Mexico fears the H5N1 strain of influenza virus A more aggressive and lethal

Cordova said that although the degree of spread is less than the AH1N1, this is a mutation with a high degree of mortality.

19/03/2010 - 19/03/2010

Mexico has "very scared" to the H5N1 influenza A virus already detected in Asia and Europe, because she has a high degree of aggressiveness and lethality, said the secretary (minister) of Health Mexican Jose Angel Cordova.

En el marco de la reunión anual de ministros del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) que se desarrolla en el balneario de Cancún, en el Caribe mexicano, Córdova advirtió del descubrimiento en aves de una granja de Europa de la variante H5N1, causante de la temida gripe aviar, que puso en alerta en la pasada década a varios países de Asia por su alto grado de mortandad.

As part of the annual meeting of ministers of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) that develops in the resort of Cancun in the Mexican Caribbean, Cordova said the discovery of a poultry farm in Europe of the H5N1 strain, which causes dreaded bird flu, which alerted the past decade several countries in Asia for its high degree of mortality.

“Es una variante del virus que se detectó en Europa (…).

"It is a variant of the virus was detected in Europe (...).

Ya antes había aparecido en Asia, pero ahora apareció en la frontera con Rumanía ya esa sí le tenemos mucho miedo”, afirmó el ministro.

He had earlier appeared in Asia but has appeared on the border with Romania and that it will have much fear, "said the minister.

Explicó que esta variante se denomina virus de gripe AH5N1, y “es una mutación mucho más agresiva” que el AH1N1 que se extendió en el país el año pasado, y que tiene “un índice de letalidad del 60%”.

He explained that this variant is called AH5N1 flu virus and "mutation is a much more aggressive" than AH1N1 that spread in the country last year, and he has "a case fatality rate of 60%."

“No podemos bajar la guardia, tenemos que estar preparados por si llega, que esperamos que no llegue”, advirtió.

"We can not lower our guard, we must be prepared for if it comes, we hope that does not come," he warned.

El titular de Salud de México añadió que “es una variante que se está vigilando con atención”.

The health of Mexico added that "it is a variant that is being monitored carefully.

No obstante, Córdova aseguró que, aunque su grado de propagación es menor al del AH1N1, se trata de una mutación con un alto grado de mortandad.

However, Cordova said that although the degree of spread is less than the AH1N1, this is a mutation with a high degree of mortality.

A principios de esta semana la Comisión Europea alertó sobre la aparición de un brote de gripe AH5N1 en las aves de una granja de la población rumana de Letea, ubicada cerca de la frontera con Ucrania.

Earlier this week the European Commission warned of the emergence of an influenza outbreak in poultry AH5N1 farm Letea Romanian population, located near the border with Ukraine.

Las autoridades sanitarias de Rumanía ordenaron el sacrificio de todos los animales afectados e impusieron un cerco sanitario considerado de alto riesgo de 6 kilómetros a la redonda con un cerco adicional de vigilancia de 20 kilómetros en un intento por frenar la propagación del virus.

Romanian health authorities ordered the slaughter of all affected animals and imposed a siege considered high-risk health of 6 miles with an additional circle of 20 km surveillance in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.

Respecto a la situación sobre la gripe AH1N1 en México, el ministro explicó que ya se han aplicado más de 14 millones de vacunas entre grupos vulnerables mediante el programa de vacunación, el cual está a 8 semanas de concluir.

Concerning the situation on avian AH1N1 in Mexico, the minister explained that already implemented more than 14 million vaccines among vulnerable groups through the vaccination program, which is 8 weeks of completion.

Afirmó que, a partir de una revisión sanitaria en todo el país se decidirá si se puede levantar la alerta sanitaria en abril o mayo, aunque aclaró que se mantendrá la vigilancia ante las nuevas variantes del virus.

He stated that from a health review throughout the country will decide whether you can build a health alert in April or May, though he said he will remain alert to new variants of the virus.

“Hay que estar vigilantes y pendientes para el levantamiento de la alerta sanitaria, podría ser entre abril y mayo, eso dependerá de los resultados que nos arroje el monitoreo”, explicó.

"We must be vigilant and earrings for the lifting of the health alert, could be between April and May, it will depend on the results we throw the monitoring," he said.

Nepal: 200 birds culled in Deurali, another 3000 to go

2010-03-19

PARASI: A Rapid Response Team (RRT) has culled more than 200 domestic birds in the bird flu affected Jhyalbas area of Deurali VDC-6 till Friday. The district livestock office had started culling the birds in the area after bird flu was confirmed in the area some days ago. Bird flu was detected in the dead chicken of Bal Bahadur Bagwal's house for the first time. The office started culling the birds 500 metres around Bagwal's house.

Parshuram Bhushal, veterinary doctor, Western Regional Life Stock Disease Research Laboratory, informed that the RRTs have been destroying the birds, bird related products and the instruments used in the poultry. According to the data of the VDC, there are around 2 thousands domestic birds in the area. However Dr. Bhushal said that there may be more than 3000 birds in the affected area. He also informed that the office has started prevention work after establishing bird flu prevention units in the area.

He added,'' It might take more than a week to cull all the birds in the affected area.''

CDO Balkrishna Panthi informed that the administration was planning to test bird flu in the adjoining areas also to prevent the possible spread of the disease. Chief of DPHO Dr. R.S. Deep informed that two medical teams have been sent to the affected area to prevent possible transmission of the disease in the human beings.

Vietnam: Risk of outbreaks of avian influenza in humans

(March 19, 2010)

Chorus "subjective, ignored the" will probably continue, if the head of discipline at all levels are not even reporting misleading than reality, as the epidemic spread of large-scale

In just over two months of 2010, Vietnam had four patients with influenza A/H5N1, one patient died. Ministry of Health to receive, H5N1 virus has returned with more powerful destructive power. The risk of avian influenza outbreak on a strong back is easy to happen.

Before this situation, one to do now is step up surveillance of avian influenza, not to spread out a large scale. However, the Review of the Department of Animal Health recently, avian influenza will probably spread the Mekong Delta, to the point, in two Mekong Delta provinces of Ca Mau and Soc Trang is translated is not suppressed .

Lack of practical work, the lack of supervision, lack of specific responsibilities, ... is the cause of bird flu outbreaks so.

In Ca Mau, starting on September 18, 2009, avian influenza began to appear in Tan Phu. Peak of this epidemic from May to December 2009 now, with 25 outbreaks. Total birds infected, killed and destroyed nearly 2300 children.

As justification for the provincial government, the topographical features of complex river water should not be able to control the disease. But the same geographical conditions like that, five years, An Giang province has not happened to any outbreak that. Since then poses the problem: Why does the province of Ca Mau also happens to avian influenza?

That is because the political system of the base is weak. Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Ca Mau province in the meeting with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Diep Kinh Tan has assumed so.

Accordingly, almost the basis of the political system does not understand the problem, no specific statistics on the number of birds in the communes, wards. Through the actual inspection, the proportion of vaccinated flocks to reach low. So, but according to local reports, the proportion of vaccinated always achieved very high level. Clearly, the levels of Ca Mau province dishonest reporting is the cause leading to disease spread can not control the present.

Also in Soc Trang, the direction and administration of anti-progress drastic shortage, lack of coordination in the political system that causes the disease is not dangerous end though this province is full of written guidance. The Prime Minister has said very clearly: do occur local avian first heads the local must be responsible. But in Soc Trang, specific responsibilities in areas happen to be translated is not processed.

Notably, both of these are local Steering prevention of avian influenza, but almost no meeting; are assigned but none work. Steering Committee for prevention of avian influenza is the form, so ineffective?

Ca Mau provinces harvesting DELTA soon, so the ducks other provinces will concentrate in this area so much, when other provinces to harvest the ducks from the service will go everywhere and then translated bird flu will spread to the Mekong Delta! Remember last year, before the disease is spread to the provinces and Mekong Delta, Ca Mau is also the first outbreak!

Chorus "subjective, ignored the" will probably continue, if the head of discipline at all levels are not even reporting misleading than fact, as dangerous H5N1 epidemic spread the broad, threats to health and life of human destiny.

Presently, there are 10 provinces in the Mekong Delta has a new outbreak occurs, but it was time the province should be more drastic action. First, it should be strictly followed instructions from the Prime Minister. Accordingly, local do occur, the head of service must be responsible, with check points, discipline. Including Director of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Department and Department Head Veterinary The steering committee, member of the steering committee must also be responsible if the assigned local epidemics occur.

Experience in recent years shows that local does do so, the prevention of avian influenza have efficient.

Vietnam: Bac Ninh drastic prevention of avian influenza

Friday, March 19, 2010 - 7:53 AM
These days, the situation of avian influenza (DCGC) broke out again in Nam Son commune (Bac Ninh city) public opinion is very concerned by this warning is for many local first evolutions are complex , but why the disease.

