Recombinomics: Symptomatic H5 Collecter Hospitalized in Hong Kong

Commentary

Symptomatic H5 Collecter Hospitalized in Hong Kong
Recombinomics Commentary 21:46
January 31, 2009

The 26-year-old driver who had participated in collecting the dead birds on January 29 developed fever and symptoms of upper respiratory infection since January 27. He denied having contacted with the birds during the operation.

Given the fact that the driver developed symptoms two days before the operation, the spokesman noted that the chance of him being infected with avian flu was low.

''However, as a precautionary measure and in order to follow up his condition more closely, the driver has been admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital for observation and further investigation,'' he added.

The above comments describe a hospitalized driver of the collection team in Hong Kong. He is said to have developed URI symptoms prior to the collection of H5 positive dead waterfowl, which may signal a seasonal flu infection. At this time, the most prevalent seasonal flu in Hong Kong is Tamiflu resistant H1N1.

A major concern associated with the fixing of H274Y in H1N1 in Asia is a dual infection involving H1N1 and H5N1. Therefore, URI symptoms in a member of the collection team prior to collection of H5 positive birds are a concern. The current symptoms are of greater concern because culling/collection teams usually are treated with Tamiflu prophylactically, which would have no effect on symptoms caused by H1N1 with H274Y.

Moreover, H5N1 in a host with H274Y on H1N1 could become resistant by recombining or reassorting with the N1 with H274Y, leading to H5N1 with H274Y, which would selected by the treatment.

Therefore more information on the etiological agent responsible fro URI prior to collection of birds would be useful and/or URI that remained after the collection of the birds would be useful, which would included sequences from the birds and driver.

Use of symptomatic culling members is hazardous to the world’s health.
Media Links