Saturday, November 22, 2008

Rare Disease Scares Amarillo

Reported by: David Maritnez

Friday, Nov 21, 2008 @06:07pm CST


AMARILLO -- It's called Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and the Amarillo Health Department is investigating a suspected case of it.
CJD is a brain disorder that typically affects older people it's considered the human form of Mad Cow Disease, which has some people scared.
But education might clear that up.
Often times people link the two diseases together and that's because of how the disease destroys.
Mad Cow affects a cows central nervous system and it's always fatal.
C.J.D. is also fatal but it affects a humans brain, creating holes similar to a sponge.
There's no cure. And often, the victim's entire life, including their memory, deteriorates rapidly.
According to the Amarillo Public Health Department, there's about ten to eleven confirmed cases in Texas every year.
There's no known cause so health officials can't pinpoint a reason.
We do know only a very small number of people get it from eating beef.
Most people who get the rare disease get it because proteins in the brain changed.
Right now, the City of Amarillo tells us there's no reason for anyone to be scared or concerned about their health.
"We're investigating all of the medical records of the case and we're attempting to confirm that it is that Sporadic CJD. So the differential diagnosis, the signs and symptoms match that definition but we're not gonna be able to know without some confirmation tests," says Matt Richardson of the Amarillo Public Health Department.
As for this suspected case Richardson can't tell us too much about this patient.
All we know is that she lives in the Amarillo area.
It's interesting to note that about three hundred people across the nation come down with CJD every year.
The incubation period for CJD can last anywhere between fourteen weeks to forty years.
Basically that means that someone can have the disease and not know it for a very long time
.

Threatening environment

This story says people in vietnam have been burying millions of birds, pigs, other animals and that after tests,they are finding groundwater and well poisoned. The wells are being tested. They also seem to say even after 3 moths avian influenza is still in the ground and burial areas and that people need to conform to strict burials of the animals, but do not. They bury them in secret areas, not deep enough, or in wetlands. At the link the pictures expand.


Friday, 21/11/2008, 10:00
Many special secret place they choose pets sick



TP - burying a unique method for handling poultry infected, according to guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, but the impact of the burying poultry to the environment, human health ... long bay is still open.

According to a report of the Department of Livestock Production, at the end of 2003, avian influenza has re phạt 5 dot, the number of poultry must have been destroyed on the 51 million children, the loss of thousands of billion dong. Along it, and "swine", disease-and-Mouth Disease ... also has to take hundreds of thousands of animals.

Therefore, when the Department of Animal Health announced results of research of more than 65% of wells located near the park ho burying influenza polluted because the organism has caused serious residual bladder Comment Emperor ...

All those animals and poultry on, this way, otherwise have been burying scattered all over the country. Although no specific statistics but according to estimates, in a few years there have been hundreds of thousands of ho burying livestock, poultry infected; only Ha Tay (old) already on the 550 they choose.

More worrying, most of the poultry being destroyed are burying at the regional outbreak. Position burying mainly buried outside the farm or at the cemetery, go hills, rivers and coastal streams.

"If drawing on the map the density they choose, the more the region will find expression in thickness. For example, the first stage of avian influenza in 2004 caused more than 43.9 million poultry have been destroyed, concentrated mainly in Long An, Tien Giang, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Ha Tay (now belongs to Ha Noi); they choose the most up to 104,000 children, they choose popularity from 20,000 to 50,000 children "- Ba Nguyen Hoa Ly, representative group of researchers, said.

Organic substances toxic, because the organism ... carry ho

Department of Animal Health said, with 31-54% of them are sup lun after burying; they choose to be a nut on the brow, reek wind surrounding area. In 19 they choose be excavated, the number of households having the dirty water overflowing from the mouth after you burying occupies 2,1-4,7% and often occur in many areas of wetlands, land with underground water layers low , Land set no water absorbent.

Dirty water by the process of destroying the yem air flow should they choose to carry surroundings. The cause is determined to be caused by the installation is done frugality, not tightly compressed on land brow or too thin layer of soil.

Mrs. Hoa Nguyen Ly - representatives of the research team Department of Animal Health said, they choose in the 3 influenza in Ha Tay (old), with the number of from 6,500 to 7,600 children / ho (buried May 2 / 2004), contains substances they choose the black kit, wet and smell great time.

Buried animals infected disease in Thanh Hoa.


In it, discovered a lot of piece of bone influenza hard, difficult to distinguish canceled. Hair influenza, including nilon unclear when influenza is almost buried intact, though have been buried up to 3 months!

Also in the last 3 they choose this, through tests for results: Chat organic fluctuation in approximately 16-26% (rounded); moisture from more than 58% to 72%. Of the total 134 samples of water wells (60 wells Training and 74 wells) of the camp are burying poultry be checked (the way they choose well below 50 m, the number of influenza from 500 to 3,000 children / ho), there are to form more than 23% infected by dirty organic substances, more than 42% infected by dirty because the organism. The rate of drilled wells infected ban is 12.5%, while wells Training infected ban on more than 65%.

Especially, for they choose large (over 30,000 children / ho), capable of causing pollution as serious. The increase in pollution from the first 7-8 months and the level of pollution is the highest period of 12-20 months after burying.

Therefore, research group, said that to overcome the status of environmental pollution by burying ho influenza caused, it should disseminate technical burying people to perform when the outbreak.

DAH acknowledges, but they are still buried animals and poultry not properly technical, and even they choose the correct process, it still causes environmental pollution in many different degree.

Although most of them choose made by the Department of Animal Health, which guides the pollution they choose from this still very heavily, especially in areas low, low. Therefore, research group, said that to overcome the status of environmental pollution by burying ho influenza caused, it should disseminate technical burying people to perform when the outbreak

A suspected case of bird flu spreads panic in Mauritius

Mauritius is an island in the Indian Ocean.


The hospital Dr Jeetoo Port-Louis has witnessed a scene of panic Friday afternoon and early evening, because of the presence in the emergency department of a Mauritian, back from a trip to Indonesia and Malaysia, which presented the symptoms of bird flu.


-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Saturday 22 November 2008 by Panapress

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


Aged 67 years, this woman had a high fever on arrival at hospital. It is not clear so far which started the rumor that she had been infected by bird flu.

A patient who was examine by a doctor said he had heard all of a sudden the words from a nurse that a serious infection has arrived and that you have to wear masks.

"Everybody ran, doctors, nurses and other staff of the hospital, and masks were distributed to all those who were present, even police officers who were providing the service order," she recounted. Other patients waiting their turn, have been locked in a room.

In the meantime, the woman was isolated pending the outcome of the tests. The director of this hospital, Dr. Somnath Maharahaje said thereafter was not a case of avian flu.

"We have seen a disproportionate hysteria. There is no suspected case of bird flu. We have a person who returned from a trip to Indonesia and suffering from fever and hypothiroïde. We samples for further analysis. There is no fear of contamination, "he assured.

The health minister, Rajesh JEETAH, is also descended to the hospital to reassure patients.
thanks Dutchy

PANDEMIC SIMULATION

The Jakarta Post Sat, 11/22/2008 6:29 PM National


Health inspectors with special wardrobes take samples from a chicken for avian influenza tests in Tamangapa village, Makassar, on Saturday. The activity was part of a simulation on how to handle an avian influenza pandemic.
credit Croftsblog

United States Reports H1N1 Tamiflu Resistance


Recombinomics Commentary 14:30
November 22, 2008

Since October 1, 2008, two influenza A (H1N1) viruses, four influenza A (H3N2) viruses, and five influenza B viruses have been tested for antiviral resistance. One of the two influenza A (H1N1) viruses was found to be resistant to oseltamivir.

In addition, CDC performed antiviral resistance testing on one influenza A (H1N1), three influenza A (H3N2), and four influenza B viruses collected during September. All tested viruses are sensitive to both oseltamivir and zanamivir.

Three isolates from specimens collected during September were tested for adamantane resistance. The one influenza A (H1N1) virus tested and the two influenza A (H3N2) viruses tested were resistant to the adamantanes.

The above comments are from the week 46 influenza report from the CDC. Although the reporting on H1N1 is limited (the report cited 61 H1N1 isolates confirmed since October 1), data from last season and initial data from Canada and Europe paint a clear picture of H1N1 oseltamivir resistance at or near 100% in North America and Europe.

Last season the level of oseltamivir resistance in the United States was relatively low (near 10% of H1N1 isolates), which was due in part to clade 2C (Hong Kong) isolates which were negative for oseltamivir resistance (0 % in public sequences), but near 100% in adamantine resistance (M2 S31N).

The above comments indicate that the one H1N1 isolate collected in September was clade 2C, which is not surprising because most of the clade 2C isolates in the US last season were in the Pacific region, and most of the H1N1 reported for this season thus far was also in the Pacific region.

The above report includes the first oseltamivir resistant strain this season in the US, which is likely the Brisbane/59 sub-clade, which has H274Y but has a wild type M2 (adamantine sensitive). The October isolate, which is negative for H274Y, is likely clade 2C, but test results for M2 for this isolate have not been reported yet.

Thus, although only one of three H1N1 isolates in the US has H274Y, it is likely that only one of the three isolates is Brisbane/59 (it is unlikely that the “Brisbane/59 – like” antigen characterization distinguishes between clade 2B and clade 2C - both are called “Brisbane/59 – like”). Thus, although the antigenic characterization will not distinguish clade 2B from 2C, the resistance pattern will (clade 2B will have H274Y and S31, while clade 2C will have H274 and S31N).

