H5N1 Spread To Rangpur Bangladesh

Commentary

H5N1 Spread To Rangpur Bangladesh
Recombinomics Commentary 13:01
December 11, 2008

Fresh outbreak of poultry AI was confirmed on 2 December 2008 in northern district of Rangpur. On 28 November 2008, farmers reported unusual poultry mortality to the District Veterinary Officer.

The above comments are from a WHO situation update for Bangladesh. Although the update did not yet have the sub-type, the unusual mortality, positive influenza A (H5?), location (see updated map), and date of outbreak strongly suggests these are confirmed H5N1 outbreaks (number culled farms for Rangpur was increased from 7 on March 10, 2008 to 9 on December 3, 2008).

These outbreaks are about 100 miles from the closest outbreak in Assam and support the comments from Meghalaya on additional outbreaks in Bangladesh and rumored outbreaks in West Bengal.

The outbreaks in Bangladesh are also near the rumored outbreaks in West Bengal and close to the western border of Meghalaya.

Thus, the outbreaks in Bangladesh are not a surprise, and more outbreaks in Bangladesh and West Bengal are expected.