[An earlier post of July 15th, speaks of the Gov's lax position, located here]
July 17, 2013
With the spread of the SARS-like Middle East coronavirus in many
countries, the Centre has asked all states for increasing surveillance
and keeping a close vigil on those travelling to Gulf nations.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) can cause
fever, coughing and pneumonia. It is related to Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and its symptoms are also similar to H1N1 or
Swine flu.
The virus has already killed more than 45 people across the world
and its impact is more visible in the middle east countries. The
largest number of deaths have taken place in Saudi Arabia. It has
sparked fears of a SARS-like outbreak in Asia which left 800 people dead
in 2003. So far, no case of MERS has been reported in India.
In a circular issued to all states, the Health Ministry has said
that the virus has become a global threat and patients with travel
history to the Middle East, China and Taiwan who show signs of
respiratory discomfort should be reported and kept under surveillance.
The Ministry has also asked the state health officials under the
Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) to keep a vigil.
Sources in the Ministry said a total of 81 cases have been reported cross the world with WHO.
Doctors said the symptoms for the virus are similar to that in
swine flu where a patient suffers acute respiratory problems. Doctors
say the infection leads to pneumonia which can prove fatal.
The Health Ministry advisory has asked the states to inform the
hospitals in each district to collect samples of patients with such
symptoms where H1N1 is found negative and said such samples should be
sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune and the National Centre
for Disease Control in Delhi.
WHO's International Health Regulation Emergency Committee on MERS
is meeting in Geneva today to work out a strategy to tackle the virus.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Pakistan: Immediate Medical Tests on Every Pilgrim Returning from Hajj & Umrah #MERS #Coronavirus
KARACHI -
Middle East Corona Virus is feared to have been transmitted to Pakistan from
Saudi Arabia through pilgrims returning from Hajj and Umrah.
Media reports said that the National Institute of Health (NIH) had informed all provincial health departments in this regard. NIH had also directed provincial departments to monitor every person coming from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and other countries.
Talking to reporters, an official of NIH had said that samples of patients suffering from respiratory infection should be collected immediately and measures for their treatment should be taken as soon as possible. He said that if evidence of the virus was found in any person, then his treatment should be started on emergency basis to prevent the spread of this virus in the country.
“Immediate medical tests should be conducted for the pilgrims returning from Hajj and Umrah,” he concluded.
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/07/16/city/karachi/middle-east-corona-virus-being-transmitted-from-saudi/
Media reports said that the National Institute of Health (NIH) had informed all provincial health departments in this regard. NIH had also directed provincial departments to monitor every person coming from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and other countries.
Talking to reporters, an official of NIH had said that samples of patients suffering from respiratory infection should be collected immediately and measures for their treatment should be taken as soon as possible. He said that if evidence of the virus was found in any person, then his treatment should be started on emergency basis to prevent the spread of this virus in the country.
“Immediate medical tests should be conducted for the pilgrims returning from Hajj and Umrah,” he concluded.
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/07/16/city/karachi/middle-east-corona-virus-being-transmitted-from-saudi/
WHO Emergency Committee decides today if #MERS #Coronavirus is an "Emergency"
[The information on the IHR Emergency Committee concerning Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) can be found here]
Is MERS an emergency? Language of IHR boxes WHO into a messaging dilemma
By Helen Branswell, The Canadian Press
TORONTO - Would you choose the word "emergency" to describe a disease that has sickened 82 people in eight countries over the last 16 months? Would your thinking change if you knew it had killed 45 of those people? What about if you knew the virus that caused the disease is related to the one that caused SARS?
Despite the high death rate and SARS connection, it's hard to imagine many lay people would currently see the slow-but-steady MERS coronavirus outbreak as an emergency. And yet a panel of international experts — known as the Emergency Committee — is being asked whether they think the disease event meets that definition when they gather by teleconference Wednesday to assess the threat posed by the Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome virus.
The experts, pulled together by the World Health Organization under powers given it by the International Health Regulations (the IHR), are expected to advise WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan on Wednesday whether she should declare MERS a "public health emergency of international concern" or PHEIC, in the jargon of the WHO. Chan doesn't have to take the advice, but it's hard to see why she would reject the guidance after asking for it.
-snip-
Continued: http://www.canada.com/health/MERS+emergency+Language+boxes+into+messaging+dilemma/8667775/story.html
Is MERS an emergency? Language of IHR boxes WHO into a messaging dilemma
By Helen Branswell, The Canadian Press
TORONTO - Would you choose the word "emergency" to describe a disease that has sickened 82 people in eight countries over the last 16 months? Would your thinking change if you knew it had killed 45 of those people? What about if you knew the virus that caused the disease is related to the one that caused SARS?
Despite the high death rate and SARS connection, it's hard to imagine many lay people would currently see the slow-but-steady MERS coronavirus outbreak as an emergency. And yet a panel of international experts — known as the Emergency Committee — is being asked whether they think the disease event meets that definition when they gather by teleconference Wednesday to assess the threat posed by the Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome virus.
The experts, pulled together by the World Health Organization under powers given it by the International Health Regulations (the IHR), are expected to advise WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan on Wednesday whether she should declare MERS a "public health emergency of international concern" or PHEIC, in the jargon of the WHO. Chan doesn't have to take the advice, but it's hard to see why she would reject the guidance after asking for it.
-snip-
Continued: http://www.canada.com/health/MERS+emergency+Language+boxes+into+messaging+dilemma/8667775/story.html
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Vietnam: No Cases Reported of #H7N9 or #MERS #Coronavirus
July 15, 2013
No cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and avian influenza H7N9 have been reported so far in Vietnam, a health official has said.
Deputy Head of the Preventive Medicine Department under the Health Ministry Tran Dac Phu made the affirmation at a meeting in Hanoi on July 15.
He noted however, that there are risks that MERS-CoV may enter Vietnam in the context of expanding trade and tourism ties with foreign countries, including those where the new deadly coronavirus strain is raging.
There currently no vaccine or treatment for MERS-CoV, the health official said, adding that some infected cases show no symptoms, hindering the control of the disease.
Continued: http://en.vietnamplus.vn/Home/No-MERSCoV-H7N9-cases-reported-so-far-in-Vietnam/20137/36747.vnplus
No cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and avian influenza H7N9 have been reported so far in Vietnam, a health official has said.
