Friday, July 29, 2011

'Super antibody' fights off flu

29 July 2011

The first antibody which can fight all types of the influenza A virus has been discovered, researchers claim.

Experiments on flu-infected mice, published in Science Express, showed the antibody could be used as an "emergency treatment".

It is hoped the development will lead to a "universal vaccine" - currently a new jab has to be made for each winter as the virus changes.

Virologists described the finding as a "good step forward".

Many research groups around the world are trying to develop a universal vaccine. They need to attack something common to all influenza which does not change or mutate.
Human source

It has already been suggested that some people who had swine flu may develop 'super immunity' to other infections.

Scientists from the Medical Research Council's National Institute for Medical Research at Mill Hill and colleagues in Switzerland looked at more than 100,000 samples of immune cells from patients who had flu or a flu vaccine.

They isolated an antibody - called FI6 - which targeted a protein found on the surface of all influenza A viruses called haemagglutinin.

[continued - click on title for full article]

Cambodian girl dies from bird flu: WHO



Sapa-AFP 29 July, 2011 07:35
A four-year-old Cambodian girl has become the seventh person to die from bird flu in the country this year, says officials.


The child, from northwestern Banteay Meanchey province, died on 20 July, the health ministry and the World Health Organisation said in a joint statement. Tests confirmed she had contracted H5N1 avian influenza.


"I urge parents and guardians to keep children away from sick or dead poultry," Cambodian Health Minister Mam Bun Heng said.


All seven of Cambodia's bird flu cases since January have been fatal. Six of the victims were children.


The girl is the 17th person in Cambodia known to have become infected with the virus and the 15th to die from complications of the disease since 2005, they said.


The H5N1 strain of avian influenza has killed 330 people worldwide since 2003, the statement said.

Cambodian girl dies of avian influenza H5N1




Cambodian girl dies of avian influenza H5N1
(philstar.com) Updated July 29, 2011 02:10 PM






PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Ministry of Health and World Health Organization announced Friday that a 4-year old girl from northwestern province of Banteay Meanchey has died of avian influenza H5N1.


In a joint statement sent out to the media on Friday, it said the 4-year old girl from Chork Reaksmey Village, Monkulborey District, Banteay Meanchey Province died on July 20 as a result of respiratory complications after contracting human avian influenza virus H5N1.


"The girl is the 17th person in Cambodia to become infected with the H5N1 virus and the fifteenth to die from complications of the disease,"the statement said.


"All seven cases of H5N1 infections in human in Cambodia this year have been fatal and six of the seven cases were children," it added.


The patient became sick on 10th July and she was initially treated by local private practitioners with no effect and was admitted to a hospital in Siem Reap Province on 18th July. She died two days later.


"Avian influenza is still a threat to the health of Cambodians. Compared to last year, we have seen more H5N1 cases this year and children appear to be most vulnerable," said Minister of Health Mam Bunheng.


"I urge parents and guardians to keep children away from sick or dead poultry, discourage them from playing in area where poultry stay and wash their hands often. If they develop signs of respiratory infection, they should be brought to medical attention at the nearest health facilities and attending physicians be made aware of any exposure to sick or dead poultry," he added.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Hendra horse death takes toll to 15



BY LEMA SAMANDAR
29 Jul, 2011 04:00 AM
More people are being tested for the Hendra virus after the rapidly spreading infection claimed a fifth horse in NSW, taking the national toll to 15.
The horse died at a property near Mullumbimby on the NSW North Coast, the Department of Primary Industries confirmed yesterday. Four other horses along with three cats and two dogs on the property will be assessed on the quarantined property.
A NSW health spokesman said three people had been exposed to the virus in the most recent incident.
''Despite the negligible exposure, the three people are having blood tests,'' he said. ''Fifteen [other] people previously identified as having potential contacts to the previous infected horses in NSW are now past the incubation period.
''Six people from this group have had precautionary blood tests to check for unrecognised infection.''
However, he said none of the individuals had developed any symptoms associated with the virus, which typically develop between five and 16 days after their contact with an infectious horse.
In the latest fatality in NSW, the state's Chief Veterinary Officer Ian Roth said the horse was not noticeably ill on Saturday but was found dead in the paddock on Sunday morning.
A swab was taken from the dead horse and sent to a lab, which confirmed the presence of the virus on Wednesday night.
''It is likely that flying foxes in fig trees were again the source of infection,'' Mr Roth said.

Indonesia has temporarily banned the import of horses from Australia due to the outbreak. Malaysia has also banned Australian horses.

Newman stands by Hendra bats stance

Updated: 09:44, Friday July 29, 2011


Queensland's Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman says science is yet to prove whether moving on bats will spread Hendra virus.
The bat-borne virus has killed 15 horses in Queensland and NSW since June 20 and has jumped species for the first time, infecting a dog.

Mr Newman and Premier Anna Bligh are at loggerheads on how to manage colonies of flying foxes in areas where Hendra has been confirmed.
The LNP leader wants to use smoke bombs and choppers to evict urban bat colonies and then chop down the trees they roost in.
But Ms Bligh said scientists have repeatedly warned that causing stress to bats by moving them on or trying to cull them will help spread the virus because they would start excreting more.
Ms Bligh invited Mr Newman to a briefing on Thursday with the state's chief veterinary officer, the chief medical officer and the head of Bio-Security Queensland to turn his opinion around.
A spokesperson for Mr Newman said the meeting was inconclusive.
'The experts indicated clearly that they didn't know if moving bats and/or stressing them would increase the risk of Hendra,' the spokesperson said in a statement.
Following the meeting, a spokesperson for chief medical officer Jeannette Young told AAP that although they don't know with '100 per cent certainty ... there is evidence that stress can lead directly to increases in Hendra virus infection and shedding'.
Ms Bligh said the issue was so serious it should not be used for political point-scoring.
'I'm very disappointed to see my opponent making comments that are nothing short of shooting from the hip,' she told reporters on Thursday.
Despite Ms Bligh's warnings regarding moving colonies, councils and land holders can still apply for government permits to chase out problem bats using smoke machines, lights and foghorns.
Extended three-year permits were announced on Saturday, if councils show they're also taking steps to ensure problem colonies don't move back in.
Ms Bligh said authorities measured a number of factors when deciding whether to issue the permits on a case-by-case basis.
'If, for example, they were in a location that might contaminate water supply, then the public interest in moving them may well outweigh some of the other concerns about moving them,' she said.
'Every time they get an application they weigh the risks against the benefits.
'Obviously the risks in relation to the current outbreak of Hendra virus have escalated and that would lift that as a risk factor in their consideration.'
Australian Veterinary Association president Barry Smyth said it was clear bat colonies were already under stress, resulting in a much higher incidence of Hendra in bat populations.
'We do know it's three to six times what we've measured in the past,' Dr Smyth told AAP.
'The higher level of the virus increases the infective pressure in the environment, and that's probably at least in part the cause of the number of cases we're seeing at the moment, and also the geographic spread.
'There is some sort of stressing situation going on already in the bat population and any additional stress is likely to make the situation worse.'
But Dr Smyth stopped short of calling for a moratorium on move-on permits, saying cases had to be assessed individually.