However, this pattern may change because recent clade 2C sequences from Hong Kong had H274Y – the M2 sequence wasn’t released, so it is unclear if these isolates also had S31N). The 2008 Hong Kong sequences had evidence of reassortment and recombination between clade 2B and 2C. The HA sequence (2C) had a polymorphism that was among the newly acquired polymorphism in South Africa (2B), while one of the HA 2C isolates had an NA sequences that was the dominant 2B sub-clade.

Thus, at this time the limited data from the CDC is consistent with 100% H274Y levels in the Brisbane/59 strain, which is consistent with levels in Canada (1/1), England (12/13), Scotland (2/2) and Norway (1/1), although the Norway isolate had a likely origin in the US.

The US and Canada are both significantly lagging in the release of H274Y levels (the Canadian isolate was reported a month ago and the number of reported H274Y results of H1N1 isolates remains at one), which has delayed announcements on antiviral recommendations reflecting the true levels in Birsbane/59, which are at or near 100%. However, release of serotype data clear indicates that most isolates in the US are influenza A and the ratio of H1N1 to H3N2 is running near 5:1, signaling a high level of oseltamivir resistance overall.

Release of updated H274Y levels in H1N1 the US and Canada would be useful.

The Demak resident Suspect Bird Flu The

Sunday, November 23 2008 00:00

DEMAK—Lagi, a patient suspect bird flu was treated in RSUP Kariadi Semarang. The female patient had the initials Dj, 50, the resident RT 4 RW 5 Donorejo villages, Kecamatan Karangtengah, Demak, was reconciled to RSUP Kariadi on Tuesday (18/11), after could be treated for two hours in the Daerah Hospital (RSD) Sunan Kalijaga Demak. RSD Sunan Kalijaga Sukardjo SKM public relations said, Dj was carried to the hospital on Tuesday (18/11) with the sign of the hot body high was accompanied by acute coughs as well as was difficult to breathe.

Upon arrival at RSD, the patient suspect the bird flu was at once isolated in special space, that is in Soka space. And, after being carried out by observation for approximately two hours, finally Dj was reconciled to RSUP Kariadi Semarang by the Kesehatan Service (Dinkes) Demak. “Ruang our isolation was more inadequate. Wanted did not want, the patient was reconciled by us to Semarang. Because, the patient needed tight isolation space. If not, we worried his condition increasingly memburuk,” said Sukardjo to the Semarang Radar yesterday.

One of the children Dj, Miftahul Ummah, 36, when being met this newspaper in his house the afternoon yesterday (22/11) said, his mother was carried to RSD Sunan Kalijaga last Tuesday (18/11) after experienced was sick difficult flu.
However, himself did not know whether his mother was affected by bird flu or not. According to him, two the previous day, to be precise on Sunday (16/11), his mother could throw his property chicken that suddenly died to the river close to his house away.
Tapi, before that, the mother already coughs, and hot badan,” he said.
Beforehand, continued Miftahul, his mother could also sell as many as 20 nonpedigreed chickens that were maintained. The chicken that was sold in the healthy situation all. The chicken sales revenue was then used by casualties to buy fertiliser. “Selang two days, the mother felt his body to be hot. He direct memeriksakan to the village doctor. But, not sembuh,” he said.

In the meantime, last Friday (21/11), the Kesehatan Service side of the Regency and the Central Javan Province has also carried out the checking to the location of the Dj residence in the Donorejo Village, Karangtengah. They took the sample of blood of hundreds of chickens belonging to the Dj neighbour for the need of the research in the laboratory.
Suwarno, Donorejo Village equipment that also the neighbour Dj said, the sample of blood that was taken by this Kesehatan Service was not yet known by results. Because, still in the process of the research. “Kita was asked to be waiting hasilnya,”ujar him in the Dj house yesterday.

When being confirmed, Plt Section Head Kesehatan Demak Dr Singgih went through Kasi Pemberantasan of Sri Hartanto infectious diseases explained, the patient suspect this bird flu of two could the previous day hold his property chicken that suddenly died. Two days afterwards that was relevant experienced hot high, then was brought took medicine, and has been given medicine tamiflu.

However, because of not having the change, finally was brought to RSD Demak. After being observed two hours in the hospital, then were sent to RS Kariadi, Semarang. “Setelah was checked by results of the negative. But, we not yet confirmation ulang,” he explained the afternoon yesterday. Contacted was separated, public relations of RS Kariadi Semarang M. Alfan confirmed if Dj was the reconciliation patient from RSD Kalijaga Demak. “Dj entered RSUP Kariadi on Tuesday, November 18 lalu,” obviously him.
While being treated in RSUP Kariadi Semarang, continued he, Dj was placed in special isolation space the bird flu patient. This remembered Dj had the clinical sign that was suspected by Avian Influenza (AI). Among them, the high fever, breathless, as well as beforehand contact with the poultry. Nevertheless, according to Alfan, the Dj condition was not as serious as DS (15), the positive patient bird flu from Medoho, Kelurahan Siwalan, Kecamatan Gayamsari that died last Friday (7/11).

“Karena the patient diindikasi bird flu, then we then gave the handling was proper for the flu patient burung,” he explained. Until striking 20,00 last night, the Dj condition continued to improve. Unfortunately, through to last night did not yet have the explanation whether Dj positive bird flu or not. This newspaper also did not yet get medical information from the doctor RSUP Kariadi, because of the doctor who handled Dj was being outside negeri.

Again, Kariadi Hospital Care Suspect AI Saturday

22 November 2008 Saturday,
SEMARANG (long) - go back Kariadi RSUP of patients receiving suspect Avian Influenza (AI), JW, 50, village residents Donorejo, Demak. Since Tuesday (18/11), patients into RSUP Kariadi off on a referral from hospitals in the district of Demak.
Patients experiencing the symptoms of clinical suspicion of AI, such as fever, breathlessness, and contact with poultry. Patients treated in the installation of special facilities for handling the bird flu.
RSUP of public relations Kariadi M Alfan disclose, the condition of the patient is not too bad. Actions refer patients suspect AI is appropriate before the condition worsened.
"When patients suspectAI suspected, the patient will be subject to appropriate standards of care AI although the results have not yet known," said Alfan long time to be contacted yesterday.
Until 19:30, patients are still in control despite the condition of patients continue to improve. According to Alfan, pasiensudah not experienced difficulty breathing and fever.
"If conditions continue to improve patient, the patient akansegerapulangke home," said Alfan. Related medical conditions patients, medical authorities can not provide details. The doctors who handle patients suspcet AI are abroad.
In separate places, hospitals, Sunan Humas Kalijogo District Demak Sukarjo confirming that the residence of patients with constipation poultry that is close to the place of chicken.
Patients go to hospitals, Sunan Kalijogo Tuesday (18/11) with the condition to worsen, such as high fever accompanied by cough and breathlessness, the afternoon brought the patient directly to Semarang to get further treatment.
"Viewing the clinical symptoms of patients that leads to bird flu, and coordinate denganbeberapapihaktermasuk District Health Office decided Demak patients referred to the Kariadi (RSUP Dr. Kariadi)," he said when contacted long, yesterday.

Meanwhile, Kasi of Diseases (P2M) At the official P2PL District Health Office Hartanto Demak Sri state, patients with constipation has been stored poultry. Before entering the hospital, patients were dikabarkan dispose of dead chickens. "In previous live near the place also found many dead chickens," he explained.
Up to now, has not been known to have carried out the spraying in the area or belum.Namun, from the Office of Health have conducted penyisiran residents in the area whether there is also the clinical symptoms such as the JW. "If spraying, they represent the Animal Husbandry Department.
Already or less what I know, "pungkasnya. Previously a patient suspectflu bird DS, 15, residents Road Medoho III, RT05 / I Neighborhood Siwalan Subdistrict Gayamsari Semarang, also had to undergo treatment in Kariadi before finally died on 7 November and because of the positive AI.
Adverse events that the City Health Office (DKK) Tauranga City Tauranga define the status of Extraordinary Events (KLB) Avian Influenza (AI) ataufluburung.


Determination KLB is also followed by the destruction of a number of birds and cages around the house victims. However, after a defined status as KLB bird flu, since Friday (21 / 11), DKK Semarang eventually revoke the status KLB Semarang. However, citizens remain prompted to increase kewaspadaannya against the disease. (hendrati hapsari/ mg02/susilo himawan)

Here is the TT version of the first part of the article

Lagi,RS Kariadi treated Suspect AI on Saturday, on November 22 2008 Semarang (SINDO) – RSUP Dr Kariadi again received the patient suspect Avian influenza (AI), JW, 50, (citizen, resident )the Village Donorejo,Demak.
Since Tuesday (18/11) ,pasien entered RSUP Dr Kariadi on reconciliation from a hospital in the Demak Regency. The patient experienced clinical signs that were suspected by AI, like the fever, breathless, and was touching with the poultry.
The patient was treated in the room of the special installation the handling of bird flu. RSUP public relations Dr Kariadi M. Alfan said, the condition for the patient was not too bad. The action reconciled the patient suspect AI was judged exact before his condition increasingly worsened.
Ketika the patient was suspected suspectAI,pasien will be put on by the maintenance in accordance with the AI standard although being not yet known hasilnya,” Alfan words when being contacted by SINDO yesterday. Until struck 19,30, the patient was still continuing in the supervision although the condition for the patient continued to improve. According to Alfan,pasiensudah did not experience breathless and feverish.

hattip MOJO
Makassar Summary Update III
by Commonground

New summary based upon this article: “13 residents have been returned”.

