Isolation and characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 from donkeys

Submission date 2 February 2010
Publication date 14 April 2010

1 Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-
Suef 62511 Egypt
2 Division of Virology, Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine and Medical
Sciences, Taif University, Al-Taif, Saudi Arabia
3 Department of Hygiene, Management & Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511 Egypt
4 Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef
University, Beni-Suef 62511 Egypt

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The highly pathogenic H5N1 is a major avian pathogen that crosses species barriers and seriously affects humans as well as some mammals. It mutates in an intensified manner and is considered a potential candidate for the possible next pandemic with all the catastrophic consequences.
METHODS: Nasal swabs were collected from donkeys suffered from respiratory distress. The virus was isolated from the pooled nasal swabs in specific pathogen free embryonated chicken eggs (SPF-ECE). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing of both haemagglutingin and neuraminidase were performed. H5 seroconversion was screened using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay on 105 donkey serum samples.
RESULTS: We demonstrated that H5N1 jumped from poultry to another mammalian host; donkeys. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the virus clustered within the lineage of H5N1 from Egypt, closely related to 2009 isolates. It harboured few genetic changes compared to the closely related viruses from avian and humans. The neuraminidase lacks oseltamivir resistant mutations. Interestingly, HI screening for antibodies to H5 haemagglutinins in donkeys revealed high exposure rate.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings extend the host range of the H5N1 influenza virus, possess implications for influenza virus epidemiology and highlight the need for the systematic surveillance of H5N1 in animals in the vicinity of backyard poultry units especially in endemic areas.

Excerpts:
pg. 5/21:
Methods
Virus isolation
Nasal swabs were collected from three infected animals from Aborady village, El-Wasta locality, Beni-Suef Governorate.

pg. 8/21:
The disease recoded on 24th March 2009, 1wk after an outbreak of
H5N1 infection in poultry in the village, where many donkeys suffered from the same
clinical manifestations in an epidemic manner. The virus was isolated from a pool of
nasal discharge from three affected animals.

pg. 8/21:
The haemagglutinin gene was found to be closely related to
A/chicken/Egypt/0894-NLQP/2008, A/Egypt/N00605/2009 and
A/chicken/Egypt/092-NLQP/2009 while the neuraminidase gene of the current
strain is closely related to A/Egypt/N03450/2009 and A/Egypt/N05056/2009.
However, none of these strains were isolated from localities near to Beni-Suef.

pg. 10/21:
Conclusion
We did note the incidence of clinical infections of donkeys with HPAIV (H5N1) in
disease endemic regions where the probability of intimate contact between poultry
and donkeys is high. Furthermore, H5 seroconversion by naturally exposed donkeys
was evidenced. Although the disease did not constitute a real threat to donkeys, it
raises the concern of different issues including the route of transmission to donkeys,
whether being from aerosol exposure of pulverized infected birds droppings or
contaminated feeds and water or because of contact with infected birds. Second, the
role of donkeys in spreading H5N1 virus to birds, humans other mammals includingequines needs to be assessed.

New UN And World Bank Report Urges Sustained Momentum To Tackle Human, Animal Influenza Traits

Source: United Nations
Published Friday, 16 April, 2010 - 10:29

While there has been substantial global progress towards pandemic preparedness in recent years, it is vital to maintain that momentum to respond effectively to existing and possible future threats, according to a new study by the United Nations and the World Bank.

“Continued global vigilance for infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics is of critical importance for health security and well-being,” says the report, entitled “Animal and pandemic influenza: a framework for sustaining momentum.”

The report notes that an estimated 75 per cent of new human diseases originate in animals and an average of two new animal diseases with cross-over capabilities emerge every year.

The emergence of three major epidemiological events into the first decade of the new century – SARS, H5N1 avian influenza and H1N1 pandemic influenza – is an indication of the rate at which threats may continue to arise, it adds.

“Sustaining momentum,” states the report, “will require a strategic use of resources and a move away from emergency response-driven projects and special, single-focus initiatives, to long-term capacity-building.”

The report will be taken up by delegates from over 80 countries when they meet at the International Ministerial Conference on Animal and Pandemic Influenza, which will be held in Hanoi, Viet Nam, from 20 to 21 April.

“This is a really significant conference,” David Nabarro, Senior UN System Influenza Coordinator, told reporters in New York, noting that the gathering will take stock of where the world is with regard to bird flu and the H1N1 virus, review preparedness and consider lessons learned from countries with successful control efforts.

The threats from bird flu and H1N1 are not over yet, he noted, stressing the need for further measures to ensure an effective global response.

“We have to find ways to put the work on bird flu and on pandemics more into the routine business of ministries of health and ministries of agriculture, into the routine work of disaster preparedness units in countries,” he stated. “And so an important element of the discussions in Hanoi will be the way forward.”

Part of the work in Hanoi, he added, will be to consider whether or not extra preparedness is necessary to ensure that those who look after animal health and those that look after human health are working together well enough to prepare for disease threats that come from animals.

A key question, he noted, is: “Are we well enough organized as a world to be prepared for diseases that can jump from the animal kingdom and lead to sickness and possibly quite widespread suffering among humans?”

Vietnam: Bac Kan Case Summary

[I was out of town from 4/9 - 4/13. This is the summary I have put together after piecing information together.]

Bac Kan Province

Trung Van Hoa (22) – Confirmed Case #6 – Index Case

From: Na Cao Hamlet, Nhu Co Commune, Cho Moi District

3/27 – began fever, cough

3/30 – Adm. Cho Moi district hospital, X-ray shows normal lungs

Next 3 days, new symptoms of difficulty breathing, X-ray shows both lungs with lesions

4/2 – Transferred to Bac Kan Provincial Hospital. Symptoms progress to respiratory failure. X-ray shows widespread damage to both lungs. Samples taken @ 21 hours on 4/2, sample shows confirmed H5N1.

4/3 – Dept. of Health directs coordination with DPC to all organizations.

4/4 – National Inst. Of Hygiene & Epidemiology sends missions to support Bac Kan flu A (H5N1). From investigation finds people’s awareness of H5N1 is very low, (eat sick poultry, don’t report sick/dead birds, throws poultry in river/streams. Initiative in prevention of H5N1 on local level is not high.

Directive for districts according to Decision No. 1812: Upon death, cremation.

Notes:

4/5/10:

4 other people in Nhu Co Commune show simlar symptoms. Under quarantine and treated at Bac Kan provincial hospital, in stable condition. The 22 yo is in critical condition. Index Case: history of eating sick chickens.

4/9/10:

Nguyen Thi Thanh Thu (27 mos old) – confirmed Case #7

Adm: 4/4 Cho Moi District Medical Ctr.–

Onset: 4/2 -

From: Na Cao

Confirmation: 4/7

Notes: 2^nd and 3^rd test came back negative. [http://tinyurl.com/yyerexm http://tinyurl.com/y6g4e5y]

General Notes:

4/11:

21 Cases taking Tamiflu.

- 14 cases are stable health

- 7 admitted to the District Health Center, fever cough, diarrhea

- 5 other family members hospitalized w/cough, fever, trouble breathing.

- All 6 had contact with Index Case or contact w/sick poultry (consumed).

- Total 8 cases of cough fever, difficulty breathing – suspected H5N1. Discharged from hospital 4/13. Awaiting test results. Tests are negative.

District has been given 700 doses of Tamiflu, protection equipment, & medical supplies.

1,000 poultry and aquatic birds destroyed in Tong Co village, Yen Dinh. Tests confirmed positive for H5N1.

3 checkpoints set up, preventing movement of poultry vehicles, spraying vehicles.

4/15:

33 people (visitors, neighbors, nurses, physicians, relatives) tested and results are negative. (throat swabs). They were monitored for over 16 days.

Swallow bird flu deaths in Vietnam

CetakEmail
Updated April 15, 2010 10:27:40


Vietnamese authorities say two people died in the region north of the country after H5N1 bird flu virus.

They're doing tests on 11 other people who came in a state of fever to determine whether they are infected.

They were all local residents in the same community in the province of Bac Kan.

Areas of the diseased area is very worrying because it means the virus, H5N1, in this case, was able to spread among humans.

But a health official said there was no evidence to conclude the occurrence of infection from human-to-human.

Local media reports said the dead birds have been seen in the township and the patient may have had contact with sick poultry.

Infectious diseases and diseases with increased seasonal traffic

(According to Security Capital)

(ANTD) - Nearly half of this month, the dangerous diseases are very complex evolution. H1N1 influenza, dengue fever has spread, cholera and influenza A/H5N1 in humans have returned, while some diseases are also increasing transfer season.