Hendra outbreak a rain-spawned 'aberration'

TONY MOORE
27 Jul, 2011 11:48 AM


Record-breaking rain over summer has left flying foxes undernourished, with weakened immune systems and a higher amount of Hendra virus in their bodies.

Biosecurity Queensland principal veterinary epidemiologist Hume Field, who played a key role in identifying fruit bats as the natural host of the Hendra virus, said he believed the rain was the reason for the increase in virus cases in 2011.

Dr Field said it was likely the spike in Hendra virus cases this year was a change in flowering patterns of trees since the heavy rainfall from November 2010 to February 2011.

"There is indications that the extensive rainfall last year has disrupted flowering this year, the trees are putting their growth into leaves, rather than flowering," he said.

"That is causing flying foxes to range far and wide in small groups trying to find food.

"That then has the the potential to impact on their immune system to fight off the infection and is likely that the infection in flying foxes is higher this year than in previous years."

Dr Field said the lack of proper food impacted the size of flying fox populations.

"What we are seeing this year is very fragmented flying fox populations, flying foxes that are undernourished," he said.

Dr Hume suspected 2011 was "an aberration", but said studies over time would have to be completed.

However, he ruled out culling as a short-term solution that was "doomed to failure".

"I think culling is not an option," Dr Field said.

"Firstly, flying foxes are not sedentary, they are nomadic, they are a migratory species.

"To suggest a local cull to remove animals from a particular area is doomed to failure because other animals will simply migrate into the space that is left if you like."

Dr Field said the only way culling could be effective was to remove the entire population of flying foxes from Australia.

"Apart from being ethically unacceptable, it would have major biodiversity impacts and unknown impacts," he said.

"So I would seriously suggest that it is not an option."

Dr Hume said the best source of protection was increasing research and by property owners being safe around sick horses and bat populations.
Queensland's chief health officer Jeannette Young said there were 64 people under observation with "low or negligible" symptoms after coming into contact with Hendra virus.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Hendra Virus Confirmed in Dog


The Australian hendra virus outbreak took an unexpected turn yesterday (July 26) when a dog on one of the hendra-affected properties in southern Queensland tested positive for the virus. This is the first time the disease has been noted outside a laboratory in a species other than a horse, human, or flying fox, according to a report from the Australian news website ABC.


The report indicates that the dog belongs to the owner of several horses that tested positive for hendra virus. Although the dog produced two negative hendra tests, a different type of test conducted at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory confirmed the dog had antibodies for the disease.


Rick Symons, BVSc, MBA, PhD, Queensland's chief veterinary officer, relayed in the article that the antibodies mean the dog has been exposed to the virus, but is not showing any outward signs of illness. He also noted that there is "minimal risk" of the affected dog infecting humans.


A total of 14 horses have died or been euthanized as a result of hendra virus outbreak in Australia since late June. This year the disease has been confirmed in the westernmost and southernmost points it has ever been identified.


Hendra virus (which has killed at least 40 horses since its discovery) has been known to yield numerous clinical signs in horses including respiratory distress, frothy nasal discharge, elevated body temperature (above 40°C, or 104°F), and elevated heart rate; however, authorities caution that hendra infection does not have specific signs.


Scientists believe the virus is transmitted to horses from flying foxes, a type of fruit bat that frequents Australia, but the exact method of transmission remains unclear.


The zoonotic disease is transmissible to humans and has killed four people since it was first discovered in 1994, including an equine veterinarian who contracted the virus after treating an affected foal in 2009.

Taiwan-Bird flu virus detected in poultry farms CDC: No one has been infected


Jiang Ling Yu
At 00:34 on July 28, 2011

Taiwan after the winter, be on guard against "high" pathogenic avian influenza virus. (Figure / Data Center) correspondent Jiang Yu Ling / Taipei

In recent years, the bird flu virus detected in poultry farms incident, the CDC pointed out that once notified, the start control and closely track those of poultry and related personnel, health, collecting respiratory specimens were poultry inspection To date, there was no health exception and the case of a virus infection.

Detected in domestic poultry farms in succession this year, H5N2 and H7N3 and other avian influenza viruses, to be international is still frequent sporadic cases of human influenza H5N1, of avian influenza pandemic risk still persists, in order to enhance the overall prevention of domestic security, the CDC called for livestock-related employees on implementation should enhance personal health protective, active vaccination H5N1 influenza vaccine.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) released data from the 1992 global human H5N1 influenza has so far accumulated 562 cases of confirmed cases, including 329 deaths, mortality rate of nearly 60%; today (100) there are cases in the country came to Indonesia, Egypt, Cambodia and Bangladesh.

As part of animal bird flu, according to the World Animal Organization (OIE) statistics, so far this year 13 countries / regions notification 375 from the highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Vietnam Quang Tri H5N1 Alert in Poultry

Promptly prevent bird flu

Last updated: 07/26/2011 12:29:24 CH

(QT) - Evolution's erratic weather this year made ​​the animals resistant to disease reduction in animal growth, such as PRRS, from blood infections, paratyphoid in cattle. In particular, N5N1 bird flu occurs scattered in many localities in Quang Tri province, the epidemic shows the potential risk can be spread widely.

