Three Brothers Mysterious Deaths #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

A PREVIOUS story, now they are bf suspects..

Monday, January 9, 2012 | 00:40:29 PM | 520 HITS
Three Brothers Mysterious DeathsAllegedly Infected by Viruses, 15 Residents Evacuated to Dr Wahidin Sudirohusodo

Sungguminasa, DAWN - The three brothers in the hamlet Matteko, Erelembang Village, District Tombolopao reportedly died under mysterious circumstances. The three also died within the contiguous. Suspected death of a third
siblings was due to the virus.

Brothers reportedly died after suffering a high fever and sore throat. In part

residents in the remote village began to be evacuated to Dr Wahidin Sudirohusodo, Makassar, because it was feared had been infected with a deadly contagious disease.

Three brothers who died each Zul Asril (6 years), Amiruddin (17 years), and Nurmiati (14 years). One more relatives of the victims named Nismawati (16 years) and no less 14 other civilians, remains in intensive care at the department of Wahidin Sudirohusodo.

Gowa's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Heri Gaffar, Sunday, January 8, explains, Zul Asril began treatment at health center (Pustu) on December 20, 2011 last. Clinical symptoms complained of casualties is high fever, sore
throat to bleed when spitting. From the results of the diagnosis of health workers, Zul suffering from tonsillitis pharyngitis or acute infection of the respiratory tract. However Zul finally died at 26

In December.

Brother Zul, Amiruddin be the next victim. Amiruddin reportedly began experiencing the same symptoms on 25 December. The information obtained by Dr. Heri, the victim's parents did not bring to the installation Amiruddin health. But

instead treated to a traditional healer. On December 30, Amiruddin followed his brother into the afterlife.
Only a day later, the health conditions Nurmiati went down drastically. Nurmiati also experience symptoms of sore throat. Unfortunately, the 14-year-old youth died on the way to the local health center, 3

In January.

Gowa own new Health Department informed the death of three brothers on 3 January. "Previously there info. But it is not clear alias confusing. Later on 3 (January) the new information
could be confirmed, "said Dr. Heri.

After ascertaining the truth of the information, the health department was immediately lowered the team moved quickly to the village health center Matteko. The officers worked day and night checks on all members of the victim's family following his neighbors. Saturday, December 7, the joint team from the Directorate Epim Kesma Ministry of Health, Central Health Laboratory (BBLK) South Sulawesi Health Office and the Public Health Service Matteko Gowa back to Hamlet. This time, the victim's family and neighbors taken blood samples for examination.

As a precaution, as many as 15 people, including entire families, were evacuated to the department of Wahidin Sudirohusodo, Makassar. Citizens suspected of suffering from severe clinical symptoms then are placed in isolation rooms. "Now we're just waiting for culture results BBLK germs by the province. It is estimated it will take up to a week," added Dr. Heri.

Until the results of laboratory tests have not come out, then the status of outbreaks (Extraordinary Events) can not be announced. However, if the results of laboratory tests showed the existence of an infectious disease threats and
deadly, it will be desirable to isolate the population.
Dr. Heri continued, while the results of the examination, the victim allegedly suffered from diphtheria the tonsils or acute infection of the respiratory tract. This deadly disease outbreak victims who do not generally pay much attention to environmental sanitation.

He also denied rumors that mention health department officials to ignore the case. Dr. Heri confirmed, health workers in remote villages that already take medication according to the procedure. But the

victims who did not perform control so that the treatment is lost.

"Maybe because of the distance (from the victim's home to Pustu) very much and the weather is bad. There were no mobile signal in a radius of 15-25 km. Yet the terrain is very tough," he explained. Camat Tombolopao, Andi Sura Suaib said the incident did not make the situation in Hamlet Matteko panic. Society, he continued,

continue business as usual. Villagers also been distributed antibiotics and vitamins. "Yesterday I left the location at 8 pm. There are two people with a fever and immediately rushed to hospitals Sheikh Yusuf. But it was a cold and now it's back," said Andi Sura contacted separately.