Thus, with six in Bac Ninh province in the country appeared DCGC less than 21 days. As the experts warn, the current conditions, the risk of outbreaks over large DCGC is very high. In particular, after a period of no disease and a number of local people have thought subjective, are ignored in prevention services. This fact requires urgent measures, drastic direct prevention services in the area.

First of all, at all levels and branches should immediately implement measures focusing on both technical and administrative to treatment for the outbreak in South Paint the spirit of the direction of the PPC, and mobilize all resources, concentrated power and uniform implementation of effective measures for prevention services in the whole province.

Need to promote information and propagation of disease to people to anorexia public opinion, and improve their understanding, sense of responsibility for preventing disease outbreaks again. Conduct test and evaluation results on the nature of the sanitation target toxic disinfection and continued increase in high risk areas such as breeding establishments, slaughtering poultry, markets, areas outbreak old ... During vaccination is implemented from day 5-3 to 30-4, it should direct injection room enough flu vaccine for flocks 1 and 2, the nose, especially the purchase of new or larger.

Enhance the operation of quarantine and promote the direct inspection, supervision and strict quarantine the area, resolutely and strictly handle cases of trafficking in smuggled poultry, poultry products unknown origin, not certified by the agency Veterinary Medicine Especially, now at all levels, functional departments must strengthen supervision and inspection to detect early outbreaks to individual units, individual household livestock. When the birds appear sick to death suspected influenza infected samples tested immediately, and must immediately destroy poultry disease, conduct disinfection single target and execute measures to stamp out progress siege from the start not to epidemic. Along with that, fully prepared, ready supplies, facilities and manpower for timely controlled DCGC prevent recurrence in the area.

The Party Committees and governments need to draw deep experience to direct the fiercely to prevent DCGC happen, as prevention is DCGC political tasks focus to mobilize all available resources for the prevention services, concentrating power and uniform implementation of effective measures for prevention services, safeguard poultry, promoting production and stabilize people's lives.

Vietnam: Bird flu back!

Regarding the article below, about random testing.....the only case I have in Khanh Hoa is case #1 ...but I see I have 3 "suspected cases" from there also...

Khanh Hoa Province

Name: 3 yo – Case #1
From: Village Ninh Thân, District Ninh Hòa, Province Khánh Hòa
Onset: 1/27
Adm: 1/28 General Hospital North Thang Long
Recon: 28 / 1, patients had to visit hospital Ninh Hoa district. Results showed that patients diagnosed with acute respiratory tract.
Confirmed Date: 2/12
Notes: Recovered, Healthy. Reported Date: 2/22. WHO Update #8

3/3: 3 Suspected Cases
on the afternoon of March 2, 2010, Dr. Le Tuan Phung, Chief-Medical Profession, Khanh Hoa Department of Health said: Currently in Van Ninh district has three patients treated with millions Stock suspected influenza A/H5N1 infection.

Samples of three patients with four samples of 4 cases of product exposure to poultry infected with influenza A/H5N1 is being sent for examination at the Pasteur Institute of Nha Trang and are awaiting results.

Friday, March 19, 2010, 19:02 (GMT +7)

(Saigon Times Online) - The situation flu captivity evolutions are very complex. From the beginning there were two deaths and three others infected. Saigon Economic Times Online has a quick interview with Mr. Nguyen Huy Nga, Director of Department of Preventive Health and Environment and spokespersons of the Ministry of Health on measures to prevent bird flu situation before that serious.
Saigon Times Online: Could you tell us why the avian influenza outbreak strong and damaging the lives of people?

Mr. Nguyen Huy Nga: Avian influenza tends to increase again during the recent Lunar New Year, the demand for slaughter and use of poultry H5N1 viruses have caused increased strength conditions spread rapidly, especially transmitted to humans. The transportation of smuggled poultry from areas with services to other areas and poultry smuggling at the border increasingly sophisticated, difficult to control avian influenza caused increased strength back.

In addition, dry weather is abnormally hot and cold in the north are favorable conditions for the spread of H5N1 virus in the community.

According to the results in 15 points flu surveillance throughout the country, the current rate influenza virus A (H1N1) is reduced to the rate of H5N1 virus increases strongly again. Therefore, avian influenza is back and at risk of outbreak of service without good control.


Why within 3 months, has recorded two deaths?
- According to medical history, the majority of patients are exposed to poultry infected and hospitalized in serious condition, pulmonary injury. Mortality due to avian influenza is quite high, over 50%. Therefore, if people hospitalized in serious condition than the unavoidable death.

Therefore, the Ministry of Health strongly recommends people to discover the birds sick or dead absolutely not slaughter and use that to immediately notify local authorities handled promptly.

Also, no shipping, trading poultry unknown origin, especially in areas where the bird flu outbreak, ensuring cooked food, drink boiling; wash hands with soap before eating and after going sanitation. And when symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath related to avian influenza should immediately nearest medical facility for examination and treatment in time.

Along with the recommendations of the health sector take measures to prevent what epidemic?

- First, the health sector continue to implement the monitoring closely, is monitoring the cases have been suspected as signs of high fever, cough and pneumonia. Besides monitoring, medical staff and sampling tests for flu cases suspected this.

Influenza surveillance in 15 points to perform monitoring, sampling random test virus in poultry and people. Recently, the monitoring point has discovered a ca positive in Khanh Hoa through the examination and supervision random.

For hospitals, the implementation of avian influenza treatment in new treatment guidelines and preparation of room isolation to limit treatment to prevent the spread of avian influenza in the community. Work on ensuring medicines and medical supplies, the reserves of Tamiflu is enough, more than 200,000 doses for the treatment.

In addition, the Ministry of Health is working with the World Health Organization to update the general situation and find out effective measures to prevent.

Coming to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will coordinate with the Ministry of Health held a conference on bird flu in April, with the participation of international medical experts to share experiences and Entertainment measures against avian influenza in Vietnam.

Thank you.

Vietnam: Antigens of influenza virus H5N1co small changes

Friday, March 19, 2010 10:24

If in 2009, Vietnam has five fifths cases and deaths from influenza A/H5N1 is just over two months of 2010, Vietnam has recorded more cases of influenza A/H5N1 in which two cases died.

Why are infections and death from influenza A/H5N1 Left up fast? Whether influenza A/H5N1 virus was variable, increasing pathogenic as well as transmission from person to person?

Associate Professor-Dr Nguyen Tran Hien, Director of Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology central exchange around this issue. '

Evolution of influenza A/H5N1 virus strains circulating in Vietnam last time any changes do not, sir?

First to emphasize a point is variable antigenic and genetic characteristics of the basic strains of influenza.

The results of research cooperation between the Department of Animal Health Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Center for Preventive and control disease in the United States strains of influenza A/H5N1 virus in poultry in the period from 2001 -- 2007 showed, there were 9 genotypes of virus circulating in Vietnam in which four new genotypes detected in 2007 in Vietnam but appear not find elsewhere. This may be due to the exchange and rearrangement of genetic material between the new grouping into Vietnam in 2007 are grouped subheadings 2.3.4 and has a circulation earlier.

In addition, research findings of influenza A/H5N1 virus strains in the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology Central shows replacement influenza A/H5N1 virus subgroup 1 (before 2007) by grouped 2.3.4 ( from 2007 to present), and high similarity to viruses isolated from poultry in the same time.

Distribution of the 15 tips influenza A/H5N1 virus has calculated the variation quickly, containing the genes of viruses from different animals. However, the antigenic variation that we track so far is small changes, no evidence that it has changed the toxic forces as well as from person to person spread of the virus. Cases occurred in the sink and no play related to each other.

Cause patients in Vietnam fall into respiratory failure status quickly and easily lead to death there is little variation in the antigens of the influenza A/H5N1 virus is not, sir?

Since 2003, strains of flu virus circulating in Vietnam are the strains are highly pathogenic. As mentioned above, although the antigenic changes of influenza A/H5N1 virus, but changes are small and no evidence of increased pathogenic strains of influenza virus circulating in Vietnam in time.

Mortality due to avian influenza A/H5N1 in Vietnam as well as equivalents in other countries in the region. For example, in 2009, the death rate in China is 4 / 7, in Indonesia and Vietnam 19/21 is 5 / 5.

Through analysis of recent fatal cases in Vietnam showed that most of the cases were hospitalized and treated Tamiflu late. Therefore, the diagnosis, detection and early treatment is important.

Backup is the best way we must regularly monitor closely the variations of the virus, while enhancing the implementation of preventive measures and positive initiative to limit the spread of avian influenza viruses from that limit the exchange of integration between the sub-group virus in poultry through vaccination campaigns for poultry vaccines, quarantine, restrict movement of poultry in and between the region and the successful implementation biosecurity measures in animal husbandry (such as quarantine, disinfection, target poisoning, hygiene cages ...).