From the beginning of the year, the province of Quang Tri has happened seven outbreaks in poultry in the districts of Hai Lang, Vinh Linh, Gio Linh. In the beginning of June there have been four outbreaks of avian flock of 7 on 9 households in four communes, a town of Gio Linh and Hai Lang district, in addition to a hard disease suspected in Ward 2, Quang Tri Town. Up to this point there were nearly 20,000 birds were killed and destroyed by the H5N1 influenza virus.

H5N1 began appearing in Quang Tri on 3/17/2011 at the 300 ducks, 3-month-old Le Van Phuong Bac Binh village, Executive Vinh (Vinh Linh). On 3/4/2011, the new 1,250 ducks were 52 days old his family in rural Yi Hung Vo Van Nhon, Hai Hoa commune (Hai Lang) signs of illness, three days after 750 ducks had disease (including 150 deaths). 2 months later, the epidemic continues to occur more in some areas, namely: On 7/6/2011 bird flu has four ducks with a total of 3,600 children of the family of Nguyen Van The Bad and the Hu East Ocean Village, Hai Duong (Hai Lang) infection and death.



On 25/6/2011
, his family in rural Lake Chain Applications Que Du, Hai Que (Hai Lang) has 450 ducks bird flu, including 150 dead.
27 / 6 / 2011, bird flu spreads to Gio Linh district in the family Ta Van Dien Truc village States, Gio Quang as 160 dead, infected 70 others.

From 1 / 7 to 3/7/2011 avian influenza occurred in the family to Le Duc, Team 4, Shan Dong village, Thien Hai (Hai Lang) Bui and his family as the Hoa, Tay Thien village, Thien Hai (Hai Lang) with almost 800 children infected and die. And most recently, on 04/07/2011 translations have appeared in the flock of Mr. Tran Huu Pharmacology, clusters 7 and towns Gio Linh (Gio Linh).

Although, since the detection of disease so far, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to direct the Quang Tri provincial Veterinary Bureau and departments in the districts, towns, cities and positive social performance measures prevention services such as the Organization of the destruction of all poultry carriers; disinfection around the outbreak, the isolation of poultry farms around; prohibits the sale or transportation in the region service ... but the disease still occur scattered in six communes in the province of Vinh Linh, Gio Linh and Hai Lang.

It can be seen, changes in the disease situation is complicated, partly due to avian influenza virus persists in the environment during recent years in animal health has not been implemented the influenza vaccination in situation is monitored by the virus to mutate in notification of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. In addition, adverse weather conditions for abnormal decrease the resistance of poultry, the sale of movement of poultry and poultry products is also difficult to control the cause of the epidemic is not stamping success.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, from August to October is the period assigned weather season, the weather will be very complicated so be sure H5N1 avian influenza is very contagious and widespread outbreaks . Thus, to promptly quell the outbreak and prevent the spread, first of all need to strengthen inspection and monitoring, early detection of epidemics to implement remedial measures.

If detection of infected poultry or unexplained death should immediately apply measures for disposal of poultry, disinfection, surrounded the outbreak control and use other measures to prevent epidemic spread. Prohibited the processing and sale of poultry duck.

Currently, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Tri Province People's Committee has proposed to direct the Steering Committee on the prevention of animal diseases to strengthen supervision, organization of prevention and guiding related industries such as the Department of Health International, Department of Trade, provincial police to strengthen coordination Closely monitor the disease situation, a precaution not to spread to humans. Positive communication and mobilization to raise awareness of people in the prevention and actively cope with the disease.

Le Quang Anh, deputy director of Quang Tri Department of Animal Health said: "Although the outbreak was detected early, treatment time and the date 07/08/2011 after the destruction of over 2,000 organizations infected ducks in Gio Linh and Hai Lang has so far not discovered a new outbreak.

But by bringing new and pastures, many places water was contaminated with the people of the poultry of unknown origin, the origin so the management should now be very difficult risk outbreaks disease enormous wide. In addition to the management, on the authority of the consciousness raising of the household will contribute very important to control and reverse the epidemic. "

Monday, July 25, 2011

Recombinomics: Identical H5N1 Deletion In Indonesia Egypt and China

Recombinomics Commentary 15:00
July 25, 2011
James Cook University in Australia has recently released five HA H5N1 sequences from Indonesia (clade 2.1). All five had a 3 base pair deletion, S133del (H3 numbering), which exact matched 3 BP deletions described in Egypt (clade 2.2) and China (clade 7). Four of the sequences (A/chicken/Indonesia/Timika_10/2006, A/chicken/Indonesia/Tanggerang_10/2007, A/chicken/Indonesia/Sukabumi_3/2007, A/chicken/Indonesia/Sukabumi_10/2007) are virtually identical and are closely related to previously released sequences from Western Java (A/chicken/West Java/SMI-CSLK-EB/2006, A/Chicken/West Java/SMI-PAT/2006, A/Chicken/West Java/SMI-CSLK-EC/2006, A/Chicken/West Java/PWT-WIJ/2006), which did not have the deletion indicating the deletion was appended onto this background.

The fifth sequence, A/chicken/Indonesia/Tanggerang_1/2007, is distinct and maps to another branch, supporting acquisition by recombination., which is also supported by the acquisition of the same S133del on three distinct genetic backgrounds (clade 2.1, clade, 2.2, clade 7).

Recombination is also supported by additional markers in the four closely related Indonesia sequences, which have T321C. This marker is in the earlier West Java sequences, but is also in the Egyptian sequences with S133del (see list here), indicating it was an early acquisition in Egypt, and spread by clonal expansion. S133del on an Egyptian clade 2.2 background is associated with a receptor binding profile similar to seasonal H1N1. It is present in all public human H5N1 sequences since mid-2009, as well as the mild H5N1 in Egyptian toddlers in early 2009.

In addition, T500C (encoding I155T), is also in the four related Indonesian sequences, as well as the Egyptian sequences with S133del (see list here) strongly supporting homologous recombination between Egyptian and Indonesian sequences.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Bird Flu, Chicken Dead Sidrap 184 171

Medan Tribune - Thursday, July 21, 2011 14:18
Tribun-MEDAN.com, Makassar - South Sulawesi Deputy Governor of reviewing a chicken farm in the village of Bulo, Sidrap District on Thursday (21/07/2011).