On last Saturday, his son who was named Irwan, 6 years, as well as his three nephews that still pre-schoolers were allowed to return to the house. “
This leaves me to believe that these people would be:
Irwan (6)
Alif (3 months) Isolation RS Wahidin. Home 11/22.
Desi (5), Isolation RS Wahidin. Home 11/22.
Eki Desviani (5 months) Isolation RS Wahidin. Home 11/22.

If the three are his nephews..than he is related as a sibling to their parent.
Therefore, Rizal/Rusian is the brother to the parents of these three above....I think there are two sets of parents involved.

Beforehand, 5 other residents have also been allowed to return to his house was their respective.”
That would be:
firdaus (6)
Fauzi Ibn Rajab (3 months)
Rahmawati (2)
Hasnawati (34)
Annisa (6)

his brother-in-law of Saleha” as well as his two neighbours still continue to was in RSUP Wahidin Sudirohusodo
Word for word definition is “younger brother brother-in-law”
Saleha (12)/Saleha (10/11)
Ilham (2)
(?) other neighbor

Ruslan also informed his two neighbours just was put into RSUP Wahidin Sudirohusodo as suspect bird flu.”
Ikbal (6)
Karmila (4)



Makassar
RS Wahidin

From: Tangki Jangang Village, RW2 RT5 Patte’ne, Sudiang, Biringkanaya
Recon: Sudiang Community Health Centre
symptoms: high fever, vomiting, coughing. breathless.

Admitted 11/12:
Nurul Awaliah/Andia/ (3), (1st one sick) (08.00) (blood sent) Intensive Care, Pakis. Still admitted.
Nurfadillah /Nur Matan/ (4 months), No blood taken. (between 08-12.00) Intensive Care Pakis Bldg. sib. Home: 11/14.
Salman (6/4), (08.00) (blood sent) Intensive Care, Pakis Bldg. sib. Sym onset: 11/10 (?) Still admitted.
Saleha (12)/Saleha (10/11), sib. (12.00) (blood sent) Isolation/observe, RS Wahidin. Still admitted.
Irwan (6), (12.00) (blood sent) Isolation/observe, RS Wahidin. Home 11/22.
Johani (60)/Yohani (50). (12.00) (blood sent) Isolaltion/observe, RS Wahidin Grandparent to Irwan. Still admitted.

Notes:
Grandparent:
Juhani (50) - still admitted

Children:
Dg Nginga (mother). Husband: Rizal/Ruslan. Not admitted.
Saleha (12) - still admitted

Grandchildren:
Nurul Awaliah (3) - still admitted
Nurfadillah (4 mos) - home 11/14
Salman (6/4) - still admitted
Irwan (6) - home 11/22


Admitted 11/13:

firdaus (6), 11/14: Condition good, except fever still high. Isolation/observe, RS Wahidin. Played with chicken that died. Home 11/20.
Fauzi Ibn Rajab (3 months) Intensive Care, Pakis Bldg. Fever/breathless since night of 11/11. Home 11/20.

Ilham (2), Isolation RS Wahidin. Still admitted.
Alif (3 months) Isolation RS Wahidin. Home 11/22.
Desi (5), Isolation RS Wahidin. Home 11/22.
Eki Desviani (5 months) Isolation RS Wahidin. Home 11/22.
Rahmawati (2) Isolation RS Wahidin. Home 11/20.
Hartati/Nartati (26), isolation/observe, RS Wahidin. Home 11/22.
Nuraine/Nuraeni (31), isolation/observe, RS Wahidin Home 11/22.
Hasnawati (34), isolation/observe, RS Wahidin. Home 11/20.
Annisa (6), isolation, observe. Home 11/20.


Notes:
Parent:
Jufri (30)

Children:
firdaus (6) home 11/20
fauzi (3 mos) - home 11/20
Ahmad Hidayat - older brother, not admitted.

Siblings:
Ikbal (6)
Ilham (2)

Cousins and Siblings:
Alif (3 months)
Desi (5),
Eki Desviani (5 months)



Admitted 11/18:
Ikbal (6) Sibbling of Iiham. From: Village Tangkejangang Street Patterne RW2 RT 5. Isolation. Still admitted.
Karmila (4) From: Village Tangkejangang Street Patterne RW2 RT 5. Isolation. Still admitted.

FAO to conduct bird flu communication workshop in Cambodia

[November 22, 2008]

PHNOM PENH, Nov 22, 2008 (Xinhua via COMTEX) --
The Cambodian Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in collaboration with
the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
will organize an Avian Influenza Emergency Risk Communication
Workshop from Nov. 24 to 25, said a government press release here
on Saturday.
"The two-day training will introduce the members of the Avian
Influenza Communication Task Force to steps necessary to plan and
develop a response so they can effectively communicate control
measures to contain an outbreak and prevent its further spread,"
it said.
Participants are provincial veterinarians, district
veterinarians, village chiefs and village animal health workers
from Pursat and Kampong Chhnang, two provinces which have not had
an outbreak of bird flu,
and staff of the Ministry's Department of
Animal Health and Production.
These provinces will also be covered by the AI outbreak
simulation exercise to be conducted next week by the MAFF and FAO
to test the effectiveness of the Ministry's Guide for Avian
Influenza Outbreak Investigation and Emergency Response
.
"The workshop will provide participants with practical
direction on how to effectively communicate correct information
and what to do during the pre-outbreak, outbreak and post-outbreak
periods. It is important to note that this training will only
address the communication aspect of a response to avian influenza,

Riau: 9-Year Old Child from Sembuh Suspect Bird Flu

Saturday, November 22, 2008

CITY (RP) - A toddler NW (9), which is called a positive bird flu patients treated in hospitals and Arifin Achmad shows the development of the healing begin. Residents of Bandar Sekijing Subdistrict, Regency is mentioned parties, such hospitals may return next week.

Children third pair Suprianto and Misnia, employees of PT Guna Dodos have been getting intensive treatment at hospitals Arifin Ahmad Pekanbaru since Friday (14/11) ago. At that time, according to accounts of the parents, NW, children bungsunya is suffering a high fever. Because of the fear that something desired, the second orangtuannya directly to Pekanbaru, Friday (14/11) and the Hospital Santa Maria. However, the Hospital Santa Maria refers directly to the family treated in hospitals Arifin Ahmad Pekanbaru.

Until Friday (21/11) around 17:00 WIB, toddlers disease is reduced and is starting to eat and sleep with a voracious lelap. Of course, fathers keduaorang faithful to accompany the next two weeks.

''Initially, we experienced a high fever. Fear of something happening, we immediately bring them to hospital and treated it well. I was, however, now it starts to fade reduced. We are also grateful, the cost of treatment is also directly overcome the government,''commentator Misnia to the Riau Post, length.

When asked whether the family is to raise poultry, Misnia and Suprianto said is correct. Suprianto keep five chickens and after knowing her son attacked by bird flu, without directly Suprianto been burnt. He can not be sure whether the children infected chicken piaraannya because there has been no previous similar incidents.

Meanwhile, Azisman of caring for toddlers confirms, NW suffering from the disease is positive of bird flu. After intensive treatment is done, then slowly progress is visible. At least, two weeks ahead NW and their families can return to the village.

Currently''is still in the stage of healing. We look forward to the next two weeks could have been sent home,''he asserts.

Not Receive Health Report

Meanwhile, the Office of Health through the Head of Riau Subdinas of Health and Nutrition Drg Burhanudin Agung saying the government can not determine whether NW positive of bird flu or not because the patient's blood sample is examined laboratory center. Delivery of sample done three times. "Until now we are still awaiting the results of inspection reports the blood sample,''he said when contacted by phone provider, yesterday evening.

hat-tip Dutchy

13 residents have been returned

[This article gives some much needed information on the relationships of the 17 cases.
Ruslan (almost his whole family suspected of contracting bird flu)

Irwan (6) son
Three Nephews (all preschool)

Continue to be treated, have to ascertain if infected with bird flu:
Ruslan parent-in-law (father/mother in-law): Juhani
Rusian brother-in law: Saleha
2 neighhbors

“Ruslan also informed his two neighbours just was put into RSUP Wahidin Sudirohusodo as suspect bird flu. “
(this is not clear enough to determine if it is the same 2 neighbors mentioned above)]


Suspect Flu Burung di Tangki Jangang
Sabtu, 22-11-08 | 16:02 | 22
As many as 13 from 17 residents of the Jangang Tank, Kelurahan Sudiang, of Kecamatan Biringkanaya, that beforehand it was suspected contracted bird flu finally had been returned. Was based on results of the laboratory inspection, was not found by the existence of the bird flu virus in the sample of their blood. Ruslan, one of the residents that almost all of his family was stamped suspect bird flu felt grateful.

On last Saturday, his son who was named Irwan, 6 years, as well as his three nephews that still pre-schoolers were allowed to return to the house.

Beforehand, 5 other residents have also been allowed to return to his house was their respective.

However the Ruslan parent-in-law was named Juhani, his brother-in-law of Saleha, as well as his two neighbours still continue to was in RSUP Wahidin Sudirohusodo in order to ascertains the four of them also not terjangkit bird flu. "Possibly they will go in the near future out," said Ruslan.

Ruslan admitted to since the beginning of himself being convinced the size family not terjangkit the deadly illness. He suspected the medical official from the Sudiang Community Health Centre too much was on the alert when diagnosing the illness that was suffered by his family's member.

At this time, the condition for the family's Ruslan member who could be treated has begun to improve. Only, Ruslan regretted the shortage of attention of local government apparatus. "Our family's ten days were treated, there were not even one of the local government apparatus that came," said Ruslan. Ruslan also informed his two neighbours just was put into RSUP Wahidin Sudirohusodo as suspect bird flu. The "sample" of "their blood was still being researched," he stated.