Deputy Head of the Preventive Medicine Department under the Health Ministry Tran Dac Phu made the affirmation at a meeting in Hanoi on July 15.
He noted however, that there are risks that MERS-CoV may enter Vietnam in the context of expanding trade and tourism ties with foreign countries, including those where the new deadly coronavirus strain is raging.
There currently no vaccine or treatment for MERS-CoV, the health official said, adding that some infected cases show no symptoms, hindering the control of the disease.
Continued: http://en.vietnamplus.vn/Home/No-MERSCoV-H7N9-cases-reported-so-far-in-Vietnam/20137/36747.vnplus
Cambodia bird flu outbreak continues with 14th case #H5N1
[It appears the 3 year old from Cambodia, that was recently diagnosed with H5N1 bird flu, is from Kampong Trabek district. A map of Prey Veng Province is below the article.]
Faine Greenwood
July 16, 2013
Excerpt:
Cambodia's outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza continues apace as the summer wears on, with a 3-year-old boy becoming the 14th victim this year and the 35th case confirmed in the Southeast Asian nation since records began to be kept.
The Cambodian Ministry of Health has deployed a rapid response team to Prey Veng's Kampong Trabek district to perform "contact tracing" or mass testingof everyone who came into contact with the recently diagnosed 3-year-old boy, including both family and neighbors, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
continued: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/cambodia/130716/cambodia-bird-flu-outbreak-continues-14th-case
Faine Greenwood
July 16, 2013
Excerpt:
Cambodia's outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza continues apace as the summer wears on, with a 3-year-old boy becoming the 14th victim this year and the 35th case confirmed in the Southeast Asian nation since records began to be kept.
The Cambodian Ministry of Health has deployed a rapid response team to Prey Veng's Kampong Trabek district to perform "contact tracing" or mass testingof everyone who came into contact with the recently diagnosed 3-year-old boy, including both family and neighbors, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
continued: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/cambodia/130716/cambodia-bird-flu-outbreak-continues-14th-case
H7N9 influenza strain resistant to antivirals, but tests fail to identify resistance
Press Release
July 16, 2013
Contact: Jim Sliwa
Some strains of the avian H7N9 influenza that emerged in China this year have developed resistance to the only antiviral drugs available to treat the infection, but testing for antiviral resistance can give misleading results, helping hasten the spread of resistant strains.
The authors of a study published in mBio®, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, characterized viruses taken from the first person known to be stricken with H7N9 influenza and found that 35% of those viruses are resistant to oseltamivir (commercially known as Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), front line drugs used for treating H7N9 infections. However, lab testing of the viruses, which detects the activity of a viral enzyme, fails to detect that these strains are resistant, so monitoring for the development of resistance using this technique would prove futile.
"If H7N9 does acquire human-to-human transmissibility, what do we have to treat it with until we have a vaccine? Oseltamivir. We would be in big trouble," says corresponding author Robert Webster of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Resistant strains of H7N9 can flourish in patients treated with oseltamivir or zanamivir, he says, inadvertently leading to the spread of resistant infections.
In the mBio study, the authors tested antiviral susceptibility of an H7N9 strain isolated from the first confirmed human case of avian H7N9 influenza using a method that tests the activity of the neuraminidase enzyme. The reassuring results were, unfortunately, misleading: the enzyme-based test indicated that the flu strain was susceptible to NA inhibiting antiviral drugs, but it is not.
A closer look at the viral isolate revealed it is actually made up of two distinct types of H7N9 viruses. Roughly 35% of the viruses carry the R292K mutation, making them resistant to NA inhibitors, and 65% are sensitive to these same drugs. The enzyme-based testing gave misleading results, says Webster, because the functioning wild-type enzymes masked the presence of the non-functioning mutant enzymes.
Using NA inhibitors to treat a patient infected with a resistant strain of H7N9 only encourages the virus to proliferate and can lead to enhanced spread of the resistant strain. The authors write that these results prove that it is crucial to use a gene-based surveillance technique that can detect these resistant influenza strains in a mixed infection.
H7N9 first emerged in China in early 2013, in some cases infecting individuals who had been in contact with poultry or with places where poultry are housed. The virus has since been detected in poultry at live markets near where human infections have been reported. After the closure of many live poultry markets in China and with the start of the warm season, which is not conducive to influenza spread, the infection rate appears to have slowed. As of July 12, the number of infections stands at 132 and the number of deaths at 43.
A recent study found that antiviral treatment failed in two patients infected with a strain of H7N9 influenza that carries a mutation called R292K, and that these patients had a poor clinical outcome. The mutation causes a change in the neuraminidase gene and makes the virus resistant to neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors, including Tamiflu and Relenza. NA inhibitors have been the front line therapeutic option for treating H7N9 influenza because the virus is already resistant to M2 ion channel blockers Amantadine (Symmetrel) and its methyl derivative Rimantadine (Flumadine). Considering the severity of H7N9 flu infection and the fact that so few options exist for treatment, it is important to continue to evaluate the sensitivity of clinical isolates to NA inhibitors and to monitor for the emergence of resistant variants.
If the recent history of H5N1 influenza is a guide, says Webster, then H7N9 could rapidly evolve the ability to spread from person to person. If it does, and if the virus reemerges in the fall, the situation with H7N9 could become quite serious. In the event of a widespread outbreak, Tamiflu and Relenza will work alright as treatments, but the development of the R292K mutation puts those options in jeopardy, says Webster.
But the news isn't all bad. Webster also points out that antiviral resistance is something of a burden for influenza viruses, and that fitter wild-type H7N9 strains may eventually win out over resistant strains. In the absence of a drug like Tamiflu, Webster says, it seems unlikely that these resistant viruses would acquire epidemic characteristics.
Regardless of the specific evolutionary steps H7N9 will take, influenza is an ongoing threat - and the lack of suitable drugs is a grave cause for concern.
"The great need at the moment are additional drugs aimed at additional sites in the influenza genome. There are some [drugs] in the pipeline, but they are still under testing at the moment," says Webster. "We'd better get some vaccine seed stocks up and ready. The antiviral option for controlling H7N9 isn't too good."