Patients with respiratory diseases, viral fever increases due to weather

Not appear cluster cases

From 5 to 8-4, Bac Kan Province Health Department has confirmed two patients in rural Cao Na (As can commune, Cho Moi) infected with influenza A/H5N1 in a critical condition. House of 2 patients only about 100m apart.

The recognition of two patients suffering from the same village influenza A/H5N1 outbreaks signal a cluster cases, more dangerous, it also warned of the spread from human to human influenza A/H5N1. Dr. Tran Nhu Duong - Deputy Director of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, said the Institute has appointed two working groups to epidemiological investigation in this village. Results showed that the two patients are exposed to infected poultry, but had no previous contact with each other.

From early April until now in Ho Chi Minh City recorded four consecutive cases of cholera. In the north, the Hanoi Bac Ninh turn also recorded cholera patients. Dr. Nguyen Huy Nga - Department of Preventive Medicine that the risk of cholera outbreaks in the future are great.

In addition, other localities are still scattered all recorded cases of dengue fever (SXH). From the beginning of the year, Hanoi alone has recorded over 130 cases SXH, up significantly from last year ...

Fortunately, the time of this outbreak have all been controlled in time, the beam is not recorded cases of cholera, influenza A/H5N1, SXH. However, because of weather changes, and in many places still exist cholera bacteria in the environment so that experts fear in summer outbreak could be more dangerous diseases.

Fever virus increased due to weather

Dr. Tran Nhu Duong said, usually fever virus increases in winter-spring, but this weather in the north very high humidity, sunshine again after a few consecutive days of rain appeared to create very favorable conditions for virus growth. Thus, recently in the North, the disease transmitted by respiratory viruses are increasing, including fever virus in both adults and children.

Epidemic spread through the powerful working environment, as crowded schools, offices ... Patients usually have fever virus merely expressed through symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, usually after 3-5 days will go away. Patients with viral fever accompanied by other symptoms such as cough, Libya ... symptoms must be treated because there is no specific treatment for viral fever.

To proactively prevent dangerous infectious diseases in general, infectious diseases in the time of season in particular, the Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental strongly recommends people make personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, Wash hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet;

Ensure food safety, implementation of drinking boiled cooked, use clean water to prevent infectious diseases through the gastrointestinal tract, especially the prevention of cholera; In epidemic areas, the family should not eat large organizations People ...

Hot weather, risk of cholera outbreak

15/04/2010 06:39

(
(HNM) - Afternoon 14-4, the Steering Committee for prevention and, meeting at the Ministry of Health. Dr. Tran Nhu Duong, Deputy Director of Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology INVESTMENT, said last week, the discovery of two patients infected with influenza A/H5N1 house only 100 meters apart along rural Cao Na (As can commune, Cho Moi district, Bac Kan province) in a critical condition has led epidemiologists suspected influenza A/H5N1 spread from person to person. But the results of epidemiological investigation showed that these two patients with a history of contact with infected birds and had never met before.

At present, although four new localities recorded cholera patients but the medical experts identified the risk of an outbreak of cholera to the big time. The cause is translated by the unusually hot weather in the South in those days was favorable conditions for developing cholera. Heat leads to lack of clean water supplies have caused many people do not use water hygiene, the risk of cholera rise. Plus, the food in hot and humid conditions are not good storage has harmful bacteria, especially cholera bacteria arise. Thus, Nguyen Huy Nga, director of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Environment recommends people make so strictly cooked diet, drink boiled, minimize food sidewalks, no street maintenance hygiene, environmental sanitation, personal cleanliness, hand washing habits created with soap before eating and after using the toilet

Thursday, 15/04/2010, 07:43


TP - Yesterday afternoon, at a meeting National Steering Committee against pandemic influenza in humans, Dr.. Tran Nhu Duong - Deputy Director of Central Hygiene and Epidemiology confirmed, influenza A/H5N1 has not spread from person to person.

Through investigation of the Institute on two cases of influenza A/H5N1 has been recorded in Na Tao village, As can commune, Cho Moi, Bac Kan province, has not detected the infection from person to person.

Report of two working groups in Bac Kan Institute showed that two patients at about 100 meters apart but there is no direct contact with each other.

Currently 33 people, including relatives, visitors, neighbors, nurses, physicians have contact with patients are taking swabs Throat swabs tested and monitored over 16 days, no case is the expression of disease, the test results were negative.

Avian flu in 2 patients, 11 were blood tests
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
HANOI (TH) - Two people in northern Vietnam have bird flu caused by H5N1 virus, and health authorities say 11 people are another blood test for infection if they have malignant disease or not.

These patients are said to hospital with high fever, usually a sign of very sick people and all cases of avian influenza.





A woman sitting in front of caged chickens, she sold the roadside in the suburbs of Hanoi.
Information for H5N1 avian influenza has infected two people in Vietnam.
(Image: Hoang Dinh Nam / AFP / Getty Images)



According to health authorities, two people were confirmed bird flu as a man and a 22-year-old girl just 27 months. All of these persons live in Bac Kan province.

"All patients have been isolated and the experiment was conducted to find the cause of the disease." Liu Xuan Hoa, director of the Medical Center of Cho Moi in Bac Kan said, "This child girl infected with bird flu in a village with a man ill be testing confirmed the H5N1 virus. "

According to local sources, four of whom were hospital patients.

Bird flu casualty rate to 60% if not treated early and properly. Viral disease also spreads easily from birds to humans through contact or air.

The press in Vietnam for bird deaths in villages that have seen and some patients may have eaten infected poultry or contact with infected poultry. This question leads to the two people being tested and identified H5N1 infection have the same infectious source.

"We do not have evidence to conclude this is a case of infection from person to person." Mr. Hoa said.

Since early this year had two cases where patients died of bird flu in Vietnam, a woman who is 38 years old, the other is a 3-year-old girl. H5N1 virus spreads easily to other poultry or birds or ducks and geese. Very few people infected.

From 2003 to now, the world had 493 people infected with 292 deaths or 60%. Vietnam has officially announced 59 people dead. Most victims have direct contact with sick poultry.

Millions of poultry types of service in Vietnam have died or been culled since the H5N1 virus.

AVIAN INFLUENZA, HUMAN (30): VIET NAM (BAC KAN), CLUSTER SUSPECTED

[1]
Date: Wed 14 Apr 2010
Source: Reuters AlertNet [edited]
<http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/TOE63D045.htm>


Two people in northern Viet Nam have been infected with the H5N1 bird
flu virus [avian influenza A(H5N1) virus], and health authorities are
carrying out tests to see if 11 others who have come down with fever
have been infected. The 2 who tested positive -- a 22-year-old man
and a 27-month-old baby girl -- as well as the 11 suspected cases are
all residents in the same commune in Bac Kan province [see also:
Avian influenza, human (29): Viet Nam (BK), cluster, susp. 20100412.1188].

"All the patients have been isolated, and tests were taken to verify
the reason of their sickness," said Deputy Director Luu Xuan Hoa of
the Cho Moi Medical Centre in Bac Kan province. "She (the baby) is a
neighbour of the 1st man who has tested positive for the H5N1 virus,
while others live in the same hamlet," he said. Four people on the
suspect list have been discharged.

Disease clusters are a special concern because it may mean the agent
in this case, the avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, which kills up to 60
percent of those it infects, is gaining the ability to jump from
person to person. Vietnamese media, however, reported that dead
poultry had been seen in the village and that the patients had either
eaten or come in contact with sick birds. This opens the possibility
that the 2 patients may have been infected by the same source. "We
have no evidence to conclude that there is a human-to-human
infection," Hoa said. Viet Nam had 2 bird flu deaths earlier this
year [2010], a 38-year-old woman and a 3-year-old girl.

The H5N1 virus once was a disease confined largely to birds, only
rarely infecting people. Since 2003, it has infected 493 people,
killing 292, or nearly 60 percent, with Viet Nam reporting 59 deaths
[among 117 cases, not including the 2 cases described in this report.
- Mod.CP]. Almost all these infections were believed to have taken
place directly from bird to human.

There have been 2 sizeable clusters -- one in which 8 family members
died on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in 2006 and another in
Turkey in which 8 people were infected and 4 died. In the Sumatra
case, the virus [affected] 2 generations and then stopped; a
37-year-old woman was believed to have infected her 10-year-old
nephew who went on to infect his father.

Another smaller probable case of human-to-human transmission occurred
in Thailand in 2004, where a mother died after tending to her sick
daughter for hours.

