Mongolia-Two Provinces Quarantined Over Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak

Written by P.Shinebayar
Tuesday, September 07, 2010.
Authorities of Sukhbaatar and Dornod provinces have quarantined cattle movement and restricted the sale of meat and milk in their territories following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
According to the emergency commission, over 968 heads of cattle had been infected but death had not been reported yet. The number of infection is likely to grow further.
The problem was detected on August 29 in a farm in Chuluunkhoroot Soum, Dornod Province when a local veterinarian examined three cows showing symptoms of the foot and mouth disease. The central vegetarian laboratory has confirmed that the three cows are infected with the disease.
There are 15251 heads of cattle from 23 herding families in four epicenters in the two provinces, 968 heads of them are infected so far since the outbreak.
In connection with the high probability of spread, the State Emergency Commission held an emergency meeting and ordered relevant bodies and officials to take prompt actions against the spread. In particular, it is ordered to carry immediate disinfection and liquidations in epicenters and in major autoroad posts, co-work with force agencies to enforce the quarantine regime efficiently, limit some traffic in and out and appoint a field emergency staff in epicenters. Besides, the SEC has decided to immediately conduct preliminary tests and vaccination for all cattle’s in Dornogobi, Dundgobi, Umnugobi, Gobisumber and Tuv provinces as well in Ulaanbaatar City.
It is also decided to submit a draft resolution on the allocation of MNT50 million for fight against the disease in Sukhbaatar and Dornod provinces respectively and another MNT10 million for preventive measures, to Cabinet meeting.

Return call sanitary measures in Yucatan

Mérida, 7 Sep. (Notimex) .- The state secretary of Health, Vivas Alvaro Quijano, urged people to resume the preventive measures, such as avoiding shake hands or kiss in order to prevent an increase in cases of acute respiratory diseases , totaling 364.

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In an interview, said that so far no reports have H1N1 pandemic influenza in the state, however it has proven the existence of 200 cases of H3N2, which while not fatal, its effect on the patient "is more painful than the dengue "classic.

Once past the danger of H1N1 influenza, the public has put aside security measures, which should apply not only against this disease, but any ailments such as colds, said.

"Unfortunately we have seen that people with flu shake hands or kiss, and often go to crowded places, where it is not right, must take the measures already know as a way of life to prevent the virus from spreading," he said.

He said that this alert is because today's patterns of presence and impact, both emerging and existing diseases, no longer correspond to seasonal periods.

Changes in climate have led to changes, for example, during periods of rain, so that diseases like dengue and is characteristic of various stages, which should motivate to take preventive measures on a daily basis.

He pointed out that this year has confirmed a total of 196 thousand cases of dengue, of which 600 are of the hemorrhagic type, a sample of the necessary public participation to prevent their proliferation.

Scientific and Cultural Organization meeting of the WHO Regional sheds light on health issues in cities

2010:09:07.16:58


Meet health ministers from the Southeast Asian region and experts from the World Health Organization in the Thai capital Bangkok on Tuesday from 7 / Sept. / Even on Friday to discuss major health issues in the region, including health risks in cities.
Confirmed the Director-General of WHO Margaret Chan at the opening ceremony of the meeting of the 28 Ministers of Health in Southeast Asia Session 63 of the Regional Committee of the Organization of the importance of giving special attention to health issues in urban areas, which is also the same subject Iumalsahp the world this year.
Chan said, "For the first time in history, more people now live in urban areas than in rural areas. By the year 2030, will live in 6 out of 10 people in cities", adding that most of the growth is expected to occur in Asia and Africa.
, The Director General of WHO, the cities that brings people and the opportunities and services, but they are at the same time gathering dangers and damage to health, citing contamination of food and water supplies and the spread of diseases, pollution and Ancharalanamat life non-health related to obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and stress.
And "that made it necessary to look with interest to these consequences, and pros and cons of urbanization," according to what she said.
As I said people in her also need to be wary of pandemic influenza, particularly avian influenza A H 1 to 1, as it believes that this disease is not over.
She also praised the achievements made by Thailand in the field of public health, citing the government's strong commitment to primary health care, and implement innovative programs to move in toward universal health coverage, and leading efforts to improve access to essential medicines.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vijaviva and delivered a speech.
During the next four days, will be health ministers from 10 Asian countries and health experts to review the health development in the region, identify challenges and provide policy direction for future work on health issues, as Sinaakecoa many issues such as prevention and containment of antimicrobial resistance, and inequality in maternal health and newborn, and universal health coverage, and prevention of injuries and promoting safety and health in old age and others.

Hoa Son: The animal quarantine cooperation also inadequate

07-09-2010, 14:00 (GMT 7)
While Gia Lai province has announced the blue ear pig, the Son Hoa district - the local border with Gia Lai - difficulty in controlling the transport of animals across the district, including the police force Traffic (Traffic Police) police districts often put directly at checkpoints animals.Blue ear pig disease is spreading fast, quite complex changes in the provinces of South and Central - the Central Highlands.

Phun thuốc tiêu độc khử trùng tại Chốt kiểm dịch động vật tạm thời đóng tại xã Krông Pa (huyện Sơn Hòa) - Ảnh: A.NGỌC

Under these circumstances, over time, Son Hoa district has proactively implemented disease prevention for the local herd...
...In six months in 2010, the district has to control the slaughter of 3,000 pigs, 250 cows and more than 580 dogs. ..In particular, held a training class blue ear pig disease prevention for students who are 30 vets communes, towns, villages and hamlets of the commune Son Nguyen Son Ha, and Silver Spring townships also paints ...

Swine influenza widespread on farms in England

The prevalence of swine influenza in England is much higher than previously thought, according to newly published research carried out by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and the COSI Consortium1. The findings of the study, which took place during 2008/9, were presented at the International Pig Veterinary Society (IPVS) held in Vancouver in July this year.

Barbara Weiland from the RVC said: "The prevalence is much higher than expected, and this highlights the importance of subclinical infection, and the fact that swine influenza virus is a significant production disease that has been underestimated in the past."

The study involved 146 farrow-to-finish farms representing around 17 per cent of the English herd. On each farm 20 animals of different age groups were tested for the H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 influenza viruses. At least one pig tested positive on 59 per cent of the farms, with avian-like H1N1 being the most common strain found in England followed by H1N2. 18 per cent of the farms tested had both H1N1 and H1N2.