Friday, November 21, 2008

More, 5 Dimusnahkan Warga poultries was appealed to

Antisipatif MAKASSAR, Upeks --
for the period two weeks, already hundreds of poultries that were destroyed related the plague of bird flu that attacked poultries in the Biringkanaya Subdistrict territory. On last Thursday (20/11), as many as 5 poultries were destroyed because positive was infected by the bird flu virus. The head of the Peternakan Dinas Kelautan Field and Pangan Endurance, Juliestiawati, to Upeks, on Thursday (20/11), said, his side will continue to control each territory that was expected terjangkit this virus.
The previous day, there were approximately 60 chickens that were destroyed so as the total poultry that was destroyed already totalling 65 tails for the last two days in the Sudiang Raya District.
Beforehand, in the Sudiang District was destroyed totalling 167 tails so as the total whole since the last two weeks already as many as 132 tails of the poultry that was destroyed with the road were burnt. "There were five poultries that were destroyed in the Sudiang Raya District so as the total poultry that was destroyed in the district reached 65 tails," he revealed. Moreover, his side as well as the Health Service of the Makassar City made a plea so that the inhabitants could be more anticipatory and immediately reported if his poultry there are those that died suddenly.

Poultry markets major source of bird flu, govt says

The Jakarta Post 11/22/2008 9:07 AM

The government has warned of an increase in bird flu cases across Java, saying the deadly virus may have already infected 50 percent of poultry sold at markets throughout Jakarta, Banten and West Java.

There was a “strong indication” that poultry markets across western Java were affected, the National Committee for Bird Flu Control and Pandemic Preparedness said Friday.

Committee executive director Bayu Krisnamurthi said the government would focus its efforts on the management of markets in the affected areas, in an effort to stop the virus spreading.

Flouting of market regulations could give rise to a new main source of bird-to-human infections, he added.

“Markets with no zoning, in which the required three separate zones — for poultry pens, slaughterhouses and retail outlets — are not implemented, could pose higher risks of becoming a source of infections, as could markets using the same facilities for multiple species,” Bayu said.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a bird flu discussion between the Indonesian government and its international partners.

Our discussion today highlighted the need to focus on live bird markets in dealing with bird flu. The national committee and international institutions will therefore intensify efforts to manage these markets,” he said.

He added since the H5N1 virus was first detected in humans in Indonesia in 2005, most bird-to-human infections were found to have stemmed from traditional methods of rearing poultry at home, with fewer cases caused by contact with poultry in markets.

Live poultry markets, however, were a proven threat in the spread of the virus, Bayu warned, citing a May 2006 case in Karo regency, North Sumatra, which killed six residents.

An anti-bird flu campaign at poultry markets was launched in early 2007, with market operators told to organize their poultry sections into the three separate zones as required.

However, the call got a hostile reception from local authorities and market operators — the parties authorized to manage the markets, Bayu pointed out.

“They’re worried about the economic impact of the move. How will it affect the income of sellers? What about its impact on poultry suppliers?

“The bird flu issue is a complicated matter. We have to take note of cultural and socioeconomic factors when dealing with it,” he said.

The number of bird-to-bird and bird-to-human infections have declined in the country since 2007. As of October this year, there have been 112 deaths from 137 recorded infections. Just recently, 17 suspected bird flu patients, hospitalized in the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar, were cleared of having the virus.

Despite the drop in infection numbers, a bird flu pandemic still threatens the country. Friday’s meeting was held to prepare for such a contingency.

In attendance at the meeting were representatives from the Health Ministry, the Agriculture Ministry, the WHO, the FAO, UNICEF, the ILO, USAID, AUSAID and Germany’s Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ).

The GTZ, in cooperation with the National Education Ministry, is developing modules for a bird flu awareness campaign in elementary schools, aimed at increasing public awareness of the virus.

Contrary to an earlier report in The Jakarta Post, the Health Ministry was not involved in this school campaign.

New strain of deady Ebola virus discovered

Friday, November 21st 2008, 2:48 PM

PARIS — Scientists said Friday an outbreak of Ebola that killed 37 people in Uganda last year was sparked by a hitherto unknown species of one of the world's most notorious viruses.

The strain - provisionally named Bundibugyo ebolavirus after the district where the outbreak occurred - joins four other known species of the pathogen, they said.

More than one in three of patients infected with Bundibugyo died, according to their study, appearing in the US journal PLoS Pathogens, published online by the open-access Public Library of Science (PLoS).

Ebola and the Marburg virus are the two main categories of so-called filovirus which causes hemorrhagic fever (VHF), a disease dubbed a "slate-wiper" for its extreme lethality.

The early signs of VHF are usually a high temperature, exhaustion, dizziness, watery diarrhea and muscle ache. These symptoms are often mistaken for other fevers, such as flu or yellow fever, because VHF is rare.

As the virus spreads, the feverish patient often starts to bleed under the skin and in severe cases, from the mouth, ears and eyes.

Blood loss, shock and organ failure lead to coma and delirium and, in many cases, to death, within three to seven days after onset of symptoms.

Ebola first came to light in 1976 in Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and is named after the Ebola river with which this outbreak is associated.

Approximately 1,850 cases with over 1,200 deaths have been documented since the virus was discovered, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The deadliest strain, Zaire ebolavirus, inflicts a death rate of 80-90 percent, followed by Sudan ebolavirus, with a mortality of 50-55 percent.

The least harmful are the Cote d'Ivoire ebolavirus, which was discovered in the Ivory Coast in 1994 and so far has caused only a single, non-fatal case of VHF; and the Reston ebolavirus, identified at a US research facility in 1989, which spread from imported lab monkeys to at least four people, none of whom fell sick.

The newly-discovered species came to light after VHF erupted in the townships of Bundibugyo and Kikyo in November 2007, says the study, authored by US and Ugandan doctors.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tested 29 blood samples, which were negative to high-sensitivity tests tailored to the three known strains of Ebola virus. But the samples tested positive in an older, broad-spectrum antibody assay.

Intrigued, investigators pulled apart the pathogen's genetic code to see what they had snared.

Using ultra-fast sequencing technology, they decoded the virus' genome in a matter of days, finding a variation of 32 percent compared with the three existing strains.

Of the 149 suspected cases of Bundibugyo ebolavirus, 37 were fatal, translating into a mortality rate of 36 percent.

The wide genetic divergence between the strains has major implications, the authors say.

It will require the invention of new diagnostic tools to detect outbreaks and could complicate the quest for vaccines and treatments.

US scientists working in a Pentagon-backed program successfully tested a vaccine among monkeys in 2005 and 2006, but testing this formula on humans remains a distant goal.

In the absence of a shield or a cure, the only solution is the time-honored method of isolating the patient, providing barrier protection (rubber gloves, gowns and goggles) for health workers and rigidly observing hygiene procedures.

Ebola is also lethal for non-human primates, killing thousands of gorillas and chimps in recent years and endangering those who butcher or handle their meat.

The natural reservoir for the Zaire ebolavirus has been found in three species of fruitbat in the rainforests of central and western Africa. The wildlife host for the three other strains is unknown.

Two dead, 1,500 ill from suspected cholera in southern P

21-NOV-2008 Intellasia AFP
Nov 21, 2008 - 7:00:00 AM
Afflicted children are placed on a table as patients wait at a hospital in Tagoloan town in Misamis Oriental province, located in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao on November 19, 2008 following a suspected outbreak of cholera. At least two people have died and more than 1,500 are in hospital, health officials said. National Epidemiology Centre chief Eric Tayag said patients were suffering severe stomach pains and diarrhoea but added that field doctors were trying to verify if all the cases were due to cholera. (AFP/Getty Images)
At least two people have died and more than 1,500 are in hospital following a suspected outbreak of cholera in the southern Philippines, health officials said Wednesday.

National Epidemiology Centre chief Eric Tayag said patients were suffering severe stomach pains and diarrhoea but added that field doctors were trying to verify if all the cases were due to cholera.

Tayag said the patients "were showing cholera symptoms" and most came from the settlement of Tagoloan in southern Misamis Oriental, where heavy rain has caused minor flooding which could have contaminated the drinking water supply.
The Red Cross said water samples taken from the area were being tested.

A Red Cross official in Manila told AFP the charity's chapter in Misamis Oriental had confirmed that two people had died and that nine out of the 10 villages in Tagaloan were reporting suspected cholera cases.

"We are continuously monitoring the situation and are expecting more field reports to come in later in the day," said the official, who did not want to be named.

Climate change may be causing disease outbreaks in Philippines

Nov 22, 2008 - 7:00:00 AM
This image provided by NASA shows layers of Earth's atmosphere, brightly colored as the sun rises over central Asia, and Polar Mesospheric Clouds (also known as noctilucent clouds) are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 17 crewmember on the International Space Station Tuesday July 22, 2008. (AP)
Global warming may have contributed to a recent spate of outbreaks of deadly diseases in the Philippines, a senior minister said Thursday.

"Clearly what was predicted about the impact of global warming is already happening," Health Secretary Francisco Duque told reporters.

"The temperature is increasing leading to more diseases.

"There's going to be propensity for more cholera, dengue, typhoid and malaria," he warned.

Duque added that the diseases are all "manageable" as long as people practise proper hygiene and sanitation and those afflicted are swiftly brought to hospitals for immediate treatment.

The Philippine Red Cross meanwhile confirmed Thursday that three people had died and 2,235 others had been treated in three towns in the southern province of Misamis Oriental for an outbreak of gastroenteritis.

The Philippine Health Department had earlier said the outbreak was believed to be cholera but the Red Cross said tests showed it was gastroenteritis.

Both illnesses have similar symptoms and are spread through contaminated drinking water.

