pH1N1 Demonstrates 95% Instability In Critical Genetics Range with Extensive Bird Flu Inclusions

2010-05-09

pH1N1 Demonstrates 95% Instability In Critical Genetics Range with Extensive Bird Flu Inclusions

In positions where this flu is revising the pandemic gene code, the ΣPF11 reservoir (pH1N1) presently exhibits a strong pattern of alliance with serotypes normally infecting birds, horses and dogs.

More than 95% of the Hemagglutinin positions between 186 and 246, including antigenic areas of the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD/RBS), are on record as polymorphic. Only 3 positions in that range are stable. Many positions rate multiple changes. Protein revision is documented at 45 of the 61 positions (73.8%), engaging the potential for antibody resistance (natural immune escape and vaccine escape).

Please recall from earlier analyses (linked in the ultimate paragraph) that individual single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been correlated to escape events (low reactor).

The list presented today is certainly not comprehensive. Only one section is discussed from one gene segment (HA) covering 61 contiguous amino acid positions. The extensive variation in that short range is detailed in the data listing.

Viral revision is also rapidly occurring in additional HA antigenic areas outside the range of positions documented in this analysis. The Neuraminidase of the human pandemic H1N1 reservoir is also acquiring revisions with homology to Avian and Equine influenza at a ratio to total changes even higher than that of the Hemagglutinin being surveyed in this analysis.

The viral reservoir backing this present H1N1 flu pandemic is far from stable and is actively acquiring new genetics. Current data does not indicate an immediate direction toward stability.

A previous version of this listing may be referenced for tracking. Please review details on the causality behind this particular study in the earliest version.