Those farms that tested positive for swine influenza virus were also more likely to be infected with other pig pathogens, and had poor respiratory scores in slaughterhouse monitoring programmes.

Research presented at the same congress revealed that farms in France may be suffering from an even higher level of prevalence2. The study carried out on 29 French farms in 2009 showed that nearly 97 per cent of the farms tested were positive for at least one swine influenza virus subtype.

Ricardo Neto, Merial’s Veterinary Advisor said: "The presentation of this research gives us the first real indication of the level of prevalence of swine influenza in England. Not only are the findings important from the point of view of improving our knowledge of the disease, but also for individual vets and producers in managing herd health.

"Swine influenza may not appear to have much effect on the herd, even if producers actually recognise its existence. However, the disease has a significant economic effect and in some cases can be quite disastrous.

"It causes fever, apathy, anorexia and respiratory signs such as dyspnoea and sneezing, which affect both welfare and productivity. In sows it can affect return to oestrus, cause abortion, increase the number of still born piglets and decrease lactation. Therefore, there is a strong economic case for considering preventative treatment.

Steve Youngs, who recently experienced an outbreak of swine influenza, reported that around ten per cent of sows on his farm aborted and there was a noticeable increase in weak and still born piglets. The farrowing rate on his farm reduced by around ten per cent from 85 per cent down to 75 per cent. There was a considerable cost to that farmer. Apart from the cost of treatment, the vet estimated that it cost him around 20 pence per kilo deadweight.
hattip tetano

WHO steps in to prevent outbreak of malaria in camps

ISLAMABAD: The World Health Organisation (WHO) will provide ambulances, vans and bed nets to the internally displaced people to protect them from outbreak of malaria in the makeshift camps, WHO Regional Director Dr Hussain A Gezairy said on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters, he said his organisation had already provided essential medicines, including malaria and diarrhoea kits, to the medical teams working in the flood-affected areas.

Earlier, Gezairy called on Federal Health Minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin, along with two other WHO officials, Dr Guido Sabatinelli and Dr Farah Shadoul, and discussed health issues concerning the flood affectees.

The minister welcomed the WHO regional director and thanked him for talking interest in undertaking visits to various flood-affected areas in Pakistan.

ANTHRAX, HUMAN, BOVINE - BANGLADESH (12): ID-UL-FITR ALERT

Date: 6 Sep 2010
Source: The Telegraph, Calcutta [edited]
<http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100907/jsp/nation/story_12905806.jsp>


India could be staring at a possible anthrax outbreak, with Bangladesh
sounding a red alert that the contagious disease has infected over 325
people in that country since mid-August 2010.

The disease, transmitted from infected cattle to humans through handling of
the animals or consumption of meat, has spread in 4 Bangladesh districts.
Some 38 people were 1st found infected in Sirajgunj, about 150 km from
Dhaka, on 19 Aug 2010, but the disease has now spread to Badna, Tangail and
Kushtia.

Sources said the scare for India came from the porous borders it shares
with Bangladesh. So, chances that the "cattle corridor" -- used to smuggle
cattle from Punjab and Haryana into Bangladesh -- might be used to push
infected animals back into India are not remote, they said. The risk was
all the more because of Id-ul-Fitr, expected to be on Friday or Saturday
[10-11 Sep 2010]. Cattle traders, who would have stocked up for the Id
slaughter, will be desperate to get rid of the diseased animals, most of
which are likely to end up in Manipur and Mizoram, the sources said.

[Bengal] BSF officials denied knowledge of the anthrax alert in Bangladesh,
saying they had yet to get instructions to block movement of infected cattle.

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>

******
[2]
Date: 6 Sep 2010
Source: The Financial Express [edited]
<http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=111478&date=2010-09-07>


The district administration of Narayanganj has taken precautionary measures
to check any outbreak of anthrax by asking the butchers not to slaughter
cattle without medical examination. Narayanganj civil surgeon office
sources said there is no anthrax patient in the district. The district,
upazila and paurasabha level inspectors have been instructed to supervise
different slaughter houses to detect the infected cattle and bury them
under 6 feet. Persons dealing with animals have been advised to keep
themselves away from the infected animals like goats, sheep, cattle and horses.

Meanwhile, Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has adopted a special programme
to prevent anthrax infection from the beef in the metropolis. From today [6
Sep 2010], a team led by a veterinary surgeon will remain on standby at
each of the Haragram, Luxmipur, Upashahar, Shalbagan, Naodapara, Shaheb
Bazar and Binodpur Bazars from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm everyday. Before
slaughtering, all cattle will be examined by the team, while the meat and
hides of the slaughtered animals must be marked by selected seal.

The decision has been taken at an emergency meeting of the newly formed
Anthrax Prevention Committee at the city bhaban with the committee chief
and RCC Chief Executive Officer Ajaher Ali in the chair. RCC Chief Health
Officer Dr Abul Fazal, District Livestock Officer Khairul Alam, Chairman of
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Department of Rajshahi University
Dr Jalal Uddin Sarder, Assistant Professor Dr Akhtarul Islam, Senior
Veterinary Surgeon Dr Hedayetul Islam and RCC Veterinary Surgeon Dr Farhad
Uddin were, among others, present at the meeting. The meeting requested the
traders, butchers and consumers to extend necessary cooperation to the team
side by side with creating awareness among the consumers in general.

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>

[The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The Bangladesh authorities have
got their people lined up. The Bengali authorities have been told,
possibly. It is hard to know what they know at this point, but with the
festivities celebrating the end of Ramadan (Id-ul-Fitr is coming at the end
of this week), there will be an increased demand for market animals. If
nothing happens, the Bangladesh veterinary authorities and livestock
inspectors can congratulate themselves. Fingers crossed. - Mod.MHJ]

Dosing schedule of pneumococcal vaccine linked with increased risk of getting multiresistant strain

September 7, 2010

Infants who received heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination (PCV-7) at 2, 4, and 11 months were more likely than unvaccinated controls to have nasopharyngeal (in the nasal passages and upper part of the throat behind the nose) acquisition of pneumococcal serotype 19A, a leading cause of respiratory pneumococcal disease, according to a study in the September 8 issue of JAMA....