In this village found about six thousand chickens died of bird flu virus. Currently, mentioned bird flu outbreak has spread to the east the district who was allegedly Sidrap through the air.

In addition, Agus also mentioned reviewing mousetrap in the fields. Deliberately contrived this trap farmers who often feel the pests that attack the rice field rat in the region Watang Sidendreng.

Data obtained from the DVO Sidrap as reported by the Bureau of Public Relations and Protocol of South Sulawesi, said the cases of avian influenza that occurred in 11 districts as Sidrap District, from April-July 20, 2011.

As a result of bird flu as many as 184,171 who died suddenly tail, consisting of chicken eggs as many as 125,605 animals, 40,005 broiler tail, and free-range chicken as many as 18,561 birds.

While the assistance received for the handling of these cases as much as 2120 liters of disinfectant.

This assistance comes from the district as much as 650 liters, the Provincial Government (Provincial) of South Sulawesi through the state budget as much as 1350 liters, and PDSR (remaining stock owned by the FAO) as much as 120 liters.

"For the rapid test kits as many as 50 sets of the South Sulawesi Provincial Government, and the AI ​​as much as 1 million vaccine doses as well as from the provincial government," said Head of Ranch South Sulawesi, Murtala Ali, who accompany Agus.

In the post-death, according to operating standards, together with local government agencies continue to conduct training to farmers in the area

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Bird flu still has the potential to become pandemic

Published On: July 21, 2011
JAKARTA: Avian influenza (bird flu) is still one of the threats to the pandemic in the world, especially if the mutation occurs later, and new strains arise which can be transmitted between humans. Incident reports of avian influenza in poultry, continues to exist in Indonesia. The latter case is encountered in Sidrap, South Sulawesi, and also in several other areas.
"The incidence of bird flu in humans in our country is already declining sharply. Throughout 2011 until this July there are 7 cases in humans, "said Tjandra Yoga Aditama, Director General of Disease Control and Environmental Health (P2PL) Ministry of Health, via email, today
Tjandra said that cases of AI in poultry in Indonesia was first discovered in 2003 in the District. Pekalongan, Central Java, and Kab. Tangerang, Banten.
Furthermore, the first case of AI in humans in Indonesia are found in June 2005 on a father and son in Serpong - Tangerang Banten. From then until July 2011, there have been 178 cases of AI in Indonesia, scattered in 13 provinces.
The government, he said, continue to roll out a campaign to anticipate, be alert and make preparations for the possibility of a pandemic.
Tjandra yesterday opened a new model of harmonization of the activities of advocacy meetings epidemiologic and virologic surveillance of influenza (H5N1 and other influenza sentinel based in Jakarta.
In addition to vigilance against the pandemic, he said, to note the importance of health promotion activities to the community, conduct epidemiological surveillance to determine disease trends and tendencies, and actions to be done.
"You should also involve and utilize all existing systems, and then harmonizing together. Do not always need to establish a new system again throughout harmonization can run either, "he said.
Avian influenza is a zoonotic disease, transmitted from animals (in this case birds) to humans. "That means close cooperation between health officials and farm officials, is one of the key handling," he said. (MMH)


Toddler Allegedly Infected with Bird Flu

Wed, Jul 20th 2011, 09:52
* Expert: Transmission Through Intermediaries Pigs
Kutaradja
BANDA ACEH - The boy a year old, Fais Mulfi Mubarak, has been treated in the space of three days of bird flu treatment Zainoel Abidin General Hospital (RSUZA) Banda Aceh. Toddlers origin Ulim district, Pidie Jaya (Pijay) was allegedly hit by bird flu virus (H5N1).

Chairman of the doctors in RSUZA bird flu, said Dr. Maimunah, Fais was admitted to hospital on Sunday (17 / 7), after referral from the RSU Sigli. Faiz initial symptoms experienced a high fever that day. "When I first entered the condition of his fever reached 39 degrees Celsius," said Dr. Maimunah answering reporters yesterday.

Accompanied by two members of the physician, Dr. Anwar and Dr Sidqi Nurjannah, Maimunah said to ensure that young children exposed to bird flu virus or not, they've sent the results to the laboratory diagnosis Faiz patients in Jakarta, but until yesterday there has been no result. "That was sent to Jakarta is swab the throat and nasal swabs of patients," said Maimunah.

He said Faiz suspected of bird flu virus, because in addition to suffering from high fever, according to both the victim's parents, before his son's fever, a number of his chickens and chickens in Ulim tetanganya's sudden death.

"And based on test results of the Office Party Animal Health of the chicken first in Pijay parents Faiz's death, the cause of bird flu virus. Faiz's mother also happened to be at the Puskesmas doctors Ulim, might know these symptoms so that the child was immediately taken to the hospital, "said Maimunah.

Maimunah urged other communities, if you have the same thing, like chickens died suddenly, then there is a fever, then immediately examined by a doctor. "While the chickens that died suddenly it should also be checked the Department of Animal Health," pleaded Maimunah.

Broker-pig
Microbiology expert at the College of Veterinary Medicine Unsyiah, drh Fachrurrazi, explains, the process of transmission of avian influenza virus from poultry to humans may not necessarily happen immediately, it should be through the intermediary of swine.

"The H5N1 virus from infected chickens to pigs should be moved first and then moved back to the chicken. This is where the mutations occur subsequently transmitted to humans. Without any intermediary pigs, there would be no problem with humans, "he explained.

It is also the reason why a virus attack is often heard in Medan, North Sumatra, which is culturally very different from side to Aceh which forbids pork. "Therefore, if there is a positive patients in Aceh, bird flu, well worth exploring before, whether he was ever in the field or not, because that's where the possibility of virus attacks," the professor said this FKH.

Suspected Bird Flu, Toddler Treated at RSUZA




Banda Raya - 20 July 2011
L Harian Aceh Banda Aceh - Faiz, toddlers ages one-year, intensive care in a special room handling bird flu patients Zainoel Abidin General Hospital (RSUZA) Banda Aceh. The boy from Ulim, Pidie Jaya, was suspected of having H5N1 virus (Bird Flu).