Previously had diphtheria epidemic and declared as outbreaks in East Java, in October 2011 last. A total of 329 residents of East Java declared infected and 11 people died.

Members of Parliament from the constituency Tombolopao Gowa, Nur Salam confirmed, Sunday, January 8, confirmed the incident. Nur Salam also participate in group health team. "But we do not yet know what his illness because he said his blood sample will still be examined in Surabaya," said Nur Salam.

Camat Tombolopao, Andi Sura Suaib also acknowledged the event. Based on the results of blood checks quickly (rapid test), confirmed the death of the deceased could not due to bird flu virus. Health team also took blood samples from the deceased's parents and some neighbors.
The results of further blood tests can only be known on Tuesday, tomorrow, or Wednesday, the day after. "If the data, we suggest you contact Puskesmasnya," said Andi Sura and a contact number for Health Center staff Tombolopao.

Unfortunately, the clerk at the health center Tombolopao is not much information.He only revealed that the first victim died on December 24, 2011 last. "We've sent all its data to the (health department) district. Immediately contact," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of South Sulawesi Provincial Health Office Dr.dr.H.Rachmat Latif, SpPD., M. Kes when confirmed last Sunday night via cell phone claimed not to know the cases that occurred in the hamlet Matteko, Erelembang Village, District Tombolopao, Gowa regency , it. "I do not know it, there has been no report came to me," he said.

Rachmat admitted on a working visit to several areas. Therefore he did not know the case of three citizens of Gowa meningalnya mysteriously. He also added, usually to a case that occurred at the district / city then the Chief Medical Officer (Health Office) steeped in the local case.

"You'd better ask around (Dinkes Gowa, red). Even so I will call on relevant parties tomorrow, to know clearly what the real issue," he explained. (Aha-RhD)http://www.fajar.co.id/read-20120109...ggal-misterius

4 suspected with bird flu,3 family members dead #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

Four People Infected With Bird Flu Suspected Gowa
10.01.2012 04:03

Artikel Terkait
Liputan6.com, Gowa: Risnawati, Nurbaya, Arsil, and Wahid had to undergo a medical examination in isolation rooms Sudirohusodo Wahidin General Hospital, Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Monday (9 / 1). The four villagers Relemba, Tombolopao District, Gowa, it complained of pain in the throat and high fever. Moreover, three members of their families in one house reportedly died with similar complaints.
Took no chances, officials from South Sulawesi Provincial Health Office, direct refer them to the RSU Wahidin. This hospital is a referral hospital of bird flu disease and isolate them in the center of infection.

Hospital officials have taken blood samples are then tested four patients for laboratory and get special handling during the treatment. Although the preliminary results of newly diagnosed acute inflammation of the throat, medics are still awaiting results of lab tests to ensure the illnesses suffered by the four residents http://kesehatan.liputan6.com/read/371474/empat-warga-gowa-diduga-terinfeksi-flu-burung

Animal-Related Diseases Concern Scientists #h5n1 #birdflu

uary 04, 2012

Animal-Related Diseases Concern ScientistsHealth researchers and wildlife biologists say the number of infectious diseases that have jumped the boundary from animals to humans and between animal species is on the rise. Scientists believe the increase may be a result of more frequent contact between humans and wild animals, as well as the growing trade in wild animals, both legal and illegal.


Towards the end of the 1990s, several Asian countries lived one of their worst health nightmares. A new, highly pathogenic, strain of Avian Influenza known as H5N1 killed hundreds of people. Over the next years, more than 9-million chickens were destroyed in an effort to stem the epidemic. Scientists believe the H5N1 virus was transmitted from wild birds to domestic poultry and pigs, which then passed it to humans. H5N1 is just the latest of various influenza strains that have killed up to 100 million people over the last century.