New killer virus in UP, 250 children already dead this year

MAULSHREEE SETH Tags : BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur Posted: Wed Sep 08 2010, 02:14 hrs Gorakhpur:

An affected child at BRD Medical College

At the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur, the paediatrics department emergency ward is overflowing with patients — two-to-a-bed is the rule, many beds have even three. There is no other way to accommodate 240 patients on 108 beds.

This is the season of the “mastishk jwar” which ravages Gorakhpur and ten adjoining districts in eastern UP from mid-July to October every year.

About 250 children have died this year. Many who survived have been disabled by the virus that attacks the brain. Last year, 556 died. In 2008, the count was 495; in 2007 it was 525; and, in 2006, 476. In no other place in India does a disease kill so many children every year.

Until 2004, there was uncertainty about the nature of the disease. But in 2005, when an outbreak killed 1,200 children, medical experts across the world started looking at Gorakhpur closely.

The Atlanta-based Centre for Disease Control and several others conducted studies and concluded that the main killer was Japanese encephalitis.

Despite reservations, the Centre and the UP government ensured extensive JE vaccination. But children kept dying and it turned out that a large number did not test positive for JE. All cases were classified as AES (acute encephalitis syndrome).

Two years ago, the Pune-based National Institute of Virology set up a field laboratory in Gorakhpur to identify the cause of the disease. It came up with the finding that the culprit was a class of enteroviruses. Work is still on to make the research more specific.

Dr M M Gore, the scientist in charge of the NIV lab, said they installed equipment to speed up work. Samples have been sent to the Centre for Disease Control and the results are awaited.

While the research will take time, a few things are clear. Both JE and enteroviruses are killing children. Though it remains a problem, the JE mortality rate is declining. The main killer is the new class of enteroviruses; the disease these cause is, for want of a more specific term, still recorded as AES.

Like JE, the new viruses attack children. Like JE, these attack the brain, and other organs. Like JE, these have no medicine and patients have to be given symptomatic treatment. Like JE, these have a high death rate, in fact higher.

Unlike JE, the new enteroviruses have no vaccine; that will have to wait until the nature of the viruses is fully understood. Unlike JE, which is spread by mosquitoes, the enteroviruses spread via contaminated water through what medical experts call the “faecal-oral route”.

But like JE, AES is preventable. If fogging, larvacidal sprays, removal of piggeries (hosts to the virus) and preventing stagnation of water can counter JE, hygiene and sanitation can tackle AES.

Dr K P Kushwaha, Head of Paediatrics Department at the BRD Medical College, said: “We can only take measures to provide life support; recovery is natural in these cases. In AES, multiple organs are affected and we can only give symptomatic treatment. It will be difficult to eradicate the disease unless there is a public movement for preventive measures.”

To take a look at the conditions where the disease breeds, one only has to visit Rajdhani, 25 km from Gorakhpur city in Brahmapur block. Seven-year-old Khushi Prajapati has returned from BRD Medical College — two other children were not so lucky.

Khushi was hospitalised after she had convulsions and high fever.Though she has recovered, she can’t move her hands properly and has a speech problem. Her father Rajendra Prasad Prajapati, who works in Gorakhpur city in an electric shop, has built a two-storied house minus a toilet. The family of 12 defecate in the open. There is stagnant water all around. There are also four piggeries in Bairagi Tola.

Residents say this has been the setting here for decades. Their children have been dying of “mastishk jwar” but no one ever told them that the deaths could have been prevented if some simple steps had been taken.

Dr M M Gore, who has been travelling through villages in the last two years, said: “Gorakhpur has a high water table which makes it prone to contamination. Many people here defecate in the open and use mud near handpumps to wash their hands. Eating utensils are washed at the same place. Villagers have constructed concrete houses but not toilets.”

“If such habits are changed, basic hygiene is taught to people, steps taken to ensure sanitation, and a proper drainage system put in place, it will go a long way in solving the problem,” said Gore.

Gorakhpur district has 13 primary health centres and nine community health centres but not one has equipment like a ventilator. So sick children have to be sent to the medical college. The Health Department has 21 fogging machines, but only five work — the other 16 have been undergoing repairs for a year now.

Bird flu virus may be evolving the ability to spread from mammal to mammal

Bird flu jumps to pigs

15:38 07 September 2010 by Deborah MacKenzie

• The H5N1 bird flu virus may be evolving the ability to spread from mammal to mammal, says a team who have discovered that pigs in Indonesia have been infected with the disease since 2005. It's one step in the frightening chain of events that could lead to human transmission and a pandemic.

...Flu viruses adapted to pigs have less trouble adapting to humans than do bird flu viruses – one pig-adapted virus caused the swine flu pandemic in 2009.

Chairul Nidom of Airlangga University in Surabaya, Indonesia, and colleagues in Japan, have been tracking H5N1 in pigs since 2005 in Indonesia, the country hardest hit by the avian flu virus. They now report that between 2005 to 2007 when the avian flu peaked, 7.4 per cent of 700 pigs they tested also carried H5N1. There have been sporadic reports of H5N1 in pigs, but this is the first time the extent of the problem has been measured.

Poultry to pig

In each case, the virus in pigs closely resembled H5N1 from nearby outbreaks in poultry, suggesting it has jumped from the bird to the pig population. That and the small proportion of pigs infected suggests the virus cannot yet spread between pigs. "If the virus was better adapted to pigs it would have spread like wildfire," says Ab Osterhaus of the University of Rotterdam

...Since 2007, avian flu outbreaks have diminished in poultry and in people in Indonesia and the investigators found that the the rate of infection in pigs has similarly dropped. Although pigs are still carrying signs of recent infection.

This means the virus could still be spreading and evolving because the team discovered, to their surprise, that infected pigs show no symptoms. "H5N1 viruses could easily evade detection as they spread through Indonesia in asymptomatic pigs," warn Nidom and colleagues.

And there are worrying indications that H5N1 is already evolving. Nidom says that in one pig, the virus had developed the ability to bind to a molecule present in the noses of both pigs and humans. That's exactly the kind of change that could allow it to spread between people.

. The European Union is heeding the call and is funding a scientific collaboration called FLUPIG, to study how bird flu adapts to pigs and how pig flu spreads to people. It will meet for the first time later this month.