Bird Flu Team Coordinator RSUZA, dr. Maimunah, Tuesday (19 / 7) said, Faiz his parents first brought to the Hospital Sigli. "But it can not be handled there," he said.

Based on the stories of parents Faiz, continued Maimunah, a few chickens die every day in a row, from Thursday to Saturday last week in their homes and neighbors.
Even so, he added, because of the limitations of medical devices, patients suffering from bird flu has not been ascertained. Although the Office of Pidie Jaya Pertenakan been doing checks on one of the chickens died, and the result is positive of H5N1.

"Wipe (mucus) throat, nose, and blood of our patient was sent to Jakarta, now just waiting for the outcome", said dr. Maimunah. Daily observations of Aceh, patients suspected of having bird flu is still being treated exclusively by handled by two doctors, including Dr. Sidiq and dr. Nurjannah led directly dr, Maimunah.

"The condition of the patient now started better, his body temperature of 39'C is now close to normal, hopefully it'll be better condition," said Maimunnah.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Livestock, poultry smuggled from China into Vietnam grew more

Updated: 18/07/2011 21:54

(Inspector) - It has been identified as leaders of the Animal Health Department (Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development) made ​​way 18/07/2011.

According to statistics, from 9 to 15/7/2011, the country did not occur to an outbreak of avian influenza, foot and mouth disease and blue ear does. However, the import of livestock, poultry and meat and poultry tends to increase.

Accordingly, Vietnam imported 6,436 cattle live-quota across the border from Cambodia and 755 cow through the ranks from Thailand, smuggled 170 tons of pig slaughter across the border of Lang Son and smuggled 4 tons of chicken waste across the border of Quang Ninh province in China.

Along with that is imported 7,967 tons of cattle meat, frozen poultry through the ranks from the United States, Canada, New Zealand ... (which include meat and poultry 83.7%; 8.9% buffalo meat , cows, goats, sheep; 5.6% and 0.8% is pork organs of cattle and poultry).


Along with the imported products, in the past week has 12,000 pigs (approximately 900 tons of pork) are transported from the southern provinces in the northern provinces for slaughter for domestic consumption; 8,854 pigs milk (equivalent to 54 tons of pork) and transported to the North for slaughter for export ...

Department of Animal Health Leadership identification, cattle prices, increasing domestic poultry so cattle, poultry import quota from other countries into Vietnam in the week higher than other months. Notably, the import quota of cattle across the border also increased more with cattle, poultry smuggled from China into Vietnam and transported from the southern provinces in the North has increased more compared to May 6 / 2011.

Vietnam: H5N1 Virus Clade 2.3.2 Appears, Vaccine Almost No Effect

For avian influenza, according to the latest experimental results of the Veterinary Department, is clade 2.3.2 virus branch danger has been present in our country. This new branch virus currently circulating across much of North, Central Coast and Highlands alternative to the old 2.3.4 branch virus. With this branch of avian influenza virus, after the virulent intensity, had 100% mortality within 3 days and 20% of the ducks died within 7 days. So can see, this new branch is toxic to the virus and less toxic chicken with duck, while the older branch of avian influenza virus can kill 60 to 70% duck.

Especially this new branch virus has rapidly transformed and developed into two tributaries, with major differences in antigen.
Tributary of a widely circulated in almost every province and two tributaries only detected in two provinces of Nam Dinh and Thai Binh.

More worryingly, the experimental results of the Veterinary Department of the validity of the H5N1 vaccine-Re5 shows the effect of protection against new virus is very low branches, almost no effect.
The bird flu vaccine used in our country mainly imports, which, mostly from China. To prevent avian influenza virus clade 2.3.2 This new branch, at present, China is studying the H5N1 vaccine-Re6, but so far no experimental results.

Currently, the development of livestock and poultry is increasing to meet market demand. However, the type of dangerous diseases such as blue ear pig, bird flu ... always threatens to recur at the facility, the farm at any time. Solutions to disease prevention for livestock and poultry breeding has as biosecurity, vaccination vaccines, nutritious foods to enhance resistance of livestock ... The key is vigilance and initiative of the animal in coping with the disease to livestock development stable and sustainable. /.

Vietnam: Avian influenza #H5N1 outbreak in Phu Tho 2 People Monitored

18/07/2011
Phu Tho Veterinary Bureau said that from 10 - 16.7, in the commune government, Ha Hoa district appear poultry mortality at 12 farms in 5 / 7 administration of the communal areas, killing 1,454 poultry.

Soon after the discovery, the provincial Veterinary Bureau to coordinate with the Ha Hoa district direct branches and localities in the district implement zoning measures, stamping fluids and sample specimens. Test results from the Veterinary Diagnostic Center Central show, the two samples tested were positive for avian influenza virus serotype H5. Currently, in the second, cooperative government, where bird flu has two people with symptoms such as fever, runny nose, chest pain being sent home monitoring and treatment in hospital province.

Before this situation, a Regional Animal Health Center and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Phu Tho and direct inspection of local zoning, put in place a translation service and high-risk areas and organize health checks for people, especially some who are sick should be isolated and monitoring, timely medical care; advocating people not to panic, do not hide the epidemic and guide the farmers to take measures sterilization, disinfection, quarantine sick birds, dead bird disposal; provide the commune of pesticides, spraying machines and support the establishment of three key quarantine, in order to minimize the situation spread of disease.


Sunday, July 17, 2011

Bird flu appears in the Public Social (Ha Hoa)



























Sunday, 17/07/2011 10:26 GMT +7

PTO-From 10 to 16-7, in the commune the Public (Ha Hoa) is the state bird of mass death. Disease occurred in 12 farmers in 5 / 7 Administrative Region of the commune, killing 1,454 birds.
Specifically, in the second, Mr. Hoang Van Dung family killed 500 460 children in the herd ducks; Nguyen Thi Thai family killed 100 chickens and ducks. In zone 5, the household Qu Van Ninh, Tran Duc Phuc, Do Van Nghi Phung Manh Hung killed a total of 500 chickens, ducks and thousands. Dead poultry prior to sharing the clinical symptom is moody, fatigue, poor appetite, manure, and some human poliomyelitis, hemophilia, pale body.


