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-07/asfm-his071213.php
July 16, 2013
Contact: Jim Sliwa
Some strains of the avian H7N9 influenza that emerged in China this year have developed resistance to the only antiviral drugs available to treat the infection, but testing for antiviral resistance can give misleading results, helping hasten the spread of resistant strains.
The authors of a study published in mBio®, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, characterized viruses taken from the first person known to be stricken with H7N9 influenza and found that 35% of those viruses are resistant to oseltamivir (commercially known as Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), front line drugs used for treating H7N9 infections. However, lab testing of the viruses, which detects the activity of a viral enzyme, fails to detect that these strains are resistant, so monitoring for the development of resistance using this technique would prove futile.
"If H7N9 does acquire human-to-human transmissibility, what do we have to treat it with until we have a vaccine? Oseltamivir. We would be in big trouble," says corresponding author Robert Webster of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Resistant strains of H7N9 can flourish in patients treated with oseltamivir or zanamivir, he says, inadvertently leading to the spread of resistant infections.
In the mBio study, the authors tested antiviral susceptibility of an H7N9 strain isolated from the first confirmed human case of avian H7N9 influenza using a method that tests the activity of the neuraminidase enzyme. The reassuring results were, unfortunately, misleading: the enzyme-based test indicated that the flu strain was susceptible to NA inhibiting antiviral drugs, but it is not.
A closer look at the viral isolate revealed it is actually made up of two distinct types of H7N9 viruses. Roughly 35% of the viruses carry the R292K mutation, making them resistant to NA inhibitors, and 65% are sensitive to these same drugs. The enzyme-based testing gave misleading results, says Webster, because the functioning wild-type enzymes masked the presence of the non-functioning mutant enzymes.
Using NA inhibitors to treat a patient infected with a resistant strain of H7N9 only encourages the virus to proliferate and can lead to enhanced spread of the resistant strain. The authors write that these results prove that it is crucial to use a gene-based surveillance technique that can detect these resistant influenza strains in a mixed infection.
H7N9 first emerged in China in early 2013, in some cases infecting individuals who had been in contact with poultry or with places where poultry are housed. The virus has since been detected in poultry at live markets near where human infections have been reported. After the closure of many live poultry markets in China and with the start of the warm season, which is not conducive to influenza spread, the infection rate appears to have slowed. As of July 12, the number of infections stands at 132 and the number of deaths at 43.
A recent study found that antiviral treatment failed in two patients infected with a strain of H7N9 influenza that carries a mutation called R292K, and that these patients had a poor clinical outcome. The mutation causes a change in the neuraminidase gene and makes the virus resistant to neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors, including Tamiflu and Relenza. NA inhibitors have been the front line therapeutic option for treating H7N9 influenza because the virus is already resistant to M2 ion channel blockers Amantadine (Symmetrel) and its methyl derivative Rimantadine (Flumadine). Considering the severity of H7N9 flu infection and the fact that so few options exist for treatment, it is important to continue to evaluate the sensitivity of clinical isolates to NA inhibitors and to monitor for the emergence of resistant variants.
If the recent history of H5N1 influenza is a guide, says Webster, then H7N9 could rapidly evolve the ability to spread from person to person. If it does, and if the virus reemerges in the fall, the situation with H7N9 could become quite serious. In the event of a widespread outbreak, Tamiflu and Relenza will work alright as treatments, but the development of the R292K mutation puts those options in jeopardy, says Webster.
But the news isn't all bad. Webster also points out that antiviral resistance is something of a burden for influenza viruses, and that fitter wild-type H7N9 strains may eventually win out over resistant strains. In the absence of a drug like Tamiflu, Webster says, it seems unlikely that these resistant viruses would acquire epidemic characteristics.
Regardless of the specific evolutionary steps H7N9 will take, influenza is an ongoing threat - and the lack of suitable drugs is a grave cause for concern.
"The great need at the moment are additional drugs aimed at additional sites in the influenza genome. There are some [drugs] in the pipeline, but they are still under testing at the moment," says Webster. "We'd better get some vaccine seed stocks up and ready. The antiviral option for controlling H7N9 isn't too good."
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-07/asfm-his071213.php
Monday, July 15, 2013
MERS coronavirus likely to spread as UAE-Saudi travel increases
Jennifer Bell & Emily Cleland
July 15, 2013
Excerpt [editing is mine]:
The Mers virus is more likely to spread as travel increases between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where most cases of the disease have been found, doctors have warned.
-snip-
The 82nd victim of the virus is in intensive care in an Abu Dhabi hospital after the condition was diagnosed at the weekend. The Emirati, 82, was already being treated for multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow. Patients with existing conditions are particularly susceptible to Mers.
-snip-
Dr Keiji Fukuda, assistant director general for health security at the World Health Organisation, says there are three possible scenarios for the future development of the disease: it will die out, or stay at its current level, or the virus will mutate and infections will increase.
Dr Fukuda said this month he was not advising that the Haj be cancelled. Muslim-majority nations, he said, were aware of the threat of the virus and would be vigilant as pilgrims returned.
Nevertheless, Dr Mansour Al Zarouni, a consultant molecular microbiologist at SRL Diagnostics in Dubai Healthcare City, is concerned at the possible threat to the Haj from Mers. "When all these hundreds of thousands of people are coming, from North Africa to South-east Asia, for Haj, these people will be incubating the virus while in Saudi Arabia and taking it back to their home countries," he said. "Until the Haj season, the issue is mostly a GCC issue but, after Haj, then there's very much a possibility it shall become more of a global issue."
He is also concerned by travel between Saudi Arabia and the UAE before then. "Due to the fact that many Saudis are going to be pouring into the GCC, mainly the UAE, during the summer … the assumption is that they will be bringing these viruses along and, due to the heat of summer, these people will mostly stay indoors, be it the shopping malls or hotels. The likelihood of infecting other people will be higher," he said.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/health/mers-coronavirus-likely-to-spread-as-uae-saudi-travel-increases
July 15, 2013
Excerpt [editing is mine]:
The Mers virus is more likely to spread as travel increases between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where most cases of the disease have been found, doctors have warned.
-snip-
The 82nd victim of the virus is in intensive care in an Abu Dhabi hospital after the condition was diagnosed at the weekend. The Emirati, 82, was already being treated for multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow. Patients with existing conditions are particularly susceptible to Mers.