Sir, influenza A/H5N1 virus strains in Vietnam are different from other countries are not in circulation disease?

Associate Professor-Dr Nguyen Tran Hien: As announced recently by the World Health Organization (WHO), in the period from January 9/2009-2/2010, H5N1 virus has changed little about the di Communication and antigens. H5N1 virus continued discovered in Africa, Asia and eastern China.

Countries report human cases is Cambodia, Egypt, Indonesia and Vietnam. Based on the analysis of the antigenic and genetic, influenza A/H5N1 virus was divided into four subgroups following: Grouping the virus was first detected in Cambodia, February 2 subgroups in Nepal, sub-group in Egypt 2.2.1 Update, subheadings 2.3.2 discovered in Hong Kong, Russia, Vietnam and Nepal, and subheadings 2.3.4 was discovered in Vietnam.

The results of this research is based on research results of Vietnam. Based on information about epidemiology and antigens of influenza A/H5N1 virus present in birds, due to the variations are small and not significant, WHO has also proposed a new H5N1 virus strains for research products H5N1 vaccine production room.

He has received about the progress of influenza A/H5N1 in 2010? Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology Central will do to detect changes of the influenza A/H5N1 virus?

Associate Professor-Dr Nguyen Tran Hien: The research results of the Institute of Animal Health, Animal Health Department shows the circulation of the H5N1 virus in poultry, the proportion of healthy poultry carrying the virus is relatively high , especially in aquatic birds. Occurred while operating movement of poultry trade across borders and between regions. That explains why sometimes translated Left outbreaks in poultry and cases occur in people stroll play.

Forecast in 2010, if we ignore the subjective and the implementation of preventive measures positively and actively, then translated in poultry and the appearance of the sink has human cases continue to occur out. So people need to regularly apply the measures against bird flu but the Ministry of Health has recommended.

Next time, the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology Central will continue to work with the Center for Preventive and control disease in the United States conducted research as research feedback characteristics epidemiological study of influenza A/H5N1 cases in Vietnam, 2003-2010; research evidence about disease risk factors and questions influenza A/H5N1 virus infection in humans; study of the interaction and evolution of influenza A virus infection in humans and animals in Vietnam, including the virus highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1.

- Thank you!.

Egypt: To start paying compensation victims of the «avian flu» and 35 million pounds for the control of the Illness

Thu, 18/03/2010 - 22:11

Dr «Saad Nassar» Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, the Chairman of the Compensation Commission, it was decided to begin the immediate disbursement of compensation Mdhary «swine flu», according to the priority of submissions to the Commission and inspected to ensure that her rights to payment of compensation, pointing to the completion of its first test files, in order to get 230 thousand pounds for a farm affected by the disease, and that 35 million has been allocated to the Compensation Fund to contain bird flu and control.

Nassar said that it will be blocked to obtain compensation for farms that the disease is detected by the owners did not report the injury, in addition to the closure of these farms for up to 6 months.

For his part, «Muhammad Shafei» Vice-Chairman of the Federation of Poultry Producers, said that the exchange rules include that those who suffer in the event of immediate reporting 60% of the real value of the cost of production of birds have been culled.

The Commission Fund to support the poultry industry to compensate those affected by the disease «avian flu», demanded during a meeting this morning, a Ministry of Agriculture, the need for poultry farms, and the reporting of the disease in birds of Education as a condition for the disbursement of compensation for the birds, which are executed by the Joint Commission veterinary services to the province that is located within the infected farm, and veterinary services, such as the Central Laboratory for the control of poultry production and regional plant conservation and a member of the General Union of Poultry Producers.

HK enters seasonal flu peak season

19:42, March 18, 2010

Hong Kong has entered the traditional peak period for seasonal influenza, with flu detections rising from 177 in the week ending March 6, to 268 in the week ending March 13, the Center for Health Protection said on Thursday.

Influenza virus isolation in the Public Health Laboratory Center of Hong Kong showed a steady rise. Virus isolates are mainly either influenza A/H1N1, 49 percent, or influenza B, 50 percent.

The consultation rate for influenza-like-illness among sentinel private doctors increased in recently. During the week ending March 13, the consultation rate for influenza-like-illness at private clinics was 51 per 1,000 consultations.

The center will closely monitor the situation and has sent letters to doctors, schools and institutions alerting them to the upcoming flu season and providing advice on prevention and control.
Source: Xinhua


HK primary school closed for flu outbreak
18:01, March 18, 2010

A primary school in Hong Kong started to suspend classes for seven days from Wednesday, following an outbreak of A/H1N1 influenza and influenza B in the school.

The Department of Health of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government advised Raimondi College Primary Section in Wan Chai to close for a week.

A total of 35 boys and 5 girls, aged 6 to 11, have developed with flu-like symptoms since Feb. 26. One student, who tested positive for influenza B, was hospitalized and been discharged. Another student tested positive for A/H1N1 influenza.

All the affected students are in stable condition.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/90880/6924002.html

Thailand: Govt bans import of fowl from birdflu affected nations

The authorities have banned the import of fowl, fowl carcasses as well as eggs meant for breeding purposes from countries hit by avian influenza.

Bird flu has recently been detected in India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Israel, Cambodia, Burma, Nepal and Bhutan.

The World Organisation for Animal Health also announced that 18 people had come down with bird flu in Indonesia, Egypt and Vietnam this year. Of the 18, five have succumbed to the disease.

"We are closely monitoring vehicles and people at border checkpoints," Apai Suttisang said Thursday in his capacity as head of the Bureau of Disease Control and Veterinary Services.

The Nation

Asia-Pacific nations must ramp up cooperation in health sector – UN official

from UN News Service...

18 March 2010 – Countries in the Asia-Pacific region must step up their cooperation to tackle the threat of highly infectious diseases – including H1N1 – crossing borders, a senior United Nations official said today.
“No matter how strong and effective the health system of one country, there is no guarantee that it would provide protection from pandemics [such as SARS and avian influenza] if your neighbours are exposed,” said Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).



“It is no longer possible to safeguard your health without helping your neighbours do the same,” she said in her address to a conference taking place in Singapore on the theme, “Strengthening Health and Non-Health Response Systems in Asia.”


Ms. Heyzer urged nations to increase investment in addressing structural issues in public health infrastructures and to broaden their provision of medical supplies, including vaccines.



It is also vital, she said, to attend to problems that make people sick and in need of medical care in the first place.



Foreign policy can greatly impact health, she pointed out. For example, trade policies can alter a nation’s ability to produce affordable drugs or influence the flow of health workers from one country to another.
“Countries which have stronger health systems will need to work closely with the weaker countries to ensure that levels of investment in health increase, the number and quality of health workers improve and that the overall capacity of health systems to deal with infectious diseases is of the same level,” the official said.

Vietnam: Bird flu back and more powerful virus H5N1 evolution?

Recently, scientists have discovered is the exchange and integration between the influenza A/H5N1 virus circulating in Vietnam, creating too fast evolution of this virus and are of highly pathogenic strains.
Number of H5N1 infections in three months by the year 2009

According to latest report of the Department of Preventive Health and Environment (Ministry of Health), from early 2010 until now, the country recorded five cases positive for influenza A/H5N1 in humans, two cases of death.

Looking back at the 2009, Vietnam recorded five ca influenza A/H5N1 infection and this is ca 5 mortality, mortality was 100%, higher than double the previous year.

So only 3 months in early 2010, the number of people infected with both influenza A/H5N1 was in 2009, the number of deaths is approximately ½ in 2009.

Dr Le Quynh Mai - Virus Dean, Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology PRIVATE said that recently, scientists have discovered is the exchange and integration between the influenza A/H5N1 virus circulating in Vietnam, creating a too fast evolution of this virus and are of highly pathogenic strains. Experts have discovered a number of changes of antigen reduces the sensitivity of influenza treatment.

Before this situation, again, the question about the possibility of a mixture of two types of influenza A/H1N1 and influenza A/H5N1 virus became hot issues.

In the past month, the monitoring system of key influenza, cases of influenza A/H1N1 syndrome has decreased, only about 18% of samples tested positive for H1N1 in the previous figure would be 80 -- 100%.

However, Masters Nguyen Hong Ha, Deputy Director of the Hospital for Tropical Investment has estimated that the H5N1 virus from a few years now has always existed in the environment, even the poultry do not die but can still carry the virus. H1N1 virus was reduced but still exists, so, when H5N1 becomes strong, the risk is still recombinant. "Influenza Virus no stability genetically. It has the ability of recombinant, sort and suddenly very high.

Virus H1N1 short-lived but spread quickly from person to person. Virus H5N1 gay high mortality but low ability to spread. If the combination, most likely will create a new virus more dangerous, just a quick spread of H1N1 from person to person, just high risk of death by H5N1.


