and animals, such as E. coli, Cryptosporidium and the Norwalk virus. Earlier work by the school in this area has led to antibody treatments of the E. coli bacteria and a new method for detecting parasites (cryptosporidia) in municipal water supplies.

Despite the deadly materials that will be studied there, school officials said the lab poses no danger to residents because of the safeguards prescribed by federal regulations. "The real public health threat is not from having this kind of lab in town. It's from not having these kinds of facilities to engage in necessary research of infectious diseases," said Joseph McManus, associate dean of Tufts' Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.

The facility will be a level 3 regional biocontainment laboratory, the second most serious safety rating under guidelines set by the US government; the highest are level 4 facilities, such as the one planned by Boston University in Boston's South End, that handle highly infectious and lethal materials; a level 1 is the equivalent of a high school science lab.

[snip]

About 75 percent of the nearly $26 million lab project is funded by a grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The 37,000-square-foot lab is expected to open in spring 2009. McManus said Tufts hopes the lab and adjacent development space will attract commercial companies and spark collaborative research activity.

---

by: Nimbus @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 15:18:03 PM UTC

WHO and Dept. of Health hold pandemic flu workshops in 10 provinces

Copying this here from the Indo diary. Hat tip to BGW in MT

(the link is to the un-ToggleTexted article) http://www.pontianak...

April 10, 2007--Workshop the Burung Flu Pandemic

Pontianak,- the Indonesian bird flu Virus including that was cruellest in the world. Although West Kalimantan was still being classified as safe, but as anticipation of the Department of the Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) spread out workshop the control pandemic bird flu.

The pandemic (attacked together many countries, red) bird flu became the matter that could not be ignored after several health experts warned that a flu pandemic could in the global scale kill 62 million people. "Indonesia especially West Kalimantan, that shared a border the land with two neighbouring countries must be able to prepare himself towards the pandemic tersebut," the West Kalimantan headword of the Health Service, drg Oscar Primadi MPH to Pontianak Post.

The co-operation between WHO, and the Department of the Health spread out the simulation kesiagaan faced the bird flu pandemic to humankind, in the form of Workshop that is carried out today, in the Proverb Hall, the government Office of the West Kalimantan Province.

"Dalam workshop this will be compiled Global Preparness the Plan, or the Planning Contingency to overcome the pandemic ini," he said. This scenario including how overcame the plague that attacked humankind in various stages. Including how the handling of the patient, environmental quarantine et cetera.

Oscar said approximately 10 provinces ascertained itself to follow workshop this. "Kita also invited Malaysia, but till today was not yet konfirmasi," he explained.

In workshop this was present several speakers like Dr Kumara Rai MPH, the envoy Director General Pengendalian, the Prevention of the Illness, and environmental Sanitation, the Department of the Health. At this time Indonesia was still recording the death rate resulting from highest bird flu in the world, that completely reached 169 people.

 

---

by: Edna Mode @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 17:20:11 PM UTC

Interpreting the story

So, 10 workshops being jointly carried out by WHO and the Indonesian health department. Happening today (if I'm reading the story correctly). Malaysia was invited to participate, but just confirmed today.

Is it just me, or does this sound pressured, on-the-fly, and desperate?

---

by: Edna Mode @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 17:21:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

At the very least, it sounds like the intention is serious and the activity ramping up significantly. n/t

Always have a plan B.

---

by: maryinhawaii @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 23:54:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Correction

It doesn't say that Malaysia confirmed today. It says Malaysia hasn't yet confirmed as of today.

My initial question remains.

---

by: Edna Mode @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 17:22:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I read it that way too, Edna. n/t

---

by: Clawdia @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 19:15:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Edna this link seems to be broken ... n/t

---

by: Nimbus @ Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 01:20:54 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Try this one. It works for me.

http://www.pontianak...

---

by: Edna Mode @ Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 01:25:49 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Baxter Bird Flu Vaccine - 76% effective How do they know? n/t

---

by: Kobie @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 17:48:27 PM UTC

Very good question, Kobie. n/t

"I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man."  Thomas Jefferson

---

by: History Lover @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 19:51:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by doing the antibody tests

specifically in this instance the microneutralization assay, which is the 'gold standard' for measurement of vaccine efficacy, for regulatory purposes.



All 'safety concerns' are hypothetical.  If not, they'd be called side effects...