Now scientists are concerned about the appearance of new illnesses. Jonathan Sleeman is the director of the National Wildlife Health Center at the U.S. Geological Survey.

"Human health, wildlife health and domestic animal health are all interconnect within the context of the environment," said Sleeman. "And environmental changes and changes in environmental quality will have negative impacts in all 3 groups."

Experts say there are many causes: the increasingly rapid ..  http://www.voanews.com/english/news/health/Animal-Related-Diseases-Raise-Concern-with-Scientists-136677768.html

Update: Influenza A (H3N2)v Transmission and Guidelines — Five States, 2011

Early Release

December 23, 2011 / 60(Early Release);1-4

From August 17 to December 23, 2011, CDC received reports of 12 human infections with influenza A (H3N2)v viruses that have the matrix (M) gene from the influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus (formerly called swine-origin influenza A [H3N2] and pandemic influenza A [H1N1] 2009 viruses, respectively [Box]). The 12 cases occurred in five states (Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia), and 11 were in children (1,2). Six of the 12 patients had no identified recent exposure to swine. Three of the 12 patients were hospitalized, and all have recovered fully.
A case in an adult male in Indiana with occupational exposure to swine was among the 12, and two children in West Virginia who regularly attended the same day care accounted for the latest cases. This report describes those cases and swine influenza virus (SIV) surveillance being conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Case Reports

Indiana.
 On October 28, 2011, CDC was notified by the Indiana Department of Health of a suspected case of A(H3N2)v virus infection in an adult male. The patient experienced onset of fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and body aches on October 20, and was hospitalized for 4 days. He did not receive treatment with influenza antiviral medications and recovered fully.
On October 22, a respiratory specimen from the patient was positive for influenza at the hospital. On October 28, the virus was identified by real-time, reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) testing at the Indiana State Public Health Laboratory as an inconclusive influenza A virus, consistent with results seen with other recent A(H3N2)v infections. On October 31, genome sequencing at CDC confirmed the virus as A(H3N2)v with the M gene from the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus, similar to the viruses identified in the other cases of human infection in the United States since August 2011.
The patient reported direct contact with swine during his work in the week before illness onset. He said he did not wear any personal protective equipment (PPE) because the swine did not exhibit signs of illness. No illness was reported among the patient's household members or other close contacts
.
West Virginia.
 On November 19, a child aged <5 years developed acute onset of fever after 1 week of cough and congestion. The child had been hospitalized for an unrelated condition 2 days before the onset of fever. On November 21, a respiratory specimen was collected. Rapid diagnostic tests conducted by the hospital were negative for influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, but influenza A was identified by an alternative rRT-PCR at the hospital. The specimen was forwarded to the West Virginia Office of Laboratory Services, where it was identified as a suspected influenza A (H3N2)v virus. Subsequent genome sequencing conducted at CDC confirmed the virus as A(H3N2)v with the M gene from the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus. The child, who had no recent travel or exposure to swine, was discharged on November 21, and has since recovered from the influenza illness.
An investigation was conducted to ascertain respiratory illnesses among contacts of the child that occurred during November 9–December 19. Multiple contacts, including children who regularly attended day care with the child, were found to have had respiratory illness during this period. On November 29, a second child aged <5 years who attended day care regularly with the first child and who had no recent travel or swine exposure became ill with fever, cough, diarrhea, and rhinorrhea. The second child did not seek medical care and recovered fully from the illness. A respiratory specimen obtained from the second child on December 7 was inconclusive by rRT-PCR at the West Virginia Office of Laboratory Services; however, the specimen was confirmed as influenza A (H3N2)v with the M gene from the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus via genome sequencing at CDC.
No additional A(H3N2)v cases have been identified among the other ill day care attendees or contacts of either patient. Enhanced surveillance for influenza-like illness and increased diagnostic testing of respiratory specimens is being conducted in West Virginia and adjacent counties in Maryland as part of the ongoing investigation of these cases. Currently, no evidence of additional human-to-human transmission in the community has been identified.