[Byline: Ho Binh Minh]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall

******
[2]
Date: Tue 13 Apr 2010
Source: CIDRP News [edited]
<http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/apr1310avian.html>


Two patients who are part of a suspected H5N1 avian influenza case
cluster in northern Viet Nam's Bac Kan province are still
hospitalized, with 11 others isolated for flu-like symptoms, health
officials said today [13 Apr 2010]. The 2 hospitalized patients
include a 22-year-old man and a 27-month-old girl whose confirmed
infections were previously reported by the Vietnamese media.

Hoang Van Linh, deputy director of northern Bac Kan's health
department, told the news service that some of the isolated group
includes relatives of the 2 hospitalized patients. Hoang said the 11
people in isolation recovered after treatment with oseltamivir
(Tamiflu) and that he is awaiting test results to see if any were
infected with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus. The man was hospitalized
on 2 Apr 2010 and remains under care, and the toddler, admitted on 4
Apr 2010, is in stable condition.

Viet Nam's Health Ministry, in a Web posting, said dead chickens were
reported at the homes of the 2 hospitalized patients and that the
toddler's family reportedly slaughtered and ate some of the infected
poultry. A provincial infectious disease official said that all of
the isolated patients had contact with sick birds.

Bac Kan province, a mountainous area in northern Viet Nam, was among
2 areas cited in H5N1 outbreak reports that the country's agriculture
ministry submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)
on 10 Apr 2010. The outbreak in Bac Kan started on 19 Mar 2010,
killing 318 of 550 birds in the affected village. The remaining 142
birds were destroyed to control the spread of the virus. The country
also reported that the virus struck birds in a village in Quang Ninh
province, located on Viet Nam's northeastern coast, killing 1231 of
1554 birds. The remaining poultry were destroyed. An investigation
into the source of the events suggested that introduction of new
animals, illegal movement of birds, and fomites were linked to the 2
avian influenza A(H5N1) virus outbreaks, the OIE report stated.

Geographic and family H5N1 clusters are relatively rare, and they
raise fears that the virus has improved its ability to infect humans,
which could increase the risk that the virus could become a pandemic
flu strain. For example, a cluster of confirmed and suspected H5N1
cases occurred in northwestern Pakistan in late 2007. The World
Health Organization (WHO) investigation revealed that the virus
probably spread among 4 brothers and went no further.

Also in late 2007, the father of a Chinese man who died of an H5N1
infection was hospitalized with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus
infection. Reports at the time were unclear about the men's exposure
to sick and dead birds.

Despite periodic reports of clusters, human-to-human transmission of
avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, though suspected in some instances,
has been confirmed in the laboratory only once, in a North Sumatra,
Indonesia family in 2006. That cluster involved 7 cases, 6 of them
fatal. A WHO investigation into the illnesses revealed that the virus
mutated slightly when it infected a 10-year-old boy, who then passed
the same virus to his father.

[Byline: Lisa Schnirring]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>

[Little new information has become available since the previous
report, and it is still unclear whether the avian influenza A (H5N1)
virus infection of the 22-year-old man and the 27-month-old child
have been officially confirmed. If the diagnosis has been confirmed
officially, the number of cases in Viet Nam will have risen to 119
since the beginning of the outbreak in 2003, the number of fatalities
remaining 59.

Likewise, no further information has emerged concerning the diagnosis
of the other 11 members of the suspected cluster (all of whom have
been treated and discharged). Nor is there any information to exclude
the likelihood of transmission directly from infected poultry or to
favour the possibility of human-to-human transmission of infection.
Further information is awaited.

Bac Kan province can be located in the map of the Northern Region of
Viet Nam at: <http://www.angelfire.com/co/hongnam/vnmap.html>. The
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Viet Nam can be accessed at
<http://healthmap.org/r/01aL>. - Mod.CP]

Proactive in prevention and influenza A (H5N1) and acute diarrhea caused by cholera

On 15-04-2010 04:23




-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
ND - At the meeting, the National Steering Committee on prevention of human pandemic influenza 14-4 pm, Dr. Nguyen Huy Nga, Director of Preventive Medicine and Environment (MOH) said: The localities should take in prevention as well as close monitoring of epidemic situation of avian influenza A (H5N1) and influenza A (H1N1).


Especially in many localities are still scattered appearance of avian influenza. Results of investigation and supervision of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Central As can commune, Cho Moi district (Bac Can), where last week two cases of influenza A (H5N1) showed no evidence of service Influenza A (H5N1) infection among humans. Both cases have exposed here separately, not in direct contact with each other, and 33 who have direct contact with these two patients have tested negative for influenza A (H5N1).


According to statistics, up to now has four local puong detecting people with acute diarrhea caused by cholera risk. However, the risk of an outbreak of cholera is very large. Most southern regions, unusually hot sunny days of favorable conditions for developing cholera. Heat leads to lack of clean water supplies have caused many people do not use water hygiene risk caused cholera to rise. More food is hot and humid conditions are not good storage has harmful bacteria, especially cholera bacteria arise. Thus, enhanced surveillance to detect early, timely handling of the outbreak, people need to ensure food safety and hygiene, environmental sanitation, personal hygiene.

PF11 Blog: HA 190E Polymorphism Potential from Avian Influenza into Pandemic H1N1 (PF11)

2010-04-13

HA 190E Polymorphism Potential from Avian Influenza into Pandemic H1N1 (PF11)

Current trending indicates a reportable potential for the D190E polymorphism on the Hemagglutinin of PF11. This change may enhance Vaccine Escape from the currently selected vaccine target candidate, CA/07 X181.

Each of two codings, GAg & GAa, may emerge due to the combinational influence of Avian H5N1, H6N1 and H9N2.

190E (GAg)

• 10% probability of HA 190E (GAg) into PF11 within 30 days.
• 33% probability of HA 190E (GAg) into PF11 within 60 days.
• 85% probability of HA 190E (GAg) into PF11 within 210 days.

190E (GAa)

• 20% probability of HA 190E (GAa) into PF11 within 180 days.
• 33% probability of HA 190E (GAa) into PF11 within 210 days.

These probabilities will be updated as additional data is made public. Transparency at this stage of the pandemic is essential. Release of sequences and clinical data of a finer detail and higher quantity will allow information-based decisions.

As this particular Avian Influenza change may generate substantial clinical variance on certain backgrounds, we urge the producers of sequences to immediately publish this polymorphism upon discovery.

UAE: Dir. Gen. of Environment - Temporary Ban on Poultry From Romania

From the Federation of Arab News Agency.

Dubai, April 14 WAM / issued by HE Obaid Mohammed Juma Al Matrooshi, Director General of Ministry of Environment and Water on behalf a decision on the temporary ban on the importation of all annua

2010-04-14 - WAM

This decision is based on Ministerial Decree No. / 448 / for the year 2009 on the lifting of the ban on the importation of all live birds and poultry, wild and ornamental birds, their products and offal from the countries of North and South America and Europe, except for regions where cases of bird flu in addition to the note by Quarantine Department in the Ministry and based on information received from the World Organization for Animal Health, which reports the appearance of an outbreak of avian influenza strain fierce in the State of Romania.

The resolution that, in order to ensure healthy conditions for humans and animals in the state of animal diseases leak any infectious or contagious imported temporarily prohibited until further notice, the importation of all kinds of living tamed, wild and ornamental birds, their products and their offal from Romania.

It will also manage the stone and the concerned organizational units in the ministry in coordination with the relevant authorities to implement this decision based on what the public interest and to the epidemiological situation changed when the State of Romania, in accordance with the guidelines of the International Organization for Animal Health. / R / or /

New UN study urges sustained momentum to tackle human, animal influenza threats

---

David Nabarro, Senior UN System Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza


14 April 2010 – While there has been substantial global progress towards pandemic preparedness in recent years, it is vital to maintain that momentum to respond effectively to existing and possible future threats, according to a new study by the United Nations and the World Bank.