Translate only discovered when someone infected?
H5N1 virus in poultry exist then spread to humans.
Review 5 ca influenza A/H5N1 infection in Vietnam since early this year, see:

After investigating the residence of patients in Soc Son (Hanoi), dinner 15 thirds, Sub-Department of Animal Health, Hanoi said, there are 60 test serum samples and throat service virtually negative for bird flu virus A/H5N1, still have not found the source of infection of patients.

Patients with H5N1 infection in Binh Dinh (now died), the new functional bodies of local spread the disease to determine the source.

Now patients in Khanh Hoa, patients have no family who are ill, not sick poultry / death. But nearly a month before starting disease patients, ostrich farm (the patient's home near 1 km) with ostrich phenomenon unexplained death.

Families of patients in Tuyen Quang, the chickens are sick phenomenon / death but without a cause.

Patients die in Tien Giang is a slaughtering and processing aquatic birds before the disease but the area also has been warned there is disease.

So, clearly, the collaboration between the Medical and Veterinary not close, most cases of influenza detected in humans before then epidemiological investigation and detection of influenza in poultry.

Can he talk with Van Binh, Deputy Director Chi Chi Department of Animal Health, Hanoi, he concedes prevention poultry weak. The cause is due out depends very much on the raising awareness: People do not bring birds to vaccination, we also bear!
In addition, sub-department staff are difficult to control the number of all poultry consumed each day in Hanoi as the number of restrictions, lack of synchronization between local authorities and the market management.

Bad influenza A/H5N1 back also occurs in many countries around the world, not separate Vietnam. Recently, WHO also for the Ministry of Health in Egypt has recorded five cases of influenza A/H5N1, which has a severe case, there is no death. [this is not true...See Egypt Fact Box, right side-bar]

Thus, from the beginning of the year, Vietnam is the only national recognition of deaths due to this virus. This trend, along with Indonesia, Vietnam is one of the two countries with many cases of death due to H5N1 virus one.

Vietnam: Binh Duong: strict control areas with a patient death from influenza A/H5N1 infection

17:06 | March 18, 2010
According to The Sunday Tan, Head of the Department of Health Profession Pacific, after NTKM grandchildren, 3 years old (at the motel workers Binh Duc Hamlet II, Hoa Binh Thuan An, Binh Duong) mortality in Children's Hospital II (Ho Chi Minh City) on 17 thirds of influenza A/H5N1 infection, Provincial Health Department has directed the concerned units to coordinate with City Hospital Pasteur organizing measures against the spread in the community.

Sub-Department of Animal Health, Center for Preventive Health and Health Center Thuan An has made pasteurized, sterilizing area patients stay; get 14 samples tested in poultry and 9 samples for schools of people have direct contact with patients to get direction processed promptly. According to the function, near the family of patients in a facility to kill poultry. Base has been forced to suspend operations and destruction of all poultry. Samples of poultry facilities were tested

Known before the illness, I have NTKM the parents of home workers in the Western Pacific and then back. On 7/3 grandchildren cough and fever, the family treatment in private clinics but not to give support and admission to the two Children's Hospital on 10 / 3 with symptoms of high fever, occasional cough. Through examination of the hospital and the Pasteur Institute for a positive result for influenza A/H5N1. Although doctors have the right treatment regimen the patients but the situation is still bad evolutions, severe pneumonia, respiratory failure, multi-agency failure and death. /.

Correction: Cambodia H5N1 Outbreak

Thanks to a reader, I am correcting the title to this post. This article came out of China, and it is most likely a translation error. The body of the article clearly says " tens of thousands ". It is not 1.6 Million, it is 16,000. Thanks for the heads-up.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Cambodia, about 1.6 million ducks died of bird flu

Author: PHNOM PENH, Release Date: (2010-03-17)

http://pandemicinformationnews.blogspot.com/2010/03/cambodia-about-16-million-ducks-died-of.html

Vietnam: Thu Content influenza A/H5N1 and H1N1 patients in 3-point

07:19, 17 March 2010 (GMT +7)
First appeared at risk of influenza A/H1N1 and services with highly pathogenic influenza A/H5N1, the Health Ministry has warned the local promptly conduct close monitoring of suspected infection manifested two types of flu in order to isolation, not to break out strong in the community.

By PGS-TS Nguyen Huy Nga, Director of Department of Preventive Health and Environment (Ministry of Health) said, in 2009, the country recorded five cases of influenza A/H5N1 and all deaths. Entering 2010, only three months early, but nationwide four people were infected with influenza A/H5N1, including one case of patient death in the province of Tien Giang.

On the afternoon of 16-3, presented with PV Report Danang, doctor Nguyen Ut, deputy director of the city Health Department said, the city health sector have deployed units in conducting surveillance measures close cases. In cases of infected people, the health sector will receive treatment at the Medical Center of Son Tra, Thanh Khe and Tropical Medicine Faculty Hospital of Da Nang.

Yao Ming

Vietnam: 25 yo Hanoi - No food, slaughtering infected birds flu has infected

March 17, 2010 Updated: 7:57 AM, March 17, 2010
(Labor) - no direct contact with infected poultry, not directly eat meat or poultry sick die, but her T (25 years old, in Soc Son) influenza A/H5N1 has infected. The experts, the virus can be dispersed in the environment and her T to infections.

T when she discovered influenza A/H5N1 infection, the fence next to the neighbor has a dead chicken, feathers still leaves King vãi around that area. T brought her husband to bury chickens. However, a week later, she began appearing T symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, headache and began to show signs of difficulty breathing.

Only treatment at home with medications and regular communication should translate her illness worse, on Tuesday will be taken to BV North Thang Long, Hanoi. Here, the patient was diagnosed suspected viral pneumonia and treated with antiviral drugs, antibiotics help.

Three days later, the patient's health is deteriorating, the patient was transferred to T resuscitation science positive, BV Bach Mai and Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology Surgeons confirmed positive test result for influenza A / H5N1.

On March 15, the BS BV Bach Mai said: When BV was moved on Thursday of the disease, so health has been declining seriously, white blood cells, platelets decreased to 51.000/1ml blood, while in the to reach normal levels in blood 150.000/1ml.

Patients have impaired viscera (4 / 5 organs, including: Tibetan circulatory, respiratory organs, organs and organ blood digestion). Ms. T and the Left have been born three months should be more serious than health. We still have patients appear more ventilation and air filled lung membranes.

From early March until now, the area around the house with her T birds sick or dead scattered. According to the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology Surgeons, not exclude cases A/H5N1 virus dispersal in the environment around your home can be a source of infection for patients with this disease.

Vietnam: Mortality rate of H5N1 avian influenza is 58%

March 17, 2010, 16:26

Giadinh.net-is recommended by the HCM City Department of Health as soon as the information age three girls live in Pacific dying from H5N1 infected, 17 / 3.

BS. Phan Van Nghiem, Head of Profession of Medicine, HCMC Health Department certification, examination of your baby NTKM (residing in Thuan An - Binh Duong) have been processed in accordance with the process of sterilizing the Ministry of Health. Family has returned home for burial in An Giang. Parents of children was also given medication to prevent.

Same day, HCMC Pasteur Institute sent health workers to rent family baby is in Thuan An, Binh Duong. Institute collaborated with the Binh Duong Department of Health to investigate the source initially epidemiology, localized and environmental remediation. Also, epidemiological experts came to An Giang to conduct monitoring, epidemiological investigations, sterilizing here for previous baby has the home in An Giang.

By BS. Test, influenza A/H5N1 is a very dangerous disease, with mortality rates higher than 58% should be aware of people using poultry, aquatic birds must be very careful. Special purchase floating unknown origin; made food cooked, boiled drinking, washing hands frequently to prevent disease spread.

Department of Health has also directed the hospital to strengthen surveillance to detect early and treat promptly rescue cases, siege, putting services in time. Also also coordinate with the Department to strengthen veterinary inspection facilities slaughtering poultry.

BS. Tests for other kinds of poultry, although not dead but the rate of serum positive for influenza A/H5N1 remain high.

"No evidence of disease spread from person to person but to prevent, make a list of track in contact with patients and parents the medicine room. The treatment is completely free of H5N1, the labor is eligible for examination BV Children 1 Children 2 BV, and BV HCMC Pasteur Institute for Tropical. "- BS. Nghiem said.

Vietnam: 3 yo Ho Chi Minh City Dies

Deaths due to bird flu in the first year in the South

Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 15:40
(Saigon Times Online) - Children's Hospital has confirmed two girls aged three influenza A/H5N1 infected in the first City area died in two hours this morning, 17-3 at the hospital after patients with respiratory failure interesting serious. Thus, this is the case of death Monday by bird flu since early this year.

Information from the City Health Department for patients NTKM (3 years old, live Thuan An, Binh Duong) Children's Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City and two tests positive for influenza A/H5N1 day 10-3.