Influenza Surveillance of U.S. Swine

Surveillance for SIV in the United States is overseen by USDA, largely in swine that display influenza-like illness. In July 2009, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the swine industry implemented a SIV surveillance program* to characterize the distribution of SIV in U.S. swine herds. To date, approximately 150 SIV isolates have undergone sequencing of three genes (hemagglutinin, matrix, and neuraminidase gene segments) and sequences have been submitted to GenBank.† Thirty isolates have been identified as A(H3N2) viruses and eight of those 30 have the M gene from the influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus as determined by an informal analysis of GenBank submission data by the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Further characterization and analysis are ongoing, and new submissions are added as diagnostic work is completed.

Reported by

Shawn Richards, Mark Glazier, Katie Masterson, Michael Denton, Indiana State Dept of Health; Cheryl Miller, DVM, Indiana Board of Animal Health. Carl Liebig, MD, Andrew J. Root, Cynthia Whitt, Mineral County Health Dept, Julie Freshwater, PhD, Sherif Ibrahim, MD, Danae Bixler, MD, Christi Clark, Loretta Haddy, PhD, West Virginia Dept of Public Health. Swine Influenza Virus Team, U.S. Dept of Agriculture. Douglas Jordan, MA, Matthew Biggerstaff, MPH, Scott Epperson, MPH, Lynnette Brammer, MPH, Lyn Finelli, DrPH, Susan Trock, DVM, Michael Jhung, MD, Joseph Bresee, MD, Stephen Lindstrom, PhD, Alexander Klimov, PhD, Daniel Jernigan, MD, Nancy Cox, PhD, Influenza Div, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Rachel Radcliffe, DVM, Career Epidemiology Field Officer Program, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response; Tegwin Taylor, DVM, EIS officer, CDC. Corresponding contributor: Douglas Jordan, dejordan@cdc.gov, 404-639-3747 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-639-3747 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Editorial Note

Human infections with the influenza viruses currently circulating among swine are rare. Since 2005, only 35 cases have been reported in the United States, but the frequency with which they have been detected increased in 2011. When different influenza viruses simultaneously infect a single host (e.g., a human or swine), exchange of genetic material can occur, resulting in a new influenza virus. Depending on the antigenic distance between the new virus and recently circulating seasonal viruses, little or no immunity might exist in the human population. Influenza A (H3N2)v viruses resulted from reassortment of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 viruses with swine influenza A (H3N2) viruses. A diagram depicting this reassortment is available online from CDC's Public Health Image Library.§ Because these viruses carry a newly identified combination of genes, little information is available regarding transmission efficiency in swine, in humans, or between swine and humans. However, the recent human cases involving swine exposure and results of SIV surveillance indicate that these viruses also currently are circulating in swine herds.
The case of influenza A (H3N2)v infection after occupational contact with swine in Indiana and the apparent limited human-to-human transmission of A(H3N2)v virus that occurred in a day care setting in West Virginia represent two different possible scenarios for transmission of this virus. Work exposure highlights the risk for interspecies influenza transmission in occupational settings where humans are exposed to swine, an association that has been described previously (3–7). To minimize the risk for interspecies influenza transmission in occupational settings, CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) encourage swine workers to 1) get vaccinated against human seasonal influenza, 2) wear appropriate PPE, and 3) practice good hygiene, such as washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, when in contact with swine, especially swine that show signs of illness. The National Pork Board also recommends producers work with their veterinarian to develop appropriate prevention and control measures for influenza in swine, which can include vaccinating swine against swine influenza. Similar to humans, swine infected with influenza viruses do not always exhibit signs of infection (8). Persons with swine exposure in the week before onset of an illness with symptoms of influenza requiring medical care should notify their health-care provider of their swine exposures. Persons who develop symptoms of influenza after close contact with swine are recommended to stay home until well to minimize contact with persons and swine as much as possible.
Guidance materials for persons who work with swine have been published by OSHA.¶ In addition, the National Pork Board,** CDC, and the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians have published guidance for persons exposed to swine in public settings (9). Clinicians should consider variant influenza virus infection in the differential diagnosis of patients with febrile respiratory illness who have been near swine whether at work or at an agricultural event, such as a fair or exhibit.
The A(H3N2)v cases in West Virginia involved two children who attended the same day care, but the first child was unlikely to have transmitted the virus to the second child, given the ≥10-day difference in their symptom onset dates. This represents a scenario of limited human-to-human transmission occurring in a day care setting. Therefore, clinicians also should consider the possibility of influenza A (H3N2)v infections in patients who have not had exposure to swine, particularly young children in those states where influenza A (H3N2)v cases have been reported. Clinicians who suspect variant influenza virus infection should obtain a nasopharyngeal swab, place the swab in viral transport medium, and contact their state or local health department to facilitate transport and timely diagnosis (10). Influenza A (H3N2)v viruses detected to date are susceptible to oseltamivir and zanamivir for the treatment of influenza. Clinicians who suspect variant influenza infection in a patient should consider treatment with these medications if clinically indicated (10). Because these viruses have the M gene from the influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus, they are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine.