-snip-
Dr Keiji Fukuda, assistant director general for health security at the World Health Organisation, says there are three possible scenarios for the future development of the disease: it will die out, or stay at its current level, or the virus will mutate and infections will increase.
Dr Fukuda said this month he was not advising that the Haj be cancelled. Muslim-majority nations, he said, were aware of the threat of the virus and would be vigilant as pilgrims returned.
Nevertheless, Dr Mansour Al Zarouni, a consultant molecular microbiologist at SRL Diagnostics in Dubai Healthcare City, is concerned at the possible threat to the Haj from Mers. "When all these hundreds of thousands of people are coming, from North Africa to South-east Asia, for Haj, these people will be incubating the virus while in Saudi Arabia and taking it back to their home countries," he said. "Until the Haj season, the issue is mostly a GCC issue but, after Haj, then there's very much a possibility it shall become more of a global issue."
He is also concerned by travel between Saudi Arabia and the UAE before then. "Due to the fact that many Saudis are going to be pouring into the GCC, mainly the UAE, during the summer … the assumption is that they will be bringing these viruses along and, due to the heat of summer, these people will mostly stay indoors, be it the shopping malls or hotels. The likelihood of infecting other people will be higher," he said.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/health/mers-coronavirus-likely-to-spread-as-uae-saudi-travel-increases
Coronavirus : des restrictions au pèlerinage de La Mecque
Pauline Fréour - le 15/07/2013
L'Arabie saoudite déconseille aux personnes âgées ou souffrant de maladies chroniques d'effectuer le pèlerinage à La Mecque en raison de l'épidémie de coronavirus qui a fait 38 morts dans le royaume.
La première restriction de voyage liée au nouveau coronavirus vient d'être publiée. Samedi, les autorités saoudiennes ont recommandé aux pèlerins musulmans ayant une santé fragile de reporter leur venue à La Mecque. Cette mise en garde est valable à la fois pour le grand pèlerinage (hajj), qui aura lieu cette année en octobre, et le petit pèlerinage, appelé oumra, souvent effectué pendant le mois du Ramadan, qui a débuté le 10 juillet cette année.
L'avis publié par le ministère de la Santé sur son site concerne les personnes âgées, souffrant d'une maladie chronique ou aux défenses immunitaires affaiblies, ainsi que les femmes enceintes et les enfants. Aucune limite d'âge n'a cependant été précisée et le ministère n'explique pas clairement si ces recommandations impliqueront une non-délivrance de visa aux pèlerins concernés par ces restrictions sanitaires.
45 victimes dans le monde
Le nouveau coronavirus, dit du Syndrome respiratoire du Moyen-Orient (MERS), est apparu en Arabie saoudite en 2012. Depuis, il a causé 45 morts dans le monde pour 81 cas répertoriés. Le royaume saoudien comptabilise à lui seul 38 décès.
Les autorités sanitaires internationales sont mobilisées pour tenter d'en savoir plus sur ce nouveau virus qui a également fait un mort en France fin mai. Les informations restent encore clairsemées mais il semblerait que le virus puisse être transmis d'homme à homme en cas de contact prolongé. C'est pourquoi la perspective du rassemblement de millions de pèlerins musulmans cet été et à l'automne suscite l'inquiétude.
L'Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS), dont la dernière réunion d'urgence sur le sujet s'est tenue mardi dernier, ne recommande pour l'instant aucune restriction de voyage mais demande aux autorités sanitaires de suivre avec la plus grande attention tout cas de personne présentant les symptômes propres au MERS: toux, essoufflement, gêne respiratoire, fièvre supérieure à 38°C, voire insuffisance rénale.
Government’s lax stand could allow MERS Coronavirus into Mumbai
Author : Nirmalya Dutta
July 15, 2013Excerpt:
Our inept government is again in the dock for not being up to speed with recent developments. With Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries witnessing an outbreak of a new SARS-like virus called MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) Coronavirus, India hasn’t taken any precautions to screen passengers arriving from the aforementioned countries.
With more cases being reported every single day, the WHO has declared the virus ‘a threat to the entire world’. With little knowledge about the virus in India and no healthcare precautions to deal with yet, airline crew are a worried lot. The crew are also angry at their airlines; reports suggest while many Air India air-hostesses traveling to the Gulf have taken ill the airline hasn’t taken any steps to conduct thorough medical checks on them.
-snip-
Over a thousand passengers arrive in Mumbai from the Gulf States every day and Air India alone flies 600 passengers from Jeddah and Riyadh every day. ‘Most of the poor subsidised pilgrims fly Air India as it is the official carrier,’ said an airline official who did not want to be named. ‘Since they are travelling on a subsidy their camps are not very hygienic. Air India crew, thus, are at the highest risk. But neither the airline nor the government has taken any steps to address this issue.’
‘The crew are advised to maintain hygiene and cover their mouths and noses while ensuring that they consume only clean water and cooked meat,’ said an AICCA office bearer. ‘What kind of advisory is this? It strangely does not even talk about the precautions to be adopted on board the aircraft, where crew members end up mingling with passengers who might have contracted the virus.’
Further, airlines have asked crew members to ‘keep an eye out for passengers who might be suffering from MERS.’ ‘How we are expected to do this, nobody knows,’ said the AICCA official. ‘What the airlines should do instead is to screen passengers thoroughly before they board aircrafts.’ ‘There is a scare of the virus,’ said a Saudi Airlines official. ‘We have a lot of bookings to Mumbai. But there is no active screening happening yet. The World Health Organisation sounded a general alert. But there has been no official word from the WHO on the need for ‘active’ surveillance.’
-snip-
While the virus doesn’t seem to pose any particular threat to the public as of now, healthcare professionals are watching all the developments closely. Most European and American healthcare facilities have the facilities to perform a test for the new coronavirus but the problem is figuring out who to test. An even bigger problem is the virus spreads in nations with limited healthcare facilities and huge populations like India, China or even South Africa. That could really trigger a pandemic of epic proportions and ramifications.
http://health.india.com/news/governments-lax-stand-could-allow-mers-coronavirus-into-mumbai/
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Viroblock SA Masks for #Coronavirus Press Release & Retail Information
Geneva, Switzerland, June 26, 2013 -- Viroblock SA, a
Swiss start-up, today presented new data at ICPIC 2013 in Geneva,
showing that their face-mask containing proprietary novel cholesterol
depletion technology traps and kills over 99.9995% of H1N1 flu viruses
(swine flu), 99.999% of H5N1 flu viruses (avian flu) and 99.997% human
corona viruses on pass through air. Aimed at helping protect people from
these respiratory pathogens, the mask is up to one hundred times more
effective than a similar mask without Viroblock technology. The company
will now start direct sales in Switzerland and is looking for
distributors in other countries.
