News Reports for May 30, 2012

UK: Vaccinate all school children against flu - experts

All children should be vaccinated against flu from the age of five to stop them spreading the illness among their families, government advisers have said.

(Snip) a new universial vaccination programme could start in the autumn of 2014 with a nasal spray vaccine, called Fluenz, that avoids the use of needles. Schoolchildren from the age of five would be vaccinated every year.  
(Snip)
The panel is in the final stages of evaluating research on vaccinating schoolchildren before formally recommending the expansion of the programme.

Parents were clamouring for flu jabs for their children last year when thousands were still falling ill from the H1N1 swine flu virus but (Snip) the vaccine was in short supply. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/hea...  

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

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Wed May 30, 2012 at 07:22:56 AM UTC

CIDRAP: Cambodia reports H5N1 death

Cambodia's health ministry has announced that a 10-year-old girl died from H5N1 avian influenza, (Snip) The girl, from Kampong Speu province in central Cambodia, got sick May 20 and was treated in her village before admission to a hospital on May 25. The Pasteur Institute in Cambodia confirmed the presence of H5N1 on May 26, and the girl died on May 27, despite intensive treatment (Snip)

An investigation (Snip) found that recent poultry deaths were reported in her village and that the girl had prepared sick chicken for food before she became ill. The girl is Cambodia's 21st H5N1 case since 2005 and its 19th death from the disease.

So far this year Cambodia has reported three H5N1 infections, all involving children and all fatal. The new case pushes the WHO's global H5N1 count to 604 infections and 357 deaths. http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidr...

May 29 WHO statement http://www.who.int/csr/don/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 @ Wed May 30, 2012 at 07:34:07 AM UTC

Indonesia "Hotspot" For Bird Flu

Shared by dbg of PFI:
http://www.shnews.co/detile-24...

Natalia Santi | Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - 14:51:52 PM

JAKARTA - Indonesia is still a country with the highest bird flu death in the world. Overall mortality rate reached 83 percent. Since July 2003-May 2012, there were 189 cases of bird flu in humans, with 157 deaths.

"In 2012 there were six cases, all died. Thus, the death rate reached 100 percent, "said Director of Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health, Rita Kusriastuti in the Seminar "Dissemination of Lesson Learned Implementing the National Strategic Plan for Avian Influenza (INSPAI) in Indonesia, Towards One Health Framework for Pandemic Preparedness" in Jakarta, Monday (28/5).

Currently 56 city districts have reported bird flu in Indonesia. There are also cases where contact with the patient never, never any contact with poultry or pet birds, and his house was clean, but still affected by bird flu. "There are birds that can transmit H5N1 through the dirt, such as ducks and geese. Healthy animals, but pass on H5N1 through water, soil, fertilizers containing the virus, "says Rita.

Transmission because of the environment has reached 27 percent, while direct transmission from animals exposed to H5N1 like directly holding, cutting, or maintaining reached 29 percent.

Most cases are found in doctors' afternoon practice or private clinics.

Although bird flu has been intense socialization, a number of people who seek treatment immediately if suffer a fever around the house when there are only a few dead chickens. Of the total, only 16 cases of immediate medical treatment since the first day of illness, or about 8 percent. The average patient dies within three days.

Indonesia has a national strategic plan includes protection against high-risk group, both in animal and human, animal and human surveillance, restructuring the poultry industry. The strategic plan was prepared based on a global strategy to face the bird flu.

Although these programs noted some successes, given the vast geography and large population, the impact would be limited. There are still gaps to be overcome in the future.

Representatives from the World Health Organization, Dr Graham Tallis, said Indonesia is a hotspot for potential pandemics and emerging infectious diseases, given the state of the environment as well as geography and its democratic character. "It is therefore important concept of One World One Health is understood by all practitioners of public health, nature reserve management officials, veterinarians, policy makers and academics, to increase the capacity of this country," he said. Need an effective multidisciplinary solutions to prevent infectious disease pandemic.

EU Deputy Ambassador in Jakarta Colin Crooks expressed concerned about the conditions in Indonesia. Concerns were primarily related to the threat of epidemic, which will also spread to Europe if it really happened.

Therefore, the EU provides assistance related to bird flu control, amounting to 8 million euros of funding Global Avian Influenza and Human Facility (AHIF), who managed the World Bank added 13.5 million euros to support the national strategy for Indonesia.

Constraints

Deputy of Three Fields Coordination for Health, Family Planning and Population Welfare Coordinating Ministry, Emil Agustiono revealed, bird flu is difficult to control because of the require multisectoral cooperation. Contingency plans were never implemented or tested, so do not know where their weaknesses. "The plan must be implemented, not only in concept," he said.

One of the other difficulties is the vet is not included into the ranks of government to help deal with infectious diseases. In addition, many international aid that overlap with national policy.

Funds are available from bird flu in the state budget funds for coverage of infectious disease because the animals (zoonosis) to Rp 2 trillion over the next five years and spread over several ministries.

In Indonesia there are currently 100 hospitals in 10 referral hospitals that have a special isolation room. Among other things, Friendship Hospital, Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, Tangerang District Hospital, Kandau RS, RS Gunung Jati, RS Sulianti Saroso, Dr Soetomo RS, RS Dr. Mawardi, Moeloek Abdoel RS, and RS Ulin Banjarmasin.