---

by: SusanC @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 21:34:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Responding to a Small-scale Bioterrorist Anthrax Attack

This is from an article posted on CIDRAP:

"...Results  Postattack antibiotic therapy and vaccination of exposed postal workers is the most cost-effective response compared with other strategies. The incremental cost-effectiveness is $59 558 per quality-adjusted life-year compared with postattack antibiotic therapy alone. Preattack vaccination of all distribution center workers is less effective and more costly than the other 2 strategies. Assuming complete adherence to preattack vaccination, the incremental cost-effectiveness compared with postattack antibiotic therapy alone is almost $2.6 million per quality-adjusted life-year.

Conclusion  Despite uncertainties about a future anthrax attack and exposure risk, postattack antibiotic therapy and vaccination of exposed personnel seems to be the optimal response to an attack perpetrated through the US Postal Service..."

So, my question is if they are basing whether to save someone's life on how much it costs (if an Anthrax attack happens), then how many of us are they willing to let die in a Pandemic Flu event, even if we could be saved...just to save money, regardless of how much money that is?  Most of the persons who get to decide this are paid by our taxpayer dollars, right?  Then can't we take their place...'cause you know they will save themselves!

---

by: betty @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 19:12:13 PM UTC

Take theri place

betty,

  Yes when the polls open we can take their place. IMO, the bean counters in little cubicles are not to blame. It is the bigger fish that make policy, descisions and call for action that are responisble. Yes it is hard, ugly and unsure. Yes it is part of the job - the one they asked for.

  "Change the government using only the tools provided"

  For buying maks, drugs and sposoring *unbiased* research I hope and ask TPTB to work faster, harder and longer. "The needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few or the one."

  If this things goes down badly then we have a great oppertunity to document why. Persoanly if things go bad it will be for reasons already known and learned - lack of leadership and some not listening.

  As for the government taking care of my food, clothing, etc I back off from that. Personal responsibility.

  Just some thoughts.
Kobie

---

by: Kobie @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 19:38:57 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Betty do you have a link to this? n/t

---

by: Nimbus @ Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 01:23:02 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

VIGILAIR Announces UVGI to Deactivate Bird Flu

April 10, 2007 - www.openpr.com/news/18086

openPR) - VIGILAIR Systems, Inc. announced the results of a study in which Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) was used to deactivate the Avian H5N1 virus, commonly referred to as the Bird Flu virus. This study was jointly funded by VIGILAIR Systems and a number of Wall Street based financial and insurance institutions that are concerned about the disruptive effects of a pandemic on business continuity.

Independent laboratory test results show that UVGI effectively deactivated the H5N1 virus. The study tested UVGI's ability to deactivate the Vietnam strain of H5N1. This is the first time such testing has been performed on live H5N1 viruses, not surrogate microorganisms.

UVGI is a potent germicide. When microorganisms are exposed to specific wavelengths and quantity of UV, the organism's genetic material is corrupted. These organisms are then unable to reproduce and are rendered harmless.

VIGILAIR uses its proprietary software to design a system that combines UVGI and high efficiency filtration to protect a building's environment from microbial contamination. VIGILAIR systems are installed inside a building's ventilation system effectively disinfecting the air that is circulated throughout the structure. VIGILAIR has achieved similar positive results when tested against SARS and anthrax.
(more)

"I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man."  Thomas Jefferson

---

by: History Lover @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 19:55:28 PM UTC

False assurances, again.

  This technology may well zap the virii in the air. It won't zap the ones on the doorknob, or those spewed on you by the sneezer on the elevator, or those you eat with your salad.

  I'm getting cynical: This will be used to justify and enforce continuing workplace employment. "You MUST come to work! We've taken all the necessary precautions..." Wall Street's work will go on until everyone drops.

  Shoot, the experts aren't even sure the virus spreads in droplets small enough to float into a ventilation duct to then be zapped. These guys KNOW all this, but they continue to spend millions on techno-fixes, and ignore prepping and basic education...

---

by: Timber @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 20:32:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Personal Responsiblity...

I understand personal responsibility, but what that article refers to is a vaccine.  So, they would rather wait to vaccinate after the fact, even when they have one up front, because it costs too much.  And, unfortunately, I'm unable to come up with a vaccine on my own...or I would add it to my own list and wouldn't wait for someone else to save me.  Does that make sense?