“Aerobiology tests for face-masks simulate real life situations, in which the user is exposed to viruses coming in. The mask helps prevent transmission from and to the person wearing the mask.” commented Dr Thierry Pelet, CSO at Viroblock. “The stringent testing demonstrates the efficacy and speed at which the cholesterol depletion technology works”.
Aerobiology tests, carried out in high security laboratories, create a mist of viruses on the outside of the mask, a pump is used to draw air and viruses through the mask, and finally testing for live virus occurs on the inside of the mask.
“We believe that our protective face-mask can help protect healthcare, agriculture and security workers effectively, with added advantages of comfort of wear and easy identification,” said Dr Jamie Paterson, CEO of Viroblock.
-snip-
For further information, please contact:
Danièle Castle
Genevensis Healthcare Communications
T: +4179 202 66 67
Mail: info@genevensis.com
Phone: +41 22 884 83 46
Fax: +41 22 794 66 65
Email: info@viroblock.com
Website: http://www.viroblock.com
42300 Mably
France
Phone: +33 477 23 11 21
Fax: +33 477 72 54 57
Email: info@valmy.eu
Website: http://www.valmy.eu
http://www.viroblock.com/content/30-viroblock-press-release
“Aerobiology tests for face-masks simulate real life situations, in which the user is exposed to viruses coming in. The mask helps prevent transmission from and to the person wearing the mask.” commented Dr Thierry Pelet, CSO at Viroblock. “The stringent testing demonstrates the efficacy and speed at which the cholesterol depletion technology works”.
Aerobiology tests, carried out in high security laboratories, create a mist of viruses on the outside of the mask, a pump is used to draw air and viruses through the mask, and finally testing for live virus occurs on the inside of the mask.
“We believe that our protective face-mask can help protect healthcare, agriculture and security workers effectively, with added advantages of comfort of wear and easy identification,” said Dr Jamie Paterson, CEO of Viroblock.
-snip-
For further information, please contact:
Danièle Castle
Genevensis Healthcare Communications
T: +4179 202 66 67
Mail: info@genevensis.com
Our retailers
Here are our retailers locations, please feel free to contact us:VIROBLOCK SA
Chemin des Aulx 18
1228 Plan-les-Ouates
SwitzerlandPhone: +41 22 884 83 46
Fax: +41 22 794 66 65
Email: info@viroblock.com
Website: http://www.viroblock.com
VALMY SAS
La demi-lieue - Rue Benjamin Franklin42300 Mably
France
Phone: +33 477 23 11 21
Fax: +33 477 72 54 57
Email: info@valmy.eu
Website: http://www.valmy.eu
http://www.viroblock.com/content/30-viroblock-press-release
Saudi Arabia: #MERS New face mask can check #coronavirus
[Specific information to order this mask, is located in the following link: http://pandemicinformationnews.blogspot.com/2013/07/viroblock-sa-masks-for-coronavirus.html ]
Sunday 14 July 2013
Sunday 14 July 2013
Last Update 14 July 2013 8:04 pm
A Swiss company has introduced a new face mask to combat the risk of infection in mass gatherings amid growing anxiety about the status of the new coronavirus during the forthcoming Haj season.
Latest reports indicate that as many as 66 people have been infected with the virus in the Kingdom, while 38 have died.
As a large number of Muslims are expected to visit Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan and the upcoming Haj season in October, the new technology can be used to assist in reducing the risk and incidence of air-borne infection.
Launching the face mask at a conference in Geneva, workers of Viroblock SA, its makers, demonstrated its qualities. It uses technology that traps and kills over 99.9995 percent of air-borne H1N1 flu viruses (swine flu), 99.999 percent of H5N1 flu viruses (avian flu) and 99.997 percent of human coronaviruses.
Developed with the aim of protecting people from respiratory pathogens, the mask contains an effective technology that significantly reduces the threat of air-borne transmitted diseases. “Aerobiology tests for face masks simulate real-life situations, in which the user is exposed to viruses coming in. The mask helps prevent transmission from and to the person wearing the mask,” explained Thierry Pelet of Viroblock. “The stringent testing demonstrates the efficacy and speed at which the cholesterol depletion technology works.”
Aerobiology tests, carried out in high-security laboratories, create a mist of viruses on the outside of the mask. A pump is then used to draw air and viruses through the mask, and finally, testing for the live virus occurs on the inside of the mask.
“We believe that our protective face mask can help protect agriculture and security workers effectively, with the added advantages of comfort of wear and easy identification,” said Jamie Paterson, CEO of Viroblock.
Latest reports indicate that as many as 66 people have been infected with the virus in the Kingdom, while 38 have died.
As a large number of Muslims are expected to visit Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan and the upcoming Haj season in October, the new technology can be used to assist in reducing the risk and incidence of air-borne infection.
Launching the face mask at a conference in Geneva, workers of Viroblock SA, its makers, demonstrated its qualities. It uses technology that traps and kills over 99.9995 percent of air-borne H1N1 flu viruses (swine flu), 99.999 percent of H5N1 flu viruses (avian flu) and 99.997 percent of human coronaviruses.
Developed with the aim of protecting people from respiratory pathogens, the mask contains an effective technology that significantly reduces the threat of air-borne transmitted diseases. “Aerobiology tests for face masks simulate real-life situations, in which the user is exposed to viruses coming in. The mask helps prevent transmission from and to the person wearing the mask,” explained Thierry Pelet of Viroblock. “The stringent testing demonstrates the efficacy and speed at which the cholesterol depletion technology works.”
Aerobiology tests, carried out in high-security laboratories, create a mist of viruses on the outside of the mask. A pump is then used to draw air and viruses through the mask, and finally, testing for the live virus occurs on the inside of the mask.