186S synonymous (TCc) Russia61, BZSP53823_2009_08_01_f,
. . . . BadenWurttemberg8_2010, TexasJMS387_2009_12_08,
. . . . KO_Daegu1873_2009_12_16_TmX,
. . . . H9N2 (cCc, cac)
186P (cCT) CalifVRDL7, UkraineChernihiv857, Ankara17
. . . . Thessaloniki791_2010 mix (225G, syn233Y, 324I, 377K)
186F (TtT) Ankara26
187T synonymous (ACc) Berlin164, Iran572, BeijingXicheng11649,
. . . . S5, 1918,
. . . . H9N2
187A (gCT) TexasJMS405_2009, TexasJMS406_2009,
. . . . H5N1 (gaT)
188T (AcT) swThaiCURA75_2010_01,
. . . . H6N1 dkHK202_1977, dkKOS17_2003,
. . . . H7N7 extensive including human fatality
188S synonymous (AGc) NY6943_xL
188N SC16, SC31, NY3502, ME15, CatS1187, Milan433, Kaifu4142,
. . . . Bilthoven4360903023, Japan, China,
. . . . swHK_NS1809_2009_12_03 (189T), swHK_NS1810_2009_12_03
. . . . S5, H5N1
188I Growing in US on cross-linked background (4), BZSP53823 (186S),
. . . . H1N1 (1943, 46, 51)
189A synonymous (GCc), Georgia01_2010, Georgia 2010 (+5),
. . . . swOR4060
189V (GtT) Sydney2503, Texas46172731,
. . . . Sask, H6N1 mallMaryland887_2002
189S (tCT) Wisc1434
189T (aCT) Extensive in US incl NY7020 (77N), on cross-linkage (4) incl
. . . . NY6943_xL, Ontario328474, Aswan2288, China,
. . . . swHK_NS1809_2009_12_03 (188N)
. . . . 1918, H5N1 2009, H6N1, H9N2 2008
190D synonymous (GAt) Nebraska02_2010, Milan326, UkraineZakarpatska830,
. . . . AfghanN09833_2009_08
. . . . 1918, H1N1 (1943, 51)
190Y SwedenMalmoe1_2010_01_01, H6N1 (tTG)
191R (CgA) Chengdu18 (131P), GuangdongSWL28 (192H, 199N)
192H (CAt) GuangdongSWL28 (191R, 199N),
. . . . Avian H2N3 (agt), H3N8 (act), H6N1 (aAt, gat, gct)
192Q synonymous (CAg) RomaISS50 (227V), Nebraska01_2010,
. . . . H1N1 (1943, 46)
193S synonymous (AGc) US 2010 (4), SC18_VxX, NM11, NM13,
. . . . Wisc (5), DC_INS28,
. . . . CalifVRDL11_2010, CalifVRDL13_2010,
. . . . AfghanN10765_2009_09, Milan294, Japan 2010,
. . . . H3N8 AGc aplatBelgium12827_2007,
. . . . H6N1 AGc chkTaiwan0706_2003,
. . . . H9N2 Aac dkViet2009,
. . . . H11Nx Aac dkViet2009
193G (gGT) AR08, Cal_SDINS04, Kansas26,
. . . . H5N1 (gGg), H3N8 (gaT, gac, gaa), H11 (gac, gat)
193N (AaT) Washington72,
. . . . H3N8, H6N1, H9N2, H11
193R (cGT) catItaly304678_1_2009_12_17_f, Origin Unknown
194I (aTC) NC38E3, VA27, SC18, Bangladesh3009, StPete59, StPete99,
. . . . Thessaloniki788_2010 (syn233Y, 324I, 377K),
. . . . China (3),
. . . . H5N1
194L synonymous (CTa) Japan4081, tn,
. . . . H9N2 2008 (tTa),
. . . . H6N1 ckTaiwan1205_2001, tkBC2_1997 (CTa)
194L synonymous (CTt) TexasJMS385_2009, CalifVRDL36,
. . . . WiscD0675, WiscD0891, WiscD1237,
. . . . EgyptN11640_2009_10, Iran572,
. . . . H5N1,
. . . . H9N2 dkVietnamOIE2327_2009
195Y synonymous (TAc) Guayaquil4 (206S),
. . . . swOR4060, tkDeutsche, swDeutsche,
. . . . Avian H2N3,
. . . . Avian and Equine H3N8 emergent,
. . . . H5N1 gsEgyptR4_2007,
. . . . H6N1,
. . . . H7N7 2004-2009,
. . . . H9N2 99%,
. . . . H11 90%
196Q synonymous (CAa) Wisc (3), Moldova (3), Malaysia (2), China,
. . . . Milan326, Pavia (6), Ankara18, NordrheinWestfalen106,
. . . . swOR4060,
. . . . Avian H2N3,
. . . . H5N1
197T (AcT) Malaysia4039, swH1N2
198A synonymous (GCc) KO_Seoul1870_2009_12_18_TmX
198V Malaysia5283, Malaysia9117
198G (GgA) BeijingXuanwu1945 (86T, 178M), Tomsk07 (131P, 225G)
. . . . WSN33,
. . . . H3N8 eqHeilongjiang10_2008,
. . . . H6N1,
. . . . H7N7 ext
199N (aAT) GuangdongSWL28, Milan80, Milan83, Iceland176,
. . . . S9, S7, M7, Sask, H5 (aCT),
. . . . H1N1 (1943, 46, 51) (aCT)
199D synonymous (GAc) swine Illinois, H5, H9N2
200A synonymous (GCc) swOR4060, S5
200T (aCA) FL31, RomaniaTimis2018, Australia (6), Asia (15),
. . . . MilanUSHR1, Bilthoven4360901004,
. . . . ShizuokaC247_2009_11_08, H5, KO_Seoul1785_2009_11_TmX,
. . . . NepalNP09A294,
. . . . KuwaitN12991_2009_08_24,
. . . . tkDeutsche, swDeutsche,
. . . . H9N2
200S (tCA) NY1999_2010_01_18, NY0461, NY6945, NY5276,
. . . . NC57, SC46, WiscD0780, WiscS1338, NJ11, DC_INS31,
. . . . China,
. . . . MadridINS186 (373H), OdenseINS177 (286E)
. . . . cheetahCA30954
. . . . H11 Avian tCt ext, tCc ext including dkViet2009
201H (cAT) Wisc1140, Darwin2140,
. . . . H3N8 (cAa, cga), H7N7 (cta, ctg)
202A (GcT) MXinDRE797 2010 TmX (280A, syn321L, 324I), IA14, KY25,
. . . . HK34360, Guangdong2282 (131P, 230I, 244I, 275A),
. . . . LiaoningShuncheng1145, LiaoningShuncheng1148 (131P, 230I, 244I, 275A),
. . . . Bilthoven4310901550 (89G), Bilthoven4360903104 (89G),
. . . . H9N2 (AcA, AcG)
202V synonymous (GTa) JiangsuXiaguan1411
202V synonymous (GTc) YAMAGATA778, YAMAGATA803, swIllinois,
. . . . H1N1 (1943, 46, 51)
203S (TcT) Non-PF11 Sask, S9, S7, M7, 1918, WSN33
204V synonymous (GTa) PA31, SHIZUOKA1573, 1918, S7
204V synonymous (GTa) TexasJMS367_2009_11_12, PA31,
. . . . AfghanN10767_2009_09, AfghanN10974_2009_09,
. . . . KuwaitN13111_2009_09_23,
. . . . Shizuoka1573, Niedersachsen34, RheinlandPfalz86,
. . . . 1918, S9, S7, M7, Sask,
. . . . H9N2 Israel 2009, H9N2 Iran 2008
205G synonymous (GGa) Texas76C2, Wisc (4),
. . . . AfghanN09836_2009_08, TurkeyTR19_2009 (233H)
. . . . Slovenia5662, Slovenia5711,
. . . . Iceland162M (225G), Iceland162Siat3 (225G),
. . . . tkDeutsche, swDeutsche,
. . . . S5, H3N8 (tCa), H9N2 (GCa), H6N1 (GGa), H7N7 (GGa)
205E (GaG) BadenWurttemberg8_2010, ShizuokaC247_2009_11_08
. . . . Alabama03_2010_03_01 mix,
. . . . H11 (Gat), H7N7 (Gaa), H7N7 dkVictoria1976 (GaG)
205W (tGG) Brno216_2009
206A CatS1161
206T (ACA) Extensive
206T (ACt) Georgia670_2010 (Europe)
207S synonymous (TCg) California01_2010,
. . . . Avian H2N3,
. . . . H7N7 mallCalHKWF1971_2007 plus 5
208K (AaA) US, UK, Canada, HK, MX, Italy (2), Australia (12), Asia (5),
. . . . BahrainN11890_2009_10, BahrainN11892_2009_10, Dakar 2010 (3)
. . . . Cyprus5870_2010 (214R, 225E, 324I),
. . . . swOR4060
208S Australia43, Australia45, H6N1
208G (gGA) NY6292, HubeiWuchang1407,
. . . . Avian H4N6, H9N2 (gaA)
208T Norway3440
208R synonymous (AGg) TexasJMS385_2009
209Y synonymous (TAt) ShanxiWanbolin337
209D NorthDakota15
210S synonymous (AGt) Bogota0466N, Malaysia9131, H9N2 (Aat)
210G (gGC) Bilthoven4360903119 (225E)
210N Texas76C2, H1N1 (1943, 46, 51)
211K (AAa) synonymous MXinDRE50617 (225G), Niedersachsen330
211R swOR4060_2009_12_31, 1918, H1N1 (1943, 46, 51)
212R swOR4060_2009_12_31, 1918, H1N1 (1943, 46, 51)
212E Vlad01 (225G), Argentina8574_41, IN21, HI30, Malaysia4039,
. . . . Latvia122498 (225G), Iwate1093
212N ME15
212T Anadyr177_F (225G), CA07X179, CA07X181
212K synonymous (AAa) NY1999_2010_01_18, NY0461, TexasJMS404_2009,
. . . . AfghanN11216_2009_10_16
213L TX15, Iowa04_2010, H5N1
213F synonymous (TTt) NY3230_2010_01_25 (100N, 159K), StPete99 (225E),
. . . . Sachsen156, IsraelMF4683, Georgia4805 (35I), Georgia670_2010 (165R)
214K synonymous (AAa) CalifVRDL81 (100N, 135I), San DiegoINS101_2009, NM13,
. . . . Iran20001, Iraq2587, CatS1937, ENG620,
. . . . China22811, GuangdongFutian1480,
. . . . NagasakiHA1015_2010_02_01 (135E, 377K),
. . . . NagasakiHA1017_2010_02_08 (135E, 377K, syn496A, 550K),
. . . . S5, H9N2
214E Kurgan01, Moldova (3), swOR4060_2009_12_31
214N ENG92960012, SHIZUOKA1514, Hessen48
214Q Wisc0936 (237L)
214R (AgG) Cyprus5870_2010 (208K, 225E, 324I)
215P synonymous (CCa) NY2372_2010_01_20 (233H), San DiegoINS101_2009,
. . . . Kuwait (4), SC33, Eng616, BZ_Bahia15525_42M_f (RRT),
. . . . NepalNP09A284, Thai0440, GuangdongyunchengSWL51,
. . . . swHK_2299_2009_10_22, swHK_NS1583_2009_10_22
215P synonymous (CCt) NY_WC37RG, MO02, Eng256, Lisboa171 (324I, 373H)
216E synonymous (GAg) BadenWurttemberg490_xL, Hamburg14_xL,
. . . . Thuringen189_xL, Thuringen227_xL, Bilthoven4360903109,
. . . . Moldova (4), Belarus, Bosnia (3, 225G),
. . . . Bulgaria1369 (99T), Ostrava221_2010,
. . . . Iraq2587, Indiana,
. . . . tn, H9N2 (GTg)
217M (ATg) CalifVRDL99 (syn97D, syn147F, 377K, syn429L)
218A synonymous (GCg) Belarus, GhanaN12987_2009_10,
. . . . H9N2 (GGg), H6N1
218A synonymous (GCt) Nebraska02_2010, Iraq2587,
. . . . WSN33
218E Texas77 (159S, syn173G, 275A, 377K, 454I)
218S (tCA) Georgia07_2010 mix
218T (aCA) Hiroshima201 (225G), KuwaitN12991_2009_08_24
. . . . BelgiumG4751_2009 mix, Latvia237_2010 mix (377K)
218V (GTa) GuangdongyunchengSWL51, Malaysia (2 mix wt)
218V (GTc) swIll02930, 2931, 2932, 2937 (2009-12-29, 30)
219I synonymous (ATt) Calif_SDINS35, CalifVRDL84 (35I), NY6939 (35I),
. . . . Ancona451_f, Lyon2490, Poitiers3691 (35I), Valladolid35 (35I),
. . . . RheinlandPfalz81, Berlin210, BadenWurttemberg511,
. . . . Saarland21 (35I), Luxembourg184_2010 (35I), Luxembourg251_2010 (35I),
. . . . Dakar 2010 (4, 35I), Cameroon463 (35I),
. . . . H5N1 (Act), H6N1 (gct, gat)
219T (AcA) Wisc0134 (225E), Ontario315107 (225E),
. . . . RomaISS223, TessenderloINS191,
. . . . Korea3623_2009_11_09 (131P, 226R, 280A),
. . . . swOR4060_2009_12_31
220R synonymous (AGg) Florida02_2010, Mexico476, MexCtCIA4,
. . . . Malaysia9451,
. . . . H6N1
221P synonymous (CCa) WiscD0780
221P synonymous (CCt) Non-PF11 tkDeutsche, swDeutsche
222R (AgA) ThaiTHB0405, ThaiTHB0408
223V synonymous (GTa) Utah59, ThaiTHB0390
. . . . H1N1 (1943, 1946, 1951),
. . . . H6N1 mallSweden30/2005
223M CA33
224K SC18_VxX, Melbourne1_1946
224M NY5186
225D synonymous (GAc) HubeiWuchang1418,
. . . . swHK_NS1809_2009_12_03, swHK_NS1810_2009_12_03
225N BZ_SP53838, Ukraine mix wt, Victoria2125, Malaysia8860
. . . . Neimenggu-Hangjinhouqi51, EgyptN14648_2009_11,
. . . . IrelandM79555, IrelandM79556,
. . . . BadenWurttemberg502, et al
225E Extensive on multiple backgrounds, incl Kuwait, Ghana and Egypt.
. . . . Denmark1341 (158E, 264V), Cyprus5870_2010 (208K, 214R, 324I),
. . . . LaReunion3479, Morocco1088H (300S)
225G LvivN6_VxX with syn413K, UkDnip273 (GgT mix wt),
. . . . YaroslavlIIV196_2009_12_04_f (89G & 4 silent H5N1 changes),
. . . . TurkeyTR20 (324I), Thessaloniki791_2010 mix (186P, syn233Y, 324I, 377K),
. . . . Latvia121488_2009 (377K), Georgia4484_2009 (158E, 377K),
. . . . Iceland162M, Iceland162Siat3, Denmark1900,
. . . . China mix,
. . . . NY7216 (148F),
. . . . H1N1 (1943, 46, 51),
. . . . H6N1,
. . . . H9N2
225G (Gga) RomaISS1897 & 1941, EgyptVacsera138,
. . . . EgyptN14644_2009_11_01, ex225E all with 300S, H6N1
225E+226R Russia (3), GermanyBY74, swMX4
226R synonymous (CAg) Alabama08, Texas45033567, Texas45131305,
. . . . S7, M7, S5, tn
226R Alabama01_2010, Trabzon01 (Turkey), GermanyMVHGW4_2009_12,
. . . . Korea3623_2009_11_09 (131P, 280A), China,
. . . . catItaly304678_2_2009_12_17_f, et al
227E synonymous (GAg) Wisc (10), Texas45130742,
. . . . Paris2573, Paris2590,
. . . . Avian H2 (Ggg)
227A swOR4060_2009_12_31, tkDeutsche, swDeutsche,
. . . . NJ11_1976_X53A, 1918,
. . . . H1N1 (1943, 46, 51)
227V (GtA) RomaISS50
227G (GgA) Utah20_VxX mix, Avian H2
228G synonymous (GGa) Arizona06, Lisboa108 (225E, syn346G),
. . . . Valladolid35 (35I),
. . . . GhanaFS1982 (syn139C, 206T, 261K, 296H, syn346G, 377K),
. . . . GhanaFS2206 (syn139C, 206T, 261K, 296H, syn346G),
. . . . ShanxiPingding351
. . . . S9, S7, M7, S5,
. . . . H5N1
229R synonymous (AGg) swMX04 (225G, 226R), SichuanDongqu1818,
. . . . H6N1
230I (ATc) Sask, S9, S7, H6N1 (4), H7N7
230I (ATa) Wisc0337_2009_12_15 (275A, 377K),
. . . . H1N1 (1943, 46, 51),
. . . . H5N1 Gharbiyah 80% CFR,
. . . . H3N8
230I (ATt) Guangdong2282 (131P, 202A, 244I, 275A),
. . . . LiaoningShuncheng1148 (131P, 202A, 244I, 275A),
. . . . H5N1, H6N1,
. . . . H7N7,
. . . . H9N2
230V (gTG) TexasJMS369_2009
231N synonymous (AAt) NY3230_2010_01_25 (100N, 159K),
. . . . CalifVRDL36 mix (273K), Lisboa104
231D Ankara05, OSAKA2143, GuangxiQinnan1187,
. . . . H6N1,
. . . . H9N2 2008
231K (AAa) Wisc0853, Wisc1915, Wisc2337
. . . . WiscD0740 (22I, 176I, 188I, 277N, syn413K)
232Y synonymous (TAc) NY7216 (148F, 225G), TexasJMS386_2009,
. . . . Florida30, PuertoRico51,
. . . . S9, S7, M7, Sask,
. . . . H5N1, H6N1,
. . . . H9N2
233Y synonymous (TAt) AthensINS85,
. . . . Thessaloniki788_2010 (194I, 324I, 377K),
. . . . Thessaloniki791_2010 mix (186P, 225G, 324I, 377K),
. . . . Hiroshima645,
. . . . H6N1,
. . . . H9N2 2008
233H (cAC) NC Duke TmX cluster (5, mix, 225G, 225N), NY2372_2010_01_20,
. . . . AZ17 & Australia6, TurkeyTR19_2009 (syn205G),
. . . . swHK_189_2010_01_07
235A CatNS7632, CalifVRDL55
235I Wisc2489
236L synonymous (CTg) Wisc0099, H9N2 (gTg)
236V Eng93120020, ENG645, H9N2, H6N1
237I Delaware02_2010, Cal_SDINS69, England (2),
. . . . Russia (4), Asia (4), MadridINS185 (447K)
237L Wisc0936 (214Q), 1918, H1N1 (1943, 46, 51),
. . . . tn, H5N1, H6N1,
. . . . H9N2
237V synonymous (GTg) Pennsylvania31, KuwaitN13111_2009_09_23,
. . . . AfghanN10767_2009_09, AfghanN10974_2009_09,
. . . . H9N2 (TTg), M7 (CTg)
238G (GgG) AthensINS161 (89G, 152L)
238D Kaliningrad01 (225E+226R), tn
238K (aAG) Wisc2485 (225E), DjiboutiN13142_2009_12_08, Spain (3),
. . . . OrenburgIIV13_2010_03_02_xL_f (225G), China,
. . . . swOR4060,
. . . . H1N1 Iowa_1943,
. . . . H5N1, H6N1,
. . . . H9N2 2008
238E synonymous (GAa) Extensive Wisc2424, EgyptN14648_2009_11,
. . . . Latvia122498, ThaiTHA0364, ShanxiChengqu547,
. . . . Cyprus5800_2010, HvidovreINS141,
. . . . SC01_2010, MN01_2010,
. . . . H9N2 (aAa), H6N1 (aAa)
239P synonymous (CCt) ENG621, NY6939, swOR4060_2009_12_31
239P synonymous (CCa) Ancona508PG, Russia180, Australia60,
. . . . MS09, NV20, ME01_2010, tn,
. . . . H6N1
. . . . H9N2
240G synonymous (GGg) DC_INS24,
. . . . S9, S7, M7, Sask,
. . . . H6N1 (GGg),
. . . . H9N2
240G synonymous (GGc) Wisc0636,
. . . . H9N2 (GGc)
240E (GaA) Brandenburg34
241D synonymous (GAt) CatS1943, Colombia4117, swIll (3), S7, M7, tn, H5
241G NH17, ENG93040048
241E China22811, H9N2 (CAa, CAg), H6N1 (GAa, GAg)
242K synonymous (AAg) swOR4060_2009_12_31
244I ThaiCU_H9, Shiga1, Guangdong2282 (131P, 202A, 230I, 275A),
. . . . LiaoningShuncheng1148 (131P, 202A, 230I, 275A),
. . . . Ancona02, Stockholm29,
. . . . Alabama03_2010,
. . . . H1N1 (1946, 51), S9, S7, M7, Sask
244T synonymous (ACt) CatS1935, CatS2120
245F synonymous (TTt) Aswan2288 (189T, 377K)
246E synonymous (GAg) NorthCarolina56 (100N, syn137A, 377K),
. . . . S7, M7, 1918, tn,
. . . . H5N1
246G (GgA) Iceland163_2009 mix (159D)