Doctor Eric Tayag, head of the government's National Epidemiology Centre, also confirmed that a typhoid outbreak had hit Real town, northeast of Manila, affecting 109 people. However there have been no deaths from typhoid so far.

Overcrowded hospitals leave patients out in the cold


Nov 21, 2008 - 7:00:00 AM
Patients have died waiting for a doctor as some hospitals are filled with 10 times more patients than they can handle.

Without enough money, doctors or plans, urban hospitals are filled to the brim with patients they have neither the time nor facilities to treat.

HCM City Children Hospital No.2 is now operating at 10 times its regulated capacity, said deputy director Nguyen Van Thao.

Thao says that each doctor at the hospital consults with between 100 and 120 patients per day.

The overloading is especially heavy on Mondays when some 5,000 children show up on average, he said, adding that the hospital only had room to examine 500 patients a day.

A department head at the hospital who requested anonymity said each doctor could only help 15-25 patients each night.

But he said that on some nights, each doctor was in charge of some 100 children.

At the Tumor Hospital, patients commonly wait for three days to complete a medical examination and some patients have to wait several months for surgery.

Director Le Hoang Minh said the hospital received 231,777 patients in 2003 but that the figure last year had increased by nearly 100,000.

Preliminary statistics from the first 10 months of this year show higher numbers than for all of last year, according to Minh.

The Tumor Hospital currently has only 1,100 beds for its 1,577 patients.

At full capacity, the hospital is only designed to accommodate some 6,500 people per year.

But 10,995 patients received surgery there last year.

Gia Dinh People's Hospital received 745,268 inpatients last year, over 50% more than it did in 2000.

Even at HCM City's Cho Ray Hospital, largely regarded as the country's best public hospital, many patients wait in the hallways for three or four days before receiving examinations or treatment.

Two patients often share one bed, or even lie on stretchers in the corridors.

Former director of the HCM City Cardiology Institute Dr Nguyen Ngoc Chieu said some patients at his centre wait a full year for surgery.

He said several patients have died waiting.

Last year, local hospitals' beds were filled to 122.4% of their capacity on average, the Ministry of Health reported at a national conference held early this year in Hanoi.

Cause and effect

Overcrowding is partially due to the expertise gap between doctors at provincial and district-level hospitals and those who work at city hospitals, said Minh.

He also said the smaller hospitals outside the city lacked facilities, infrastructure and staff.

Due to these reasons, rural citizens often bypass their local hospitals and flood city medical centres instead, he said.

As for the shortage of doctors, a report released at a conference on the hospital overpopulation problem held mid-year in HCM City said the city needs 2,000 more doctors than it has.

There were just seven doctors in the city for every 10,000 patients last year, said the report.

The number is closer to 20/10,000 in several regional countries.

Another problem is that most hospitals don't recognise the results of tests done at other hospitals.

So transferred patients often spend a lot of time and money re-testing when they switch hospitals, clogging up facilities.

Thao said the overloading makes it hard for doctors to do their jobs effectively.

Dr Nguyen Thanh Giang from Children Hospital No.2 said mistakes take place much more often when facilities are overcrowded.

Suggesting solutions

Tumour Hospital deputy director Pham Xuan Dung said the health sector needed more investment to build more modern hospitals and health centres.

But he said doctor training was the most important solution needed.

He also suggested adjusting fees to make city and provincial hospitals- especially specialised ones- more expensive while making district commune health centres cheaper.

Hospital fees are currently the same at all public hospitals.

However, Dung said such a solution would need careful consideration because it could make access to medicine unfair, Dung said.

Other solutions include the transfer of treatment technologies from central hospitals to district-based hospitals to lessen the overloading at the former.

In a recent meeting with National Assembly representatives, the Ministry of Health reported that the overloading of province and city-level hospitals nationwide had decreased by over 5% year-on-year after new hospitals were built and many existing hospitals added beds and expanded their facilities.

WHO denies information about toxic chemicals in fruit

VietNamNet Bridge – The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday released an announcement saying that the information about a report by WHO warning that 24.5% of imported fruit in Vietnam contains toxic preservative substances is inaccurate.

According to WHO, that information is unable to be confirmed and WHO has no record of such a report.

That information came from an article from a local newspaper dated November 11. It was then used to question Minister of Health Nguyen Quoc Trieu about food safety and hygiene during the recent National Assembly session.

China holds a large plague drill




Wuhan City, large-scale importation of plague emergency drill
http://news.QQ.com 2008/11/21/18:40
Wuhan BEIJING, Nov. 21
Xinhua (Yi Qi Ping Xu Jingdong) under the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Railways and the Hubei Provincial Government's request by the People's Government of Wuhan City, Hubei Province Health Department, Wuhan Railway Bureau co-hosted by the Wuhan Municipal People's Government Office of Emergency , Wuhan City Health Department contractor, code-named "Healthy Jiangcheng 2008" in Hubei Province and Wuhan City imported plague emergency drill on November 21 in the afternoon to be held in Wuhan Liufang railway station.
The background of the exercise is that "Western Xia" bound "coastal" on the train, one of the "Western Xia City," the Wuhan Tourism passengers were diagnosed as "suspected plague." On the way back to Wuhan in the incidence, the plague epidemic of infectious diseases enter the city, along with the lead to a greater public health emergencies.

Wuhan City People's Government to start contingency plan for plague and public health emergency response Ⅲ level, health organizations, railways, public security, armed police, traffic, environmental protection, and joint action, the train soon arrived and the train arrived in Wuhan on the way, to carry out emergency work To take part in more than 20 units, more than 300 officers took part, more than 40 vehicles participating in the exercise of Taiwan.

Reporters at the scene saw drill, drill site in order to simulate actual combat scenes with the combination of a full use of modern communication technology, video technology, network integration, such as technology, to show the epidemic, with cases to verify the report, emergency response, site Disposal of medical treatment, supervision and monitoring and verification of the epidemic, Liu Yan observation of close contacts, information, such as dealing with the aftermath of the whole process. In accordance with the exercise program, the whole process lasted 1 hour 15 minutes to carry out an orderly.

It is understood that the plague (Pestis) is caused by Yersinia pestis by the natural focus of infectious diseases, also known as the Black Death. The main clinical manifestations as high fever, lymph node swelling and pain, bleeding tendency, lung inflammation, such as special. China is the plague of the first Group A included in the statutory management of infectious diseases, international health and quarantine of infectious diseases one of the potent. Since the 1990s, began to plague the world's active. China also plague epidemic on the rise, and as the traffic is advancing at an increase of long-distance spread of plague.

Hubei Provincial Health Department, since the founding of New China, Hubei has not taken place between human and animal plague epidemic of plague, bubonic plague prevention and control work is still faced with a more severe situation. In the event of imported plague epidemic, how the effective implementation of the emergency to prevent the occurrence and spread of the epidemic, to minimize the harm caused by the disease, is an important and urgent issue.

In order to effectively prevent and quickly respond to a possible input of the plague epidemic, and further testing of Hubei Province, Wuhan City public health emergency contingency plans and contingency plans for plague prevention and control of the completeness and maneuverability, improve health and health administrators Emergency professionals to deal with emergencies level of the Wuhan Municipal People's Government organizations in the importation of plague prevention and control of the emergency drill.

PASG seizes China frozen goods in Valenzuela

11/21/2008 3:37 PM

Millions worth of frozen goods from China were seized by the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) in a warehouse in Valenzuela on Friday.

PASG operatives said they recovered boxes of frozen peking ducks, black chicken, geese, fish fillets, squids, and different kinds of seafood balls from the warehouse along Maysan Road.

The agency said all of the frozen products came from China with an estimated value of P100 million.

The PASG said the frozen goods that could be contaminated with avian influenza or bird flu, were smuggled to the country and was able to slip pass the Bureau of Customs.

Some PASG operatives said the goods passed the customs because of its erring employees or officials.

The agency said there is an existing ban against Chinese peking ducks in the country. It said the ban was implemented six years ago.

17 PasienTerduga Flu Burung di Makassar Dinyatakan Negatif

Jumat, 21 2008 22:54 WIB
17 PasienTerduga Flu Burung di Makassar Dinyatakan Negatif
Penulis : Lina Herlina

Google translation:
17 PasienTerduga Bird Flu in Makassar Expressed Negative
Writer: _ CluMzy _ DisStuRbAnCee

MAKASSAR - MI: 17 bird flu patients are treated at the Regional Hospital Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo, Makassar, South Sulawesi, states do not have the H5N1 virus. That berdasakan the results of the laboratory's Research and Development of Health (Litbangkes) Ministry of Health stated that samples of blood and mucus specimens of all patients expressed negative.

According to the spokesperson for the team coordinating the bird flu Regional Hospital Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Khalid Salih, Friday (21/11), the results of blood and mucus samples of the patients received the suspect is Wahidin Hospital Health Office of South Sulawesi Province, on Thursday (20/11). After receiving the results of the laboratory, five of the 17 bird flu patients are sent home because the conditions have been improving. They are Annisa, 6, Firdaus, 6, Hasnawati, 34, Rahmawati, 2 and Fauzi Ibn Hajar, 3 months.

The rest have not been sent home because they are still awaiting a decision from a doctor returning from the deal early, because waiting kondisinysa more competitive. They are Nur Awalia, 3.6, Matan Ariel, 4 months, Salman, 6, Irwan, 6, Saleha, 2, Rohan, 60, Ilham, 2, Alif, 3, Desi, 5, Eki Reskiani, 5 months, Hartati , 26, Nuraeni, 31.