Journal reference: Emerging Infectious Diseases , DOI:10.3201/eid1610.100508

Blue ear pig tends to spread

Wednesday, 08/09/2010, 01:03 (GMT 7)

(SGGP) .- It is the Review of the National Steering Committee on prevention of avian influenza at its meeting on 7-9. According to the report of the Steering Committee, PRRS in the southern provinces and Central Highlands is complicated, tend to spread. In the provinces of Tien Giang, Soc Trang, Tay Ninh and Dak Lak, service occurred on a large scale and changes are bad, the number of pigs affected and destroyed much.

Assessment of blue ear pig, Department of Animal Health said: Due to monitor, detect slow service at the establishment, many farmers have not declared and selling sick pigs, the direct anti-epidemic of local government is not drastic.
Furthermore, due to the dangerous nature of the epidemic, combined with favorable weather conditions for virus survival and development ... risk of service should continue to spread in the province have translated and appeared in four other provinces in the same area is very high.

To prevent prevention, epidemic control, Animal Health Department recommended localities should strictly carry out urgent measures to prevent blue ear disease.

Besides, the Department of Animal Health has increased its direct and urge the provinces have implemented synchronization service, effective measures to control the epidemic and strengthen the operation of the steering committee for prevention and control of layout adequate and timely funding, supplies and service of prevention. Simultaneously active management, said the outbreak, assign responsibility for monitoring and handling committee, local authorities and veterinary staff; taken to rural grassroots units to direct the prevention and control.

Vietnam: Hundreds of billions wasted in the purchase of Tamiflu

[this article confuses me. did they purchase 3 million doses and 2 million are going to waste? Maybe I can find a better translation....it can give us an idea of how much Tamiflu they actually used....]

Tuesday, 07/09/2010

Room Rates Tamiflu H5N1 avian influenza by the Health Ministry has proposed to buy is high, but the company also assigned drug store to buy more expensive. Also, Vietnam has been stockpiling Tamiflu outstrip demand, according to recent conclusions of the Government Inspectorate.

Inspector concluded that, from late 2003 to late 2005, the country recorded only 91 cases of H5N1 flu in 32 provinces. But in a report dated 22/11/2005, Ministry of Health proposal to re-reserve enough pills 30 million (3 million doses for 3 million) before 6/30/2006. The proposal is groundless as the actual happenings on the situation of avian influenza in Vietnam and many countries around the world.

Because of the large number and order in a short time, so the Health Ministry can not buy the raw materials of the company Roche - after the time provided in August 2006 (a term used for 10 years, cheaper price ) but to buy raw materials of India (3 year term and is used only more expensive).

Besides, the basis for selection to participate drug production plan, the Ministry of Health has established a committee for evaluation. But the council did not comply with assigned tasks.

In the minutes of the Council to work with content companies have no bargaining on prices, the minutes do not have the signatures of representatives of the companies evaluated, no clear conclusions about the evaluation results in each company. In addition, while no report of the Minister, the Council sent an order for four out of 10 companies at the check in the company.

This includes four companies: Pharmaceutical companies and Supplies - Phu Yen Health, Pharmaceutical Company Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company and the Company Imexpharm Stada Vietnam.

Regarding prices, the Ministry of Health does not actively cooperate with the Ministry of Finance to build bracket buy drugs, do not write orders and delivery unit for self-seeking companies to buy raw materials, leading to the evaluation passive and drug price must depend on the price proposed by the company.

Indeed, prices of raw materials four reserve companies assigned high drug prices than the Health Ministry reported.

Specifically, the Health Ministry report price is $ 12,000 a kilogram of raw materials from India while the purchase price of the 4 materials companies from $ 17,500 to $ 18,500 a kilogram.

Thus, the Ministry of Health has irresponsibility in helping companies find sources of raw materials for medicine production and management of drug prices, lack of responsibility in the examination, clarification of the financial revenues and expenditures related to four companies.

Inspector concluded that the Government has spent more than $ 562 billion to four companies produce nearly 20 million pills, but nearly half of these drugs was abandoned waste, and not used to it now expired.

At the warehouse of the Ministry of Health still over 21 million tablets of Tamiflu is more than 10 million users who have expired, including more than 9 million members is domestically produced drugs have expired since March 2009 (fraction remaining drug assistance).

Before the mistakes above, the Government Inspectorate Ministry of Health proposed review responsibilities, dealing with collective and individuals related violations, the proposed treatment of all drug use has expired (more than 10 million). At the same time moving bodies continue investigations to clarify the purchase price of raw materials.

Precautions urged

As students start a new academic year, so too are bird and swine flu fears making a comeback, reports Reem Leila reports

---

The death from bird flu of a 20 year-old woman from the Shubra Al-Kheima district of Qalioubiya governorate on 27 July, and of a 33 year-old woman from the same governorate on 29 August, brings the total death toll from avian flu in Egypt to 112 since the virus first appeared. The two deaths are the eighth and ninth fatality this year.

The bird flu virus H5N1 was first recorded in Egypt in 2006. Precautionary measures have long been in effect, though they are now being upgraded, says Mona Mehrez, head of the Central Laboratory for Poultry Monitoring at the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. The sale of live poultry is once again to be banned across Egypt's 29 governorates, and a major awareness campaign has been launched to alert the public to the benefits of buying frozen fowl.

"Nearly 20 per cent of Cairo's poultry stores sell frozen birds. This percentage must be substantially increased over the next two years," says Mehrez.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a press release on 10 August. "The world is no longer in phase six of the pandemic alert. We are now moving into the post-pandemic period," said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan. "The new H1N1 virus has largely run its course."

Month on month reported infections have been below 200 for the past three months, compared to 2,000 to 4,000 at the beginning of the year.

Fears about the severity of swine flu, which appeared in the wake of the avian flu scare, and its possibly dangerous mutation, sparked a rush for specially-developed vaccines. Concern about the virus faded in 2009, to be replaced by accusations that fear had been deliberately fanned in order to generate huge profits for the vaccines' producers. In response the WHO has set up a committee of external experts to review the handling of the pandemic. The review panel is to report its findings by the beginning of next year.

Regular seasonal influenza vaccines now include protection against swine flu.

Nasr El-Sayed, Deputy Minister of Health for Preventive Medicine, says the ministry is coordinating with all concerned authorities to assess precautionary measures to combat both the H5N1 and H1N1 swine flu viruses. "It has yet to be decided whether stringent precautionary measures or more mild plans should be put in place during this academic year. The number of swine flu cases in Egypt reached 16,356, with 280 deaths since its first appearance in June 2009," said El-Sayed, adding that the ministry will follow all WHO recommendations during the post-pandemic period.