According to epidemiological investigation, patients M. hospitalized with symptoms of high fever, occasional cough. Baby grandson was five consecutive days of fever, suspected infected dengue but test is not dengue, taking pictures showed pneumonia, respiratory insufficiency. Doctors conducted tests PCR (molecular biology) for the results baby M. positive for influenza A/H5N1.

Investigation and family medical history, family descendants that baby home rental in Thuan An, Binh Duong and around the seller has many chickens live. After nearly a week in hospital, patients remained in a state of respiratory distress, mechanical ventilation and treated with Tamiflu died song by respiratory failure.

Today, 17-3, Pasteur Institute Ho Chi Minh City will appoint a medical delegation to resident baby M. to conduct localized, translated immediately put to fight spread rapidly outside the community.

According to Department of Preventive Health and Environment (Ministry of Health), from the beginning of the year has recorded five cases infected bird flu, including two deaths. Currently, both countries six provinces of Nghe An, Khanh Hoa, Tuyen Quang, Bac Ninh, Ben Tre and Quang Ninh have avian influenza has 21 days.

Today 15-3, a new outbreak occurred in 3000 the son of a chicken Forums households in Mai Dong, Yen Hung district. Number of birds died of the 1420. Poultry not vaccinated on bird flu vaccine. Sub-Department of Animal Health and local authorities have destroyed all poultry in and implementation of preventive measures in accordance with progress.

Cambodia, about 16,000 ducks died of bird flu [title corrected]

Author: PHNOM PENH, Release Date: (2010-03-17)

Cambodia's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has confirmed that, Takeo province, Gean De County, a farm about 1.6 million [incorrect translation] ducks recently died of H5N1 strain of bird flu.
Cambodia's Secretary for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry of Livestock high-Pago told the press that in the past week, the capital, about 90 kilometers south of Phnom Penh, Takeo Province, Ge Ande County a total of tens of thousands of ducks infected farm, which has killed about 16000 . Relevant institutions sampling test proved that all of these ducks infected with the H5N1 strain of bird flu.It has not yet found someone infected.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry has asked the relevant authorities culled all poultry in the infected area and ordered the suspension of infected area within 5 km radius of the poultry trade and transport, in order to control the spread of bird flu. The statement also called attention to the environmental and personal hygiene of poultry breeding areas, once the phenomenon was found dead infected poultry, immediately report to the parties concerned.

"We have once killed chickens for nothing!" S back flu in Danube Delta

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 22:58 21 hits





Eugenia Crinschi no longer afraid of surgeons, because it already happened in the 2006 flu
Roxana Glavan, Cristian Dogaru

In Letea, broke the world one village in the Danube Delta, there are few households buried in the sand. In the center of town, locals gathered to advise what to do with birds in the yard. The European Commission announced that influenza and is near Sulina!

The last house standing Eugenia Crisnchi (67 years). He found that influenza is special unearthed after two dead birds last Saturday and were sprinkled throughout the village.

"I heard the slum that they started to die laying in the yard, the farm we have here. We are accustomed to our spring birds die when it happens, bury them here, in the sand ", shows the hand instead.

The yard has 13 chicken fat and beautiful they want to cut them before I take vets. "I'm not afraid to eat them after that died of influenza in the refrigerator," added the locals.

"There was a time we killed influenza and fowl in the cage for nothing", and says Lucian, a native. Antonel Pocora, mayor of CA Rosetti, which belongs Letea, disproves the existence of an outbreak of avian influenza.

"I have no formal act of sickness in the village, is a suspect. They took samples from two farms where they were mortality and veterinarians have already killed 50 chickens, "said the mayor. Tulcea prefect Vasile Gudu, noted that doctors were already installed in the Rosetti - Periprava and Letea will disinfect the village.
"It is excluded combination with the swine flu virus»

Ministry of Health decided that the approximately 350 people living in the area where the emergence of avian influenza was reported to be supervised at all times.
In case of respiratory physicians will virozelor samples. Minister of Health adviser, Prof. Dr. Geza Molnar said that "no one can talk about a combination of flu virus that of swine influenza in the area of Tulcea Letea because this area was not registered any case of infection AH1N1 ".

"There is no danger to the public»

Marian Zlotea, ANSVSA president, says there is no danger to the public after the emergence of this new outbreak of bird flu and has not appeared in one other case Letea of March 13.

"Since March 14, when I finished to apply legal measures has not occurred or a clinical case," said Zlotea. He noted that veterinary measures have been taken in a single household and the authorities will continue to monitor the for 30 days.

"And never one to be footage of tourist here»

"Romanians have learned about the circus, even surprised the approaching tourist season in the Delta and quiet. And never one to be footage of tourist here. He made peace with avian and swine influenza CAP. So finished vaccine and should be done next, "says Virgil Munteanu, president of Delta Tourism Association.

Outbreak of avian influenza occurred in two households, according to the prefect of Tulcea

Last hour

H5N1 avian influenza outbreak occurred in two households in the commune Letea, where he arrived Tuesday morning teams Sanitary Veterinary Directorate and the Directorate of Public Health, said the prefect of Tulcea, Vasile Gudu for reality TV.
"This is about two households with a total of 47 birds were also killed. He did a check across the health of the seven members of two families. They have a good health. It monitors the state these individuals, households are isolated, they carried out the disinfection, "said Basil Gudu.

Frederic Vincent, spokesman for the European Commission, told Realitatea TV that he found a case of avian influenza during the weekend and that veterinary authorities were notified and took the test. "The Romanian authorities must inform the European Commission, which did. Then we take a decision today at 17, to get some measure of security in the region and that's all," explained Vincent

City: Detecting patients suspected influenza A/H5N1 infection

16/03/2010 20:26

(TNO) this afternoon (March 16), City Health Department has confirmed the suspected ca influenza A/H5N1 infection have been detected at Children's Hospital 2 (HCMC).

Female patients, 3 years old, name N.T.K.M. (in Thuan An, Binh Duong Province) Children's Hospital admitted two on March 10 with symptoms of high fever, occasional cough. Test Children's Hospital for two positive results for influenza A/H5N1.

Doctor Phan Van Nghiem, Chief Medical Profession, City Health Department said in tomorrow (17.3), Pasteur Institute and Hospital of Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City will be the Children's Hospital doctor 2 Assembly standards and test samples of patients NTKM again to assess patients.

In parallel, the Pasteur Institute also sent medical staff to the residence of the patients in the Pacific to determine the source of disease and implement measures to eliminate bacteria, isolated power spread, prevent spread of disease.

There are patients in a state of respiratory distress, mechanical ventilation must be isolated and treated at Children's Hospital Faculty infections 2.
So, along with Hanoi has detected patients infected with influenza A/H5N1 on March 12, then there are currently two major cities of Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have the flu this infection. Up to now, the country has had four patients with influenza A/H5N1. In which a patient died.

To prevent influenza A/H5N1, Department of Preventive Health and Environment advised people to discover the birds sick or dead absolutely not slaughter and use that to immediately notify local authorities handle time; no shipping purchase poultry unknown origin, especially in areas where the bird flu outbreak, ensuring cooked food, drink boiling; wash hands with soap before eating and after going to defend students; have symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath related to avian influenza should immediately nearest medical facility for examination and treatment in time.

Girl aged three critical facilities contaminated by bird flu

Prolonged fever, cough and weight transfer to the state of coma and respiratory failure, patients live in Binh Duong province has been the Children's Hospital doctor 2, HCM diagnosis may have been infected with H5N1.

> Patients first H5N1 deaths in the Hanoi 2010/Mot chicken flu critical
Little observed the computer screen in the Emergency Room of the Department infections. Photo: The Emperor.

"Need to wait PCR test results from the Pasteur Institute on the morning of tomorrow can make sure you confirm, however based on clinical symptoms and test results rapidly, more than 80% chance that your baby was infected with bird flu" , doctor Phan Van Nghiem, Head of Profession of Medicine, HCMC Health Department said.

According to doctors scientific infections, Children's Hospital 2, where direct treatment for patients, the health of your baby is very weak, with your baby to breathe by lung inflammation resulting in severe respiratory distress.

Family or, after several days the treatment of fever, cough hospital in Binh Duong province, but illness is not relieved. 10 / 3, the baby has signs of pneumonia should be transferred to Children's Hospital 2.

Am 16 thirds, calls for diagnostic cases was held in Ho Chi Minh City Health Department with the participation of the HCMC Pasteur Institute, Department of Health Profession's Department of Health, Preventive Medical Center of the city, disease Hospital Hospital for Tropical Hospital Emergency Trung Vuong Hospital Pham Ngoc Thach and Children's Hospital 2.
Nguyen Van Chau, director of the Department of Health requires health authorities in addition to treating health research, should also investigate where the baby lived epidemiology to handle against the spread.