Patients who come from all Pate'ne Road, Kampong tank Jangang, Neighborhood Sudiang, Biringkanayya Sub-District, Makassar, South Sulawesi.
Its intensive treatment for 10 days in isolation since dilarikan to the hospital since 12 November and as early taste of symptoms of bird flu, namely high fever, shortness of breath and the flu preceded the death of sudden tens tail poultry in the village of residents who had positive bird flu .

"Because the patients declared safe based on the results of the laboratory, they can go home," said Khaled Saleh, who is also director general of operational and Wahidin Sudirohusodo hospital, she found time in the hospital.

Khalid also add, during the handling of bird flu patients have not yet found constraints. Both sides of the supply of medicines and equipment. "Tools for handling bird flu patients complete the didrop directly from the Ministry of Health to the hospital. Among other protective tools themselves, beds, equipment and monitor fentilator, "he explained.

Meanwhile, two citizens, two other Sudiang namely Iqbal, 6, and Karmila, 4 also dilarikan to hospitals Wahidin Sudirohusodo Tuesday (18/11) because of suffering high fever. "After the doctors treated some day sentence Karmila the symptoms of dengue fever and Iqbal were just ordinary flu because the weather changes. We take it directly to the hospital because health officials in directly give referrals without first checking out after some chickens died. But this can not go home, "said Nurtati, 27, mother of Iqbal
hattip Shiloh

The awareness towards Bird Flu increased

The awareness towards Bird Flu increased
November 21 2008 21:16
Jakarta :Hasil the research of nations of the Union's Body for the Child the Child (Unicef) showed the awareness of the community against preceptive bird flu experienced the increase. That was revealed by the Harian Chief Executive of the Nasional Flu Burung Bayu Khrisnamurti Commission. "In 2008 this rose to 67 percent in 2007," said Bayu in Bird Flu discussions in Jakarta, on Friday (21/11) This figure, said bayu, was pleasing enough.
His article, in because of 2006 from 4000 respondents who were researched by Unicef, only 13 percent of the respondent that was preceptive bird flu.
On that occasion, Bayu stressed that the key to the handling of bird flu was giving of medicine that not more than 48 hours when tertular. He caused the example, results of the negative to 17 patients in Makassar. Like that it was identified tertular virrus their bird flu direct menobati him. “Itu proved the community was successful because of results of the negative all, he added. The response to bird flu, said Coordinating Minister for the Economy's Deputy Bidang Pertanian and Marine this, increasingly improved. The "resident at once reported when being found the poultry mati,"tandas him." Despite this he hoped the existence of the awareness in the breeder's circle and the market. "The true and clean technique was expensive," he explained.
In the meantime, Director General Peternakan Tjeppy D Soedjana said, there was no vaccine that protected was full towards the spreading of bird flu in Indonesia. “Sebelum the vaccine was just found, then the use of the groove H5 (the sub-type from the poultry) and and H5N1 (the groove that infected humankind) was stimulated, because genetically sama,” he said.

GlaxoSmithKline to enter flu vaccine JV in China

GlaxoSmithKline to enter flu vaccine JV in China

company news image

GlaxoSmithKline said it has signed an exclusive cooperation agreement with Shenzhen Neptunus Interlong Bio-Technique Co. Ltd. (NIBT) as a preliminary step in forming a joint venture between the two companies which will seek to co-develop seasonal influenza vaccines and pre-pandemic/pandemic influenza vaccines.


The venture will firstly be targeting strains of the virus specific to China, Hong Kong and Macau, the group said in a statement.


GSK expects to make a cash contribution of approximately US$31 million in return for a 40 percent stake in the joint venture, whilst NIBT will contribute the equivalent of US$47 million in assets. Within five years of the establishment of a JV, GSK has the option to increase its equity interest to a majority stake in the venture.

Bird Flu was not yet found by Samarinda

Bird Flu was not yet found by Samarinda
On Friday, November 21 2008–
As Far As This Is Concerned was not yet found by the case of bird flu in the Edge City. Nevertheless, the community was asked to continue to be on the alert against the spreading of this deadly virus. The head of the Office of Peternakan Samarinda Rini Purwanti said, when until this did not yet have the case of bird flu that was caused by the virus H5N1 this. “Melalui the sample inspection of blood in several places, still was negative, meaning that not yet having the case. But don't be careless, because could from time to time terjadi,” he revealed.
Rini explained, in accordance with the Wali Regulation of the Nomor City 17 in 2007, where being named, might not maintain the poultry in the densely populated settlement region. “Sedangkan in the not densely-populated region, continued to have the rule to maintain the poultry. That is, the pen must be separated from the house, with the minimal distance 25 metre, beber him. Moreover, Rini warned, the spread of bird flu that is through direct contact with the poultry that was infected including his waste, or was inhaled the particle of dust.
Now the characteristics of the poultry that was infected by bird flu, that is the cock's comb was coloured blue, outside the liquid in the eyes of and skin, and the mortality rate in one tall population. “Untuk his prevention, apart from not maintaining the poultry in the settlement, that is maintaining the cleanliness, did not throw the poultry carcass at random, away spraying of the poultry pen with detergent, as well as did not carry out direct contact with unggas,” pungkas him.

The Positive Poultry AI in Lampung 22,990 tails

21/11/2008
Banda Lampung

The Number Of poultries in Lampung that was infected by bird flu (Avian Influenza) in 2008 reached 22,990 tails. The most case happened in the Regency Lampung Timur totalling 10,548 tails. Now di Lampung Middle 143 tails, Tanggamus 371 tails, Metro 7458, Tulang Bawang 993 tails, Lampung South 2424 tails, Banda Lampung 416 tails, Lampung West 131 tails, Lampung North 717 tails, Way Kanan 429 tails and Pesawaran 102 tails. This Data was assembled by the Peternakan Service and the Health of the Animal of Provinsi Lampung to the end of October 2008.

The Co-ordinator Local Disease Control Center, drh.Anwar Fuadi, in the agenda Training the Strengthening of the Media, on Friday (21/11), in the villa Hotel of Branti Lampung South said, Lampung was infected by bird flu since September 2003. Arise in subdistrict Lampung Timur dan Tulang Bawang. Up till now this 243 village, in 104 sub-district throughout Lampung, already contaminated virus to deaden mentioned, he said. “The source of the plague and the risk factor of the spreading of this virus that is the traditional market . Hampir 80 percent of the poultry was there infected, although not yet dying. The other cause, that is the existence of the water poultry and the maintenance system that were not penned .”

To begin September 2006, Health Service formed the unit PDSR LDCC in 11 districts/municipality. This team was assigned monitored the case of the death of the poultry and immediately followed up him. “Jadi they descended active to the field. Only was not waiting for the report from the community. The team immediately could detect fast, if having the poultry in large quantities that died suddenly, including did a test,” Anwar's words. Unggas was stated positive, if being accompanied by the special AI sign, the pathology deviation headed to AI and results of the fast test showed positive AI, he said.

In 2009, Disnakeswan aim at to lower jumlah flu birds to the poultry and zero cases to humankind. The main activity was carried out through communication , information and the education. “Role of the community was very important, because his problem was in their circle . Example him the habit not memvaksin, did not pen the poultry and sold the chicken sakit,” he said. Saat Ini Disnakeswan had the volunteer almost throughout the regency/the city. Mereka came from the Muhammadiyah organisation, PMII, LKB dan masyarakat other. “Relawan was assigned to report the case of the death of the sudden chicken in his territory to the team PDSR. they could send through SMS. in time the official's 1 x 24 hour will come.

2000 chickens died suddenly

{ 50 cities is the name of the area }
The Lime subdistrict IX fifty cities were isolated
on Thursday, 20/11/2008 18:32
- Padang - the Kapur IX Kabupaten Subdistrict 50 cities were isolated after being found 2,000 tails of the chicken belonging to the resident died suddenly on the Tuesday that was previous.
Peternakan Propinsi West Sumatra Edwardi Section Head said the area was isolated so that the bird flu virus that was received there does not spread to the other area. “Setiap the vehicle that went out entered brought the chicken from the IX Lime was sprayed for the supervision of the traffic burung,”
Edwardi words to padangmedia.com, on Thursday, (20/11). The location of spraying against the vehicle that went out entered the IX Lime was gotten in Nagari Muara Paiti and the base.
The lime ix was known positive bird flu after the official from the Partisipatory Disense Surveilance Respons Team (PDSR) with the official kecamata did rapit the test against several chickens belonging to the resident who died last November 7. At that time at least 100 chickens belonging to the resident Nagari the beehive died suddenly.
Beforehand on November 4, was gotten by 56 chickens belonging to the resident nagari the Tinggi Durian died suddenly and on November 9 also was gotten by 100 chickens belonging to the resident nagari galugur died suddenly. After being found by the chicken belonging to the resident died suddenly on November 7, at that time the Kapur IX Subdistrict was at once isolated until the area was really free bird flu.
Edwardi added, the Government of the West Sumatra province with Regional Government 50 cities carried out the extermination terhdap the chicken belonging to the local resident at the same time carried out the socialisation to the community, to avoid so that lest terjangkit to humankind.
His problem Edwardi words the official of few difficulties in carrying out the extermination, because of the kept chicken the resident was released.

Indonesia says no H5N1 cases in suspicious cluster

Indonesia says no H5N1 cases in suspicious cluster

Nov 20, 2008

(CIDRAP News) – Indonesia's health ministry has ruled out H5N1 avian influenza in a cluster of 17 suspected cases in South Sulawesi province, countering earlier reports of positive hospital and university tests, Reuters reported today.