As far as the H5N1 virus is concerned, hundreds of alive fowl traders have been fined, and those convicted of second offences imprisoned for up to six months. Egypt has pressed ahead with centralising the slaughter of fowl. By the end of 2011 the capacity of slaughter houses, many built in cooperation with the private sector, will have increased by 30 per cent, says Mehrez.

Last week's WHO statement contained a number of recommendations for the post-pandemic period. "Though the level of concern has decreased it remains essential for health authorities to stay alert," said the statement. "This is especially critical in the immediate post-pandemic period, when the behavior of the H1N1 2009 virus cannot be reliably predicted."

The statement advises that incidents of respiratory disease be monitored and vaccination campaigns continued. "The WHO strongly recommends that high-risk individuals take the influenza shot in countries where influenza vaccines are available," it said.

Transparency, along with full abidance by WHO regulations, helped Egypt in overcoming the critical stages of the virus, says El-Sayed.

Between November 2009 until January 2010, the number of H1N1 infections increased from 2,226 to 8,064. The figures fell in February, when 284 cases were reported, and have been falling ever since. During March, April and May, the number of reported cases ranged from 56 to 93. According to El-Sayed, swine flu-related deaths were highest in January, with 122 fatalities, and in December with 115 fatalities. In February there were 12 deaths and during March, April and May three. Seventy-nine per cent of those who succumbed had chronic, underlying illnesses.

The Health Ministry's official spokesman, Abdel-Rahman Shahin, stresses that since the ministry's last official statement on swine flu on 1 June there has been no evidence of a possible new wave. There have been no mutations in the virus or any cases of resistance to Tamiflu. The highest number of swine flu cases reported was 2,650 cases during the last week of December 2009 after which the Health Ministry decided to stop issuing daily reports on the pandemic.

Pig Disease Spreading in Tabuk

Monday, September 06, 2010

PHILIPPINES - Diseases among hogs have spread in this town and the deaths of at least 300 pigs showed that they were downed by cholera and Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) infections, authorities revealed last week.

Results of hog blood samples brought last week for laboratory test at the Philippine Animal Health Center in Manila confirmed the cholera and PRRS mixed infection among hogs here, said Godofredo Laed of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO).

Mr Laed said the PVO made the move following reports from hog raisers of widespread cases of severe diarrhea and still births among hogs since July.

While admitting that the 300 death toll in swine is very high, Mr Laed said the PVO cannot yet declare a state of an outbreak, “since we lack further qualifying requirements for such a declaration.”

Based on their investigation, Mr Laed said the virus might have originated from infected pig meats and live hogs brought into the town.

He attributed this to the weakening monitoring of livestock and meat products coming in to Tabuk after the quarantine post at the entry point to Tabuk has been pulled-out.

According to Mb.com.ph, Mr Laed characterised the viral strains of hog cholera as that of excessive diarrhea, while that of PRRS leads to abortion, still births, mummified fetus and very weak piglets.

Mr Laed admitted that it is very difficult to contain both viral infections which cause sudden deaths among pigs.

“What we can do at least is to prevent the further spread of the disease,” he said.

As a preventive measure, the PVO conducted massive spraying of disinfectants among infected pig pens. They also called on swine owners to increase body resistance of their pigs through vitamins and proper feedings.

Mr Laed appealed to owners of morbid pigs to properly dispose of their live stocks through burning and deep burying.

He warned people who dare butcher infected pigs for human consumption saying they are just providing possibilities of wider spread of the virus even to other municipalities of the province.

"When infected meats enter a house, you are bringing in the threat to your own pigs and that of your neighbors," Mr Laed warned.

Rabies on Bali update (Sep)

Friday, 3 September, 2010

The rabies situation in Bali does not appear to be improving.

The total number of deaths officially reported since the outbreak began at the end of 2008 is now 78. So far no tourist has been involved. The number of dog-bites has increased steeply in the last several months; 36,000 dog-bite incidents in Bali so far this year, this compares with 24,000 for the whole of 2009.

Travellers to Bali should be aware of the rabies risk, and the frequent lack of rabies immunoglobulin (used for treatment following a bite) on the island as well as a shortage of rabies vaccine. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination may be considered. This will require three vaccinations over a period of a month before travel. Animal contact should be avoided. If bitten the wound must be immediately cleansed preferably with antiseptic . If already vaccinated booster vaccination is still required but there is time to arrange this. If bitten and not vaccinated immunoglobulin plus vaccination is needed and when there is doubt about the supply immediate evacuation to Singapore or Australia should take place.

Union of Poultry Producers: «avian flu» mutation farm .. and vaccines ineffective

Sunday, 05/09/2010 - 1:06
Saturday, 09/04/2010 17:24

Nabil Darwish

الأحد, 5-09-2010 - 1:06 Sunday, 05/09/2010 - 1:06

Saturday, 09/04/2010 17:24

Spread of the disease and the death of large numbers of poultry, causing a rise in Osarhacal Dr. Nabil Darwish - Chairman of the Federation poultry producers - the bird flu virus will mutate in poultry farms, and no longer used in vaccines effective resistance does not do any good in addressing the spread in poultry farms.

The Darwish told «constitution» incident is that the rise in the prices of poultry due to the spread of bird flu in farms and caused the deaths of large numbers of birds of these farms. He added that the Ministry of Agriculture pledged after worsening bird flu crisis as poultry farms will be transferred from residential areas to desert areas, pointing out that the transfer of farms from residential areas to desert areas, it would reduce the transmission of the disease.

For his part, Dr. Sami Taha - Member of the Association veterinarian - that the government deal with the bird flu is the worst the world has resulted from this deal that Egypt was the first country globally in terms of rates of injuries and deaths from the disease.

Also, Egypt is the only country in Africa, which is by the disease, and one of the 5 countries in the world could not get rid of the disease so far.

And the need to support Talib Taha Vaccine Institute Abbasyia to be able to develop a vaccine that local patients able to resist, and must also be addressed at the Institute of Animal Health Research to address this disease.