“Continued global vigilance for infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics is of critical importance for health security and well-being,” says the report, entitled “Animal and pandemic influenza: a framework for sustaining momentum.”
The report notes that an estimated 75 per cent of new human diseases originate in animals and an average of two new animal diseases with cross-over capabilities emerge every year.
The emergence of three major epidemiological events into the first decade of the new century – SARS, H5N1 avian influenza and H1N1 pandemic influenza – is an indication of the rate at which threats may continue to arise, it adds.
“Sustaining momentum,” states the report, “will require a strategic use of resources and a move away from emergency response-driven projects and special, single-focus initiatives, to long-term capacity-building.”
The report will be taken up by delegates from over 80 countries when they meet at the International Ministerial Conference on Animal and Pandemic Influenza, which will be held in Hanoi, Viet Nam, from 20 to 21 April.
“This is a really significant conference,” David Nabarro, Senior UN System Influenza Coordinator, told reporters in New York, noting that the gathering will take stock of where the world is with regard to bird flu and the H1N1 virus, review preparedness and consider lessons learned from countries with successful control efforts.
The threats from bird flu and H1N1 are not over yet, he noted, stressing the need for further measures to ensure an effective global response.
“We have to find ways to put the work on bird flu and on pandemics more into the routine business of ministries of health and ministries of agriculture, into the routine work of disaster preparedness units in countries,” he stated. “And so an important element of the discussions in Hanoi will be the way forward.”
Part of the work in Hanoi, he added, will be to consider whether or not extra preparedness is necessary to ensure that those who look after animal health and those that look after human health are working together well enough to prepare for disease threats that come from animals. A key question, he noted, is: “Are we well enough organized as a world to be prepared for diseases that can jump from the animal kingdom and lead to sickness and possibly quite widespread suffering among humans?”

No evidence of influenza A/H5N1 infection from person to person

At the meeting of the National Steering Committee against pandemic influenza in the afternoon 14 / 4 at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Tran Nhu Duong, Vice Director of the Central Hygiene and Epidemiology Institute, said the institute's investigation of two cases of influenza A/H5N1 has been recorded in Na Tao village, As can commune, Cho Moi, Bac Kan Province not detect evidence of infections from person to person. According to two reports of working groups of the Institute in Bac Kan, two patients at about 100 meters apart but there is no direct contact with each other. 33 people have contact with patients on two samples have been tested and are negative for influenza A/H5N1. 2 patients were exposed to bird flu alone.

Isolation and characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 from donkeys

The highly pathogenic H5N1 is a major avian pathogen that crosses species barriers and seriously affects humans as well as some mammals. It mutates in an intensified manner and is considered a potential candidate for the possible next pandemic with all the catastrophic consequences.

Methods: Nasal swabs were collected from donkeys suffered from respiratory distress.

The virus was isolated from the pooled nasal swabs in specific pathogen free embryonated chicken eggs (SPF-ECE). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing of both haemagglutingin and neuraminidase were performed.

H5 seroconversion was screened using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay on 105 donkey serum samples.

Results: We demonstrated that H5N1 jumped from poultry to another mammalian host; donkeys. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the virus clustered within the lineage of H5N1 from Egypt, closely related to 2009 isolates.

It harboured few genetic changes compared to the closely related viruses from avian and humans. The neuraminidase lacks oseltamivir resistant mutations.

Interestingly, HI screening for antibodies to H5 haemagglutinins in donkeys revealed high exposure rate.

Conclusions: These findings extend the host range of the H5N1 influenza virus, possess implications for influenza virus epidemiology and highlight the need for the systematic surveillance of H5N1 in animals in the vicinity of backyard poultry units especially in endemic areas.

Author: Ahmed Abdel-MoneimAhmad Abdel-GhanySalama Shany
Credits/Source: Journal of Biomedical Science 2010, 17:25

Vietnam-Expert warns of rising risk of food poisoning outbreak

---

Updated April, 14 2010 09:46:54
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HA NOI — The Ministry of Health has warned about the high risk of acute diarrhoea outbreaks in many areas of Viet Nam during the summer.
"The nation is facing a high risk of an acute diarrhoea outbreak, especially in rural areas or where food does not meet safety standards," said Nguyen Huy Nga, Director of the Preventive Medicine and Environment Department on Monday.
Nga's statement came after his department reported on Monday that a patient, who was suffering from acute diarrhoea, was being treated in Bac Ninh Province. There have also been reported cases in Ha Noi, HCM City and An Giang.
The 50-year-old patient from Luong Tai District, Bac Ninh Province ate pig's blood pudding only a few days before experiencing diarrhoea symptoms.
Local health authorities said that the patient has recovered, but his home is being quarantined.
The HCM City's Pasteur Institute also said that there were four acute diarrhoea patients in Districts 8 and 5 last week. The city's health authorities said that they have not discovered the source of the infection.
Health authorities recommended people to continue to practice personal hygiene, eat cooked food and drink water that had been boiled to prevent the spread of acute diarrhoea. — VNS

United Arab Emirates bans poultry imports from Romania {Corrected Country}

[I have corrected the Title of this post, from Egypt to the UAE...sorry for the mistake]

Environment temporarily banning the importation of all types of poultry and feathers from Romania
Apr 14, 2010 - 04:24 -
Ministry of Environment / Birds in Romania / temporary ban

Dubai, April 14 WAM / issued by HE Obaid Mohammed Juma Al Matrooshi, Director General of the Ministry of Environment and Water on behalf a decision on temporarily banning the importation of all types of domestic and wild birds and pet birds and feathers from the State of Romania.

This decision is based on Ministerial Decree No. / 448 / for the year 2009 on the lifting of the ban on the importation of all live birds and poultry, wild and ornamental birds, their products and offal from the countries of North and South America and Europe, except for regions where cases of bird flu in addition to the note by Quarantine Department in the Ministry and based on information received from the World Organization for Animal Health, which reports the appearance of an outbreak of avian influenza strain fierce in the State of Romania.

The resolution that, in order to ensure healthy conditions for humans and animals in the state of animal diseases leak any infectious or contagious imported temporarily prohibited until further notice, the importation of all kinds of living tamed, wild and ornamental birds, their products and their offal from Romania.

It will also manage the stone and the concerned organizational units in the ministry in coordination with the relevant authorities to implement this decision based on what the public interest and to the epidemiological situation changed when the State of Romania, in accordance with the guidelines of the International Organization for Animal Health.

Egypt: Gov. Port Said Critical of Gaps in H5N1 Detection

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Said Mustafa Abdel Latif Said Governor of Port Said, the gaps in the control of avian flu still exists and poultry list within the cordon of the city and the buildings and courtyards district climate and flowers, which confirms that there is some kind of relaxation in the elimination of breeding birds, especially the towers bathroom located on the roofs of buildings, proposed special study area combines these towers.

This came during a meeting of the Higher Committee to combat bird flu on Tuesday night the Executive Council headed by the governor and Nashwa Moses, assistant secretary general of the Port Said Governorate, and directors of veterinary medicine and health affairs, agriculture, and district heads.

The Governor said: "I hope to see farm land equal to that we need to analysis of the soil to make sure they are free of viruses", calling for the transfer of the remaining farms outside the cordon of the city.

The Governor emphasized that the abattoir to the common birds and livestock processing plant has to benefit from the outputs extracted to preserve the environment and public spending even Aechtlt waste water, industrial wastewater and the lack of suffering from environmental pollution, explaining that he has full control on poultry. Referring to define the objective and basic guidelines for building strategies and plans for the early detection of the virus mutating relevant human and animal health.

On the other hand, he turned conservative on the issue of entry of livestock, quarantine, refusing to carry the stone in Port Said, pointing out that if the entry of livestock to the Sinai will be sent by the Al-Arish, said the Director of Veterinary Medicine: "I am not claimed enter quarantine Port at all, and acetic stone will benefit you, "emphasizing the Higher Committee for Resistance to disease, avian flu that has a system of thought, and imagination.

Egypt: 10 bird flu attack of thousands of birds at a farm Menoufia

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Dr. Ahmed Fouad, director of the Directorate of Veterinary Medicine Menoufia, it was discovered the focus of a new positive infected with bird flu in one poultry farms in Sadat City, was found injured 10 thousand chickens from (used for breeding) age 66 a week, after the result of analysis of samples were confirmed contracting the disease.

He added. Fuad had been taking samples from farm workers and contacts for analysis, and make sure not to have the disease, with an undertaking of officials from the farm to keep their birds and security forces imposed a blockade around the farm to prevent the smuggling of infected birds.

Uncovered local council Monofiya that more than 50% of poultry farms to maintain operating without a license, the Council stressed that the number of veterinarians is not enough to immunize third of the quantities of birds and demanded the immediate closure and final Farms unlicensed, when the emergence of positive cases in the farms licensed or anywhere else.

Two goals from bird flu in Vietnam and conducting tests on 11 cases

[This story is out of Egypt]

14/04/2010

HANOI (Reuters) - hit two in northern Vietnam, the bird flu virus (H 5 to 1) health authorities are also being tested to see whether 11 people were suffering from fever have been infected with the virus also.