CDC requests that state public health laboratories notify CDC immediately of suspected variant influenza A specimens and send them to the CDC Influenza Division's Virus Surveillance and Diagnostics Branch Laboratory. Confirmed cases should be investigated thoroughly and expeditiously to ascertain whether swine-to-human or human-to-human transmission is ongoing and to limit further exposures between humans with others and swine. Such investigations require close collaboration among state, local, and federal public and animal health officials.

CDC is working with USDA and state public health and animal health experts in the locations where these cases have occurred to investigate each case fully and to enhance influenza surveillance to detect human cases of variant influenza virus infections. The CDC rRT-PCR assay that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in September 2011 is able to identify these cases as presumptive influenza A (H3N2)v cases. These diagnostic test kits have been distributed to public health laboratories in the United States and National Influenza Centers designated by the World Health Organization in other countries. Additional rRT-PCR test enhancements to further improve detection of influenza A (H3N2)v viruses are under development.
Limited serologic studies conducted to date indicate that young children have little preexisting immunity to influenza A (H3N2)v viruses. Because the hemagglutinin genes of these viruses are related to human influenza A (H3N2) viruses that circulated in the 1990s, older children and adults might have limited immunity against these viruses. Certain persons, including young children, pregnant women, persons with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease, and persons aged ≥65 years, are likely to be at greater risk for serious influenza-related complications from variant influenza viruses such as influenza A (H3N2)v. The influenza A (H3N2)v virus is different enough from current human seasonal influenza viruses that the seasonal influenza vaccine is not expected to provide significant protection.
CDC will provide routine and timely communications regarding these influenza A (H3N2)v viruses and other variant influenza viruses with the public, partners, state and local health departments, and stakeholders. Updated information and guidance documents related to A(H3N2)v viruses are available online from CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/influenza-variant-viruses.htm. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm60e1223a1.htm

HK raises bird flu alert #h5n1 #bird flu

HK raises bird flu alertPosted: 21 December 2011 0222 hrs

HONG KONG: Hong Kong on Tuesday raised its bird flu alert level to "serious" and announced it is to cull 17,000 chickens after three birds tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus.

The city's health chief York Chow announced the measures after a dead chicken at a wholesale market and two other wild birds tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of the disease.

Authorities banned all live poultry imports with immediate effect while they trace the source of the dead chicken, whether it was imported or from local poultry farms.
Public broadcaster RTHK reported that around 20 students from a girls' school, aged between six and seven, have developed flu-like symptoms including fever, cough and sore throat, but none has been taken to hospital.
Hong Kong was the site of the world's first major outbreak of bird flu among humans in 1997, when six people died from a mutated form of the virus, which is normally confined to poultry. Millions of birds were then culled.