H1N1 virus shows genetic mutation, 'but not a worry'

Mar 16, 2010, 07.32am IST

Tags:Pune|H1N1 virus

PUNE: The swine flu virus isolated from the throat swab samples of three H1N1-infected patients at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) has shown a small genetic mutation in the polymerase 2 (PB2) gene, NIV director A C Mishra told TOI on Monday.

However, Mishra said there was no cause for worry as the virus was still not resistant to oseltamivir, which is an active ingredient in Tamiflu.

It may be noted that a small genetic mutation was earlier detected in the haemagglutinin (HA) region of the virus as well while testing the throat swab samples of two patients who eventually succumbed to the H1N1 infection.

The PB2 mutation has previously been associated with increased efficiency of replication and possible virulence changes in other influenza A viruses. “However, we did not find such increased efficiency of replication or increased virulence in the isolates of the swine flu virus in which we have noticed mutation of the PB2 gene. The mutation is not very significant in that sense,” said Mishra.

Consulting microbiologist and immunologist Siddharth Dalvi said, “The PB gene makes a protein that is responsible for viral replication. Since this enzymic protein is not directly involved in the immune responses, point mutations in this gene may not be of immediate clinical impact. However, it may, in theory, change the way the virus replicates.”

Most RNA viruses (including influenza virus) replicate their genome by using the viral enzyme to make copies from the parent RNA. “This enzyme has a weak proof-reading activity, that is, checking if the right nucleotides have been incorporated in the genome. Hence, over time, point mutations are bound to happen in the genome of these viruses. In fact, we would be surprised if they don’t. The majority of these mutations may not have any significance, either for the virus, or for the host,” said Dalvi.

New suspected case of A/H5N1 in Ho Chi Minh City

Updated : 6:36 PM, 03/16/2010

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health announced a suspected case of bird flu virus on March 16.

The patient, a 3-year-old child from Thuan An district, Binh Duong province, was hospitalised with symptoms of petechial fever, but she then tested positive for the A/H5N1 virus and is now under quarantine for treatment at Nhi Dong hospital, Ho Chi Minh City.

“There are many poultry breeders around the patient’s house,” said her family.

The Hospital for Tropical Diseases and Pasteur Institute have sent medical experts to Nhi Dong hospital for consultation and samples have been taken for medical tests. The final result will be announced on March 17.

The Pasteur Institute will send officials to the patient’s living quarters for inspection and put those who have contact with her in quarantine.

Outbreak of avian influenza discovered in Tulcea

16/03/2010 (Updated 14:01)
An outbreak of avian influenza type H5N1 was discovered on a poultry farm in the village Letea, Tulcea County. This was confirmed by representatives of the European Commission. Outbreak was located in the Danube delta, near the border with Ukraine.



The European Commission will adopt today a decision confirming the risk areas set by Romanian authorities after the outbreak of the outbreak.

Immediately after confirmation of the outbreak, Romanian authorities started to implement the necessary control measures laid down in EU legislation. These include the slaughter of all infected poultry farm, establishing a protection zone within a radius of 3 kilometers and setting up an area of 10 kilometers around the farm, which also was established strong measures to control the movement.

49 dead birds in two farms
Minister of Health adviser, Geza Molnar said reporting on an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a poultry farm in the village Letea that veterinarians have found 49 dead birds in two households and that they made for supervision close to the area.
"So far, nobody in the world has shown that avian influenza is transmitted from person to person," said Geza Molnar, quoted by Mediafax. He added that authorities have recommended people "not to approach the dead birds, wild birds in the area, to not allow the birds in the courtyard to enter the house and children not to play with carrions.

The adviser said that the living area of approximately 300 to 400 people, this being an isolated location. Molnar added that each case of respiratory virus in humans will be investigated and that will be harvested samples for analysis. Public Health Department sent a doctor to ensure permanence in the area

A/H1N1 epidemic on humans likely to recur, says Health Ministry

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huy Nga, head of the Health Ministry's Environment and Preventative Medicine Department has warned that the A/H1N1 epidemic on humans is at high risk of recurence due to the public’s poor awareness of the fatal disease.
Since the beginning of this year, four people have contracted A/H5N1 virus, causing one death. Over the weekend, the Environment and Preventative Medicine Department confirmed 2010’s first A/H5N1 patient in Hanoi.
Vietnam has so far declared 116 A/H1N1 cases in 38 provinces and cities nationwide with 58 deaths since the country detected its first case on December 25, 2003.
Dr Nguyen Huy Nga said that in remote areas, local people still slaughtered and ate meat from sick chickens. “This may cause the further spread of the disease,” he added.
The Environment and Preventative Medicine Department has asked people to strictly observe the measures to prevent another outbreak of the epidemic. The department also stressed the need to tighten control of poultry transport, trading and slaughtering activities. Suspected cases have also been advised to go to the hospital for medical check up and timely treatment.
Speaking at a recent national conference on bird flu prevention and control, Dr. Le Quynh Mai, head of the Virus Department of the National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), raised her concerns of genetic mutation in H1N1 virus. “At least seven antigen groups have appeared in the bird fu virus since it arrived in Vietnam,” she said.
According to experts, the most effective measure to prevent the outbreak of the deadly disease is to promote information dissemination on the disease. However, there is the fact that the public awareness of the epidemic is still relatively low since the first occurrence of the epidemic seven years ago.
Medical experts said that recent research showed rapid changes of A/H5N1 virus that may develop into a new resistant strain, with a higher toxicity level and more resistance to medicine.
Dr. Nguyen Van Kinh, head of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, said that Vietnam’s tropical weather condition has created favourable conditions for the two virus trains, A/H1N1 and A/H5N1, to mutate into a new strain.
Pham Gia Lai, Deputy Director of the Thai Binh provincial Heath Department, said some hospitals at district level are unable to correctly diagnose A/h5N1 due to the limited professional skills of doctors and poor medical equipment.
Bui Thi Le Phi, Deputy Director of the Can Tho provincial Heath Department, said that local medical workers also face difficulties in separating A/H1N1 from A/H5N1 patients as they show similar symptoms. “Therefore,” she said, “it is essential to increase capacity for medical workers and consider this as an important measure against the epidemic.”

Avian influenza H5N1 detected in Romania, the first case in the EU in one year

16/03/2010 12:28:00

A poultry farm in Romania has been infected by avian influenza H5N1, the first recorded case in the EU in one year, said Tuesday the European Commission.

The affected farm is located in the town of Letea, near the Ukrainian border.
Preventive measures were taken immediately, as the slaughter of poultry and the establishment of a protection zone with a radius of 3 km around the farm, and a surveillance zone with a radius of 10 km considered "high risk".
The last confirmed case of bird flu had been detected in a wild duck in Germany in March 2009.

No contact with infected poultry remains influenza A (H5N1)

Updated at: 8:28 AM, March 16, 2010

No direct contact with infected poultry, not directly eat meat or poultry sick but she died T., 25, in Phu Ninh, Soc Son, Hanoi still infected influenza A (H5N1).

>> Unpredictable risk of a new influenza pandemic

According to Nguyen Dang Tuan, emergency resuscitation science, Bach Mai Hospital, the direct treatment for Ms. T., ca influenza A (H5N1 first in Hanoi, when the patient was moved to second on years of healthy patients should have a serious decline, most viscera failure. We still have her appear more ventilation and air filled lung membranes. The doctors can not the data on the lives of patients.

Dr. Tran Nhu Duong, Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology Institute vice Central, said, according to initial epidemiological survey from early March until now, the area around a patient's T. a sick bird, dead scattered. Dr. Yang also for not exclude cases where influenza A virus (H5N1) dispersed in the environment around the house, can be transmitted to the source patient.

Therefore, experts recommend epidemiology, people should notify local authorities if discovered sick birds, dead with no known cause for environmental remediation measures in time. Also, when exposed to infected poultry, poultry sickness, death must be equipped with adequate labor protection, wash your hands with soap and antiseptic solution after contact with poultry. Especially when there are manifestations of fever, cough, shortness of breath, need to just medical facility for examination and treatment in time, especially those with less resistance as the elderly, young children and people with decline of resistance such as pregnant women, new birth or who have chronic ..

Not found the source of the disease spreading influenza A/H5N1 infection in Hanoi

8:31 PM, March 15, 2010
Not found the source of the disease spreading influenza A/H5N1 infection in Hanoi
(VOV) - Before the detection of patients infected with influenza A/H5N1, local detects scattered dead sick poultry. Something worth saying that at least 10% of poultry Phu Linh commune is not epidemic prevention vaccine

Afternoon 15 thirds, Sub-Department of Animal Health, Hanoi announced the results of serum samples and throat service almost poultry from infected patients in family households influenza A/H5N1 and neighboring Phu Linh commune, Soc Son District. Accordingly, 60 samples have tested negative for influenza A/H5N1 virus. That means not find the source of infection of patients with influenza A/H5N1 in Hanoi.