The cases of injury and two of the 22-year-old man and a girl aged 27 months, as well as 11 suspected cases are from the same area in the province of Bac.

Lu said Xuan Hoa, Deputy Director of Cho Moi in the province of medical Buck was "the imposition of quarantine on all patients and conducted tests to determine the cause of their illness."

He added that the patient is "living next to the first man to come the results of HIV tests (H 5 to 1), which underwent positive while the rest live in the same village."

And returned four of the existing authorities suspect infected with the virus to their homes.

And the emergence of cases in one place is a matter of concern because this could mean that the item in this case acquired the ability to pass from person to person.

Caused by the virus (H 5 to 1) the death of 60 percent of patients.

Witnessed in Vietnam earlier this year, the death cases of bird flu and two 38-year-old woman and a girl aged three years.

Vietnam: Commentary: What if this was a mutation or a combination of H5N1 & H1N1?

What if this was a mutation or a combination of H5N1 & H1N1. What if it mutated to become more transmissible and was more lethal?
Do you want to wait for the English language AP Reports, or do you want to rely on the translated material from the Country?

9 days – from the initial story to the first AP report.

Thank you Treyfish. Going into Countries and translating their news, and bringing it to our attention, takes dedication, patience, and is very time consuming.

Monday, April 5^th:

Treyfish broke the story of the 22 yo, confirmed. Also 4 others hospitalized.

http://pandemicinformationnews.blogspot.com/2010/04/vietnam-h5n1-human-confirmed-case4.html

We waited 4 days.

Friday, April 9^th:

Treyfish broke the story of 9 more cases (suspected) hospitalized, with shortness of breath, fever, cough. 5 of them family members.

We waited 4 more days.

The first AP Report came on April 13^th.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_VIETNAM_BIRD_FLU_ASOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-04-13-09-35-27

Today, April 14^th, we have a few more AP Reports….
Reuters: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/TOE63D045.htm

Yahoo News: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100413/health/health_as_vietnam_bird_flu_1

9 days – from the initial story to the first AP report.

Still waiting to hear from CDC, WHO, Embassies...etc. 9 days and counting.....

Vietnam: Increase in Hospitalizations from Respiratory, Fever, Heat Related

04/14/2010 03:08
Excerpt:

On 13 / 4, although near the end of day, amount of patients waiting at the clinic of the Hospital (Hospital), Nguyen Trai (HCMC) is crowded....

Doctor Ly Le Thanh, director of the hospital, said: "In those days, the weather is harsh, hot, the volume of patients admitted to hospital inpatient treatment increased more than 100 cases in 13 / 4 768 hospitalized patients. Most elderly patients with blood pressure fluctuation when the hot sun, and then as heart disease, lung disease, respiratory problems ...".

Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital said patients admitted to hospital volume increased in recent days, 13.4 days in 623 patients with inpatient treatment. Similarly, a leading Hospital Thu Duc area confirmed on a number of diseases related to heat up as experience fever, feeling the sun, viral infection, or due to weather ... (14 Youth / 4).

Vietnam: Ministry of Health Website Update H5N1

Announcement 494/TB-DPMT on 09/4/2010 by Ministry of Health Regarding the second case positive for influenza virus A (H5) in Bac Kan

NOTICE
Regarding the second case positive for influenza virus A (H5) in Bac Kan
Department of Preventive Medicine and Environment announced Monday cases positive for influenza virus A (H5) in Bac Kan province as follows:

Female patients, 02 years old Address: Nà Tào, village Như Cố, district Chợ Mới, Bac Kan. Onset of disease manifestation on 02/4/2010 with 40 0 C high fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose. On 04/4/2010 patients the home were taken to hospital treatment Cho Moi district.

On 07/4/2010, Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology answer test results positive for influenza virus A (H5).

Currently, patient health is stable, no fever, difficulty breathing and being managed, treated in hospital in Cho Moi, Bac Kan.

Initial epidemiological investigation showed that, at home and around the area where patients are living with sick poultry phenomenon / death, families slaughter sick birds to eat.

Department of Preventive Medicine and Environment continue to strongly recommend that people perform some of the following measures:

1. When detected poultry sickness, death is not absolute slaughter and use that to immediately notify local authorities handled promptly;

2. Air transport, trade in poultry of unknown origin, especially in areas with bird flu outbreak on ensuring cooked, boiled drinking, washing hands with soap before eating and after using the bathroom students;

3. When you have a fever, cough, breathing problems related to bird flu soon have to nearest medical facility to be examined and treated promptly.



KT. Director
Deputy Director
(Signed)
Nguyen Van Binh
Date 12/04/2010

Vietnam awaits more test results in suspected H5N1 cluster

Lisa Schnirring Staff Writer

Apr 13, 2010 (CIDRAP News) – Two patients who are part of a suspected H5N1 avian influenza case cluster in northern Vietnam's Bac Kan province are still hospitalized, with 11 others isolated for flu-like symptoms, health officials said today.

The two hospitalized patients include a 22-year-old man and a 27-month-old girl whose confirmed infections were previously reported by the Vietnamese media, the Associated Press (AP) reported today.

Hoang Van Linh, deputy director of northern Bac Kan's health department, told the news service that some of the isolated group includes relatives of the two hospitalized patients. Hoang said the 11 people in isolation recovered after treatment with oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and that he is awaiting test results to see if any were infected with the H5N1 virus.

The man was hospitalized on Apr 2 and remains under care, and the toddler, admitted Apr 4, is in stable condition, he told the AP.

FluTrackers, an Internet message board that translates foreign-language news reports on infectious disease events, has been following local coverage of the suspected cluster for the past several days. Though FluTrackers and other infectious disease blogs warn readers to interpret translated reports with caution, they have noted that most of the information coming out of Vietnam about the cluster has been consistent.

Vietnam's health ministry, in a Web posting, said dead chickens were reported at the homes of the two hospitalized patients and that the toddler's family reportedly slaughtered and ate some of the infected poultry, according to the AP report. A provincial infectious disease official told the AP that all of the isolated patients had contact with sick birds.

Bac Kan province, a mountainous area in northern Vietnam, was among two areas cited in H5N1 outbreak reports that the country's agriculture ministry submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on Apr 10. The outbreak in Bac Kan started on Mar 19, killing 318 of 550 birds in the affected village. The remaining 142 birds were destroyed to control the spread of the virus.

The country also reported that the virus struck birds in a village in Quang Ninh province, located on Vietnam's northeastern coast, killing 1,231 of 1,554 birds. The remaining poultry were destroyed.

An investigation into the source of the events suggested that introduction of new animals, illegal movement of birds, and fomites were linked to the two H5N1 outbreaks, the OIE report said.

Geographic and family H5N1 clusters are relatively rare, and they raise fears that the virus has improved its ability to infect humans, which could increase the risk that the virus could become a pandemic flu strain.

For example, a cluster of confirmed and suspected H5N1 cases occurred in northwestern Pakistan in late 2007. The World Health Organization (WHO) investigation revealed that the virus probably spread among four brothers and went no further.

Also in late 2007 the father of a Chinese man who died of an H5N1 infection was hospitalized with H5N1 avian flu. Reports at the time were unclear about the men's exposure to sick and dead birds.

Despite periodic reports of clusters, human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus, though suspected in some instances, has been confirmed in the laboratory only once, in a North Sumatra, Indonesia, family in 2006. The cluster involved seven cases, six of them fatal. A WHO investigation into the illnesses revealed that the virus mutated slightly when it infected a 10-year-old boy, who then passed the same virus to his father.

See also:

Apr 13 AP story

FluTrackers suspected Vietnam case cluster thread

Apr 10 OIE report

Apr 9 CIDRAP News story "WHO confirms Egyptian H5N1 death, Vietnam probes possible cluster"

Jun 26, 2006, CIDRAP News story "H5N1 mutation showed human transmission in Indonesia"

Vietnam confirms 2 bird flu cases; 11 quarantined

TRAN VAN MINH 0 Comments Published: April 13, 2010


HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Two Vietnamese from a poor, mountainous area have been infected with bird flu, and 11 others were quarantined with flulike symptoms, health officials said Tuesday.


A 22-year-old man and a 27-month-old girl remain hospitalized after testing positive for the H5N1 virus, said Hoang Van Linh, deputy director of northern Bac Kan province's health department. He said the 11 others, some of whom were relatives of the confirmed cases, had fallen ill with fever, coughing and shortness of breath.

They were given the antiviral Tamiflu and have since recovered. He said they were tested for bird flu, but the results have not come back.