---

by: betty @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 19:56:46 PM UTC

Betty, well said. n/t

"I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man."  Thomas Jefferson

---

by: History Lover @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 21:02:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Personal, government and business responsibility

Betty,

  Hi. Yes you make sense. Yes the vaccine is something business and TPTB can push.

  That is waht I was trying to say when I wrote "For buying maks, drugs and sposoring *unbiased* research I hope and ask TPTB to work faster, harder and longer. "The needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few or the one."

  By drugs I meant vaccines. You make a good point in " I'm unable to come up with a vaccine on my own"  For even if we could make a vaccine - on whom do we test it? To whom do we give the vaccine and to whom do we give the placebo in the double blind tests?

  I hope TPTB do not wait. Unlike some hazards this is a clear and present danger.

  I hope you see we are on the same page, in the same boat.

  Let me know if something is wrong or out of place.

Kobie
If you don't make mistakes, you're not working on hard enough problems. And that's a big mistake.
Frank Wilczek (1951 - )

---

by: Kobie @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 21:29:41 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Red Cross Pandemic Flu Video

Not sure if this is "news" or not, but the Red Cross Pandemic Flu video is now available in streamed format on the web at
http://a1881.g.akama...

Their pandemic flu website with other information is at
http://www.redcross....

I couldn't find this elsewhere on the forum, so sorry if it's already been posted and I couldn't find it.

---

by: big critter @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 20:18:14 PM UTC

Red Cross Movie is surprisingly good.

While they are still stuck with 2 weeks, at least they say you can begin preparing by 'starting with' the two-week supply.  But their general description of why you would need it is actually very good.  It is pretty blunt about the potential of water and electricity failing and of the health care system being overwhelmed. They also discuss not only the possiblity that you would be required to stay home but that you might want to stay home to reduce the chances of being infected. 

The movie is about 17 minutes long.  If you go to the American Red Cross Pandemic Flu site, related brochures on preparedness are available. 

Once there, if you want to purchase the materials (which I assume includes the same video) you can go to the Instructor's Corner and register to become an instructor by providing minimal information.  Once signed in you can select the Emergency Preparedness tab on the top, and select the Pandemic Flu item on that page which takes you to the page from which you can order the $15 Pandemic Flu Leader's Kit (stock # 658306). 

I'll report back when I get mine.

ITW(Joel J)
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.
- Mark Twain
 

---

by: Into The Woods @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 21:41:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

thank you!

I love activists ;-)

---

by: DemFromCT @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 21:55:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Local Red Cross activities

Our local Red Cross chapter set a goal of providing 10,000 people with face-to-face instruction/information on pandemic flu preparation by training volunteers.  Don't know if they'll make it or not, but I'm glad they're trying.  I'm taking their train-the trainer class in a couple weeks.

I saw the DVD version of the video back in February, but didn't find it online till today.

---

by: big critter @ Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 00:31:11 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

2 weeks prep mentioned - not a bad video. n/t

---

by: Kobie @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 22:14:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

is there a shorter URL? This one wouldn't load for me. thanks n/t

Always have a plan B.

---

by: maryinhawaii @ Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 00:04:59 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Other link

At the Red Cross "take action" page, you can click on the "Preview the Video" near the bottom of the page.
http://www.redcross....

If that doesn't work, you may not have the right plug-in to view it.

---

by: big critter @ Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 00:36:09 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Flu Vaccine Grown in Insect Cells Called a Promising Alternative

The new vaccine, currently called FluB1OK, is produced by Protein Sciences Corp. of Meriden, Conn. A virus that normally infects insects called baculovirus and cells from caterpillars are used to manufacture the vaccine.

http://www.drkoop.co...

Somehow (not explained) it's faster to make the vax this way than with chicken eggs.  It was effective in the trial. 

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

---

by: Jane @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 20:50:50 PM UTC

this is the recombinant HA vaccine

They put the HA gene and put it into the baculovirus, then grow that in insect cells.  The virus then makes the HA protein, which is extracted and made into a vaccine.

There are many advantages, one of which is speed.  The whole process from getting the genetic sequence to market is 6-8 weeks.  The other thing is they don't even need the seed virus, just the information and use reverse PCR to clone the gene onto the baculovirus. 

More crucially, in the case of H5, because they are only using the genetic information from one single gene and not the whole H5N1 virus, there is no biosecurity risk and they can make the HA protein exactly the same as the wild-type virus, ie without modification of the cleavage site.  In general, the more you can match the antigen, the better will be the protection, plus there may be advantages in directly targeting the 'virulence factor', as explained here .  This, IMHO, may give it significant advantage in antigenicity over other vaccines. 