The truth is in the sequences.

Update on H1N1 in Malaysia: 731 Cases in 20 Days

April 19th, 2010: 13,158 cases (http://tinyurl.com/y64orq7)

20 days later....

May 9th, 2010: 13,889 cases (http://tinyurl.com/39cjp57)

BP suffers snag in Gulf oil containment effort

Erwin Seba

ROBERT, Louisiana

Sat May 8, 2010 8:34pm EDT

ROBERT, Louisiana (Reuters) - BP Plc suffered a setback on Saturday in an attempt to contain oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico with a huge metal dome when crystallized gas filled the structure, a blow to hopes of a quick, temporary solution to a growing environmental disaster.

Word of the snag came as balls of tar appeared in waters off a popular Alabama island beach in what may be the first evidence of spilled oil washing into a populated area.

BP engineers have moved the four-story containment dome -- which was seen as the best short-term way to stem the flow from a ruptured oil well -- off to the side on the sea floor and will take two days trying to come up with a solution, Doug Suttles, chief operating officer, told reporters.

The problem is gas hydrates, essentially slushy methane gas that would block the oil from being siphoned out the top of the box. As BP tries to solve it, oil keeps flowing unchecked into the Gulf in what could be the worst U.S. oil spill.

"I wouldn't say it's failed yet. What I would say is what we attempted to do last night didn't work because these hydrates plugged up the top of the dome," Suttles said.

"What we're currently doing, and I suspect it will probably take the next 48 hours or so, is saying, 'Is there a way to overcome this problem?'"

The company, under pressure from the Obama administration to limit the damage to the Gulf and coastlines of four states, expected hydrates, but not the volumes encountered after a crew lowered the dome nearly a mile to the sea floor.