Dead chickens were reported at the homes of the two patients, and the toddler's family is believed to have slaughtered and eaten some of the infected poultry, according to the Ministry of Health's Web site. Ly Quoc Khach, an infectious disease official from the provincial health department, said all 11 people, members of the Tay and Nung ethnic minorities, had contact with the sick birds, and he said he did not believe there would be any reason to fear possible human-to-human transmission if they did test positive.

The 22-year-old man remains on a respirator after being hospitalized April 2, while the toddler, who was admitted two days later, is in stable condition, Hoang said. All of the sick people's homes in Ma Tao commune have since been disinfected, and the infected poultry have been slaughtered, Ly said.

Vietnam has been hit with a spate of fresh H5N1 outbreaks among poultry, and two people have died from the disease this year, according to the World health Organization, which confirms 59 deaths since late 2003.

The disease remains rare among people, with most cases linked to direct contact with infected poultry. But experts have long feared the virulent virus could mutate into a form that allows it to spread easily among people, possibly igniting a pandemic.

hattip alert

Announced bird flu outbreaks Tuesday in Bac Can

On 13-04-2010 17:22



-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
NDDT - After the test samples of animal health diagnostic center Central, 13-4, this afternoon, Bac Can province has announced the outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1) in the Stock and Rural Total Male Bouquet of Yen Dinh, Cho Moi district. So, Bac Can province has had three outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza since 6-4 days now.


The decision is announced the bird flu-affected areas is also clearly threatening the seven villages in Yen Dinh and the entire town of New Market. To combat bird flu spread out wide, up to this point, Cho Moi district has set up four checkpoints in the route out to the outbreak, destroying more than 5,200 birds, spraying chemical disinfection identical in six communes disinfection, vaccination for nearly 22 thousand birds in the vicinity.


So far eight people have symptoms of cough, sore throat, fever, treated at health centers and from Cho Moi has returned home.

8 patients with suspected influenza A (H5N1) at the district hospital treatment are discharged from hospital

11:23 '13/04/2010 (GMT +7)

Up to date 11 / 4, Cho Moi district has two cases are positive for influenza A (H5N1) and 11 cases have expressed doubts as cough, fever, dyspnea, diarrhea. The remaining patients treated at the Medical Center district is going well.





After 1 week of treatment on 12 / 4 has 8 patient discharge. Through treatment with 3 tests, the patients have tested negative for influenza A (H5N1), health status going well, no doubt the expression as: cough, fever, difficulty breathing .

Particularly the case of Nguyen Thi Thanh Thu patients - patients who have tested positive for influenza A (H5N1), was tested through the 2nd and 3rd have tested negative for influenza A (H5N1) . Currently the patient is being continued monitoring and treatment in the future.

Also, in the commune health stations are having the same two cases expressed doubts have been treated, follow the regimen of health.

Vietnam: Bac Kan Province: Index Case + 1 confirmed, 21 on Tamiflu Yen Dinh Vill., 5 Family Hospitalized Na Cao

Bac Kan Province

Trung Van Hoa (22) – Confirmed Case #6 – Index Case

From: Na Cao Hamlet, Nhu Co Commune, Cho Moi District

3/27 – began fever, cough

3/30 – Adm. Cho Moi district hospital, X-ray shows normal lungs

Next 3 days, new symptoms of difficulty breathing, X-ray shows both lungs with lesions

4/2 – Transferred to Bac Kan Provincial Hospital. Symptoms progress to respiratory failure. X-ray shows widespread damage to both lungs. Samples taken @ 21 hours on 4/2, sample shows confirmed H5N1.

4/3 – Dept. of Health directs coordination with DPC to all organizations.

4/4 – National Inst. Of Hygiene & Epidemiology sends missions to support Bac Kan flu A (H5N1). From investigation finds people’s awareness of H5N1 is very low, (eat sick poultry, don’t report sick/dead birds, throws poultry in river/streams. Initiative in prevention of H5N1 on local level is not high.

Directive for districts according to Decision No. 1812: Upon death, cremation.

Notes:

4/5/10:

4 other people in Nhu Co Commune show simlar symptoms. Under quarantine and treated at Bac Kan provincial hospital, in stable condition. The 22 yo is in critical condition. Index Case: history of eating sick chickens.

4/9/10:

8 Cases – Na Cao Hamlet

Nguyen Thi Thanh Thu (27 mos old) – confirmed

Adm: Cho Moi District Medical Ctr.–

From: Na Cao

5 other family members hospitalized w/cough, fever, trouble breathing.

All 6 had contact with Index Case or contact w/sick poultry (consumed).

Total 8 cases of cough fever, difficulty breathing – suspected H5N1.

1 Case – Yen Dinh Village

Luc Van Ha – hospitalized medical center Cho Moi, w/fever, cough, dyspnea and diarrhea. 4-5 days before hospitalized had access to epidemic area (Na Tao).

21 Cases taking Tamiflu.

- 14 cases are stable health

- 7 admitted to the District Health Center, fever cough, diarrhea

Notes:

District has been given 700 doses of Tamiflu, protection equipment, & medical supplies.

1,000 poultry and aquatic birds destroyed.

3 checkpoints set up, preventing movement of poultry vehicles, spraying vehicles.

Active monitoring changes in the disease situation in poultry/birds.

Avian flu occurs in Quang Ninh and Bac Kan

Social Friday, 9/4/2010, 8:30 (GMT +7)



GiadinhNet - On 8 / 4, Department of Animal Health says it has bird flu appeared in two provinces of Quang Ninh and Bac Kan, Thai Binh province also appeared on the blue ear pig.
Specifically, in Bac Kan province on 19 / 3 as of 04/06/2010, avian influenza has occurred in 16 rural farming households in Cao Na, As Stock commune, Phu Luong district. Total number of poultry deaths and destruction in the 318 households on a child.

In Quang Ninh, on 03/29/2010, avian influenza has occurred in four households in 4 communes in Tien Phong village of Hung Yen. As on 06/04/2010 the total number of bird deaths and the destruction of four households on the 1554 children (including ducks and 50 chickens, 1504).

On the PRRS swine in the Pacific, occurred at the third service is the Hop Tien commune, Phong Chau and Chau Phu district of Dong Hung, to 306 infected children, including 84 sows and 222 pigs for pork.

Notice where patients with influenza A (H5N1) in Bac Kan province and some preventive measures for avian influenza A (H5N1) emergency

04/08/2010 15:18


On 05/04/2010, Steering prevention of acute respiratory tract infections caused by viruses of Bac Kan province issued emergency notices 47/TB-BCD number of cases of patients with influenza A (H5N1) in Bac Kan and some preventive measures for avian influenza A (H5N1) emergency.

Notice shall specify: Last time that happened all over the country scattered cases of morbidity and mortality caused by influenza A (H5N1). Currently, the province of Bac Kan also had flu patients, testing positive for influenza A (H5N1). Specifically as follows:
Notified by the Ministry of Health, in the first months of 2010 there were some cases of influenza A (H5N1): 01 cases in Khanh Hoa province (on 27.1.2010), 01 cases in Son Duong district - Tuyen Optical (on 02.19.2010) has 02 cases of death from influenza A (H5N1), the first case in Cai Be district, Tien Giang Province (died on 23/2/2010), the second case Binh Duong Province (died on 17/3/2010). In the case of patients with influenza A (H5N1), some cases have no direct contact with infected poultry.

As reported by the Department of Health, in Bac Kan province had 01 patients with influenza A (H5N1): Patients with a history of eating sick chickens, in which the patient resides (As can commune, Cho Moi) going outbreaks in chickens.
On 27/3/2010, the disease began to develop symptoms such as fever, cough. On 30/3/2010, the patient in Cho Moi district hospital treatment, results shooting the film normal lung. Through 03 days of treatment in hospital for New symptoms more severe signs: continuous fever, difficulty breathing, shooting the film X. Optical images show lesions spread both lungs. The patient was transferred to the Hospital (BVDK) province in 15 hours 30 minutes on 02/4/2010 at the Department of Infectious treatment. Capture X.quang found widespread damage to the lungs than film in Cho Moi district hospital, the patient started showing signs of respiratory failure.
Center for Preventive Medicine province took samples and sample survey of the Central Hygiene and Epidemiology Institute. 21 hours 00 Hoi on 02/4/2010, the patient was transferred to hospital treatment of infectious and tropical diseases. Laboratory at the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology: samples positive for influenza A virus (H5N1).

On 03/4/2010 from Health Department has directed and coordinated with the DPC to all organizations in anti-social services like her. On 04/4/2010 National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology has sent missions to support Bac Kan flu A (H5N1).