Leaders of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and People's Committee of Ha Hoa district test phosphorus source epidemics triggered by the Industry.
Social vets receive supplies, tools epidemic.
Poultry quarantine checkpoints of a spray disinfection means out area.
Flock house 200 children Qu Van Ninh (zone 5) in captivity on the stinger of death, the young half hour only.

Flu vaccine production to double

15/07/2011

Global production of seasonal flu vaccine is expected to double to 1.7 billion doses by 2015, with 11 new manufacturers coming onstream in developing countries, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday.

If a new influenza pandemic erupts, the world's projected 37 vaccine makers could potentially triple their annual production of trivalent seasonal vaccine to make 5.4 billion doses of pandemic vaccine, the United Nations agency said.

But the actual amount would depend on the yield of the virus grown in the egg - disappointingly low for H1N1 - and how much adjuvant - which stretches the active ingredient - is used in pandemic vaccine, experts said.

''The estimate is by 2015, if all projects that are currently going on get to successful implementation, we would have something around 1.7 billion doses of seasonal vaccine,'' WHO assistant director-general Marie-Paule Kieny told a briefing after experts held three-day talks.

"In making pandemic vaccine you have a multiplication by a factor of three.''

-snip-

[click on title for full article]

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Tail Number 153 147 see-through

SATURDAY, 16 JULI 2011

Sidrap - No sign of bird flu outbreaks in Sidrap will subside.
Conversely, attacks Avian Influenza (AI), the accused even more widespread.
The proof, of the 11 districts in this egg-producing region, has declared the whole endemic contracting the H5N1 virus. Every day, cases are reported poultry deaths continued to occur. Until Friday, July 15 yesterday, Department of Animal Husbandry (Disnak) Sidrap noted, total poultry that died suddenly of bird flu has exceeded 153 147 birds...

Friday, July 15, 2011

Every day, 6,000 Dead Chickens

AI, Breeders Loss Rp7, 3 Billion
the number of deaths 157 147



Saturday, 16-07-2011

..Until Friday (15/11) yesterday, the number of birds that die from attack avian influenza (AI) or bird flu in the District Sidrap, has reached 157 thousand chickens from 11 districts are already pandemic. The more widespread wave of bird flu in poultry death rate continues to increase, making the status of bird flu alert in the area of ​​South Sulawesi's largest supplier of eggs into Extraordinary Events (KLB) has not been revoked.
District 11 in the district, all of them have contracted the virus that can infect humans and other animals are.
Three districts of the most severe of these deaths are 3 types of chickens each chicken laying hens, broilers and chicken rather than race is the District 40 560 Maritengae tail, tail and Panca chert Watang Sidenreng 37 267 33 732 birds.

Head of Department of Livestock and Fisheries (Disnakkan) Sidrap MSi Ir H Abd Aziz said the number of cardiovascular death until today, has reached 157 thousand heads, both laying hens, broilers (Broiler) or chicken rather than race (native).This figure is said, Azis dicata on Friday 15 Junli 2011 at 114.00 pm. "Bird flu in Sidrap already be pathogenic and fatal malignant (highly pathogenic). It was 157 thousand chickens that died today," said Abd Aziz at his office yesterday.

Insulation system of the 11 districts be followed maximized. However, the results of those efforts have not been up because the traffic is sending birds, many traders ignored. Even trade chicken eggs and keep it running its own, so that expectations can not be controlled cycle of the virus completely destroyed.

Meanwhile, calculation of the losses have been calculated until the third week of the H5N1 virus to attack this area, the number of deaths 157 147 tail consisting of 102,242 laying hens tail, tail 42 885 broilers, 15 838 free-range chicken and fish. "We calculated the loss calculation has reached Rp 7, 3 billion more to the price of laying hens Rp60 thousand per head, the average broiler and chicken Rp25 Rp30 thousand thousand," Abd Azis detailed.
Mortality rate of chickens and livestock losses, said Aziz again, ensuring continued to rise following the 11 districts that have a pandemic, the disease can not be controlled AI.
Moreover, he added, there still exists a few reports of citizens from various regions around the Sidrap continue to report the number of poultry deaths hers. "It is to be our primary attention, death continues to grow. It is estimated that poultry owned by residents in all districts report of his death an average of between four thousand up to 6 thousand deaths every day, "he said.

Provincial Team Not Arrive

Friday, July 15, 2011 20:44:32 PM

Sidrap, DAWN - Promise Head of Animal Husbandry and Health of South Sulawesi, Andi Murtala Ali sent a team to the District Sidrap, there is no realization. Until, Thursday, July 14, the team that will help the handling of cases of bird flu has not arrived at the Earth Grandmother Mallomo, Sidrap.

Meanwhile, Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries data Sidrap, chicken mortality rates continue to rise. From just 122,771 before the tail, the tail 147 689, or there is an additional 24,918 chickens died in a day.

It was announced by Head of Livestock and Fisheries Sidrap, Sadiliah Spt, Thursday, July 14. "Yes, there is still a chicken's death yesterday, a total of 24,918 heads, bringing the total deaths during the virus spread in Sidrap reached 147 thousand more," he explained
Accompanied by a veterinarian Zaenal Abidin, he said, now spraying is still concentrated in the village of Bulo Wattang, Bulo Timoreng (both in the District of Panca chert) and Sub-Wala, District Maritenggae. In two districts of that, the initial attack of bird flu was found.

He added, energy aid promised by the Head of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health has not yet arrived from South Sulawesi. Similarly, medical aid from the province as well not exist.

Head of Department of Livestock and Fisheries Sidrap, Ir Abdul Aziz added that the only steps taken are still limited to spraying.

In addition to the help of the provincial government, said Aziz, the center should also address the cases of bird flu affecting poultry in Sidrap centers. Moreover, he added, the spread of bird flu has spread across 11 districts in Sidrap.

Involve Students

Meanwhile, cases of bird flu in Barru reportedly began uncontrollably, Thursday, July 14. Even so, the Animal Husbandry Department Barru team continues to comb the centers of the development of poultry in the area to ensure the latest developments spread of bird flu.