“We believe that our protective face mask can help protect agriculture and security workers effectively, with the added advantages of comfort of wear and easy identification,” said Jamie Paterson, CEO of Viroblock.
WHO: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) - update 13 July 2013
13/07/2013
The Ministry of Health (MoH) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has notified WHO of a laboratory-confirmed case of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the country.
The patient is an 82-year-old man with underlying medical conditions and is currently in critical condition.
Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 82 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 45 deaths.
Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all Member States to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns.
Health care providers are advised to maintain vigilance. Recent travelers returning from the Middle East who develop SARI should be tested for MERS-CoV as advised in the current surveillance recommendations.
Specimens from patients’ lower respiratory tracts should be obtained for diagnosis where possible. Clinicians are reminded that MERS-CoV infection should be considered even with atypical signs and symptoms, such as diarrhea, in patients who are immunocompromised.
Health care facilities are reminded of the importance of systematic implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC). Health care facilities that provide care for patients suspected or confirmed with MERS-CoV infection should take appropriate measures to decrease the risk of transmission of the virus to other patients, health care workers and visitors.
All Member States are reminded to promptly assess and notify WHO of any new case of infection with MERS-CoV, along with information about potential exposures that may have resulted in infection and a description of the clinical course. Investigation into the source of exposure should promptly be initiated to identify the mode of exposure, so that further transmission of the virus can be prevented.
WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does it currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions.
WHO has convened an Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (IHR) on a precautionary basis in order to be prepared for a change in the situation. The Emergency Committee, which comprises international experts from all WHO Regions, will provide expert technical advice to the WHO Director-General in accordance to the IHR (2005). The first meeting of the Committee took place on 9 July 2013 and a further meeting is scheduled for next week.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/don_updates/en/index.html
The Ministry of Health (MoH) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has notified WHO of a laboratory-confirmed case of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the country.
The patient is an 82-year-old man with underlying medical conditions and is currently in critical condition.
Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 82 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 45 deaths.
Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all Member States to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns.
Health care providers are advised to maintain vigilance. Recent travelers returning from the Middle East who develop SARI should be tested for MERS-CoV as advised in the current surveillance recommendations.
Specimens from patients’ lower respiratory tracts should be obtained for diagnosis where possible. Clinicians are reminded that MERS-CoV infection should be considered even with atypical signs and symptoms, such as diarrhea, in patients who are immunocompromised.
Health care facilities are reminded of the importance of systematic implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC). Health care facilities that provide care for patients suspected or confirmed with MERS-CoV infection should take appropriate measures to decrease the risk of transmission of the virus to other patients, health care workers and visitors.
All Member States are reminded to promptly assess and notify WHO of any new case of infection with MERS-CoV, along with information about potential exposures that may have resulted in infection and a description of the clinical course. Investigation into the source of exposure should promptly be initiated to identify the mode of exposure, so that further transmission of the virus can be prevented.
WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does it currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions.
WHO has convened an Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (IHR) on a precautionary basis in order to be prepared for a change in the situation. The Emergency Committee, which comprises international experts from all WHO Regions, will provide expert technical advice to the WHO Director-General in accordance to the IHR (2005). The first meeting of the Committee took place on 9 July 2013 and a further meeting is scheduled for next week.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/don_updates/en/index.html
Saturday, July 13, 2013
#MERS #Coronavirus Saudi Arabia Hajj and Umrah Requirements
July 12, 2013
Translation
Ministry of Health issued health requirements that must be met in coming for Umrah and Hajj 1434 H as part of precautionary measures for disease virus Koruna new (MERS-COV) and so out of the keenness of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in maintaining the health of everyone and provide an atmosphere healthy and safe, God willing, for the pilgrims and pilgrims to perform This all rites smoothly and health and contentment.
Ministry of Health issued health requirements that must be met in coming for Umrah and Hajj 1434 H as part of precautionary measures for disease virus Koruna new (MERS-COV) and so out of the keenness of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in maintaining the health of everyone and provide an atmosphere healthy and safe, God willing, for the pilgrims and pilgrims to perform This all rites smoothly and health and contentment.
I have included these requirements issued by the ministry's recommendation to postpone the performance of Umrah and Hajj this year for the elderly and people with chronic diseases as patients heart, kidney, respiratory and diabetes, as well as patients with immune deficiency congenital and acquired, in addition to ill tumors, as well as pregnant women and children.
It also included requirements set of tips and guidance health awareness for citizens, residents and pilgrims of them; pollutants to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or disinfectant other allocated to it, especially after coughing and sneezing, as well as the use of tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of the waste basket, in addition to not touch eyes, nose and mouth by hand, and the reduction of direct contact with the injured and non-participation tools personal, as well as the wearing of masks in crowded locations, and maintaining personal hygiene as a whole.
These requirements also included on the next to get a valid certificate of vaccination against meningitis before the advent of the Kingdom of not less than 10 days and not more than 3 years, as well as get a certificate of vaccination against polio-affected countries, according to specific requirements.
Also included stipulations importance of vaccination against seasonal flu vaccine, especially for people with chronic diseases such as heart, kidney, diabetes and respiratory and neurology as well as diseases of HIV congenital and acquired, and metabolic diseases, as well as pregnant women and children less than 5 years and those with obesity.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Cambodia: #H5N1 Death in 3 Year Old - 14th Death
July 12, 2013
A three-year-old boy from Cambodia's eastern Prey Veng province has been confirmed positive for the avian influenza H5N1, bringing the number of the cases to 14 so far this year, a joint statement by the World Health Organization and Cambodian Health Ministry said Friday.
Only five cases out of the 14 cases this year survived.
The 14th victim was confirmed positive for H5N1 on Wednesday, the statement said, adding that the boy was admitted to the Kantha Bopha Hospital with fever, dyspnea and cough Monday.
"At the hospital, he was treated with Tamiflu and is currently in stable condition,"it said.
"There were recent deaths among poultry in the village and the boy was likely to be exposed to sick and dead poultry before he became sick,"it added.
Continued: http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/795789.shtml#.UeCxZT772DM
A three-year-old boy from Cambodia's eastern Prey Veng province has been confirmed positive for the avian influenza H5N1, bringing the number of the cases to 14 so far this year, a joint statement by the World Health Organization and Cambodian Health Ministry said Friday.
Only five cases out of the 14 cases this year survived.