Report of the Department of Health through the actual work of investigation in the outbreak and work with the DPC Cho Moi showed people's consciousness about the prevention of influenza A (H5N1) is very low (still eat poultry meat sick / die, do not report translated for local authorities, identify birds indiscriminately thrown into rivers, streams, causing pollution and high risk spread in the province, to other locations); the initiative in prevention of avian veterinary staff on the local level is not high. These issues should be relevant sectors and authorities at all levels of interest, correct time.

To actively in the work for prevention of influenza A (H5N1) in people over the province, the Steering Committee asked the health sector, the Agriculture and Rural Development, the departments concerned and the People's Committee districts, some urgently implement the following key tasks:

For Health Services:

Strengthening supervision cases first infected with influenza A (H5N1) in treatment at all levels, from the commune health centers to district hospitals, provincial general hospital. In the process of receiving, diagnosing and treating patients must strictly comply with the guidance in the Decision on 19.08.2008 30/2008/QD-BYT guiding the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of flu A (H5N1) in humans;

To direct the provincial Preventive Medicine Center, TTYT the districts:

Prepare machinery, chemicals, protective equipment and strengthening of Preventive Medicine team, ready to support local anti-epidemic when required. Implementing anti-guide service in accordance with Decision No. 1812/QD-BYT on 05/23/2005 by the Health Ministry issuing process outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N1).

If a patient's death, burial must be held as stipulated in Circular No.: 02/2009/TT-BYT of the Health Ministry in guiding the cleaning operation burial, cremation.
Enhance communication to raise awareness of people about flu in poultry. To well implement the Health Ministry's recommendations on prevention of influenza A (H5N1) from birds to infect humans.

For the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:

To expeditiously examine and supervise the local situation in the province of HPAI in poultry; enhance direct veterinary staff at all levels on prevention of avian influenza ; coordinate well with the public health sector in the prevention and control outbreaks in poultry and avian influenza A (H5N1) in humans.

Two Health and Agriculture and Rural Development to urgently formulate a regulation to coordinate their operation against disease spread from cattle and poultry to humans, especially flu A (H5N1) to respond proactive preventive measures right from the stage occurred in poultry.

For the People's Committees of districts and towns:
To organize the inspection and supervision of the management of state animal health in the province; reorganize the work report, translate reports from villages, communes to district levels; Emergency School Steering Committee to consolidate prevention and control of local direct the departments of professional, relevant departments of local People's Committees of communes, wards and towns strictly implement the direction of the health sector , Agriculture and Rural Development and the Provincial Steering Committee, which plans to timely prevention and control to limit the spread of avian influenza A (H5N1) from poultry to people, minimize the number of patients died .

In this announcement, Steering prevention of acute respiratory tract infections caused by viruses requires Bac Kan provinces, the departments concerned to expeditiously implement. /.

__________________

9 suspected avian influenza cluster

---

Focus for prevention of influenza A (H5N1)
07:06 '09/04/2010 (GMT +7)
Appear as local flu A (H5N1), Cho Moi district is focusing all resources and conditions for prevention services.


Add a case positive for influenza A (H5N1)


After the patient Chu Van Hoa, 22, residing in rural Cao Na (as) - first patient, have tested positive for influenza A (H5N1) Steering Committee for prevention of respiratory infections acute health sector virus Bac Kan, Cho Moi district has directed the professional sector, in particular the district health center inspection organization, to the list of people who have had contact with patients and poultry and aquatic birds sick. Simultaneous deployment of medical examination and treatment in time for the cases show signs of fever, cough, shortness of breath in the locality. Up to date 8 / 4, the district health center has received nine more cases have manifested as fever, cough, shortness of breath. Of these 8 patients are residing in villages Na Tao, a patient residing in Yen Dinh. Cases of patients with Luc Van Ha (Yen Ting), hospitalized in a state of fever, cough, dyspnea and diarrhea.
Before hospital about 4-5 days, patients had access to the epidemic areas. Notably, out of 8 patients residing in rural areas, the patients Na Cao Nguyen Thi Thanh Thu (27 months old) had tested positive for influenza A (H5N1). Letters Apart patients, five other family members of patients hospitalized in the state also cough, fever, trouble breathing. All these patients have had contact with the patient first or eat meat, contact with sick poultry. Thus, up to date Cho Moi district has two cases positive for influenza A (H5N1) and 8 cases of cough, fever, difficulty breathing, have expressed suspicion of avian influenza A (H5N1).





Luc Van Ha patients being treated at the medical center Cho Moi district



Comrade Liu Xuan Hoa, deputy director of the district health center, said: "Immediately after Chu Van Hoa patients admitted to hospital, district health centers were examined, timely treatment for cases of cough , fever, difficulty breathing, the presence of influenza A (H5N1). Of the 21 cases the presence of HPAI was taking Taminflu there were 14 cases of stable health, the rest are cases where continued therapy at the Center. Unless the patient's Nguyen Thi Thanh Thu, tested positive for influenza A (H5N1), the remaining cases had fever, cough, diarrhea, is progressing well. However, should the pathogen is still likely to appear more patients expressed similar unavoidable, particularly in the day 8 / 4 Center to continue to receive two additional patients with suspected signs problem, a history of contact with patients before. "





Nguyen Thi Thanh Thu patients 27 months of age (Na Tao, as there are) treated at the Medical Center of Cho Moi district



Along with the examination and treatment time for patients who have expressed doubts, the Centre has directed the district health team focused preventive health development work spray disinfection in rural Na Cao. Up to date 8 / 4 preventive medicine team has conducted the 3rd spraying disinfectant in the service and advocacy organizations to people to personal hygiene, environmental hygiene to reduce the risk around flu spread. The center also simultaneously direct the commune health stations, village nurse supervision, monitoring closely the situation in local disease to detect, on routes to transfer patients timely treatment. Known at this time, the district has been granted 700 doses of Tamiflu, the protection equipment, medical supplies have been adequate preparation for the examination and treatment locally.



Destroyed nearly 1,000 poultry and aquatic birds in the translation
Immediately after cases of avian influenza A (H1N1) in humans first appeared, the Steering Committee for prevention of the district has directed the departments to focus advocacy expertise, deployment inspection, destruction the local epidemic prevention. Specifically, the district has set up three checkpoints in the commune seemed to include a major spill at the dam, at the Pass Key 2 The Quat, in key 3 Buddha Pass (path to the remote Try Quang Chu). At these checkpoints, inter-agency representatives from the district veterinary stations, police districts, market management, commune officials were inspecting, preventing the movement of poultry, poultry products hydro, timely handling of violations according to regulations and spray disinfection of vehicles from the area. Simultaneously with work on the district also conducted some completely destroyed poultry and aquatic birds (965 children) of Na Tao Village and held spray disinfection in Na Tao village, the town or village nearby. Work disinfectant spray is conducted periodically once a day at the village Na Tao - epidemic areas, also with the other villages in the commune, to conduct the spraying three times a day.





As checkpoints in social problems



Besides, the vaccination for poultry and aquatic birds are continuing to be deployed. In addition to 10 villages of the commune As it lies in the high-risk areas surrounding the five communal services include: Van Binh, Quang Chu, Cho Moi township, Yen Dinh, Thanh Binh also simultaneously implement vaccination for poultry aquatic birds. There currently are 50 districts have prepared thousands of doses of vaccines to vaccinate 47,500 children for poultry and aquatic birds conducted on 9 / 4. According to Tran Trung Kien, Vice Chairman District: "The district is continuing to promote the vaccination for poultry and aquatic birds, disinfection at the rural commune of the neck, five neighboring communes. At the same time actively monitoring changes in the disease situation in poultry and aquatic birds in the local time for prevention, to prevent epidemic spread. Immediate direct the district are local, industry, mass propaganda to push people about prevention and effective, to avoid confusion among the people and the direction of veterinary staff facilities, authorities of communes and towns tracking, monitoring changes in the disease situation in the province, reported to the authorities promptly handled. /

Original Text:

Chợ Mới:

Tập trung phòng, chống dịch cúm A (H5N1)

07:06' 09/04/2010 (GMT+7)

Là địa phương xuất hiện dịch cúm A (H5N1), huyện Chợ Mới đang tập trung mọi nguồn lực, điều kiện để phòng, chống dịch.