Head of Animal Health Animal Husbandry Department Barru, drh Ma'ruf, states, the spread of bird flu under control, to date there is no more reports of chicken deaths. "We hope there is no more cases of bird flu in the region this Barru," he said.

Nevertheless, efforts continue to be bagaiamana handling this bird flu. Various activities related to prevention of bird flu in some locations remain to be implemented, such as the provision of disinfectant. It is important how to break the chain of spread of bird flu.

In fact, groups of students perform service learning in Barru also took part related to control bird flu.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Detention of a child for suspected bird flu Menoufia


12-7-2011 13:36



Announced that the Department of Health Menoufia, he was detained Sunrise Abdul Nabi Farraj (3 years), resident in the village of legs Abu hair center Ashmun within the Fever Hospital Ashmun on suspicion of being infected by bird flu, which developed symptoms of fever, sore throat and vomiting.
Dr. Ayman Omar, Deputy Minister of Health, Menoufia, that the injured child is due to in contact with dead birds and education at home is safe, and was taking a sample of their blood and sent to labs central Ministry of Health for analysis were culled domestic birds and buried buried safe and vaccinate contacts of family members.

Bird Flu Cases in Wajo Still Zero

WEDNESDAY, 13 JULI 2011

Although the cross bar in the last week a number of regencies in South Sulawesi diresahkan with the outbreak of bird flu, but in the District Wajo is still relatively safe from the spread of the deadly virus.
"Until now we have not received a report related to the existence of bird flu cases in Wajo," said head of Disease Prevention and Environmental District Health Wajo Sibe Awaluddin yesterday.
However, after the outbreak of bird flu cases mendegar District Sidrap directly adjacent to Wajo it admitted directly giving instructions to the health center as soon as possible to anticipate early response to human cases of bird flu. "I have to say to the Health Center to conduct outreach to the community as an early anticipation, "he said
Head of Department of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry also Wajo District Coordinator for Avian Influenza Control 12 districts in the northern part of South Sulawesi.

Drh I Putu Artana admitted that he had to anticipate to the area directly adjacent to the District Sidrap, such as district and subdistrict Belawa Maniangpajo. "This form of anticipation that we do is test rapid test, but until now no one has been positive," said Kadis I Putu.
Di District Wajo alone there were 10 officers in the Participatory Disease Surveillance and Response (PDSR) who trained the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) to track specific cases of bird flu. (Win)

Already 122 Thousand Chickens Died of Bird Flu in Sidrap

Sidrap, Tribun-TIMUR.COM - The number of laying hens that died of bird flu infection in Sidrap District continues to grow. Post Response Data from Bird Flu, Sidrap District, said the number of dead chickens until Wednesday (13/07/2011), reaching 122,771 birds.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

"So the total poultry that had died suddenly as many as 109,191 head

Farmers lose Rp 5 Billion
Wednesday, 13-07-2011
ATTACK bird flu in almost all districts in Sidrap been uneven.
If the previous two district has not been infected with H5N1, has now been declared a pandemic. edit " In birds"
Regency Sidrap really made powerless against the deadly virus outbreak.
So far the two districts as sentar largest egg production in Sidrap numbers of deaths of which 80 percent of the total number of deaths each district Panca Maritengae and chert.
Data Government through the Department of Livestock and Fisheries (Disnnakkan) Sidrap recorded losses of farmers since the outbreak of bird flu has reached Rp5.315.500.000. Total losses are recorded at the position July 12, 2011.
Of the losses suffered as much as Rp 5 8miliar more, the Animal Husbandry Department (Disnak) Sidrap detailing, loss of laying hens Rp4.374.540.000 owners, breeders Rp730.000.000 broiler chickens, free-range chicken breeders Rp210.960.000 so that the total loss of Rp5.315.500.000 .
Head of Department of Livestock (Disnak), Sidrap Ir H Abd Aziz MM estimates, total losses of farmers due to the attack of bird flu is still going to continue to grow, following a bird flu outbreak has not been controlled in this Sidrap.
Well, now the government is in desperate need of money approximately Rp1.250.500.000 bird flu for the procurement of vaccines, disinfectants and masks handsprayer. The problem he says, where that kind of money available now to assist residents.
Meanwhile, information BKM Disnakkan Sidrap Tuesday afternoon at the office yesterday, the mortality rate of birds at about 16:00 pm, calling the dead chickens infected with AI virus positive, especially chicken and domestic poultry in the position July 12, 2011 has reached 109 191 head.
Consists of laying hens as much as 72,909 animals, 29,200 broiler chicken tail, tail 7032-range chicken.
"So the total poultry that had died suddenly as many as 109,191 head, Abd Azis said.


Monday, July 11, 2011

Dead chickens Tail Reach 75,695

District has 10 endemic bird flu

Tuesday, 12-07-2011


Sidrap, BKM - Regional bird flu endemic in Sidrap continues to grow. Initially only seven districts contracting, now is now recorded 10 sub-districts of 12 districts in this Sidrap District.
The two districts are still sterile bird flu was Pitu District Riase and Watang Sidenreng.
While 10 other districts namely Maritengngae, Panca chert, Baranti, Kulo, Tellu Limpoe, Panca Lautang, Watang Pulu, Two Pitue and Pitu Riawa already tested positive for all infected. The 10 districts, villages and entire villages had been infected with AI virus evenly.

BKM information compiled in the office of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (Disnakkan) Sidrap on Monday (11 / 7) yesterday, entered the day-to-23, total poultry that died suddenly due to bird flu include chicken laying hens, broilers and broiler chickens instead of race (Native) until now has been recorded as many as 75,695 birds. This figure accounted for approximately 13.00 pm, Monday.
Poultry mortality rate is predicted to still be growing, it follows there are many cases of poultry deaths dilapanga but are reluctant or have not been reported to Disnak Sidrap.
Head Disnakkan Sidrap Msi Ir H Abd Aziz who contacted BKM, on Monday confirmed, the deaths occurred in 10 different districts with the details, in the District Maritengngae tail 15.511, 34.269 chert Panca tail, tail Baranti 7.159, 3.877 Kulo tail, tail Tellu Limpoe 1.170 , Panca Lautang 700 tail, tail Watang Pulu 82, 1250 Two Pitue tail, Pitu Riawa 77 tails.
While additional data last Monday was reported yesterday afternoon by all extension workers scattered farms in the district to be 11.600 races laying chickens die of bird flu-infected positive.
Abd Azis parse, a total of laying the dead chicken in 10 districts as many as 68,331 animals, 6,000 broiler chickens while not a race consisting of chicken, chicken and chicken crow Arabic, it reached 1.364 tail.
Average sudden death of chickens every day said he reached a thousand tails. Percentage of poultry death rate is based on reports received from the first day Disnak outbreak of bird flu attack until now.