According to an earlier report from the Jakarta Post, the patients—all from Sudiang subdistrict and most of them children—were hospitalized in Makassar with symptoms that resembled avian influenza infection. A hospital source had said rapid tests indicated the H5N1 virus and that officials were awaiting further test results from Hasanuddin University.

A Nov 14 Reuters update on the suspected case cluster quoted Chandra Yoga Adhitama, the health ministry's acting director of communicable disease control, as saying the patients were hospitalized as a precaution after chickens died in the area. He also told Reuters that the patients' conditions were generally good and that their samples would be sent to Jakarta for testing at the health ministry's laboratory.

Then on Nov 15, the Post reported that Halik Saleh, a spokesman for the hospital's avian flu team, said the university tests also indicated the patients had the H5N1 virus but that the hospital decided not to use either institution's test results and would instead wait for results from the health ministry.

Lily Sulistyowati, a health ministry spokeswoman, told Reuters today that the patients' tests were negative for H5N1. She gave no further details.

Reports of potential H5N1 case clusters raise concern because, if confirmed, they suggest the possibility of human-to-human transmission, which would increase the risk of a pandemic.

News about human H5N1 infections in Indonesia has been sketchy since June, when the health ministry said it would no longer promptly report H5N1 cases and instead give only periodic updates. Some health officials have said the lack of timely reporting will hamper efforts to monitor the world's pandemic risk level.

On Nov 13 the country's health minister, Siti Fadilah Supari, denied media reports that a 15-year-old girl who died in central Java had avian influenza. News services had earlier cited one of the girl's doctors and a local health official as saying tests from two laboratories indicated she did have an H5N1 infection.

On some avian flu blog sites, participants have been translating reports from Indonesia's Bahasa-language media outlets to comb for new details about the suspected case cluster. According to some machine-based translations, which are sometimes difficult to follow and can be unreliable, two more patients linked to the cluster were reportedly admitted to the hospital. Also, some reports claimed that polymerase chain reaction tests by the university on the patients were positive for H5N1.

Sharon Sanders, editor-in-chief of FluTrackers, a well known Web message board that focuses on avian influenza and preparedness issues, told CIDRAP News that her community hasn't been able to determine if the 17 to 19 patients are infected with the H5N1 virus, based on all of the conflicting information.

"We simply do not know what conclusions to draw based on the recent denial by the Indonesian Ministry of Health of the apparent H5N1 death on November 7 of 15-year-old Dewi Sartika, from central Java," she said.

Sanders said the lack of transparency about the current H5N1 status in Indonesia is troublesome because the disease is endemic and current human H5N1 clinical samples are not being shared internationally. "We will continue to monitor the situation in Indonesia to ascertain, to the best of our ability, H5N1 status in Indonesia," she said.

Mike Coston, a former paramedic and author of the Avian Flu Diary blog, another well-known site for news and analysis, told CIDRAP News that media reports of supposedly positive H5N1 tests give him pause, "but on the whole, I believe the rapid recovery of all 17 suspect cases argues against these being genuine H5N1 patients."

"This highlights the folly of the Indonesian-stated policy of not confirming H5N1 cases as they occur," Coston said. "Even if these patients are negative, it makes it difficult to automatically take the government's word for it."

Smuggled in Thai frozen chicken poses bird flu risk

Updated: Friday November 21, 2008 MYT 12:21:23 PM

Smuggled in Thai frozen chicken poses bird flu risk


TANAH MERAH: The Kelantan Veterinary Services Department is concerned that smuggled in frozen chicken from Thailand, banned in Malaysia, could be infected with the bird flu virus.

Department Director, Dr Mohd Zairi Serlan said the smuggling of frozen chicken had been rampant lately in the wake of the rise in cases of bird flu in Thailand, causing the demand for poultry meat in that country to drastically drop.

"We know the traders in the neighbouring country are trying to avoid heavy losses by smuggling the chicken into this country in the frozen form.

"What we are concerned is that these chicken would be processed again and turned into nuggets that are difficult to be traced", he told Bernama.

Dr Mohd Zain said this following the seizure of 578 boxes of frozen chicken, worth RM40,228, believed to be smuggled from Thailand at the Tanjung illegal jetty, Pengkalan Kubur last Nov 10.

Meanwhile, Bernama also approached the Kelantan Mufti, Datuk Mohamad Shukri Mohamad, who expressed his concern over the halal status of the smuggled frozen chicken.

He called on the relevant authorities to investigate whether the chicken had been slaughtered according to the Muslim requirements.

Last Nov 14, the Ministry of Agriculture and AgroIndustries banned the import of whole chicken and chicken parts from Thailand after reports that the bird flu disease is making a comeback in Southeast Asia.

Its Minister, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said, the move was a precaution.

However there is no need for Malaysians to be alarmed as the Veterinary Services Department has not received any reports of the bird flu disease in the country.

Before this, the World Veterinary Health authorities have reported the outbreak of the bird flu disease in Sokhotai, Thailand.

Following the freeze on the import of frozen chicken from Thailand, the customs authorities tightened border watch to ensure that none of the frozen chicken is smuggled into Malaysia.

Dr Mohd Zairi said, the local veterinary authorities were concerned that the frozen chicken had not been inspected by their Thai counterparts before being slaughtered.

"As there is no certainty that the chicken had received clearance from the Thai veterinary authorities before being slaughtered, it is not possible for us to determine whether the frozen chicken is really free from that disease", he added.

Regional Experts To Gather For Pacific Pandemic Task Force Meeting

Regional Experts To Gather For Pacific Pandemic Task Force Meeting

50 % Traditional Markets Believed To Transmit Virus Flu

Note: Below, "Jabodetabek" I believe is a typo. It should be "Jabotabek" and it is an acronym for "Jakarta Bogor Tanggerang Bekasi", meaning the four city greater Jakarta area]

Jakarta: the Harian Chief Executive of the Nasional Flu Burung Bayu Khrisnamurti Commission explained had the strong indication around 50 percent traditional market that sold the living poultry and the risky piece poultry spread bird flu.

The "area" of "his market was in the Jabodetabek region," he added when being met in Bird Flu discussions in Jakarta on Friday (21/11) The market in this region in general did not have the separation of the area (zonasi) the sale of agricultural produce. "Not there is zonasi between the reduction, the reception and the sale" of the "poultry," added Bayu. This condition enlarged the risk of the spread of the bird flu virus. Aggravated to the market that sold the multi-species of the poultry like the duck, the goose, and blekok.

The deputy the Co-ordinating Minister the Economy of the Pertanian Field and Marine this said although his prevalence was small, but the possibility of the spread has from the market been proven in Karo West Sumatra. In 2006 set, the chicken that was bought from the Kabanjahe Karo Market caused 3 people to be killed. Bayu warned although the spread of the flu virus from his probability market was small than livestock breeding in houses, the Regional Government must guard against him. Arranged the market, it was admitted Bayu indeed did not find it easy because of being related to the aspect of economics. "Must Pemda and the Organisation" of the "Market that arranged," hoped he. However it was not impossible that, because of Jakarta, Bayu continued, has been far more positive the progress zonasi the market.

The Departemen data of Agriculture showed from 2003-2008 was found the poultry died totalling 13 million. The area that was infected had 31 provinces and 294 regencies from 498 regencies. Only Propinsi North Moluccas and Gorontalo that were free. Director General Peternakan, Departemen of Tjeppy D. Soedjana Agriculture in his paper revealed had 4 regions that in give priority to. This region including Java the western part (West Java, Banten and Jakarta), Bali, regional the Javanese island (East Java, Central Java and Jogjakarta) was increased Sumatra and South Sulawesi, finally the region with the small incident (Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan, and the Moluccas, Papua)

High fever, immediately to health

[KLB now in Makassar]
Rabu, 19-11-2008 | 14:23:27

Makassar, Tribune - The Government of Makassar team has been formed Countermeasures Extraordinary Conditions (KLB) disease. Residents of the city, suddenly suffer a high fever immediately diimbau {summoned; beckoned; called} example in the nearest health center.

The team consists of the health office, office, marine and food security, three referral hospitals, some related agencies, and all the elements muspida .

KLB team duty and to coordinate efforts to monitor the handling and prevention of bird flu, both of animals and birds to humans.

The first effort was conducted in health centers. Then the health center will refer the patient suspect bird flu to three referral hospitals, namely Hospital (Hospital) Wahidin Sudirohusodo, Faisal Islamic Hospital, and the Academic Hospital.


Locals felt the fever, especially if remain near the live poultry in area, to get directly to three hospitals reconciliation above-mentioned.

Report: Furqon Majid. majid_tribun@yahoo.com / Reuters
hat-tip bgw

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Virginia prepares for a pandemic flu outbreak

By Karen McNew
WSLS10 Anchor

Published: November 20, 2008

Thousands of boxes of the anti-viral medicine Tamiflu are stockpiled in a Virginia warehouse. The location is so secure that WSLS 10 On Your Side is not allowed to give the specific location. The medicine may be the ultimate health insurance for people across the state in the event of a pandemic flu.

Retired Colonel Bob Mauskaupf with the Virginia Department of Health says a pandemic flu would be catastrophic. One virus that has been watched closely and may one day lead to a pandemic is Avian Influenza, also known as Bird Flu.

A bird flu pandemic wouldn’t just be about people getting sick. It’s about people dying. As WSLS researched this story we found that according to the World Health Organization, since 2003 there have been 387 cases of avian flu in people and 245 of those people died.

Mauskaupf who heads up Virginia’s Pandemic Operations confirms that percentage has gone up, “It has risen from 49% to 63 percent…it is it’s a nasty bug.”

Right now, the world is in stage three which means the avian flu has been passed from animals to people. A few years ago stories dominated local and national news because of the fear of what might happen next.