Full Phu Linh commune, Soc Son District, Hanoi has nearly 30,000 poultry. Before the detection of patients infected with influenza A/H5N1, local detects scattered dead sick poultry. Something worth saying that at least 10% of poultry Phu Linh commune is not vaccine epidemic prevention; including 17 chickens of the family of patients.

Sub-Department of Animal Health, Hanoi direct vets base deployed pepper spray toxic chemical environment, destruction of propaganda people dead birds with no known cause and promote the A/H5N1 influenza vaccine for the prevention forums poultry.

Can Mr. Van Binh, Deputy Director Chi Chi Ha Noi Department of Animal Health said: "The prevention of AI in general depends heavily on raising awareness of, the community. Current low rate of vaccination is due to the combination of raising the agency has strict animal health. Many households raising subjective, is ignored, belittled, and no vaccination for their flocks so by improving vaccination rates as well as implementing the work of vaccination to be effective requires a strong direct decision of the authorities, especially the communal authorities.

While at the Faculty of Islamic power positive, Bach Mai hospital, patients infected with influenza A/H5N1 residing in Phu Linh commune, Soc Son District, Hanoi still in critical condition: pneumonia, acute respiratory failure is evolution; Patients with multiple organ failure, multiple organ side, must be artificially ventilated. Doctor Nguyen Van Tuan, the direct treatment of patients said that the concern is that patients with signs of pulmonary membrane and gas spills, low white blood cell is less protected, requiring more intervention procedure so easy to infection and secondary bacterial drug resistance.

From this case, doctors recommend Nguyen Van Tuan: "With the disease so we must be careful to spread resources. For this disease should be conducted carefully and isolate, perform hand hygiene, eating and hygiene. People to discover the disease must be reported functional agencies to stamp out progress soon, the symptoms should go to health facilities to visit soon hope to study new treatment, a higher survival rate " .

Ministry of Health recommended several times: when detecting birds sick or dead absolutely not slaughter and use that to immediately notify local authorities handled promptly; no shipping purchase poultry unknown origin, particularly in areas where the bird flu outbreak, ensuring cooked food, drink boiling; wash hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet.

Thus from the beginning of the year has discovered four local flu A/H5N1 patients. For Hanoi, this is the first patient within 5 years. Other three patients with previously detected in the provinces of Tuyen Quang, Khanh Hoa and Tien Giang, still have not found the source of infection for patients with this disease. /.

Vietnam: Drop-empty chicken population indifferent whether people infected with H5N1 have

This is a hard article to understand. This is just my interpretation, as I see it. I believe the article is stating quotes from husband. He doesn't understand how his wife got BF. They have chickens. They have not be vaccinated. They have been healthy chickens, and he never bought chickens from "outside". For Tet, they did not eat chicken. They do not like chicken, so don't normally consume. He's heard neighbors have dead chicken, and are being thrown in the canal.....Something about he/she works at home...and she has grandchildren 3 months old (she's 25....).....

I think it is saying the chickens tested negative in their household as well as adjacent homes...

" However, 60 samples (patients and their households raising adjacent) sent for tests to date are negative, "Binh said."

Updated: 2 Hours
Kênh: Channel: VnExpress

Although local people infected with bird flu to hospital, but many families in rural Cong Hoa, Phu Linh commune, Soc Son District, Hanoi still drop empty chicken forums, including households with infected people.

Phần lớn số gia cầm này chưa được tiêm phòng.

The majority of poultry has not been vaccinated.

11 / 3, Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology is the central test results confirmed product samples of the patient's 25-year-old village of the Republic of positive with H5N1.

5 ngày đầu, bệnh cảnh của chị rất nặng, phải thở máy, đang được điều trị tích cực tại Bệnh viện Bạch Mai.

5 days early, scene of her very serious illness, have ventilation, are being actively treated in Bach Mai Hospital.

Tuy nhiên, ông Nguyễn Văn Xây, bố chồng của bệnh nhân vẫn không hiểu vì sao con dâu mình có thể nhiễm.

However, Nguyen Van Construction, published her husband's patients still do not understand why you can get the strawberry.

"Nhà tôi nuôi 17 con gà, dù chưa tiêm phòng con nào, lại thả rông chứ không nuôi nhốt nhưng con nào con nấy đều khỏe, không có con nào bị ốm chết. Gia đình cũng chưa bao giờ mua thịt gà ở ngoài", ông Xây nói.

"The 17 I raise chickens, although I have not vaccinated children, and, again, not drop empty captivity but nấy children are healthy children do not have any sick child died. The family never bought chicken outside" he said Building.

Đàn gà nhà ông Xây vẫn được thả rông ngoài vườn dù con dâu ông bị cúm gia cầm.

In addition, the New Year far from his family not to eat any chicken once, especially the couple seal ever are not like chicken, so rarely eat.

Ông chỉ nghe nói, ở khu xóm giữa có một nhà gà chết, đem vứt ra sông, ra ngòi.

He heard, in the neighborhood with a dead chicken, bring thrown into the river, the canals.

Nhưng con dâu ông chủ yếu làm việc ở nhà, không đi ra ngoài mấy, chị cũng vừa sinh cháu được hơn 3 tháng.

But the law he mainly worked at home, not go out a few, she also has grandchildren born more than 3 months.

Cũng vì tin đàn gà nhà mình khỏe mạnh nên sau khi đã được tiêm phòng, ông vẫn tiếp tục để gà chạy rông.

Information forums because his home healthy chickens should be vaccinated after he continued to run empty chicken.

Nhiều hộ gia đình gần đó cũng không nhốt đàn gà lại mà vẫn thả như mọi khi dù đã có khuyến cáo của ngành thú y.

Many households nearby will not confine Left Forum chickens still drop as always though was recommended by the veterinary sector

Có những hộ chăn nuôi khi được hỏi thì cho rằng, gà nhà ai chết chứ gà nhà họ chưa bao giờ chết.

There breeding households when asked, said that the chickens who killed the chickens, but they never die.

Từ trước đến nay, họ vẫn thả như vậy mà không sao.

Ever, they still do not pull so.

"Đến thời điểm này, ngành thú y mới chỉ khuyến cáo người dân nên nuôi nhốt gia cầm lại, đồng thời tuyên truyền các biện pháp phòng tránh lây nhiễm bệnh sang người. Ngoài ra, chưa bắt buộc phải tiêu hủy vì chưa chắc đàn gà đó đã nhiễm bệnh", ông Cấn Văn Bình, Chi cục phó Chi cục Thú y Hà Nội cho biết.

"To this point, veterinary science only recommend people should captivity birds back, while the propaganda measures to prevent infection from spreading to humans. In addition, not destroyed as required in doubt Forums chickens that were infected, "said Can Van Binh, deputy Chi Chi Department of Animal Health Department Hanoi said.

Trong khi đó, phần lớn đàn gà trong các hộ gia đình này vẫn chưa được tiêm phòng.

Meanwhile, most chickens in the forums households has not been vaccinated.

Theo thống kê, thôn Cộng Hòa có khoảng 7.500 con gia cầm, tỷ lệ tiêm văcxin cúm đạt 80%, số còn lại 20% không tiêm phòng chủ yếu là chăn nuôi nhỏ lẻ, chăn thả tự do.

According to statistics, there are about 7500 villages of the Republic of poultry, the percentage of injected flu vaccine reached 80%, the remaining 20% are not vaccinated are mainly small livestock, grazing freely.

Tỷ lệ tiêm chủng chung của cả thành phố Hà Nội cũng chỉ đạt khoảng 80%.

Vaccination coverage of the whole of Hanoi will only reach about 80%.

Lý giải việc vẫn còn tỷ lệ tương đối lớn gia cầm chưa được tiêm phòng, ông Cấn Văn Bình cho rằng, một năm ngành thú y tổ chức 2 đợt tiêm chủng đại trà cho gia cầm và có tổ chức tiêm chủng bổ sung hằng tháng.

Explain the still relatively large proportion of AI has not been vaccinated, he said Doi Van Binh, a veterinary science in the second round of mass vaccination for poultry vaccination and organized additional monthly .

Tuy nhiên, nhiều hộ chăn nuôi vẫn chủ quan không tiêm phòng, nghĩ rằng mình chăn nuôi nhỏ lẻ nên coi thường.

However, many households still subjective livestock vaccination not, think you should consider raising small often.

"Có người sợ tiêm rồi gia cầm giảm đẻ, giảm tăng trọng nên không tiêm. Ngoài ra, nếu tiêm thì phải sau 14 ngày mới được tiêu thụ. Chúng tôi cũng không thể cử người đến từng hộ gia đình để tiêm được vì lực lượng thú y không thể phục vụ hết", ông Bình nói.