Possible solutions may involve heating the area or adding methanol to break up the hydrates, Suttles said.

Officials had already warned there was no guarantee that the technology would work at such water depth. It hopes to attach a pipe to the 98-ton dome to pump oil to a tanker, with the aim of capturing about 85 percent of the leaking crude.

The spill threatens an economic and ecological disaster targeting beaches, wildlife refuges and fishing in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. It has forced President Barack Obama to rethink plans to open more waters to drilling.

On Dauphin Island, Alabama, a barrier island and beach resort full of weekend swimmers and beachcombers, workers assisting the protection operation found tar balls and tar beads washing ashore on Saturday.

They will be tested to determine if they come from the oil slick in the Gulf. Such balls were not uncommon and previously had washed up on the Gulf coast.

"No, we cannot confirm that it's from the oil spill, but we certainly assume that to be the case. We won't know for certain until some tests are completed," Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier said.

The only shore contact so far has been in the uninhabited Chandeleur Islands off Louisiana, mostly a wildlife reserve.

"I have never seen this and I am here once a week every summer. This is the first time I have seen any thing like this here," said Molly Hunter, 34, of Mobile, holding up a chunk of tar about the size of an open hand.

RELIEF WELL

Suttles said BP may now try to plug up the damaged blowout preventor on the well or attach a new one on top of it.

It also is drilling a relief well to halt the leak -- which began after the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded on April 20, killing 11 crew members -- but it could take three months.

In the initial blast, a natural gas cloud enveloped the rig and exploded just as visiting BP officials were celebrating seven accident-free years in the rig's crew quarters, according to accounts by survivors of the blast.

According to transcripts of interviews obtained by Robert Bea, a University of California Berkeley engineering professor, a giant methane bubble rushed up the drill pipe and filled the air above the deck of the drilling platform with flammable gas, followed by a scalding flood of crude that spilled onto the drill deck and ignited.

After several days of calm weather, winds began to pick up on Saturday, preventing controlled burns of the thickest concentrations of oil. Crews conducted five burns on Friday.

Nearly 200 boats deployed protective booms and used dispersants to break up the thick oil on Saturday. Crews have laid almost 900,000 feet of boom, and spread 267,000 gallons (1 million liters) of chemical dispersant.

In Bayou La Batre, the heart of Alabama's seafood industry, the docks were largely quiet as thousands of shrimpers and seafood processors remained idled by fishing restrictions.

About 30 oyster-processing plants have run out of product and shut down, putting as many as 900 people out of work, said Wayne Eldridge, owner of J&W Marine Enterprises and an oyster plant operator himself.

"I'm screwed," Eldridge said. "The biggest thing is I've got 35 people unemployed there."

LIABILITY

BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward said a $75 million legal cap on the liabilities for economic damages under federal law, which some U.S. lawmakers now want to raise, would not be a limit and renewed promises to meet all "legitimate" claims.

BP suffered another blow on Friday when ratings agency Standard & Poor's lowered its outlook to negative from stable and indicated a ratings downgrade was likely.

S&P also cut its outlook for Anadarko Petroleum Corp, which has a 25 percent stake in the ill-fated well, to stable from positive, saying it is "potentially liable for significant costs and liabilities relating to the clean-up."

Oil has been gushing into the Gulf at a rate estimated at a minimum of 5,000 barrels (210,000 gallons/795,000 liters) a day since the well ruptured. Ian MacDonald, biological oceanographer at Florida State University, told Reuters this figure was too conservative, putting his guess as high as 25,000 barrels (1.05 million gallons/4 million liters) a day.

In New Orleans, about 200 people holding banners saying "Clean It Up" protested on Saturday against BP, the spill and its environmental consequences.

The rally, organized by the environmental group Sierra Club, is one of a series of demonstrations due to take place across the country in the next 10 days, organizers said.

A sheen of oil has engulfed much of the Chandeleur Islands, barrier islands that are part of Louisiana's Breton National Wildlife Refuge, the first confirmation of the oil slick hitting land. Some oiled birds have been found in recent days.

Update on NAMRU-3 Sequences from Egypt

I've gone a search within Egypt, and also on google for NAMRU-3 HA NA Sequences. There is absolutely nothing out there.

11th outbreak of foot-and-mouth verified

2010/05/08 11:34

• 

Korea’s Food Ministry confirmed a new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease yesterday at a cattle farm in Cheongyang, South Chungcheong, the 11th since the first reappearance of the disease here on April 9.

The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said that a cow at the farm started showing symptoms of the illness, including blisters on the nose, on Thursday, and that tests conducted by the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service were positive.


An official with the South Chungcheong Province government said quarantine officials “have culled the 20 animals raised at the farm, as well as some 80 other animals raised at eight other cattle farms within a 500-meter [547-yard] radius.”

The location of the latest confirmed outbreak is just 3.2 kilometers (2.0 miles) from the region’s state-run livestock and veterinary science institute, which confirmed an outbreak just last week.

The proximity raises concerns about Korea’s quarantine measures, as experts categorize anywhere 3 to 10 kilometers from an outbreak as an “alert area.”

Meanwhile, Food Minister Chang Tae-pyong told a radio show yesterday morning, “The FMD virus is known to be transmitted through humans and vehicles.” He vowed to “strengthen restrictions on human and vehicle traffic in and out of the areas where the outbreak took place.”

As of early this week, Korea had slaughtered and buried almost 50,000 livestock from 361 farms, incurring costs of more than 55 billion won ($49 million).


Foot-and-mouth disease affects all cloven-hooved animals including cattle, pigs, deer, goats and buffalo.

For its high contagiousness and impact on trade, FMD is classified as a “List A” disease by the Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health.


Late April the Korean government raised the alert level to red, the highest in its four-level system.

It was the first time the red level had been used since a foot-and-mouth disease alert system was adopted in 2004.


Korea was hit twice before by the disease in 2000 and 2002, with its losses reaching 301 billion won and 144 billion won, respectively.

Egypt: Official Involved In Smuggling birds & animals to Israel

The H5N1 in birds in Ein Gedi, Israel, reported here becomes very interesting. Here's a map of the area:


Doing some research on the area, I found this:

The weather conditions also make Ein Gedi a meeting and mating ground for a wide range of mammals, many of which make their way from the arid desert region nearby in the hopes of finding food and shelter. Birds flock to Ein Gedi for the same reasons, with more than 400 species of birds in situ during migration seasons, making Ein Gedi a birdwatcher's paradise.
http://www.arzaworld.com/israel-travel-guide/israel-travel-destinations/ein-gedi.aspx

And there is the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve:

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve visitors have access to the adjacent nature reserve for viewing bird sanctuaries and wildlife of the desert

Also, we have this out of Egypt today:

Was sealing his office and close the center "Danesh" in South Sinai
Minister of the Environment to stop the official involved in the smuggling of rare birds out
Saturday, May 8th, 2010 - 17:38

An informed source told within the Ministry of Environment stated that it was sealing the office of Dr. At least Mr., file official ministry's bird flu, after his involvement and his brother in a network of smuggling of birds and animals to Israel, after his arrest as he uses one of the cars belonging to the Ministry of Environment and plates Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

The source added that the minister took the decision to stop At least Mr. working, and the closure of all offices of official reserves in the ministry, pending the examination by the prosecution, the police bodies and the environment in Sharm El-Sheikh in coordination with the Department of Protected Areas and the Security Directorate of South Sinai has been able to adjust the car of the Ministry of the environment, during attempt to sell 102 of the snakes and rare birds to the center "Danesh-House" who specializes in the sale of birds and wildlife.

And his office declined to Maged George comment on the case or disclose any information about the official involved in the smuggling network of wildlife, arguing that the case is now in the hands of the judiciary, may not speak it.