I've asked other scientists and the only concern expressed was that just using the HA alone may not produce broad enough immunity or enough cell-mediated immunity.  But this may not be as much of a problem as they thought, since a recent study with the 1918 virus showed that a DNA vaccine expressing the HA protein only (ie in effect, the HA is the only antigen, not the whole virus) was protective towards the virus.  Furthermore, it was still protective even in T-cell depleted mice, ie where there is no cell-mediated immunity at all.

The paper is free at PNAS, and is well worth reading: Protective immunity to lethal challenge of the 1918 pandemic influenza virus by vaccination

ABSTRACT:

The remarkable infectivity and virulence of the 1918 influenza virus resulted in an unprecedented pandemic, raising the question of whether it is possible to develop protective immunity to this virus and whether immune evasion may have contributed to its spread. Here, we report that the highly lethal 1918 virus is susceptible to immune protection by a preventive vaccine, and we define its mechanism of action. Immunization with plasmid expression vectors encoding hemagglutinin (HA) elicited potent CD4 and CD8 cellular responses as well as neutralizing antibodies. Antibody specificity and titer were defined by a microneutralization and a pseudotype assay that could assess antibody specificity without the need for high-level biocontainment. This pseudotype inhibition assay can define evolving serotypes of influenza viruses and facilitate the development of immune sera and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that may help contain pandemic influenza. Notably, mice vaccinated with 1918 HA plasmid DNAs showed complete protection to lethal challenge. T cell depletion had no effect on immunity, but passive transfer of purified IgG from anti-H1(1918) immunized mice provided protective immunity for naïve mice challenged with infectious 1918 virus. Thus, humoral immunity directed at the viral HA can protect against the 1918 pandemic virus.

All 'safety concerns' are hypothetical.  If not, they'd be called side effects...

---

by: SusanC @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 21:32:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Truckers: Plan ahead for super flu outbreak

Even young boys and girls in Scouting learn early on that it's best to be prepared in the event of an emergency. That was the message at the National Tank Truck Carriers Safety Council Seminar from a FedEx Express manager discussing the possibility of a pandemic H5N1 avian influenza virus outbreak.

"Plan now because the speed of a pandemic outbreak won't allow planning after it hits," said Scott A Mugno. "Everyone on the planet will be at risk."[snip]

[snip]Mugno posed some scenarios that could occur such as: would the business be closed or kept open; would day care centers be closed; who would stay at home; how would payroll distributions be handled; would absentees be paid; would customers be screened to avoid exposure; would there be supply shortages; and who would take the place of a person who becomes ill.[snip]

http://bulktransport...

Another article:  PRUDENT THINKING
http://bulktransport...

[snip] ...employees who do return to the job often have skills that can be used in the recovery program in addition to those they use in their work assignments. Some may be short-wave radio operators who can communicate with others when telephones aren't working. Some may have first-aid training. All personnel skills should be noted and listed in a disaster plan, said Knight.[snip]

[snip]Turning from personnel to equipment, the speakers noted that loss or damage to computer data, including e-mail files, is a major concern. Managers often think that they have information backed up, only to find that data has been lost because the backup program had not been reviewed properly.

"Just because you have a disk doesn't mean there is anything on it," said O'Donnell. "So verify."

This is good, 2 reminders in 4 months!

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

---

by: Jane @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 21:02:05 PM UTC

Good article. Backups are good but recoveries are what count!

Jane,

  Good article. As I understand it truck drivers have to work up from lic to intra state driving to interstate.

  I like the computer quote - "Just because you have a disk doesn't mean there is anything on it," said O'Donnell. "So verify."  ;o) (brought a tear to my eye too)

  If only more people would actually pracitice. Hmm, better start with myself. Signing off for now to review backups.