"There is a fear of injections and birds lay off, reduced weight increase was not vaccinated. Also, if injected after 14 days, they must be consumed. We can not appoint persons to each household to be vaccinated because of power of veterinary services can not end, "Binh said.

Ông cho biết những hộ chăn nuôi dưới 50 con thì phải tự giác đem gia cầm ra những điểm tiêm tập trung tại thôn, xã để tiêm.

He said households raising children under 50, they must bring self to the point vaccinated poultry concentrated in villages and communes to injection.

Còn nếu có hơn 50 con thì thú y có thể đến tận nhà để tiêm.

If more than 50 children can go to the vet to take the vaccine.

"Nếu có kết quả xét nghiệm đàn gà nào nhiễm cúm H5N1, chúng tôi sẽ lập tức đem tiêu hủy, lập các chốt chặn, hạn chế việc buôn bán vận chuyển gia cầm trong khu vực cho đến khi hết 21 ngày mà không có thêm gia cầm nào chết. Tuy nhiên, 60 mẫu (của hộ có bệnh nhân và các hộ chăn nuôi liền kề) gửi đi xét nghiệm đến nay đều cho kết quả âm tính", ông Bình nói.

"If the test result that chickens infected with H5N1 forums, we will immediately bring destruction, set up the key blocks, limiting the movement of poultry trade in the region until 21 days without further any dead birds. However, 60 samples (patients and their households raising adjacent) sent for tests to date are negative, "Binh said.

Trước đó, tại xã Phù Linh lác đác vài con gà chết nhưng theo xác nhận của ban thú y là do bệnh tụ huyết trùng.

Before that, in Phu Linh commune lác features several chickens died, but the confirmation of the convergence of veterinary diseases the blood is the same.

Chi cục thú y Hà Nội đã yêu cầu ban thú y xã tổ chức tiêu độc môi trường trên địa bàn xã 3 lần một tuần, tại chủ hộ có bệnh nhân vệ sinh tiêu độc 7 ngày liên tiếp.

Veterinary offices Hanoi has asked the social organization of veterinary exclusive environmental goals in the commune three times a week, at the head of household hygiene and patient goals are unique seven consecutive days.

Trong tháng 3 hoàn thành tiêm phòng văcxin bổ sung cho đàn gia cầm.

In March to complete vaccination vaccines in addition to poultry.

Bộ Y tế cũng khuyến cáo, dịch cúm H5N1 trên người đang có chiều hướng biến đổi theo hướng động lực mạnh hơn.

Ministry of Health also warns that progress on the H5N1 influenza have tended to transform the direction of stronger motivation.

Đặc biệt trong năm 2009, cả 5 trường hợp mắc cúm gà đều đã tử vong.

Especially in 2009, including five cases of bird flu have died.

Tích lũy từ năm 2003 đến nay, cả nước đã có 58 ca tử vong.

Accumulated from 2003 to now, the country has had 58 deaths.

Năm 2010 cũng đã ghi nhận bệnh nhân cúm gia cầm đầu tiên tử vong ở xã An Thái Trung, huyện Cái Bè, tỉnh Tiền Giang.

2010 also recorded the patient's first bird flu death in An Thai Trung commune, Cai Be district, Tien Giang Province.

Nam Phương

A/H1N1 in Myanmar

March 04, 2010

Seven townships of Yangon, former capital of Myanmar get wide spread of A/H1N1 virus infection. These are Bahan, Shwe-pyi-tha, Hlaing Thaya, Hmawbi, North-Dagon, East Dagon, ad ost of the cases are t North Dagon. In North Daon, there has been at ward 43; Chin nationals at gathered-boarder. Now 43 of them are treated as in-patient at hospital. There are 2 patients positiveA/H1N1 curently.

From January 2010 to February 212010 there have been 56 patients and last year, 69 patients with A/H1N1.

Then more patients with A/H1N1 found at Shwe -pyi -tha garment factory soon. 7 patient withA/H1N1 on Feb.19 and junta said that total number of 124 patients in Myanmar but no death, they said.

And also 55 patients from Chin state, and5 from northen Shan state Junta declared.

World Health Organization said more than 40 million Myanmar people would get vaccination against A/H1N1 free-of-charge by WHO at the end of February. Priorities include health personals and whom risky for A/H1N1. Dr.Myo Lwin, government servant physician said that vaccination could effect one year after single dose.

WHO will help to get Tamiflu easily for Myanmar.

http://www.groundreport.com/World/A-H1N1-in-Myanmar_1/2919035

Pilgrims prohibited to go to World Largest Buddhist' Image, Monywa for...

March 13, 2010

Monywa is the capital of Sagaing Division, situated at north-west region of Myanmar. Its boarders are closed to India, Nepal andBingladesh and innerly, Mandalay division as well. Monywa is a hot city , including the hottest areas in Middle Myanmar. Monywa has many beautiful Tamarind trees at each road. So these green trees make cool for people.

Now unfortunately, Monywa has H5N1 soread,junta controlling.

First outbreak on H5N1 infection in Monywa has been at 2008. Now, 4 years later, thjere has been soread of H5N1 as re emerge.

On March 1, Thyet-Kan village near Yin-Mar-Bin township, near Monywa ther was an established case of H5N1 infection and about 10.000 hens killed for suspection. But some said more than 13,000 hens killed.

At 2006 in March8, there has been about 650,000 of chicken and other avians killed in sagaing and Mandalay divisions.

S'pore buys 1m bird flu vaccine doses

H5N1 bug could be a bigger killer than H1N1 if it mutates. -ST

Sun, Mar 14, 2010
The Straits Times

By Salma Khalik

SINGAPORE has bought a million doses of a vaccine to protect the people here against the H5N1 bird flu.

The vaccine will arrive by the end of the year.

The bug is particularly scary for Singapore, which sits next to Indonesia, the country with the most cases (163) and deaths (135) from the virus. Vietnam, with the next highest number of cases (115) and deaths (58), is also nearby.

H5N1 Figures 250,000 adjuvant doses are worth an estimated $3 million. 287 - the number of deaths from H5N1 infection, out of the 486 reported to have been infected by the virus since 2003.

Both countries have already had one death each this year.

Unlike the H1N1 pandemic that swept the globe last year, the H5N1 bug could be a bigger killer by far if it mutates.

Of the 486 people reported to have been infected by H5N1 since 2003, 287 have died. This works out to an almost six-in-10 death rate.

Although the H5N1 virus now cannot spread from human to human, experts fear that it will mutate enough to do so one day.

So before this can happen, the Ministry of Health has acted to secure supplies of the vaccine, since vaccines take a notoriously long time to produce.

The order is being made in advance so that the ministry can avoid being caught flat-footed again, as it was with the H1N1 vaccine last year. The first batch of H1N1 vaccine came last November, more than six months after the pandemic was declared.

The H5N1 vaccine is what is called a 'pre-pandemic vaccine' - one made based on existing strains of a virus that could possibly cause a pandemic. It might be slightly or even very different from the actual pandemic strain, since viruses mutate.

The hope is that it will be sufficiently similar to the pandemic strain to provide a high level of protection, should the need arise.

Already, countries such as the United States, Switzerland, Finland and New Zealand have stocked up on this vaccine.

Singapore's order, which runs into millions of dollars, is with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

Explaining the purchase, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan told The Straits Times that the H5N1 bug remained endemic among chickens and ducks, and that the countries around Singapore have plenty of such infected fowl.

'We have been lucky that the feared mutation has yet to take place. Experts continue to say that it is just a matter of time.

'I can only hope that they are wrong; but we need to insure ourselves against the possibility that they may be right,' he said.

Aside from buying the vaccines, Singapore is also stockpiling antivirals and N95 masks, and creating more isolation rooms and intensive care units in hospitals, he said.

Antivirals are drugs that attack the flu virus by reducing its ability to replicate in the body. This often results in less pain and a slightly shorter period of illness.

The pre-pandemic vaccine from GSK comes in two parts - the more expensive adjuvant or booster, and the antigen, which is the actual vaccine.

The two parts are combined just before the vaccine is administered. A much smaller amount of antigen is needed when an adjuvant is used.

Singapore already has about 250,000 doses of GSK adjuvants from its purchase of the H1N1 vaccines. As these can also be used with the H5N1 antigen, the ministry has saved money from not having to buy as many adjuvants.

A Ministry of Health spokesman said the 250,000 adjuvant doses are worth an estimated $3 million. The total cost of the million doses is confidential as it was the result of a tender, he said.

Of the 1.3 million doses of H1N1 vaccine bought last year, more than 850,000 doses are still available.

The ministry estimates that about 430,000 people here have already been infected by H1N1, although only 13,450 cases have laboratory confirmation.

H1N1 killed 21 people here, including the very young. This is mild, relative to the seasonal flu, which kills about 600 people a year here.