The 14th victim was confirmed positive for H5N1 on Wednesday, the statement said, adding that the boy was admitted to the Kantha Bopha Hospital with fever, dyspnea and cough Monday.
"At the hospital, he was treated with Tamiflu and is currently in stable condition,"it said.
"There were recent deaths among poultry in the village and the boy was likely to be exposed to sick and dead poultry before he became sick,"it added.
Continued: http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/795789.shtml#.UeCxZT772DM
Precautions in place as UAE reports first Mers virus case
Olivia Olarte-Ulherr / 12 July 2013
Those closest to an 82-year-old Emirati man who has become the second UAE resident to be diagnosed with the deadly novel coronavirus are being tested, the Abu Dhabi Health Authority says.
The patient has multiple myeloma as a result of the coronavirus, also known as the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (Mers-CoV), and is currently in the ICU at one of the hospitals in Abu Dhabi.
This is the second case of the Mers-CoV infection in an Abu Dhabi resident but the first case to be diagnosed within the UAE.
In March, a 73-year-old Abu Dhabi man died in a German hospital from the Sars-like virus.
Last month, the Lancet medical journal reported that the deadly disease had its origins in the UAE and Qatar after tests showed that the Abu Dhabi man died of similar strain of the virus to the Doha man who was treated in Germany six months prior.
Those closest to an 82-year-old Emirati man who has become the second UAE resident to be diagnosed with the deadly novel coronavirus are being tested, the Abu Dhabi Health Authority says.
The patient has multiple myeloma as a result of the coronavirus, also known as the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (Mers-CoV), and is currently in the ICU at one of the hospitals in Abu Dhabi.
This is the second case of the Mers-CoV infection in an Abu Dhabi resident but the first case to be diagnosed within the UAE.
In March, a 73-year-old Abu Dhabi man died in a German hospital from the Sars-like virus.
Last month, the Lancet medical journal reported that the deadly disease had its origins in the UAE and Qatar after tests showed that the Abu Dhabi man died of similar strain of the virus to the Doha man who was treated in Germany six months prior.
Health Authority — Abu Dhabi (HAAD) customer service and corporate communications director Dr Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi told Khaleej Times the authority was doing tests on “everybody around the patient”.
“Since December last year, we requested hospitals to monitor the situation and it is through this monitoring that we found out about this patient,” he said.
The HAAD was coordinating with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other authorities in the country and had taken the necessary measures as per the international standards and recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“We are doing everything required by the WHO,” Al Kaabi stressed.
In December 2012, the HAAD issued a circular to all healthcare providers on the necessary notification and reporting mechanisms of any suspected coronavirus cases.
That included clinical assessment, isolation and collection of specimens for laboratory tests.
Samples taken from suspected cases, such as bronchoalveolar lavage, tracheal aspirate, pleural fluid or sputum, should be kept on ice and sent to the Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) laboratory for analysis.
SKMC is the testing centre for the Sars-like virus in the emirate.
Any suspected cases of coronavirus infection should be notified to HAAD, Al Kaabi said.
MoH officials Khaleej Times spoke with on Friday said they were not able to make further comment at this stage, but state news agency Wam reported the MoH had made an assurance the virus was not presently a public health concern and did not require a travel ban.
The ministry also added that it was “monitoring the situation closely to ensure the health and safety of everyone,” Wam said.
The new case brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases of Mers-CoV infection worldwide to 80
Emirati man diagnosed with MERS virus
[This patient was hospitalized for cancer, when the diagnosis of Coronavirus MERS-CoV happened]
(Wam) / 12 July 2013
An 82-years old UAE national diagnosed with novel Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) while being hospitalised in one of the hospitals in Abu Dhabi.
(Wam) / 12 July 2013
An 82-years old UAE national diagnosed with novel Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) while being hospitalised in one of the hospitals in Abu Dhabi.
The patient is male with multiple myeloma and currently admitted in the ICU.
UAE Announces First Case of MERS Virus Infection
This is not the first case in the UAE. My information shows a 73yo reported in March 2013.
July 12, 2013
Continued: http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13920421000315
Date Report: 3/26/13 – 17 Total Confirmed, 11 Deaths
Name: 73yo
From: United Arab Emirates
Onset: 3/14
Adm: 3/19 Munich Klinikum Schwabing Hospital Flown from UAE
in private Jet, on day 11 of illness
Confirmation: 3/23/13
DOD: 3/25/13
Note: Died on day 18 of illness. 50 people being monitored medically. Unchanged.
The full virus genome was combined with four other available full genome sequences in a maximum likelihood phylogeny, correlating branch lengths with dates of isolation. The time of the common ancestor was halfway through 2011. Addition of novel genome data from an unlinked case treated 6 months previously in Essen, Germany, showed a clustering of viruses derived from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
July 12, 2013
The Emirati citizen, who contracted the SARS-like virus, suffers from cancer and is being treated in hospital in the capital, Abu Dhabi health authority said in a statement carried by WAM state news agency late Thursday.
The authority said that this was the first case to be diagnosed in the UAE, Ahramonline reported.
In May, France said a 65-year-old man was in hospital after being diagnosed with the coronavirus after a holiday in Dubai. But the UAE health ministry said at the time no cases of the virus had been recorded in the country.
Continued: http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13920421000315
CDC Study Analyzes H7N9 Viruses’ Disease Characteristics and Transmissibility
[editing is mine]
July 10, 2013
July 10, 2013
A study published today in Nature by CDC researchers presents findings from animal studies conducted by CDC to better understand the transmissibility and disease characteristics of influenza A (H7N9) viruses isolated in China in late March. Understanding the properties of H7N9 viruses that contribute to human disease and the capacity of these viruses to spread between people is a critical component of the public health response to this emerging disease threat.
The study’s key findings indicate that H7N9 viruses are capable of causing infection in a direct contact animal model, but the viruses would need to undergo additional adaptation to spread more easily by droplets or through the air. Person to person transmission, especially by respiratory droplet transmission (such as through coughs and sneezes) is a necessary precondition for the virus to become capable of causing a pandemic.
These findings support the conclusions drawn from China’s investigations of human H7N9 cases so far. China has found no clear evidence of sustained human-to-human spread of the H7N9 virus. Human cases of H7N9 virus infection in China reported have been primarily associated with exposure to infected poultry. Currently no human cases of H7N9 virus infection have been reported in the United States.
