New Flu Strain Puts Pork Industry on Alert After 2009 Pandemic #h5n1 #H3N2 #BIRDFLU

[This is also named S-OtrH3N2 and we have information on it located in the right side-bar]

New Flu Strain Puts Pork Industry on Alert After 2009 Pandemic

Wednesday, 04 Jan 2012 10:25 AM

A new flu virus thought to have originated in pigs has agricultural producers on alert two years after a swine flu pandemic caused sales to drop and disrupted U.S. pork exports.
Twelve people in five states have been infected, with three hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. At least six reported no recent exposure to pigs, suggesting “limited human-to-human transmission,” according to the report. Eleven of those stricken were children.

The virus may not become as prevalent as the 2009 variant, known as H1N1, which led to as many as 89 million cases and 18,300 deaths in the U.S. in the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years, according to the CDC. Still, livestock producers are concerned that consumers may fear they can get a potentially lethal disease from eating pork. Flu is transmitted through droplets of infected body fluids when people cough, sneeze or talk.

“It’s always something that we need to keep an eye on, that it doesn’t get more severe or spread more quickly,” Liz Wagstrom, chief veterinarian with the National Pork Producers Council, which has offices in Des Moines, Iowa, and Washington. “It’s very important the public understand you can’t get flu from eating pork.”

Import Ban
During the H1N1 pandemic, China and Russia closed their markets to U.S. pork and industry revenue was estimated to have fallen by nearly $2.2 billion in the last eight months of 2009, according to the council. The H1N1 strain contained genetic material from five different flu viruses, including North American swine and bird flu and two swine flu viruses found in Europe and Asia.
The Des Moines, Iowa-based National Pork Board, which conducts research on pork and promotes the food, has sent out alerts, said Wagstrom. Veterinary labs that test samples from sick pigs are on the lookout for the strain, she said.

U.S. agencies are not referring to the new strain as swine flu, mindful of the popular description of H1N1 that upset markets and producers. Such illnesses contain a genetic mix of viruses seen in pigs, birds and people and get the moniker because the overall structure is the type that affects pigs.

“We are aware of the pork industry’s concerns,” said Jeff Dimond, an agency spokesman, in an interview.
CDC has “gone overboard” not to use the description, he said.

Genetic Similarity
The new virus, called H3N2v, contains a gene from the 2009 variant, according to the CDC. The agency is “taking this situation very seriously” and has increased surveillance in areas where cases occurred, according to a Dec. 9 CDC report. As a precaution, a candidate vaccine has been developed and provided to manufacturers so they can begin production if necessary, according to the report.

The strain has been detected in Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, according to the Atlanta-based health agency.
Despite the added surveillance, government scientists haven’t made conclusions about the durability of the new strain.
All the people sickened have recovered and no continuing transmission has been detected, according to the CDC. Human immunity may be a concern because it’s a new virus.

‘Could Get Legs’
“This particular strain could get legs, so to speak, or just die out,” Dimond said.
The strain isn’t too worrisome because it doesn’t seem to be spreading quickly, said Peter Katona, associate clinical professor of infectious diseases at the University California, Los Angeles, in an interview.
The reported cases have prompted “concern, but I wouldn’t say it’s super high,” John Treanor, chief of the infectious disease division at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, said in an interview.
It’s important to track such viruses so the U.S. can respond if they begin spreading rapidly and become more virulent, he said.
“Will the viruses be able to emerge from pigs into humans and cause another pandemic in humans?” said Treanor. “That’s why we keep track of what kinds of viruses are emerging.”

Work Begins on Possible Vaccine Against Novel Flu Bug H5N1 #H3N2 #BIRDFLU

H3N2V whhich was mentioned in my vid..

Work Begins on Possible Vaccine Against Novel Flu Bug

Robert Lowes

January 4, 2012 — Taking no chances, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is laying the groundwork for a possible vaccine against a novel strain of a swine influenza virus that has surfaced in 5 states and sickened 12 individuals, mostly children, since July 2011, an agency official told Medscape Medical News Tuesday.

The strain, designated A(H3N2)v, is a variant of the A(H3N2) virus that circulates among humans on a seasonal basis. What makes it a variant is a gene from the pandemic 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus that codes for matrix proteins found in the viral shell.

In Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Maine, the virus appeared to have spread from pigs to humans, according to the CDC. In Iowa and West Virginia, however, the evidence suggests limited human-to-human transmission. In general, the novel virus is no more severe than ordinary seasonal influenza, and all the people infected with it have recovered.
The CDC is encouraging public health agencies and clinicians to collect more nasopharyngeal swabs from patients presenting influenza-like illness for testing to determine whether the novel virus may be spreading on a sustained basis.
CDC spokesperson Thomas Skinner told Medscape Medical News that the agency already has prepared a "seed virus" obtained from A(H3N2)v specimens that drug manufacturers can use to develop a vaccine if needed. Preparing a seed virus involves genetically manipulating specimens to incorporate preferred features.
Because the new virus is different enough from the seasonal viruses now in circulation, the seasonal influenza vaccine for 2011-2012 "is not expected to provide significant protection" against the newcomer, according to a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that the CDC published on December 23. The trivalent seasonal vaccine is formulated to protect against the 2009 pandemic virus, the regular A(H3N2) virus, and an influenza B strain.
CDC Could Be Preparing for 2012-2013 Influenza Season
So far, the evidence does not suggest that the A(H3N2)v strain is spreading freely through communities, which would create the need for a vaccine. The bug could fizzle out, according to Christine Layton, PhD, MPH, a public health researcher and influenza pandemic expert at RTI International in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Dr. Christine Layton