[Contact me for the site]

Egypt: In the scientific symposium on bird flu Beni Suef

May 8, 2010

The secretariat of the National Party Beni Suef expanded seminar on avian flu at the Hall of agricultural extension in Beni Suef, attended by more than one hundred and twenty participants from gender

This was said Noor Huda Aleem attorney member of the National Party, said that Dr. Sabri fully, professor of virology and immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, confirmed that the virus HN turn to 144 types of virus and the human being in a natural state does not accept only human influenza, but with a mutation of the virus begins vulnerability

He added that to avoid HIV infection and lifting is the way of confrontation, stressing that the immune achieved a great deal of fruit, vegetables and healthy eating habits and avoid chemicals, maintaining the growth rates of normal hours with a 8:6 to avoid tension and emotion

Dr Syed Abdul Rahman the director of veterinary medicine in that the virus is avian influenza spread in the air for a distance of 2 km .. The Directorate carried out a vaccination and executed a lot of birds infected referring to the complete prohibition on Educational Cities and take strict measures and controls Educational villages, adding that the birds frozen properties not different from live birds and retain the full nutritional value

, Mohamed Kulaawi secretary-general of the province, refrigerated, frozen turkeys are available from outlets liars and armed forces, has been assigned the work of the Social Fund loans worth ten thousand to bring the stores that sell live birds .. He called women leaders to assume their responsibilities in the Call and Guidance 2000 meeting was chaired by Mohamed Saad Information Secretary National Party in the governorate.

[contact me for the link]

Recombinomics: Fixing of 125del In Human H5N1 In Egypt

Regarding the post below entitled:

NAMRU-3 gene discovered among humans with the H5N1 virus in Egypt

I am posting the original which is from Recombinomics.

Recombinomics Commentary 22:22
May 6, 2010

NAMRU-3 has recently released HA and NA sequences from recent H5N1 cases in Egypt (11 from 2009 and 12 from 2010). All 23 HA sequences had 125del (3 BP deletion), indicating the deletion is becoming fixed in human H5N1 in Egypt. An earlier paper, “Characterization of conserved properties of hemagglutinin of H5N1 and human influenza viruses: possible consequences for therapy and infection control” had noted similarities between H5N1and seasonal H1N1, raising concerns of increased human transmission (H2H) of H5N1 with 125del. This concern was increased by the recent paper describing the detection of H5N1 in donkeys and serological evidence of widespread H5N1 antibodies in donkeys.

Concerns of human to human H5N1 transmission in Egypt were raised when mild cases in children were reported in the spring of 2007. Several had the 3 BP deletion and sequences were closely related. There children had a mild course, which did not include pneumonia.

In early 2009, mild cases were reported in toddlers. The large number of cases reduced the case fatality rate for H5N1 in 2009 to approximately 10%. The sequences from these toddlers also had 125del, which was followed by the most recent 23 sequences which were from the summer of 2009 to March 31, 2010.

Poultry H5N1 sequences collected in the past year were more diverse and included vaccine resistant H5N1. However, all human sequences contained 125del and many of the 2010 sequences were closely related to each other raising additional concerns that H5N1 is transmitting H2H.

Since Egypt does not H5N1 test patients who do not have a poultry contact, the full extent of H5N1 remains largely unknown. Serological testing has been discussed for over a year. During that time a serological survey on donkeys was conducted, which showed widespread antibodies in donkey serum.

Results for a comparable test in humans, using a 125del H5N1 target is long overdue.

Media Links

NAMRU-3 gene discovered among humans with the H5N1 virus in Egypt

[Note: The embedded story, within this Egyptian story, is included at the bottom]


NAMRU-3 gene discovered among humans with the H5N1 virus in Egypt
Saturday, May 8th, 2010 - 17:43



Discovered the laboratories of the Research Unit, U.S. NAMRU-3, of the U.S. Navy in Egypt, the existence of viral sequences in cases of bird flu (H5N1) virus similar to the characteristics of seasonal flu transmitted between humans, raising fears the spread of the virus.

Where they found NAMRU-3 on the sequences Sub-HA and NA in the cases examined in Egypt (11 cases in 2009, and 12 cases in 2010), and found that the 23 cases included A seldom explored characteristic of existing seasonal influenza virus and transmitted between humans, which indicates that these character began to become fixed in the virus in Egypt.

The study had been conducted earlier had shown the existence of similarities between the H5N1 and seasonal influenza H1N1, which has led to growing concerns about the transmission of the virus among humans, especially those cases, which included one of the genetic traits which were found in cases that have been examined.

She had raised fears of HIV transmission among humans, after the discovery of a number of cases among children in 2007, which mostly contains the same genetic character, and appeared at the time the symptoms of moderate disease, were infected with pneumonia.

It is worth mentioning that the NAMRU-3, working with the Egyptian Ministry of Health in the analysis of samples suspected of being infected with influenza viruses present.

[Note: The following story was taken from this site: http://www.recombinomics.com/News/05061003/H5N1_125del_Fix.html ]

Fixing of 125del In Human H5N1 In Egypt
Fri May 7 13:52
Recombinomics has the story.

NAMRU-3 has recently released HA and NA sequences from recent H5N1 cases in Egypt (11 from 2009 and 12 from 2010). All 23 HA sequences had 125del (3 BP deletion), indicating the deletion is becoming fixed in human H5N1 in Egypt. An earlier paper, “Characterization of conserved properties of hemagglutinin of H5N1 and human influenza viruses: possible consequences for therapy and infection control” had noted similarities between H5N1and seasonal H1N1, raising concerns of increased human transmission (H2H) of H5N1 with 125del. This concern was increased by the recent paper describing the detection of H5N1 in donkeys and serological evidence of widespread H5N1 antibodies in donkeys.

Concerns of human to human H5N1 transmission in Egypt were raised when mild cases in children were reported in the spring of 2007. Several had the 3 BP deletion and sequences were closely related. There children had a mild course, which did not include pneumonia.

In early 2009, mild cases were reported in toddlers. The large number of cases reduced the case fatality rate for H5N1 in 2009 to approximately 10%. The sequences from these toddlers also had 125del, which was followed by the most recent 23 sequences which were from the summer of 2009 to March 31, 2010.

Poultry H5N1 sequences collected in the past year were more diverse and included vaccine resistant H5N1. However, all human sequences contained 125del and many of the 2010 sequences were closely related to each other raising additional concerns that H5N1 is transmitting H2H.

Since Egypt does not H5N1 test patients who do not have a poultry contact, the full extent of H5N1 remains largely unknown. Serological testing has been discussed for over a year. During that time a serological survey on donkeys was conducted, which showed widespread antibodies in donkey serum.

Results for a comparable test in humans, using a 125del H5N1 target is long overdue.
http://beforeitsnews.com/news/41/063/Fixing_of_125del_In_Human_H5N1_In_Egypt.html

Mexico strengthens fight against pandemics and bioterrorism

Spanish to English translation

Mexico strengthens fight against pandemics and bioterrorism

We can confirm in at least two days the presence of SARS, flu, or new strains. It has the backing of the United States and will process up to 30 samples daily.

Fri, 07/05/2010 - 09:52

Fifty scientists, well equipped, will work on the detection of infectious agents. Image: Oswaldo Ramírez After seven years of programming, Mexico has the first Laboratory Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3), supported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) United States, which will detect, in less 48 hours, new pandemic viruses and bioterrorism aimed at places like the U.S. embassy.

Alpuche Celia, director of the National Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference (INDRE), explained that U.S. diplomatic representation in Mexico usually sent for analysis envelopes that come with "strange powders" and they fear that it may be Anthrax.

"They still have dust coming envelopes are rare and anguish that go through the U.S. Embassy, we have come inches, three or four a year," he said during a tour of the new facilities of small BSL3 laboratory, which was a cost of 12 million pesos, but the maintenance will be over 500 million.

Pending completion of construction of 35 thousand meters of surface in new INDRE Silversmiths (around 2011 and have the ability to process more than 3000 samples), this new, small laboratory is key to national security, even though in practice can only process 30 samples per day, ranging from common viruses such as rubella, measles and dengue, to the detection of new infectious strains.

"It's like a national security shield for more health information, timely and quality, and prevent the spread of diseases of suspected, consequential or bioterrorism, such as Anthrax, tularemia, or rabbit fever, Francisella tularensis, which is highly virulent , including the H5N1 avian influenza and highly resistant crops microbasterias or hemorrhagic fevers, "he said.

INDRE director said Friday he will meet with authorities Research Center for National Security (Cisen) to report on the draft protection against a possible bioterrorist attack and, in parallel, we will work to shield the border between Mexico and the United States and Guatemala .

The BSL3 laboratory, which will start operating in three weeks and has 500 surface 7000, a team of 50 scientists prepared and well equipped, have the opportunity to sequence all types of viruses, to detect whether these are new agents that can trigger a pandemic in the country and even for preparing the antigens necessary.