Egyptian Ministry of Health denies the existence of scientific evidence on the swine flu virus mutates

Health 06/09/2010 5:29:00 PM



Cairo - 6-9 (KUNA) - U.S. and Egyptian Ministry of Health there is no scientific evidence that there is a mutation in the swine flu virus, or resistance to the drug Tamiflu in viruses that were isolated from patients in Egypt.

The ministry said in a statement Thursday that there is no new types other than the customary seasonal flu or laboratory evidence possible emergence of a new wave of the disease at this time.
The Assistant Minister of Health for Preventive Medicine, Dr. Nasr that the results of the labs and the research bodies in order to follow the evolution of swine flu virus confirmed that he is not yet there is no scientific evidence the virus had mutated or non-effectiveness of the treatment schedule.
Mr there is cooperation with reference laboratories and research bodies to follow the evolution of swine flu epidemic and laboratory and monitor any changes in the properties of the virus or severity of the disease caused him.
He noted that he is stand-up world of swine flu, referring to the number of countries which have infected with the disease amounted to 214 countries worldwide and the number of laboratory confirmed cases of death 18 114 cases.
Pointed out the low prevalence of the disease in the continent of Africa and the tropics, pointing out that the ministry continues in the activities and efforts to follow up the disease for early detection of any increase in the rate of spread.
He said the ministry following any changes in the disease through surveillance and epidemic through an integrated program includes surveillance of bird flu, seasonal, and cases of pneumonia, and systemic cases of inflammation of the respiratory and severe in all hospitals across the country.

The development of farm chickens infected with Newcastle disease in Ulaanbaatar Mongolia's first

2010-09-06 09:45:50
。 Hokkaido University Ikemenuirusuhanta Duck T traveling fun fun picking up feces samples professor, this time thanks to a strong infrastructure support for the pavement, instead of Boruganroguhausu always stay in the city of Erdenet city and the third Mashita.
I also was a good taste of Bulgan log house was in his room seemed to have a city that looks like a nice item hot showers and TV's and Erdenet.
So I news.
。 As of August 31, the disease infected a large number of chicken farms Nanika in late August in Ulaanbaatar, was disposed of a total of 50,000 birds since Satsu to a series of death was the news that I, apparently central lab tests, had been concerned about "the new bird flu" instead of "Newcastle disease" had turned out to be.
And from their vet, "I'm Newcastle Naa" I like it like a disease, and Western Japan, Australia and frequently occurs that, although the first infection in Mongolia and It has, and the route of infection and specific measures and measures to prevent outbreak must be addressed quite seriously.
Infection have not been identified yet, and that virus contamination of poultry feed imported from China apparently.
Aruhangaiaimagu also the largest lake in Lake "Teruhintsagannoru" any information in the mass mortality in the cormorant, the samples have also been sent to Mongolia, but also a new bird flu virus was that individuals who also mostly immature chick was dead.
Hovsgol in the border last year and Arkhangai "Orongorinberucheru" (called the confluence of many rivers, the river is joined Somon River and the river Choroto Idell, the confluence of many rivers that pour into the river and the river Selenge Derugerumurun Fishing is a good point big game fishing around the Ito) in a large number of cormorants was dead, but it just is desirable for the death of a cormorant.

Some of the specimens brought cormorant, and it had gunshot wounds, apparently, began to spend the summer came from north China in recent years because of rapidly increasing population, and Ito, among other Renokku and probably also due to the hatred of the Mongols that cormorant've been feeding the fry will grow.
In the Tarubaganpesuto Bayanurugi (Japanese - Mongolian dictionary has become a plague, but not so much plague symptoms from strong, I feel rather close to the tularemia) Tsengerusomu occurs, the eastern Dornod Sufubatoruaimagu in the foot and mouth disease has occurred, may now have information that infection with wild gazelle groups yet.

。 Infectious diseases of wild animals is legal, take the measures taken for no reason, unlike cattle, can not get a vaccine, to leverage against Dzutteimasu pretty.
Disease and the natural environment, and this time I fully realize the implications of the social environment.
Tarubaganpesuto (тахал Тарваганы Tarubaganyitaharu) for some infecting humans, were found at the surrounding area because the cause is taken strict measures taken, and will travel to the region Bayanurugi If not, please enjoy your itinerary immediately check the latest information from travel agencies or local administrations.
FMD is similar.

Patients infected with swine streptococcus increase

Wednesday, 01/09/2010, 00:41 (GMT 7)
Within five months back here in the province of Thua Thien - Hue to 32 cases of swine streptococcus but not defined have blue ear pig. What causes inflammation of people infected by the bridge where pigs?

On 30-8, the doctor-Emergency Department Hospital being treated for Hue Nguyen Dang Doan, Thuan An town, Phu Vang district, Thua Thien - Hue province in extremely critical condition. Previously, on 26-8, his delegation to dinner anniversary of the appearance of symptoms abdominal pain, high fever, nausea. On 27-8, the family took him to emergency at a private hospital in Hue.

Here, after tests, doctors determined his team positive for streptococcus swine disease.

Mr. Duong Van Sinh, Dean-Emergency Hospital, said from Hue, from April to now, the hospital had received 34 emergency patients infected swine streptococcus. Of these 32 patients residing in Thua Thien - Hue.

Một bệnh nhân ở TT - Huế nhiễm liên cầu lợn đang được điều trị tại BV TƯ Huế trong tình trạng nguy kịch.

One patient in the TT - Hue swine streptococcus infections are being treated at a private hospital in critical condition Hue.



As reported, earlier, in many localities in the province such as Huong Tra, Phu Vang, Huong Thuy, Quang Dien ... herd has died, the people, blue ear pig disease death. However, veterinary re-determine the cause of dead pig is not from blue ear disease should have sold off some people infected pigs back to salvage effort and capital raising.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Department of Animal Health Department of Thua Thien - Hue is determined, to this point in the province of Thua Thien - Hue not happen blue ear pig.

So the number of people infected by swine streptococcus where? While patients who received treatment in hospital from Hue most of them have confirmed from eating pork products purchased in local markets, or eat more pork soup, pork bun ...

Also, there are more cases of eating goat farming pigs also infected with streptococcus. Design thinking, the functional departments of Thua Thien - Hue to review this matter to prevent more people infected by the owner.