Kobie

---

by: Kobie @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 21:18:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

spreading among Hong Kong's wild birds

Bird flu is spreading among Hong Kong's wild birds, while China remains silent regarding new cases of infection. In Japan, a new strain of the virus, resistant to antiviral drugs, has been found, while Indonesia declares its 72nd death from the disease. Fao reports that both Indonesia and Egypt are run the risk of a human epidemic. Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said that of 3,430 wild birds found dead and tested for H5N1 this year, 15 had tested positive, all for the "Fujian " strain of the virus. It is the same strain identified in a scientific paper published in October 2006 by University of Hong Kong virologists Guan Yi and Malik Peiris and US flu expert Robert Webster, of St Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The researchers called it a new strain of the deadly H5N1, and said it had emerged in October 2005. The strain had been found in almost all poultry outbreaks and in some human cases in southern China, and had been detected in Hong Kong, Laos and Thailand. In 2006 15 wild birds and 2 hens were tested positive to the strain in the area. The scientific community now suspects that China has not been transparent about its mapping of the virus. The Chinese Agriculture Minister defined the research data as "false" and the viral strain "non-existent". Yet in December 2006 WHO acting assistant director-general David Heymann said the strain had been circulating since 2005 and that the mainland had provided information and sequencing data about the strain.

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/...

Be Prepared

---

by: DennisC @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 21:28:43 PM UTC

bird flu may infect 35% of population

If it arrives, bird flu may infect 35% of population

.....The World Bank and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have estimated that the zoonotic disease would infect up to 35 per cent of the country's population if it mutated enough to cause the next flu pandemic.
......

We have calculated the different infectious rates for the disease, but the most likely for the UAE is 35 per cent," he said....

http://www.birdflubr...

Be Prepared

---

by: DennisC @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 21:32:28 PM UTC

EGYPT - Death of 15 yr old girl

14th death in Egypt:
http://www.newfluwik...

Proud FAF-er.

---

by: Theresa42 @ Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 01:57:58 AM UTC

Blue ear disease attacks pigs in northern Vietnam

As the name suggests, the disease causes blueing of the ears, besides lack of appetite, high fever, miscarriage and premature delivery among sows, coughing and respiratory problems, and death in extreme cases.

http://www.thanhnien...

A viral illness, but looks like it isn't bird flu.  Tens of thousands of pigs are affected in four provinces and Hanoi and Hai Phong.

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

---

by: Jane @ Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 02:47:08 AM UTC

From Norway - "Knock-off jackets can spread bird flu"

Something about Swedish authorities checking out what's in the stuffing of "knock-off" down jackets made in China -- and finding chicken skins and bones.  Yuck!  Maybe urdar can do a proper translation of this...?  :-)

Pirat-jakker kan spre fugleinfluensa
April 10, 2007

Dyre dunjakker fra merkeprodusenter piratkopieres i stor skala i Sørøst-Asia. Forfalskningene er så godt gjennomført at selv eksperter sliter med å se forskjell.

Men det er på utsiden.

For Det svenske Tullvesen har gjort analyser av dunet på innsiden av falske Canada Goose-jakker fra Kina. Resultatene er skremmende....

http://www.dn.no/for...

Proud FAF-er.

---

by: Theresa42 @ Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 03:31:40 AM UTC

Pigeons falling dead tell sad tale

It's not bird flu, but it's some kind of an epidemic, say residents of the Union Park area and Khar's 17th Road. For the past week, pigeons have been falling dead on to their terraces, with noticeable frothing at the mouth. At last count, residents have recorded 39 pigeon deaths. They have notified the BMC's ward office about the dead birds.

Said Anandini Thakoor, of Maya building in Khar(W), "When we found 20 dead pigeons in our compound, our initial assumption was that they had been poisoned." But I got a call from other residents in Union Park who informed me about pigeon deaths there. We only hope there's no epidemic."

According to Nikhil Shirodkar, of Tarang building in Union Park, his building had 19 dead pigeons, "They've been falling like stones from the terrace."

Thakoor said she informed the health officer at the H (W) ward officer, but he would not take the complaint seriously and, "asked me to approach a vet instead. We have also informed the local corporator, Ashish Shelar." Shelar then apparently asked the ward officer to send the pigeons for examination. But, the ward office said it needed to consult authorities before taking any action.

Jairaj Thanekar, executive health officer of the BMC, said, "I'm not aware of this. But it isn't a cause for alarm. It isn't bird flu. Viruses come from migratory birds. I do not consider it as a public health problem at the moment. I won't take samples from the place."

(snip)

The moral: No one wants to know the tale of dead birds.

http://www.dnaindia....

---

by: Kelly Phan @ Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 03:58:58 AM UTC

Please post new articles to the April 11 diary

News Reports for April 11

Thank you!

---

by: Nimbus @ Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 04:06:08 AM UTC