"We will be able to grow any kind of virus and be more self-sufficient to produce antigens," in addition "we have internationally standardized techniques. Any diagnosis faster and will allow us to defend ourselves against any attack (bioterrorism), before we had to send samples abroad. Another situation is that this laboratory will have international credibility, we belong to the CDC network, "he said Alpuche.

The facilities are sealed in such a way that prevents leaks out viruses that might compromise or society. "The idea is to sequence the entire virus and detect whether it is a new agent that could trigger a pandemic in the country."

The new laboratory will operate in conjunction with the existing ones in Veracruz and Sonora, which have not yet endorsed by the CDC.

On cases of H1N1 virus, the official mentioned that it is minimal and that of ten samples are only two confirmatory.

- Keys

Influenza

• So far, Mexico has recorded 72 000 502 confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1, and according to the Ministry of Health has been 8,009 deaths.

• The economic impact of the pandemic, since the alert was declared on April 23, 2009, exceeded 4 percent of GDP, following the closure of borders by various countries.

• Given the possibility of release WHO pandemic alert, the INER are warned that cases of H1N1, and most of them are from people without risk factors, ie healthy.
Mexico • Blanca Valadez
http://www.milenio.com/node/438621

hat-tip Tonka

Oil Spill: Ship delays expected due spill, but none yet

Friday May 07, 2010 05:45:18 PM GMT

By Bruce Nichols

HOUSTON, May 7 (Reuters) - Shippers and ports on the Gulf of Mexico prepared Friday for a worst-case oil spill impact, including vessel delays for cleaning, but ships so far had passed through the mess without contamination, officials said.

"We have seen no impacts at all," said an oil trader for a major refiner that receives oil via the Gulf and Mississippi River. "If the oil gets to the mouth of the Mississippi, we think there may be some delays, but nothing substantial."

There could be some delays for ship cleaning from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama, if the spill spreads farther into shipping lanes, but officials hoped to avoid major slowdowns, said Judith Adams of the Alabama State Port Authority.

"We really need to try and keep commerce moving but also protect the environment," she said.

Onshore preparations accelerated Friday as oil kept spewing after the blowout and explosion of a BP Plc well in the Gulf off Louisiana April 20, killing 11 workers, sinking a drilling rig and spawning a giant oil spill.

A practice run cleaning a ship was undertaken on Friday at Southwest Pass, deepwater entrance to the Mississippi River and New Orleans, and a gated boom system was being installed at the entrance to Mobile Bay in Alabama as a precaution.

Sensitive areas were being boomed off without blocking ship channels at Pascagoula and Gulfport, Mississippi.

Winds, currents and a rising Mississippi River - due to flooding rains upstream - appeared favorable Friday for keeping the spill away from key Gulf shipping lanes, but officials cautioned conditions can change.

The spill had not seriously threatened the Mississippi-Alabama coast as of Friday, but it was onshore in parts of Louisiana, though it had not seriously marred the Mississippi River entrance as of Friday.

The practice cleaning of a vessel at Southwest Pass Friday was intended to streamline a system "almost like a carwash," said Captain Jason Bosley of the Associated Branch Pilots.

Sheen contamination can be hosed off in an hour or two, but dirtier ships might have to anchor at Pilottown or Boothville, Louisiana, and face delays up to two days, officials said.

Two cleaning boats were stationed at Southwest Pass, but more resources could be made available, and cleaning stations were being set up at other ports, officials said.

"This is not going to be voluntary. If a ship has oil on it, it is going to be cleaned," Bosley said, but he added "every effort is being made" to keep the process speedy.

One ship at Mobile and at least two others at the mouth of the Mississippi reported passing through the spill but were inspected and found not to be contaminated.

They may have benefited from the fact that the oil has been treated with dispersants, which are supposed to make the oil less sticky, Bosley said.

In Alabama, the boom across the bay entrance will be anchored by pilings but will have a tugboat-driven gate to let ships pass without letting oil into the bay, Adams said.

"What we're trying to do is protect the environment, but we still have a business to run," Mississippi State Port Director Don Allee said. (Additional reporting by Joshua Schneyer and Robert Gibbons in New York; Editing by John Picinich)

Gulf oil spill could reach Louisiana Offshore Oil Port next week

By The Associated Press
May 07, 2010, 2:16PM

The LOOP marine terminal, shown here in 2007, is 18 miles offshore in 110 feet of Gulf of Mexico water south of Port Fourchon

Oil gushing from a blown-out well at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico could force closure of the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port next week, authorities said Friday.

The port, known as LOOP, is a platform off the Louisiana coast about 80 miles southwest of New Orleans. It is one of the leading facilities for imported oil, handling up to 1.2 million barrels a day and feeding half the nation's refinery capacity.

Tankers that are too large to enter the Mississippi River pull up to the facility and hook into a pipeline system that sends their oil to onshore refineries, including those lining the Mississippi north of New Orleans.

Current projections show the oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon disaster could reach the port next week, said Sale Sittig, director of the Louisiana Oil Terminal Authority, an oversight body for LOOP.

"It definitely could be shut down if the heavy oil gets in the vicinity of the platform," Sittig said.

The Coast Guard would determine whether LOOP would be shut down. The port has never closed for an extended period since its inception in the 1970s, though it has closed briefly for hurricanes.

A long closure almost certainly would send gasoline prices higher, Sittig said.

"We're open, we're operational," said LOOP spokeswoman Barb Hesterman. She said the Coast Guard currently has no plans to shut the port.

Phil Flynn, energy analyst with PFG Best in Chicago, said temporary LOOP shutdowns in the past haven't moved prices much.

"A short-term closure, might support prices for the short term but would not have a lasting impact," he said.

If the port were to close for a longer period, the federal government could order oil drawn from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, he said.

Flynn said the biggest worry is shipping through the Mississippi's Southwest Pass, where finished gasoline and other fuels move out in small tankers for U.S. ports.

Interruption or delay in those supplies also could push gasoline prices up, he said. So far, the pass has remained open though officials are making preparations to scrub oily ships that might come into the river, a process that could back up ship traffic. As of midday Friday, port officials said traffic was flowing normally on the Mississippi.

Flynn said gasoline supplies are more than ample now, giving some breathing room in case of supply interruptions.

On Friday, oil traded around $76 a barrel, down from an 18-month high of $87.15 on Monday.

An Associated Press team saw a heavy band of putrid, orange and rust-colored oil snake its way into the LOOP security zone Thursday about 30 miles off Grand Isle. LOOP has a heavily guarded security zone. The AP team was not allowed to enter the security zone, which is patrolled by security ships.

Satellite imagery confirmed Friday that oil is moving west of the Mississippi River delta.

Late Thursday, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries ordered immediate closure of shrimp harvesting in state waters from South Pass of the Mississippi to the eastern shore of Four Bayous Pass just east of Grand Isle.

Earlier, state officials closed territorial waters east of the Mississippi and a federal fishing ban outside of state territorial waters is in effect from the mouth of the Mississippi east to an area south of Pensacola, Fla.

Vietnam: The country has discovered 154 communes, wards and towns with PRRS

Excerpts

05/07/2010

The Steering Committee meeting, epidemic prevention for livestock, poultry, 4-5 pm, Department of Animal Health said that so far, nationwide outbreak of blue ear appeared in 154 communes, wards and towns of 28 districts in 11 provinces.

Ha Nam Province:
According to the Animal Health Department of Ha Nam province, blue ear epidemic in the province are spread, there have been 640 pigs and 243 infected children have been destroyed.

Binh Dinh Province:
People's Committee to direct strengthening veterinary vaccine vaccinated against blue ear pig foot and mouth, mouth diseases (LMLM) in bovine organizing permanent 24/24 hours to detect and treat the transportation of meat and livestock disease in the provincial territory. So far, the province has 230,331 vaccinations for diseases LMLM buffaloes, cows, pigs vaccinated LMLM reached 52,056 children and cholera to 400 thousand pigs, complete vaccine for avian influenza near 3.5 million.

Facing the reality, the Prime Minister has issued Decision No. 573/QD-TTg, asking the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, production levels (no charge) Benkocid 20,000 liters of pesticides, 300,000 doses of vaccine the cholera situation in the national reserve, support two Thai Nguyen and Thai Binh and prevention and swine.