"There have been past instances where a novel virus comes up and then goes back down," Dr. Layton told Medscape Medical News. "There may be something about the virus that [prevents] sustained human-to-human transmission."
If the A(H3N2)v virus ever takes off, she said, drug manufacturers would have a tough time turning out a corresponding monovalent vaccine "at the drop of a hat." Influenza vaccines are still mass-produced, for the most part, by being grown in chicken eggs. Together with testing and licensing a vaccine, this process easily can last 3 to 4 months.
A more likely scenario, said Dr. Layton, would be incorporating an A(H3N2)v strain in the trivalent seasonal vaccine for 2012-2013, assuming the novel virus becomes that much of a threat. Each February or so, an advisory panel of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends 3 strains of influenza that should make up the seasonal vaccine for the coming fall on the basis of what it expects to see circulating then. The CDC then develops the seed viruses for these 3 strains, which the FDA distributes to vaccine makers.  http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/756348

Mainland experts Deep CDC: Mutation is normal #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

Mainland expertsDeep CDC: Mutation is normalShenzhen CDC and Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection experts confirmed diagnosis of bird flu last week in Shenzhen, a man infected with the virus can not spread from person to person, however, occurred in patients infected with the virus has a number of gene mutations.Yesterday, early morning meeting with reporters, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control, Center director Zhang Renli that microbiological testing, the patient's virus receptor gene is still birds, not transmissible among human, analysis also showed that this virus and avian flu in Hong Kong last year, the death of wild birds, and Hong Kong the previous year's human bird flu virus genes are close.Center microbiological laboratory technician Wu Chunli, said bird flu had mutations, but only a natural phenomenon, the current spread of avian flu has not increased the risk of calling for people not panic, the current drugs still effective against avian flu. He stressed that the current source of infection is from the dead birds, yet the relevant department of the Shenzhen Center for Disease Control will continue to cooperate with relevant departments of research, and King Kong amine drugs on the treatment of the virus is still valid, was not found resistant.

Superiors delayed press conferenceBao'an District of Shenzhen, a bus driver, on Saturday confirmed infected with H5N1 avian flu, CDC, Shenzhen and Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection and experts in the 3rd analysis, found that the deceased was infected with highly pathogenic to humans of avian influenza virus, carried out genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, we found the virus and the mainland ducks in bird flu virus isolated homology.Shenzhen Center for Disease Control issued a press release refers to the night before, they and the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection expert analysis of gene sequencing in patients infected with the virus, refers to a genetic mutation, there will be informing the media press conference yesterday morning, but once they are issued at 0:00 urgent notice, saying that received an notice to postpone the press conference.But still to the CDC about the Hong Kong media, central placement of experts then met with reporters. Why change the press conference for the temporary arrangements, experts said is not convenient to answer...

http://www.hkdailynews.com.hk/news.php?id=202470

Use of Lean Response to Improve Pandemic Influenza Surge in Public Health Laboratories

Emerging Infectious Diseases
Volume 18, Number 1—January 2012
Research
Abstract

A novel influenza A (H1N1) virus detected in April 2009 rapidly spread around the world. North American provincial and state laboratories have well-defined roles and responsibilities, including providing accurate, timely test results for patients and information for regional public health and other decision makers. We used the multidisciplinary response and rapid implementation of process changes based on Lean methods at the provincial public health laboratory in British Columbia, Canada, to improve laboratory surge capacity in the 2009 influenza pandemic. Observed and computer simulating evaluation results from rapid processes changes showed that use of Lean tools successfully expanded surge capacity, which enabled response to the 10-fold increase in testing demands.

[click on title for full document]
Judith L. Isaac-RentonComments to Author , Yin Chang, Natalie Prystajecky, Martin Petric, Annie Mak, Brendan Abbott, Benjamin Paris, K.C. Decker, Lauren Pittenger, Steven Guercio, Jeff Stott, and Joseph D. Miller
Author affiliations: Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (J.L. Isaac-Renton, Y. Chang, M. Petric, A. Mak, B. Abbott, J. Stott); University of British Columbia, Vancouver (J.L. Isaac-Renton, N. Prystajecky, M. Petric); Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Virginia, USA (B. Paris, K.C. Decker, L. Pittenger); Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (S. Guercio); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (J.D. Miller)

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

Early Release

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

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

Case Reports

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

Influenza Surveillance of U.S. Swine

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

Reported by

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

Editorial Note

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

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

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

Bangladesh culls 1400 birds, destroys 50,000 eggs after flu virus detection #h5n1 #birdflu