Indonesia also has reserves of 5 million oseltamivir, a two-year expiration period. Oseltamivir is only partially in use, but needs to be provided for a possible pandemic. Unfortunately, for accountability at the State Audit Board, it can be dragged into court because health officials are accused of wasting public finance.

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed May 30, 2012 at 16:30:50 PM UTC

Increase virulence?

This caught my eye in above article

The average patient dies within three days.

I don't know if they mean recently or over all since 2003, but if memory serves it used to take longer than that from onset to death, average about 7 to 10 days I think.


Always have a plan B.

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by: maryinhawaii @ Thu May 31, 2012 at 03:53:47 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Patients Should Participate Bird Flu DNA Test

May 30, 2012
http://www.mediaindonesia.com/...
(Article Translated)
Jakarta,Indonesia, FP: The Government is advising to test the sorting (sequencing) of DNA for bird flu positive patients.  Through the mystery of the expected DNA, the sequencing of H5N1 virus infection that causes bird flu from birds to humans can be exposed.

"The mode of transmission from birds to humans remains a mystery.  People have tested positive for bird flu, but the animal was never found that infected them with certainty," said Secretary of the National Zoonosis Agustiono Emil on Monday (28/5) in Calcutta.

According to Emil, the DNA sorting on the victims who test positive for bird flu in Indonesia has not yet been done completely.  He said he did not know the reason why the DNA segregation test  has not been completely necessary though he firmly believes that this could be a key test of the various questions that can not be revealed.  Because, by doing DNA sequencing in bird flu positive humans and poultry, they may be able to unfold the mystery of why the filaments (set of two or more different cells) of the two creatures can be connected.

"From the test, it may be known what the risk factors are that facilitate transmission," he added.


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

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by: History Lover @ Wed May 30, 2012 at 17:27:53 PM UTC

Suspected Bird Flu, Dozens Of Chickens Sudden Death In Sidawangi [West Java]

http://cirebonnews.com/Berita/...
Shared by dbg of PFI:

Wednesday, May 30, 2012 9:05 pm

Sumber, (CNC). - Eighty village chickens died suddenly in Sidawangi Village, Sumber Subdistrict, Cirebon Regency, Tuesday (29/5). After review of Department of Agriculture, proved the chickens tested positive for bird flu.

Information compiled, while an employee of Animal Unit, Kusmana (26 years) who are the local villagers to get reports from Mari (70 years), that the chickens died suddenly.

After receiving a citizen reporting, Kusmana finally check the condition of the chicken. He then took him to the Animal Husbandry Unit. After being questioned at a local laboratory, it was chicken that died suddenly was positive for bird flu.

"At first I got a report from Mari, then he's a dead chicken, I take saliva samples. Having studied in the laboratory, the chicken was tested positive for H5N1 virus or bird flu, "said Kusmana.

The next day, some of the parties involved came to the village of Sidawangi, where the scene of a suspected case of bird flu. Together representatives Distanbunnakhut Cirebon, as well as Livestock Unit Cirebon, Village Government, represented Sidawangi Head of Economic Affairs and Building (Kaur Ekbang), spraying at the point that became known early suspect Sidawangi bird flu in the village.

"Once I figure out to the community, was the case of chickens that died suddenly had occurred two weeks earlier, but there is a report just yesterday," said Kaur Ekbang Sidawangi Village, Kurnen.

One resident RT 04 RW 04 Sidawangi Village, Ani (51), explained to Distanbunnakhut that his neighbor, Amnah (39 years) having symptoms such as fever traits affected by bird flu. But unfortunately, Amnah not at home and is doing the treatment at local health centers.

One resident, who experienced his chicken that died suddenly, Juhedi (45 years), admitted that no caged chicken that fell from the tree without any cause. Sudden death, experienced three chickens in one night.

"Last night, my cock that was already used to not grounded, all of a sudden I found was on the ground and die, whereas in the afternoon to look healthy," said Juhedi.

The first location thought to be the beginning bird flu suspect in Sidawangi Village is a yard owned by residents that is a children's playground.

Head of Animal Health Distanbunnakhut Cirebon, Yulli Mulyana told the local health center staff that handle almost every day of her pet chickens cases of people who die suddenly. Overcome it, Yulli recommends that every community a healthy lifestyle as much as possible.

"I suggest that if the children have direct contact with chickens, must wash hands using soap. Because the chicken is still alive it is not necessarily free from bird flu, "he said.

Village Government, represented Sidawangi Ekbang Kaur, Kurnen explained that the presence of an event like this, it will exert every Chairman of RT and RW to promote early treatment on the incidence of the chickens that died suddenly and it was positive for bird flu.

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by: bgw in MT @ Thu May 31, 2012 at 01:57:28 AM UTC

Please post new news stories to...

News Reports for May 31, 2012

Thank you!

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 May 31, 2012 at 05:14:06 AM UTC

Faster than a speeding bullet!

Who was that caped crusader who beat me to the "put it to bed" post again?

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by: AlohaOR @ Thu May 31, 2012 at 05:21:10 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

AlohaOR

Actually, I thought you had put yourself to bed for the night and I didn't want to wake you up to make you work! LOL

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 @ Sat Jun 02, 2012 at 00:31:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]