[contact me for the link]

Vietnam: Uncertified Poultry Sold Once More in HCMC

07/05/2010
Excerpts

Chanh Hung-Over District 8 [Chánh Hưng- Q.8], the way smoke and dust is also a point to familiar birds smuggled from the provinces of Long An, Tra Vinh, Tien Giang move up. Pool area before the Peace [ Hòa Bình], the two sides is always present in the poultry. Poultry legs tied, no cage lairage. Often, sellers will "display" chips three chickens, ducks do believe. Customers demand more, just wait five minutes will be found.

A sale of smuggled poultry located in residential areas. Photo: Son Trinh


On the motorbike, transport mainly, there is at least 10 caged piglets; finery found below the chickens and ducks tied as dead wood lying dormant. People here used to sell bags to haul chickens quarantined not going to sell to convenience, to avoid the attention of authorities.

For profit, many poultry merchants willing to fight back when authorities confiscated poultry in markets like Central America West [ Trung Mỹ Tây] smuggled chickens. In District 8 [Tại Q.8], although the last time county commission has to hang banners, propaganda slogans people, many times the military mopping subjects live poultry trade, but the functional forces leave the trade status was renewed.


Chickens, ducks smuggled on Tran Chanh Chieu (District 5, Ho Chi Minh City) [Trần Chánh Chiếu (Q.5, TP.HCM)]. Photo: Son Trinh


According to the report of the Sub-Department of Animal Health, Vietnam [TP.HCM] is now the province has over 130 sales points have not lived through poultry Quarantine.

Every week, Animal Health Department noted the county handle about 150-160 cases with exhibits from 700-800 handling birds of unknown origin. However, the situation of illegal poultry business in many areas is positive and have a tendency to increase.

[contact me for link]

WHO website launched for snakebite info

---

Friday, 07 May 2010 15:01 Will Baxter and Chhay Channyda

THE World Health Organisation launched a new website this week dedicated to information about venomous snakebites – a special concern for Cambodia, which lacks anti-venoms for many varieties, a WHO official said Thursday.

In Southeast Asia, Cambodia and Laos have the greatest need for appropriate antivenoms and education about the treatment of venomous snake bites, said Ana Padilla, a snake venom expert at the WHO.

Antivenoms, antidotes usually developed from snake venom, can prevent paralysis, amputation or death from snakebites, Padilla said.

According to a 2009 WHO report titled Snake Bite Management in Cambodia, “None of the antivenoms currently supplied to health facilities by the Ministry of Health are known to be effective against the venoms of Cambodian snake species.” The report recommended that at least three ineffective Indian-made antivenoms be immediately withdrawn from use in Cambodia for this reason.

“The antivenoms manufactured in Thailand are appropriate for the snake species in Cambodia,” Padilla said, adding, however, that there is very little reliable data available on snakebites or related deaths in Cambodia.

“The problems happen in the rural areas,” Padilla said. “Figures are often fragmented because they come from hospital-based assistance, but many of the victims of snakebites do not reach hospitals.”

The government should make the appropriate antivenoms available in clinic settings in rural communities, she added. One positive result of the 2009 report, Padilla said, is that “the Ministry of Health has made the snake bite problem a part of its agenda”.

Heng Bun Keat, director of the ministry’s Food and Drug Department, said he did not know how many snakebite cases or related deaths occurred in Cambodia each year. “Antivenom serums are available only at state hospitals,” he added.

According to the WHO, as many as 17 venomous snakes can be found in Cambodia.

Photo Release: Workers lower dome in water

GULF OF MEXICO - Crewmembers aboard the motor vessel Joe Griffin look on as the mobile offshore drilling unit Q4000 lowers a pollution containment chamber May 6, 2010. The chamber was designed to cap the oil discharge that was a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Kelley. GULF OF MEXICO - Oil washes onto the sides of a pollution containment chamber as the mobile offshore drilling unit Q4000 lowers it into the water at the Deepwater Horizon site, May 6, 2010. The chamber was designed to cap the oil discharge that was a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Kelley. GULF OF MEXICO - The mobile offshore drilling unit Q4000 lowers a pollution containment chamber into oily water at the Deepwater Horizon site May 6, 2010. The chamber was designed to cap the oil discharge that was a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Kelley. GULF OF MEXICO - The mobile offshore drilling unit Q4000 lowers a pollution containment chamber May 6, 2010. The chamber was designed to cap the oil discharge that was a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Kelley.

Translate pig "blue ear" threatened HCMC
Duc Cuong (05/07/2010 09:54)


Inter-city forces illegally detained pig disease to smuggle into the city by bus

Repeatedly in recent weeks, city authorities have discovered and seized several cases of illegal slaughtering pigs, pig disease illegal. In the context of epidemic pig "blue ear" gradually "Southward" and broke out violently, huge market with more than 8 million people at risk of becoming city where power consumption of these dangerous goods ...

Toddler died from bird flu,

Friday, May 7, 2010 14:45

Pekanbaru Agriculture Department has conducted laboratory tests on poultry speciment neighborhood children who died from bird flu. Negative result.

Riatuerkini-Pekanbaru-Head of Department of Agriculture Livestock Pekanbaru, Riyantoni to Riauterkini Friday (7/5/10) said that linked the death of four-year-old toddler, JE, Padang Bulan Village District residents Senapelan, it fell directly into the field to get spicement birds for examination.

According to him, from 150 spicement taken some time ago has been sent to the laboratory. The results revealed that out of 150 poultry spicement sent, none of the infected bird flu virus (Aviant Influenza/H5N1).

"We've got answers about the lab results spicement birds taken in the neighborhood JE, suspect bird flu. The result is negative," explained Riyantoni.

Touched on standardized treatment of Pekanbaru on the area, said that when taking Riyantoni spicement some time ago, pihanya also do penyemprotkan disinfectant and vaccination against the cage birds and poultry alone.

Detecting a flu outbreak in the flock

Last Updated: 7:56 AM, 07/05/2010


(Labor) - 6.5 days, his flock of 14 teams in Lam Ha, An Tho village, Tinh Son commune Son Tinh district (Quang Ngai) appeared condition of mass death, with nearly 200 the number of children.
Son Tinh People's Committee is conducting zoning measures, disease control and destroy all of this flock. Mr. Lam Ha is Wednesday in households Tinh Son commune ducks died in a series. Prior to that, also in this locality has about 7,000 ducks of three households had been destroyed by the virus H5N1. The flock died in a series of social time in Shandong Province was brought under the same type of run and not be vaccinated bird flu vaccines.

14 cases of streptococcus swine virus

Until now, Tropical Disease Hospital Central has received 14 cases of swine streptococcus. April alone there are seven cases. There is not a disease epidemic, but people need preventive vigilance.

A patient infected swine streptococcus BVTU treatment in Hue.

According to therapist 2 Nguyen Thi Minh Ha, Head of General infections, Tropical Disease Hospital Central: swine streptococcus infections are spread from animals to humans, but does not spread from person to person. Normally, the pigs are all children of this streptococcus in the throat and upper respiratory tract. When the infected pigs, especially the blue ear disease, immune system decline, streptococcus swine will have the opportunity to attack individuals.People exposed to sick pigs from swine streptococcus will be transmitted through skin wounds, eye mucosa, air.

If the patient is not treated promptly, can cause septicemia, meningitis, arthritis, pneumonia, leaving the heavy sequelae such as deafness. Severe cases, blood infections that patients not treated promptly, can shock and fatal infections.

Those who are in blue ear epidemic areas will have high risk of swine streptococcus. Besides, contact with dead pigs, swine meat which scratched arms and legs, eat food from pigs that are not cooked, will also risk infection streptococcus swine. So even when a high fever, nausea, headache, and especially with the hemorrhagic form of ..., to the right of patients to medical facilities for treatment in time.

Acute diarrhea epidemic in Henan have been controlled

On 07-05-2010 03:33



ND - Days 6-5, Decision Making doctor Nguyen, director of Henan Department of Health said: acute diarrhea outbreak in the dangerous areas in Korea, Bac Ly (Ly Nhan district) has been basically controlled.