Thêm một trường hợp dương tính với cúm A (H5N1)

Sau khi bệnh nhân Chu Văn Hoà, 22 tuổi, trú tại thôn Nà Tào (Như Cố) - bệnh nhân đầu tiên, có kết quả xét nghiệm dương tính với cúm A (H5N1) Ban chỉ đạo phòng, chống dịch viêm đường hô hấp cấp tính do vi rút của ngành y tế Bắc Kạn, huyện Chợ Mới đã chỉ đạo các ngành chuyên môn, cụ thể là Trung tâm y tế huyện tổ chức kiểm tra, lên danh sách những người đã tiếp xúc với bệnh nhân và gia cầm, thuỷ cầm bị bệnh. Đồng thời triển khai công tác khám, chữa bệnh kịp thời cho các trường hợp có biểu hiện sốt, ho, khó thở tại địa phương. Tính đến ngày 8/4, Trung tâm y tế huyện đã tiếp nhận thêm 9 trường hợp có biểu hiện sốt, ho, khó thở. Trong đó có 8 bệnh nhân đều là trú tại thôn Nà Tào, 1 bệnh nhân trú tại xã Yên Đĩnh. Với trường hợp của bệnh nhân Lục Văn Hà (Yên Đĩnh), nhập viện trong tình trạng bị sốt, ho, khó thở và bị tiêu chảy. Trước khi nhập viện khoảng 4-5 ngày, bệnh nhân này đã tiếp cận với vùng có dịch. Đáng chú ý, trong số 8 bệnh nhân trú tại thôn Nà Tào thì bệnh nhân Nguyễn Thị Thanh Thư (27 tháng tuổi) đã có kết quả xét nghiệm dương tính với cúm A (H5N1). Ngoài bệnh nhân Thư, 5 thành viên khác trong gia đình bệnh nhân cũng nhập viên trong tình trạng ho, sốt, khó thở. Tất cả các bệnh nhân này đều đã tiếp xúc với bệnh nhân đầu tiên hoặc ăn thịt, tiếp xúc với gia cầm bị ốm. Như vậy, tính đến thời điểm này huyện Chợ Mới đã có 2 trường hợp dương tính với cúm A (H5N1) và 8 trường hợp bị ho, sốt, khó thở, có biểu hiện nghi vấn của cúm A (H5N1).

Bệnh nhân Lục Văn Hà đang điều trị tại trung tâm y tế huyện Chợ Mới

Đồng chí Lưu Xuân Hoà, Phó Giám đốc trung tâm y tế huyện cho biết: “Ngay sau khi bệnh nhân Chu Văn Hoà nhập viện, Trung tâm y tế huyện đã tiến hành kiểm tra, điều trị kịp thời cho các trường hợp bị ho, sốt, khó thở, có biểu hiện của cúm A (H5N1). Trong số 21 trường hợp có biểu hiện của dịch cúm đã được uống thuốc Taminflu thì có 14 trường hợp đã ổn định sức khoẻ, các trường hợp còn lại đang tiếp tục điều trị tại Trung tâm. Ngoại trừ trường hợp của bệnh nhân Nguyễn Thị Thanh Thư, kết quả xét nghiệm dương tính với cúm A (H5N1) thì các trường hợp còn lại đều đã giảm sốt, ho, tiêu chảy, có tiến triển tốt. Mặc dù vậy, do mầm bệnh vẫn còn nên khả năng xuất hiện thêm những bệnh nhân có biểu hiện tương tự khó tránh khỏi, cụ thể là ngay trong ngày 8/4 Trung tâm tiếp tục tiếp nhận thêm 2 bệnh nhân có biểu hiện nghi vấn, có tiền sử tiếp xúc với các bệnh nhân trước đó”.

Đi đôi với công tác khám, điều trị kịp thời cho các bệnh nhân đã có biểu hiện nghi vấn, Trung tâm y tế huyện đã chỉ đạo Đội y tế dự phòng tập trung triển khai công tác phun thuốc khử trùng tiêu độc tại thôn Nà Tào. Tính đến ngày 8/4 Đội y tế dự phòng đã tiến hành phun khử trùng lần thứ 3 tại vùng dịch và tổ chức tuyên truyền đến người dân cần vệ sinh cá nhân, vệ sinh môi trường sống xung quanh để giảm nguy cơ dịch cúm lan rộng. Đồng thời Trung tâm cũng chỉ đạo Trạm y tế các xã, y tá thôn bản giám sát, theo dõi chặt chẽ tình trạng dịch bệnh tại địa phương để phát hiện, chuyển người bệnh lên tuyến trên kịp thời điều trị. Được biết đến thời điểm này, huyện đã được cấp 700 liều Tamiflu, các trang thiết bị bảo hộ, vật tư y tế đã được chuẩn bị đầy đủ phục vụ công tác khám, chữa bệnh tại địa phương.

Tiêu huỷ gần 1.000 con gia cầm, thuỷ cầm trong vùng dịch

Ngay sau khi ca bệnh cúm A (H1N1) ở người đầu tiên xuất hiện, Ban chỉ đạo phòng, chống dịch của huyện đã chỉ đạo các ban, ngành chuyên môn tập trung tuyên truyền, triển khai công tác kiểm tra, tiêu huỷ, phòng dịch tại địa phương. Cụ thể, huyện đã thành lập 3 chốt kiểm dịch tại xã Như Cố gồm: chốt 1 tại Đập tràn, chốt 2 tại chân đèo Bản Quất, chốt 3 ở chân đèo Bụt (đường đi từ xã Như Cố sang Quảng Chu). Tại các chốt kiểm dịch này, cơ quan liên ngành gồm đại diện Trạm thú y huyện, Công an huyện, Quản lý thị trường, cán bộ xã đã tiến hành kiểm tra, ngăn chặn việc vận chuyển gia cầm, sản phẩm thuỷ cầm, kịp thời xử lý các trường hợp vi phạm theo quy định và phun thuốc khử trùng tiêu độc các phương tiện đi ra từ vùng dịch. Đồng thời với hoạt động trên huyện cũng đã tiến hành tiêu huỷ hoàn toàn số gia cầm, thuỷ cầm (965 con) của thôn Nà Tào và tổ chức phun thuốc khử trùng tiêu độc tại thôn Nà Tào, các thôn, xã lân cận. Công tác phun thuốc khử trùng được tiến hành định kỳ 1 lần/ngày tại thôn Nà Tào – vùng có dịch, còn với các thôn khác trong xã thì tiến hành phun thuốc 3 ngày 1 lần.

Chốt kiểm dịch tại xã Như cố

Bên cạnh đó, công tác tiêm phòng vác xin cho gia cầm, thuỷ cầm cũng đang tiếp tục được triển khai. Ngoài 10 thôn của xã Như Cố nằm trong vùng có nguy cơ cao thì 5 xã lân cận vùng dịch gồm: Bình Văn, Quảng Chu, thị trấn Chợ Mới, Yên Đĩnh, Thanh Bình cũng đồng loạt triển khai tiêm phòng cho gia cầm, thuỷ cầm. Hiện tại huyện đã chuẩn bị được 50 nghìn liều vác xin để tiêm phòng cho 47.500 con gia cầm, thuỷ cầm tiến hành từ ngày 9/4. Theo ông Trần Trung Kiên, Phó Chủ tịch UBND huyện: “Hiện tại huyện đang tiếp tục đẩy mạnh công tác tiêm phòng cho gia cầm, thuỷ cầm, khử trùng tiêu độc tại các thôn thuộc xã Như Cố, 5 xã lân cận. Đồng thời chủ động theo dõi diễn biến tình hình dịch bệnh trên gia cầm, thuỷ cầm tại các địa phương để kịp thời phòng, chống dịch, tránh để dịch lan rộng. Trước mắt huyện đang trực tiếp chỉ đạo các địa phương, các ngành, đoàn thể đẩy mạnh tuyên truyền đến người dân về cách phòng, chống dịch hiệu quả, tránh gây hoang mang trong nhân dân và chỉ đạo các thú y viên cơ sở, chính quyền các xã, thị trấn theo dõi, giám sát diễn biến tình hình dịch bệnh trên địa bàn, báo cho các cơ quan chức năng kịp thời xử lý”./.

http://www.baobackan.org.vn/channel/2262/201004/Tap-trung-phong-chong-dich-cum-A-H5N1-1936893/

Israel: Health Ministry to keep swine flu vaccine doses in storage

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
08/04/2010 06:32

Although the US government may discard millions of superfluous H1N1 swine flu vaccines, the Health Ministry told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday that it intends to keep its remaining supplies in storage.

Jerusalem health officials said they intend to hold on to the more than three million doses that were purchased and not used due to lack of demand, because they might be needed in the fall or winter.

The ministry said that the expiration dates on the vaccines it purchased in the US and Europe have not passed.

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