The cull at the poultry wholesale market where the infected chicken was found will be held on Wednesday, Chow told a late night press conference.

"With a heavy heart, I announce that the dead chicken has been tested positive for the H5N1 strain of virus after a routine check by the agriculture, fisheries and conservation department today," Chow said.

"We are now raising the bird flu response level from alert to serious."

Earlier on Tuesday, the agriculture authorities confirmed an Oriental magpie robin found dead in a secondary school on Saturday had tested positive for H5N1, the second such case in a week.

Another secondary school was ordered to close for a day for disinfection last Friday after a dead black-headed gull was found with the virus.

A school clerk, who picked up the bird, and her son developed flu-like symptoms and were taken to hospital but both were cleared later.

A 59-year-old woman tested positive for bird flu in 2010 in Hong Kong's first human case of the illness since 2003.

The city is particularly nervous about infectious diseases after an outbreak of deadly respiratory disease SARS in 2003 killed 300 people in Hong Kong and a further 500 worldwide.  http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1172499/1/.html
hattip  IRONOREHOPPER 

India-Civic body told to ban rearing pigs in residential areas

Civic body told to ban rearing pigs in residential areas

Saturday, 17 December 2011 00:58

Rajesh Kumar | New Delhi

With fear of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) looming large in the Capital, the Delhi Government has directed the civic body to immediately stop rearing of pigs in residential areas. While there are slaughterhouses for other animals, there are no slaughterhouses for pigs. A proposal has been moved by Directorate of Health Services which suggested that Delhi Government should impose municipal laws banning rearing pigs in residential colonies and areas as it was applied in the case of banning cows and buffalos in the capital.
It has also suggested regulating their stay in Delhi for a minimal period for their slaughtering at designated places. Sources say the Urban Development department will have to direct MCD to immediately stop rearing of the pigs in residential areas or regulate their stay for a minimal period for their slaughtering at designated places.
“The pigs are being reared all over Delhi in slums and resettlement colonies. In addition, pigs are being brought from the other states in the Capital and there is no slaughter house for pigs. These are being slaughtered in various places,” the proposal said. A senior official of health department said on the condition of anonymity that there is a possibility that Japanese Encephalitis may be an endemic by next year if it was not controlled or checked. The note says JE infection has been reported from neighbouring state UP and Haryana though virus infection in pigs could not be established initially.

The proposal further states out of 81 pig samples drawn in November last month 17 tested positive from different areas. The epideminological investigation carried out by the Delhi Government, NCDC and MCD confirms the transmission of infection to be locals. The positive samples are from Civil Lines (8), Shahdara south (6), SP zone (3). It would be pertinent to mention that Delhi Government had earlier decided to segregate pigs in the affected resettlement colonies and keep them in separate enclosures under huge mosquito nets. Due to certain reasons, it has not materialised. It is estimated that there are over 25,000 pigs in Delhi.

According to proposal, seven confirmed JE cases (five children and two adults) has been reported from four different hospitals (MBH, SL Jain hospital, BL Kapoor hospital and RML) for the first time in Delhi in September-October. The cases were found in JJ colony Jehangirpuri, JJ colony Bawana, JJ colony Inderpuri, JJ cluster Gole Market and Sangam Vihar. All cases were showing mild to moderate symptoms and there was no death. “The epideminological investigation by various agencies also confirm local confirm transmission of the infection in all cases. The affected areas have presence of pigs and water bodies in the vicinity,” it said. “Eight samples which were drawn from pigs in September showed no virus”, the proposal said.
The symptoms of JE may be flu-like illness with sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, tiredness, nausea and vomiting occurs in one in 250 infected human. The illness can progress to encephalitis and can be fatal in 30 per cent of the cases if not treated early.  http://www.dailypioneer.com/city/28451-civic-body-told-to-ban-rearing-pigs-in-residential-areas.html