After grazing wedding, a total of 53 people with diarrhea, of which four cases were tested positive for cholera. With the force on health care, with the support of the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, zoning measures, as well as handling the outbreak management of those involved to be deployed in time. So far, no new people have discovered, only one patient is being treated at the Tropical Diseases Hospital T.U.

On 6-5, Tropical Diseases Hospital Surgeons also confirmed a case of swine streptococcus infections identified hospitalized meningitis pus, fever, delirium.So far seven cases have been identified infected swine streptococcus

BP Oil Spill: Oil Has Spread West of the Southwest Pass

Thursday, May 6, 2010

A dead jellyfish floats amidst oil in the Gulf of Mexico southwest of the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River on the coast of Louisiana, Thursday, May 6, 2010. Oil has spread 40 miles west-southwest of the Mississippi River and 25 miles southeast of Port Fourchon, La. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Map: Ein Gedi, Israel

Re: Treyfish's post earlier today:

Giediaahss Nation: Bird flu was discovered at Ein Gedi

Thursday, May 6, 2010, 19:08

Click on map. Note legend.

WHO: Avian influenza – situation in Indonesia

6 May 2010 -- The Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced two new confirmed cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. A 45-year-old female from the city of Malang in East Java province developed symptoms on 22 February. She recovered and is in a healthy condition. The case disposed of dead chickens in the 4 days before onset of symptoms.

The second case, a 4-year-old female from the city of Pekanbaru in Riau province developed symptoms on 19 April, was hospitalized on 22 April but died on 28 April. Investigations into the source of infection are ongoing.

Laboratory tests on both cases confirmed infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

Of the 165 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 136 have been fatal.

Giediaahss Nation: Bird flu was discovered at Ein Gedi

Thursday, May 6, 2010, 19:08
After review carried out by the Ministry of Health in poultry found dead in the corner living in Ein Gedi, it was discovered that the gods are Zen line of bird flu. All were destroyed as a preventive corner of the living birds
Ministry of Agriculture said this evening (Thursday) that the examination revealed, it became clear that the dead birds at Kibbutz Ein Gedi line bird flu H5N1 strain of the gods. Following the safety measures that destroyed all living birds in the corner.


Two birds, a mother, were found dead in a corner of the living of Kibbutz Ein Gedi. Earlier, the veterinary service said the Ministry of Agriculture can not yet determine whether the violent strains of the disease, which could also affect humans or other species, but now confirmed that this is a violent species. It is estimated that the disease had married into the living room of the kibbutz by migratory birds.


The service began to carry out to prevent the spread of the disease. It should be noted that the nearest poultry farm is located at a distance of 12.5 miles and that will be performed in laboratory tests to rule out the possibility that the disease was also there. The service began operations to destroy the corner of the living birds of the kibbutz. As is known, it is localized outbreak of the disease. There are little corner of the living birds. It is estimated that the number does not exceed 20, including peacocks and parrots. Kibbutz announced that beginning this week, after the death of two birds of his mother, not observed in mortality.


Remember in three outbreaks of the plague this decade. The first was the winter of 2006, and because of the outbreak, hundreds of thousands of birds were destroyed in the Negev mixed settlements in the Jerusalem Corridor. A year later the disease was discovered in Binyamina kindergarten playpen, and in 2008 she was discovered poultry farm in Kibbutz Ein Shemer. In these cases, death was controlled, limited a lot more from the eruption was in 2006.

Prevention of spread from pigs to humans

06/05/2010 11:50


(TNTT>) by eating pork disease is not yet ripe, not guaranteed, many patients infected with Streptococcus - a disease transmitted from pigs to people - hospitalized in a state of sepsis severe shock body, gangrene leg hand ... So how to prevent?
Easy to death if not promptly emergency

Nguyen Van Anh H. (In Pho Yen, Thai Nguyen) is an emergency at the Institute for Tropical Diseases in a state of national severe sepsis, blood pressure dropped, the money shock, coma, limb gangrene smell ... After more than half a month ventilation, active treatment, he H. New escape the scythe of death even though the notes remain on the skin necrosis. The reason is that pigs eat more soup.

Also by eating pork, said Le Van A.. (35 years old, in Thuan Thanh, Bac Ninh Province) were a form other diseases that cause swine streptococcus infections: meningitis.

TS. Nguyen Van Kinh, Director of Institute of Tropical Diseases, said the country, nearly half months now, every day in hospital is 1-2 cases show a swine streptococcus infections, many of which have very severe cases mechanical ventilation.
..snip..

Open bill ibis birds found dead in Ayutthaya is not bird flu.

Thursday, 06 May 2553
Department of Livestock Apr 6 - Check the open bill ibis bird carcasses than 1,000 dead in the area A. Hai, Ayutthaya. No bird flu. Department of Livestock expected. The reason may come from toxic pesticides. Which removed the brown planthopper in rice fields.

Prasert said Preecha complete. General Department of Livestock said that the collection remains open bill ibis birds checked in laboratory No H5N1 virus or bird flu. But also detect causes many birds to die. The initial expectation that it may have been caused by pesticide poisoning. The farmers then use the brown planthopper removed widely. Inspectorate poultry diseases have reviewed the characteristics of birds found dead. Most of the juvenile And detect multiple parasites in birds. The resistance to disease and less toxic.

General Department of Livestock Development Involves monitoring the bird flu this year. The random nature birds from time to time by the continuous map. There is no indication of infection. And has ordered the nationwide release Provincial livestock to the public and poultry farmers. If you find sick or dead poultry unusual unknown. Immediately notify authorities Livestock Livestock Volunteer Osom. Kamnan Elder SAO immediate area. To prevent animal disease outbreak to be. - Thai News Agency.

U.S. oil spill causing minor tanker delays - analyst

Previously reported:

“I just got a call from the port commissioner, and he said the oil is a mile and a half away from the main entrance,” Wayne Mumphrey, secretary treasurer of the Port of New Orleans said in an interview in New Orleans. “Once it passes the buoy, we have to start decontaminating every ship coming into the port.”

Mumphrey said two floating decontamination stations have been set up near the buoy to scrub oil from the hulls of ships entering the Mississippi.

It will take 10 to 12 hours to decontaminate each ship, which will dramatically slow incoming port traffic and that may cause ships to begin backing up into the Gulf, he said.

06.05.2010 An oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is causing a few delays for oil tankers in the region, giving freight rates a boost, a shipping analyst said on Wednesday.

An army of workers toiled above and below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday to plug a gushing oil leak and protect the U.S. shoreline in one of the biggest spill containment efforts ever mounted.

Smaller aframax tankers dominate seaborne activity in the area ferrying crude oil from Mexico and Venezuela.

"Those ships have seen a few delays," Mike Reardon, vice president of research and marketing with freight derivatives exchange Imarex, told Reuters Insider on Wednesday.

"Right now it is just a minor inconvenience, but it does boost rates a touch."

Rates for aframax tankers from the Caribbean to the U.S. Gulf rose to their highest in five weeks on Wednesday with average earnings up at $12,980 a day, Baltic Exchange data showed.

"You have the psychological effect where any time someone is able to raise their rates they are going to," Reardon said.

The Gulf of Mexico oil spill has not slowed ship traffic to central U.S. Gulf ports, and shipping lanes into the key port of New Orleans are expected to stay clear at least into Friday.

"While the oil itself may not be dangerous to the ship for it to pass through, what you don't want is your ship to have the hull covered in oil," Reardon said.

"No port authority is going to let you into their ports if you have oil on your hull."

Energy consultants Poten & Partners said the spill was likely to have wide ranging consequences for tanker markets in the coming weeks.

"Delayed and diverted voyages will undoubtedly be a factor in determining tanker freight rates in the region and beyond as attempts to stop the spill continue to develop," it said in a report.

"Voyages will be extended as vessels are forced to go around the spill, with freight rates likely to rise while owners and charterers haggle over who is responsible for extra costs."

Shipping sources have said tanker owners were charging higher prices to risk transporting cargoes nearby areas affected by the oil slick.

Imarex's Reardon said he knew of no delays or no change in rates for ships loading grains along the Mississippi River for export.

"The Mississippi river so far has avoided the oil coming in and prohibiting ships from maybe leaving or going in there," he said. "If it does occur it's a pretty big event. Right now there is no talk of it."

http://www.maritime-connector.com/NewsDetails/7908/lang/English/U-S--oil-spill-causing-minor-tanker-delays---analyst.wshtml