Mr. Duong Van Sinh, Head of Hospital-Emergency practicing recommended: People should exercise caution when using the food from pork, be thoroughly cooked before eating, should not eat more soup, spring rolls. If after using the processed food from pork, but the appearance of abdominal pain, nausea, go liquid, high fever ... be taken to a hospital emergency department.

Japan: Treatment or rapid decline in mortality

[translated out of Japan]
September 6 4:00 49 minutes

During the flu epidemic this year from last year, about 90 children hospitalized percent throughout the country, was found to be anti-viral medication within 48 hours of first symptoms, experts quickly treatment and a global perspective, and led to lower mortality.

In Yokohama, a group of doctors in Keiyuu病院 Sugaya Norio, the last from June to January this year, and circumstances surrounding 調Bemashi treat approximately 1,000 children were hospitalized with flu throughout the country or. Consequently, antiviral drugs are almost all "Tamiflu" and "Relenza" I have been prescribed to approximately 90 children found after more percent, Imashi the medication within 48 hours of first symptoms or. Meanwhile, According to the medical journal, The American children were taking antiviral medication to 80% fewer, and were taken within 48 hours of onset, 51 at most% of that was limited to .

Percentage of people who died in the flu per 100,000 population, estimated at U.S. human ▽ 3.96, ▽ 1.32 for Canada and the other person is, the Japanese people and the world ▽ 0.15 are substantially lower than the country. Dr. Sugaya said, "was the center of fashionable children, and ensure that quick treatment, considered to be linked to lower mortality in the world to see. Even when the epidemic occurs again, taking antiviral drugs early I think it's valid, "we said

The new resistant strains, Tochigi Japan's first detection of patients returning from India

[Translation out of Japan]
2010-09-06
Resistant bacteria are difficult to treat with the new antibiotic from patients who were hospitalized after their return from India in Tochigi Prefecture, were found to have been detected. According to the report below dated September 06, 2010 Asahi Shimbun.

Resistant bacteria are difficult to treat with the new antibiotic, the patient was hospitalized and returned from India in Tochigi Prefecture, were found to have been detected. And has spread to Europe from India and Pakistan "NDM1" I have a gene called resistant strains. The first confirmed in Japan.

According to the Ministry of Health, Hospital独協医科大学(Mibu Town, Tochigi Prefecture), the office received a call, I examined past cases, but were suspected infection cases reported in early September, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases it was.

According to the hospital and the ministry, was found last May, a 50-year-old Japanese male patient in his hospital, medical school was German cooperation. The man recovered and was discharged. The other patient was not infected. Because symptoms such as fever, I examined, NDM1 found E. coli bacteria that have genes.

Ministry officials, "the hospital has not received direct reports are aware of the information from researchers. Gathering information as soon as possible, to consider further measures," trying.

New resistant strains were reported this summer that has spread to Europe from India and Pakistan and the UK. According to the British medical journal, this fungus, a total of 143 patients from India and Pakistan,
Has found 37 cases in the UK.

This ministry is August 18 for hospitals nationwide through state, when there were outbreaks in the country, the Secretariat issued a call to request a report on the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

E. coli bacteria in the body has anyone originally. Are concerned about the possibility of expanding your knowledge as well as community-acquired infections in the hospital. NDM1 to earn bacteria Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae have, super bacteria that infected patients difficult to treat because most antibiotics are ineffective (super resistant bacteria) is called, WHO from bacteria to bacteria countries were warned to infection.
For now, the market does not seem to be spreading infection, hospitals are committed to the proper use of antibiotics, we do not watch out resistant bacteria, washing, masks, and gloves further infection prevention and thorough I want to work.

Tokoyo: The Flu Already Closed Class

[Translation out of Japan..and hard to understand. Putting here for future reference]

The flu already closed class

2010.9.6 18:40 2010.9.6 18:40

東京都教育委員会は６日、目黒区の中学校で今季初のインフルエンザによる学級閉鎖を実施すると発表した。 06 Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education announced it will conduct a closed class of influenza season in the middle of Meguro first. 都内でのインフルエンザの発生は例年１０月で、都教委は「９月の学級閉鎖は極めて異例」としている。 Flu every year in October in Tokyo, the metropolitan board of education "classes in September closed unusual" trying.

都教委によると、学級閉鎖されたのは区立第７中学校の３年生の１クラスで、期間は７～９日の３日間。 According to the Metropolitan Board of Education, the classes were closed in the third grade of junior high school class of 7th Ward, a three-day period between 7 and 9. クラスの生徒３４人のうち、３９度以上の高熱などで５人が欠席、うち４人がインフルエンザＡ型の診断を受けたという。 Class of 34 students, who attend high fever over 39 degrees in five, four of influenza type A that was diagnosed.

都教委は「昨年流行した新型インフルエンザかどうか遺伝子検査で調査している」としている。 Metropolitan Board of Education "We are investigating whether a genetic test flu epidemic last year" trying.

Japan: Death toll of superbug patients at 27

Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010
Three more found infected with resistant strain at hospital

Kyodo News

Teikyo University Hospital said Friday that since late last year 27 out of 46 patients infected with an antibiotic-resistant bacterium called Acinetobacter have died, including nine whose deaths are possibly attributable to the superbug that the hospital did not report until Thursday.

The first death occurred last October, said the hospital in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. It launched an in-house investigation panel this July but did not make an announcement.

Acinetobacter bacteria are microbes found in many parts of the environment, including sewage, soil and water. They are resistant to most antibiotics, but certain cephem antibiotics are effective in treating Acinetobacter infections, according to the hospital.

On Saturday, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government also announced that three inpatients at the same hospital have been infected with another antibiotic-resistant bacterium, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with one suspected fatality.

The hospital reported the three cases to the metro government Thursday at the same time as it reported the outbreak of Acinetobacter infections, the officials said.

Police on Monday will likely question a doctor at the hospital on a voluntary basis, suspecting professional negligence resulting in death, investigative sources said.

The nine patients, who possibly died due to in-hospital infection with Acinetobacter, were men and women aged from 53 to 89, according to the hospital. They were suffering from immunological deterioration as a result of such diseases as leukemia and renal insufficiency before they passed away between October last year and this August, the hospital said.

Healthy people are not at a high risk of infection, according to experts.

Of the 18 other deaths, 12 were unrelated to the infection while a connection between six deaths and the infection has yet to be found.

It is still unknown how the 46 patients came to be infected with the bacteria. Currently, nine are being treated in a special ward, the hospital said.