Bangladesh culls 1400 birds, destroys 50,000 eggs after flu virus detection

2011-12-20 17:29:13

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By Naim-Ul-Karim
DHAKA, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's authorities have culled nearly 14,000 chickens and destroyed about 50,000 eggs since this season's first outbreak of bird flu was detected last month, an official said Tuesday.
The government's bird flu control room official told Xinhua that "some 13,727 chickens were culled since its resurrection last month."
Fresh outbreak of bird flu was detected in Bangladesh in the second week of November with arrival of winter season.
Ataur Rahman, assistant director at the control room of Fisheries and Live Stock Department, said some 12,762 chickens were culled in two commercial farms in central Manikganj and western Rajbarbi districts.
He said some 965 birds, including 400 at the latest on Monday, were culled in two flu-hit farms so far this month. "A total of 44, 756 eggs were also destroyed since the first outbreak in mid November," he added.
The country's Fisheries and Live Stock Department has strengthened its surveillance to contain further spread of the infectious disease -- H5N1, said Rahaman.
He said the department had instructed its officials to motivate farmers to adopt all required preventive measures since the disease was found to reemerge last month.
So far, the disease has spread to four districts of the South Asian country since its resurrection last month. There is also instruction for field-level officials for proper culling, destruction, disposal and decontamination immediately after diagnosis.
With the fall in temperature in January and February, risky factors of bird flu disease will continue to rise in Bangladesh, said another official who asked to be unnamed.
"Although we don't expect that there will be a massive outbreak of avian flu this time but we can't rule out the possibility of major resurrection of the disease in the dangerous winter season, which is the high time for outbreak of the disease," he said.
The official added the fresh detections indicate that the virus is still active and may spread to other parts of the country.
Bangladesh's poultry farmers also suffered from the outbreak of the disease during winter season in 2009 and 2010.
The bird flu was first detected in Bangladesh in a poultry farm near capital Dhaka in March 2007. The situation deteriorated later on as the virus spread fast across the country and was reported in 47 districts between December 2007 and March 2008.
The first bird flu in human body in Bangladesh was detected on May 21, 2008. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States diagnosed a 16-month-old Bangladesh child as being infected with H5N1 who later recovered.    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/health/2011-12/20/c_131317569.htm

Chinese CDC called on the mainland, the Hong Kong Tourism to be careful of bird flu

 2011.12.18 07:40 pm


CDC 18 that the mainland on December 12 informed the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in the first place in Lhasa, Tibet poultry from H5N1 avian flu has infected poultry for culling and safe disposal, not found in close contact with staff abnormal situation. Continental previous bird flu in poultry for the May 2010 found that wild birds in Tibet; this year, no human infection with H5N1 avian influenza. It is understood that Hong Kong also appeared in the recent cases of suspected bird flu, people who travel to these areas should pay more attention.  http://udn.com/NEWS/BREAKINGNEWS/BREAKINGNEWS4/6789390.shtml

hand, foot and mouth Virus Sickens Nearly 100,000, Claims Dozens Of Lives In Vietnam

Virus Sickens Nearly 100,000, Claims Dozens Of Lives In Vietnam

An outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease has killed dozens in Vietnam, most of them children

HANOI, Vietnam (December 16, 2011)--An outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease in Vietnam has killed 156 people, most of them children, and sickened more than 96,000 through late November.
An official at the Ministry of Health says the average number of weekly cases dropped from about 3,000 in September to 2,460 in November.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel alert Monday that urged people who are visiting Vietnam to protect themselves from the disease by practicing "healthy personal hygiene."
This year's outbreak is a sharp uptick from recent years.
Since 2008, about 10,000 to 15,000 cases were reported per year, claiming the lives of 20 to 30 children annually.
The common childhood illness typically causes little more than a fever and rash, and most recover quickly.
http://www.kwtx.com/health/headlines/Virus_Sickens_Nearly_100000_Claims_Dozens_Of_Lives_In_Vietnam_135743358.html

WHO: Influenza like illness in the United States of America

24 November 2011 - The United States Government has reported three cases of human infection with swine origin triple reassortant Influenza A H3N2. Between 10 and 13 November 2011, three children (aged 11 months, 2 years and 3 years) experienced onset of febrile respiratory illness. All three children had visited the same health care provider in Iowa State. None of them were hospitalized and all three have recovered.

Laboratory testing conducted on 18 November 2011 in the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa showed a swine-origin triple reassortant influenza A (H3N2) (S-OtrH3N2) virus. This was confirmed by sequencing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on 20 November.

The three children attend the same daycare facility. There is an ongoing investigation and to date, no epidemiological link to swine has been identified in any of the three children. Additional investigation is currently underway to identify and characterize the illness in other daycare attendees, family members, or other contacts, and to determine any exposure to swine.

These are 16th, 17th and 18th cases of human infection with swine origin triple reassortant influenza A (H3N2) detected in the United States since 2009, and the 8th, 9th, and 10th cases reported this year.

WHO is closely following the situation with the US Government, CDC and other partners.