Mauskaupf says, “If a flu virus like the bird flu virus the h5n1 were to morph into a form that was transmissible person to person we would go into stage 4.”

Then, our state and federal government will move forward and start the process for distributing Tamiflu and other supplies to people in local communities. The secure warehouse we toured has enough Tamiflu for 775 thousand Virginians in the event of a pandemic flu. The VDH would be able to get more from the federal government if needed. Tamiflu will be distributed to 600 locations across the state and the aim of the VDH is to make sure you don’t have to drive more than twelve miles to the nearest location.

But Mauskaupf cautions, “We shouldn’t depend on drugs as the only answer.“

No we shouldn’t because according to the Virginia Department of Health’s informational video about pandemic flu, people who are relatively healthy will not be the first to get Tamiflu which reduces the severity of symptoms when taken at the first signs of sickness. Healthcare workers and those at highest risk for complications will get it first.

Mass flu vaccine clinics have been held across the state as a way of practicing in the in the event of a pandemic. But, we wouldn’t have a vaccine until 4 to 6 months after the outbreak.

While many scientists insist the flu pandemic of 1918 that killed millions across the world and more than 15 thousand people in Virginia is a piece of history that will be repeated, Mauskaupf says Virginia is prepared, ”We’re rated 100 percent by CDC, us and California… the only two in the country.”

Link to more information about tracking Avian Flu

Report says pandemic will threaten coal, power supplies

Nov 20, 2008 (CIDRAP News) – A new report from the University of Minnesota warns that an influenza pandemic could disrupt the coal industry, thereby endangering the nation's significantly coal-dependent electric power system and everything that depends on it.

"Despite regional differences in coal usage, a pandemic is likely to break links in the coal supply chain, thus disrupting electrical generation. This has the potential to severely endanger the bulk electrical power system in most of the United States," says the report from the university's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), publisher of CIDRAP News.

The report says that current federal preparedness plans do not address the possibility of power supply problems resulting from reduced coal shipments during a pandemic. A key planning gap, it says, is that federal plans put coal industry workers among those last in line for pandemic vaccines and antiviral drugs.

The authors, CIDRAP research assistant Nicholas Kelley, MSPH, and CIDRAP Director Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH, recommend that power plants stockpile coal to last much longer than the average 30-day supply they have now and that the nation prepare now for disruptions in the coal-supply chain and electrical service. They also urge that coal industry workers be put in the highest priority group for pandemic vaccines and antivirals.

Coal-dependent nation
In 2007, the nation's 620 coal-fired power plants supplied 48.6% of the nation's electric power, the report says. The reliance on coal varies by region, ranging from 74% in the Midwest to 5% on the West Coast.

Almost 40% of the nation's coal production in 2007 came from the low-sulfur mines in Wyoming's Powder River Basin (PRB), which yielded 453.6 million tons, according to the report. With mines from neighboring Montana included, the basin's 17 mines produced 479.5 million tons. Most of this coal is hauled by train to distant power plants, some as far away as Georgia.

A pair of Wyoming train derailments in May 2005 suggested how an interruption in coal from the PRB could affect the energy industry. Two coal trains on a 103-mile line that connects the region's coal fields with the national rail network derailed on consecutive days in May. The line, which has three tracks, was out of service for 3 weeks.

During the shutdown, power plants burning PRB coal had to draw down their stockpiles. "By September 2005, many power plants were down to less than 10 days of coal in their stockpile, with some reporting only 2 days of coal on hand," the report states. "Plant Schere, in Juliette,Georgia, for example, . . . was reduced to 2 days of coal and chose to import coal from Indonesia in an effort to rebuild its coal stockpile."

As a result of the incident, 25 of 27 utilities and other entities that relied on PRB coal took coal-conservation steps, such as buying electric power from other utilities, reducing generating time, and buying coal from other sources. In the wake of the episode, the energy industry was still rebuilding coal stocks through 2007, the federal Energy Information Administration reported.

"The disruption in 2005 could've been catastrophic if we didn't have the coal conservation strategies the report talked about," CIDRAP's Kelley said in an interview. "People say 2005 wasn't bad, but those conservation strategies likely wouldn't be available in a pandemic. That's one of the big take-homes from the report."

Kelley and Osterholm also examined records related to the flu pandemic of 1918 and found that it caused "serious disruptions" in coal supplies. Their report doesn't cite evidence of effects on energy production, but anthracite (hard coal) shipments dropped about one sixth, there were reports of coal shortages in New York City, many mines cut production, and some had to shut down for weeks.

Gaps in guidance documents
The authors reviewed a dozen pandemic planning guidance documents, including those from the federal government, the World Health Organization, and energy industry groups such as the North American Electric Reliability Council. While one plan, that of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, notes the importance of coal transportation, "none of the 12 documents prioritizes the mining of coal," the report says. "This absence is likely due to coal not being listed as a critical infrastructure or key resource."

Further, coal industry workers, depending on their age and health, are classified with the general population, the lowest priority group, for access to pandemic vaccines and antivirals, the report says. Critical transportation workers, such as train engineers, rank slightly higher—in the third tier—for a severe pandemic, but are placed in the general population in a moderate pandemic, according to the federal allocation plan.

The report asserts that federal pandemic plans have failed to "(1) conceptualize the magnitude of supply chain disruptions that will occur in a global just-in-time economy, (2) address how to prevent pandemic-related electric power disruptions, and (3) offer guidance on how to respond if electrical power is disrupted during a pandemic."

The authors conclude, "Current levels of pandemic planning are likely insufficient to sustain the coal supply chain during a pandemic; the link between the public health response and reliable access to coal-fueled electricity is neither understood nor addressed in current pandemic plans in the United States." They add that the public health sector would have great difficulty functioning without a stable supply of electricity during a pandemic.

The reasons for this gap, the authors suggest, include the perception that pandemic planning is largely a public health issue, the lack of a meaningful model or conceptual framework for assessing pandemic-related supply chain disruptions in today's economy, and a lack of leadership in pandemic planning for the nation's critical infrastructure.

Fuel left out of the picture
In an interview, Osterholm said pandemic planning in the electric power industry has focused on the power plants and components downstream from them, such as the transmission lines, giving little attention to fuel supplies. In part this reflected a planning model from Ontario, which didn't address fuel, because the power plants there are mostly hydroelectric.

"The coal industry was almost forgotten. The fact that coal miners were not placed in any of the top three tiers for vaccines is indicative of that," Osterholm said.

Utility regulatory agencies have generally ignored the issue, he added. "This has almost been a non-issue for them; they have not made coal stocks for a naturally occurring event like a pandemic a priority in any way. It's not on their radar screen."

Four recommendations
The report recommends four steps to address the vulnerability of the coal and power industries to pandemic-related disruptions.

The first is to increase power-plant coal stockpiles so that plants could keep going longer if coal shipments are interrupted. Currently, stockpiles reach their annual peak as utilities prepare for peak summer power demand. The report says this current peak should become the year-round minimum stockpile at all coal-fired plants.

Second, coal miners and support workers should be in the highest priority group for access to antiviral drugs, pandemic vaccine, and other critical products and services. "The entire coal supply chain, from mine to transport, and critical electrical-sector employees, should be placed in tier 1 of the federal vaccine allocation plan," the report states.

Third, the nation should plan for disruptions in the coal supply chain. Without careful planning, the disruptions may be similar to what happened after the 2005 derailments: "Coal shipments are likely to be reduced by at least 15% to 20% for periods up to 60 days," the report says.

Finally, the country should "anticipate and develop strategies for responding to disruptions in electrical service." Utilities are prepared for outages caused by storms, but most are not prepared to deal with fuel shortages, because they are rare and localized, the report asserts.

Increasing stockpiles tops the list
The most urgent of the four steps is to increase power-plant coal stockpiles, Osterholm said. With larger stockpiles, he said, "Even if the mines go down or rail service is interrupted, we may be able to get through extended periods of time until we can get the mines back up and running and the trains moving."

He added that even if miners have priority access to pandemic vaccines, they might still have to wait months for a vaccine well-matched to the pandemic virus. "Increasing coal stocks gives us a better opportunity to reduce that impact," he said.

The report says energy industry experts are aware of pandemic-related risks, but little has been done about them, mainly because of the cost of increasing power-plant coal stocks in current market conditions. In the 1970s, power plants kept a 2- to3-month supply of coal on hand, but utility commissions encouraged them to reduce that to 30 days to save money.

"Most public utility commissions will not allow power companies to raise their electricity rates solely for the purpose of increasing their coal stocks," the document states.

Also, Osterholm acknowledged that spending money to build up coal stocks is likely to be a tough sell amid the current economic downturn. "I realize that you can't ignore the realities of this historic financial crisis, but if we don't address these issues, we'll pay a very heavy price at the time of the next pandemic," he said.

Miners union endorses report
After receiving a copy of the report, a spokesman for the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) strongly endorsed the recommendation that coal miners have priority access to pandemic vaccines and antivirals.

"Without coal, more than half of the nation’s lights go out and computers go off. Without coal miners, there is no coal," said Daniel J. Kane, the UMWA's international secretary-treasurer. "Leaving America’s coal miners out of contingency planning for a potential nationwide influenza pandemic makes no sense and puts America at risk. CIDRAP’s study demonstrates the clear need for miners to have priority access to antiviral drugs, vaccines, and critical services should a pandemic strike our nation. We wholeheartedly support that finding.”

CIDRAP News also asked the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to comment on the report. HHS officials did not respond in time for this article. Shannon Feaster of DHS deferred the request to the Department of Energy, saying DOE oversees energy security issues.