The metro government said Friday it had received no report on Acinetobacter infection from the Teikyo hospital when it conducted an on-site inspection jointly with the central government last month.

The hospital should have submitted a report no later than July, when it set up an in-house investigation committee, the metro government added. The hospital informed the ministry and the Tokyo government of the infection cases Thursday.

"We have addressed the cases with the treatment of patients in mind but should have made them public earlier," Shigeho Morita, director of the hospital, told reporters Friday.

Despite the announcement of the 46 cases of infection, the pseudomonal cases were not revealed Friday by either the hospital or the metro government.

A Tokyo government official explained Saturday that it did not give out the information as infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, unlike Acinetobacter, are not uncommon and that the incidence of infection was small.

Pseudomonal infection was detected in three patients in the same hospital ward between June and August, of whom one suffering from heart disease died on Aug. 24 of blood poisoning brought on by a bacterial infection, the official said, adding that there is a strong possibility the pseudomonal bacterium was to blame for the death.

In Aichi Prefecture, 24 inpatients at Fujita Health University Hospital have been infected with Acinetobacter since February, hospital officials said.

Six of the 24 patients have died, but the fatalities are probably not linked to the infection, according to a local public health center.

Why bird flu didn't become a pandemic

Washington, Mon, 06 Sep 2010
Washington, Sep 6 (ANI): A new study has revealed that why irrespective of the 2005 outbreak of the H5N1 'bird flu' virus in South East Asia, it didn't' turn into a pandemic.


Scientists have shown why the global spread of bird flu by direct migration of wildfowl is unlikely.


They have also provided a new framework for quantifying the risk of avian-borne diseases.

-snip-

BMC: Pandemic influenza control in Europe...

Pandemic influenza control in Europe and the constraints resulting from incoherent public health laws

Robyn Martin , Alexandra Conseil , Abie Longstaff , Jimmy Kodo , Joachim Siegert , Anne-Marie Duguet , Paula Lobato de Faria , George Haringhuizen , Jaime Espin and Richard Coker

BMC Public Health 2010, 10:532doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-532

Published:	3 September 2010

Abstract (provisional)
Background

With the emergence of influenza H1N1v the world is facing its first 21st century global pandemic. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and avian influenza H5N1 prompted development of pandemic preparedness plans. National systems of public health law are essential for public health stewardship and for the implementation of public health policy[1]. International coherence will contribute to effective regional and global responses. However little research has been undertaken on the how law works as a tool for disease control in Europe. With co-funding from the European Union, we investigated the extent to which laws across Europe support or constrain pandemic preparedness planning, and whether national differences are likely to constrain control efforts.

Methods

We undertook a survey of national public health laws across 32 European states using a questionnaire designed around a disease scenario based on pandemic influenza. Questionnaire results were reviewed in workshops, analysing how differences between national laws might support or hinder regional responses to pandemic influenza. Respondents examined the impact of national laws on the movements of information, goods, services and people across borders in a time of pandemic, the capacity for surveillance, case detection, case management and community control, the deployment of strategies of prevention, containment, mitigation and recovery and the identification of commonalities and disconnects across states.

Results

Results of this study show differences across Europe in the extent to which national pandemic policy and pandemic plans have been integrated with public health laws. We found significant differences in legislation and in the legitimacy of strategic plans. . States differ in the range and the nature of intervention measures authorized by law, the extent to which borders could be closed to movement of persons and goods during a pandemic, and access to healthcare of non-resident persons. Some states propose use of emergency powers that might potentially override human rights protections while other states propose to limit interventions to those authorized by public health laws.

Conclusion

These differences could create problems for European strategies if an evolving influenza pandemic results in more serious public health challenges or, indeed, if a novel disease other than influenza emerges with pandemic potential. There is insufficient understanding across Europe of the role and importance of law in pandemic planning. States need to build capacity in public health law to support disease prevention and control policies. Our research suggests that states would welcome further guidance from the EU on management of a pandemic, and guidance to assist in greater commonality of legal approaches across states.

Korean media say Japan was a kind of "super bacteria" attack caused 33 people died

on the September 5, 2010

。 Chang reported that Japan's global network has been some kind of "super bacteria" attack, antibiotics can not afford any of their role in making the Japanese people into a panic.

According to South Korea's YTN 9月5日reported in Tokyo in a university hospital, 46 were diagnosed as infected with these bacteria, which have killed 27 people. Existing antibiotics can not afford to have any effect on these bacteria, so Japanese media called "super bacteria"

Relevant staff of the hospital, said: "Patients are in hospital bacteria such as internal infections, the approach has begun to investigate the infection."

。 Reported that the group infected with "superbugs" in the case not only in the university hospitals in Tokyo, Aichi, in Japan, also found a similar bacterial infections until the end of the month 7, there are 24 people infected, of whom 6 died.

Labor, and Welfare said it's still not sure the "super bacteria" is a direct cause of death in patients, but the bacteria in the major hospitals in Japan have spread the trend, and that epidemiological studies will begin the investigation.

Bangladesh on alert as anthrax spreads

First Posted 19:05:00 09/05/2010

DHAKA – Bangladesh has put livestock and health officials on high alert after an outbreak of anthrax spread to more districts, infecting 327 people since mid-August, officials said Sunday.

The livestock minister suspended all leave and sent teams to the affected districts, department deputy director Mosaddek Hossain said.

The move comes after health officials confirmed that anthrax has infected people in two more districts in the country's north and east, taking the tally to five districts.

Outbreaks in two more districts await confirmation.

"This is the biggest outbreak of anthrax in the country's history. We are very concerned. The government has set up surveillance teams in all the affected areas so that the disease cannot spread to other places," Hossain said.

Scores of cows have died in the outbreak, causing panic among farmers.

The situation has been aggravated by eating and handling of diseased cows by farmers, he said.

Anthrax is a potentially lethal bacterium that exists naturally in the soil and commonly infects livestock which ingest or inhale its spores while grazing. It can be transmitted to humans who handle or eat infected animals.

Mahmudur Rahman, a director of health ministry, said 327 people have been infected with the disease since August 18. All the cases are cutaneous, or skin, anthrax which causes wound-like lesions.

"We are battling hard to contain the disease. Still, we are receiving reports of new infections

in almost every day," he said.