The paper describes the results of multiple studies conducted on two H7N9 viruses obtained from fatal human H7N9 cases from China. The studies were conducted in ferrets, mice and human epithelial cells. Ferrets are considered the best small mammal for studying flu virus infection and are commonly used as a tool for the risk assessment of emerging flu viruses that may pose a risk to public health.
The ferret studies revealed that the H7N9 viruses spread readily among ferrets placed in the same cage. However, the viruses were less capable of respiratory droplet transmission, which the researchers tested by placing infected ferrets in cages adjacent to cages housing naive ferrets. Compared to a human seasonal flu virus from last season, the H7N9 viruses were considerably less capable of transmitting by the respiratory route.
Other study findings indicated that the H7N9 virus did not cause severe disease in the ferrets and did not spread systemically to the spleen, kidney, liver, or intestinal tract. The lack of systemic spread by H7N9 is different from H5N1 (another avian influenza virus that can cause severe disease in humans). Systemic spread is considered an indicator of severe disease.
In addition to ferrets, CDC researchers also studied the H7N9 virus in mice. Compared with ferrets, the virus caused more lethal illness in the mice, and the virus was more capable of replicating in the lungs of mice compared with other avian and human seasonal viruses tested in the study. Also notable, the H7N9 virus was able to easily infect mice, whereas human seasonal flu viruses typically require prior host adaptation to be able to efficiently infect mice.
The mouse studies also revealed that H7N9 virus can pass through the eyes to infect the respiratory tract. As a result, the eyes represent a possible portal of entry for the H7N9 virus. This finding supports CDC’s existing flu recommendations to avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth to help prevent spread of germs. It also supports the recommendation for health care providers to wear eye protection when caring for patients with confirmed or suspected H7N9 infection.
The remaining study findings analyzed the H7N9 virus’s ability to replicate in cells derived from human epithelial cells. Epithelial cells are found in the human respiratory tract and are the primary site where flu viruses replicate in humans. CDC researchers found that the H7N9 virus demonstrated a 20- to 400-fold increase in replication at the two-day mark when compared with a human seasonal flu virus and two other avian flu viruses genetically related to the H7N9 virus. Compared with a human seasonal H3N2 virus, the H7N9 virus exhibited an 80,000-fold increase in replication at 24 hours.
The studies in mice and ferrets corroborated this finding, as considerably more H7N9 virus was produced and detected in the respiratory tracts of ferrets and mice compared with the amount of virus produced by seasonal flu virus infection. This suggests the H7N9 viruses have the capacity to reproduce quickly and produce a large amount of virus within the cells of mammals and human airway cells. However, the viruses’ ability to replicate was determined to be better suited to the higher temperatures found in the lower airways (lungs) versus the lower temperatures found in the upper airways of mammals.
The study, entitled “Pathogenesis and transmission of A (H7N9) avian influenza virus in ferrets and mice
” is available for online viewing via Nature’s website.
” is available for online viewing via Nature’s website.Study puts troubling traits of H7N9 avian flu virus on display
[editing is mine]
From the University of Wisconsin-Madison
From the University of Wisconsin-Madison
July 10, 2013
The emerging H7N9 avian influenza virus responsible for at least 37 deaths in China has qualities that could potentially spark a global outbreak of flu, according to a new study published today (July 10, 2013) in the journal Nature.
An international team led by Yoshihiro Kawaoka of UW-Madison and the University of Tokyo conducted a comprehensive analysis of two of the first human isolates of the virus from patients in China. Their efforts revealed the H7N9 virus’s ability to infect and replicate in several species of mammals, including ferrets and monkeys, and to transmit in ferrets — data that suggests H7N9 viruses have the potential to become a worldwide threat to human health.
“H7N9 viruses have several features typically associated with human influenza viruses and therefore possess pandemic potential and need to be monitored closely,” says Kawaoka, one of the world’s leading experts on avian flu.
Normally, avian influenza viruses do not infect humans, with the exception of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strains. However, the H7N9 virus has so far infected at least 132 humans, killing more than 20 percent of those infected, and several instances of human-to-human infection are suspected.
The new study suggests that the ability of the H7N9 virus to infect and replicate in human cells may be due to just a few amino acid changes in the genetic sequence of the virus. “These two features are necessary, although not sufficient, to cause a pandemic,” says Kawaoka, explaining that the influenza virus depends on host cells, which it hijacks to make new virus particles and sustain the chain of infection.
In monkeys, the H7N9 virus was shown to efficiently infect cells in both the upper and lower respiratory tract. Conventional human flu viruses are typically restricted to the upper airway of infected nonhuman primates.
“If H7N9 viruses acquire the ability to transmit efficiently from person to person, a worldwide outbreak is almost certain since humans lack protective immune responses to these types of viruses,” according to Kawaoka.
Transmission studies conducted by Kawaoka’s group in ferrets — animals that, like humans, infect one another through coughing and sneezing and that are a standard model for studies of influenza in mammals — showed that one of the H7N9 strains isolated from humans can transmit via respiratory droplets, though not as efficiently as human influenza viruses. The limited aerosol transmission observed in ferrets adds to concerns about the potential threat as avian flu viruses typically lack that ability, Kawaoka notes.
Complicating the H7N9 picture is the fact that the H7N9 virus does not kill poultry, which promises to make surveillance much more difficult. “We cannot simply watch out for sick or dead birds. Rather, tests have to be performed to determine whether or not a bird is infected. Considering the vast number of poultry, this is a daunting task.”
The positive news conveyed in the new Nature report is that most of the H7N9 strains tested were somewhat sensitive to antiviral drugs effective against the seasonal flu virus, although one isolate, which appears to be a mix of two variants of the H7N9 virus, seemed to resist neuraminidase inhibitors like Tamiflu.
Further research is needed, Kawaoka argues, to support vaccine development, to assess the risks, and to better understand why the H7N9 viruses infect humans so efficiently.
The H7N9 research was supported by grants from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Public Health Service, grant numbers AI099274, AI058113 and HHSN266200700010C. Additional support was provided by the Japan Initiative for Global Research Network on Infectious Diseases from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; as well as from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; and the Japan Science and Technology Agency.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)