Then what about the impact of bird flu have on health and the human soul? Chief Medical Officer (Kadiskes) Sidrap, Dr. HA Irwansyah Kes through P2PL Head Dr Hj Nirwan ensure nobody St. residents who contracted the virus. "Thank God there are no reports of bird flu susfect stated that we received from every district," he said when contacted separately at his office yesterday.
Indeed, he said, it had received information about the existence of one resident from the village who allegedly susfect Kanie and undergoing treatment at the health center.
But after undergoing an intensive examination, the patient was finally confirmed only ordinary fever.
"It's never been there and forcing us to go straight there, fortunately he certainly did not come infected," he said.

Dead chicken in Sidrap Continue to Grow, Now Reaches 64 Thousand Tails

Tribunnews.com - Monday, July 11, 2011 16:21 AM



Two officers from the Department of Agriculture Forestry Plantation Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (PPKPP) Prabumulih on Monday (31 / 1), destroy the positive poultry bird flu. Poultry was withdrawn neck until dead.


TRIBUNNEWS.COM, MAKASSAR - Department of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health of the Province of South Sulawesi (Sulawesi) recorded the number of chickens that died in the District Sidrap because of positive bird flu reaches the tail to the present 64,095.

Of the tens of thousands of chickens that died, the majority of the race laying chickens affected by the spread of the virus Alvarez Influenza (AI).

Based on official data farms, the number of laying hens that died reached 56,731 tails, broiler chicken (broiler) and tail reaches 6,000 domestic poultry that died as many as 1364 birds.

Head of Department of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health of South Sulawesi, Murtala Ali, the Tribune found in his office on Monday (07/11/2011), say, to anticipate the spread of the virus, it has been coordinating with the local animal husbandry department (Sidrap) to run the prevention efforts .

Steps are underway is to make a unified command post at Sidrap, create standard operating procedures for breeders, mass burial of dead chickens, regularly inform the public in the District Sidrap through loudspeakers at the mosque or other place of worship.

Pengkartuan and vaccination against chicken Gaga "said Murtala also be a precaution. Also there should be regular progress reports, coordination with farmer associations, as well as provide recommendations on vaccination with self-help system.

In addition, he continued, Animal Husbandry Department has also sent South Sulawesi 1,000 liters disinfectant to the county's largest egg producer in the South Sulawesi. In addition to assistance from the province, Murtala also expect help from the center soon to come, such as disinfectants, vaccines, and equipment.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Makassar Filter Sidrap Poultry Origin

..the number of deaths until Sunday (10 / 7), called the tail has reached 53 thousand





Monday, 11-07-2011




The spread of bird flu was under control



Sidrap, BKM - Makassar take steps to prevent the entry of Avian Influenza (AI) or bird flu, which attacks the District Sidrap, last week. AI viruses are almost already reached all farms in Sidrap centers.

Of the total data last Friday, July 8 last, at the Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (Disnakkan) Sidrap mention this already deadly H5N1 virus in poultry unnatural, reached 42 thousand heads.
However, the number was growing as 8 more districts
Sidrap spread of bird flu has been endemic evenly. Into eight districts, namely District Maritengae, Panca chert, Baranti, Kulo, Panca Lautang, Tellu Limpoe, Watang Pulu.

District Two of the most severe endemic bird flu cases each district Panca Maritengae and chert, as well as the largest center for egg production, these two districts which became the biggest cases of poultry deaths or about 70 percent of the total number of chicken deaths in Sidrap.


Information compiled data, the number of deaths until Sunday (10 / 7), called the tail has reached 53 thousand poultry deaths of 46 664 laying hens tail, broiler or broiler about 6600 tails, and chicken around 693 birds.
The number of such deaths data direalise Disnakkan party after receiving a number of complaints that residents affected by bird flu poultry.
Head Disnakkan Sidrap Ir H MSi Muh Aziz, said there are no signs of this deadly virus attacks will stop. Even the otherwise increasingly raged.


"The distribution was nearly evenly and deaths chickens everywhere. Finally I got the information from the field officer deaths occur in significant amounts in Bulo, Rappang, Maritengae," he said.

If before, the officer Disnakkan Sidrap overwhelmed record number of deaths of poultry in 8 districts such as residents and farmers are reluctant to report the accident or the prestige of his death chickens.
"One by one people started to report the number of poultry deaths. The data that have been reported to our society. The data is still going to be on the increase from that reported," said Aziz again.
Based on incoming reports said Aziz, the number of dead birds, especially laying hens and broilers reach 2,000 to 3,000 head per day. The death toll was the worst since the last five days, the total was around 56 thousand heads off, he said.

The number of dead birds go Azis, mainly due to the central area of ​​the majority of farms have already been reached prior to virus prevention efforts.
Aziz added that the district government Sidrap trouble handling the spread of bird flu virus. The reason is, all the supplies drugs to control the deadly virus is up, such as disinfectants, rapid tests or alkits, gloves, masks, and vaccines transpori media (virus).


For now, said Aziz, the new Provincial Government assistance ranges from 1500 liters to supply the vaccine, while Sidrap need drugs of 2000 rapid tests or alkits, 1,000 masks, disinfectant and 3,000 liters, 1,000 gloves, and 2 million vaccine transpori media (virus ).

Currently, the district government through the bird flu virus response team to work manually, which is only doing surveillance on a number of points where lanes of traffic in and out of poultry in order to oversee a wider spread of the deadly disease.
Regency Sidrap also seeks to traffic isolation chicken. This was done to prevent the birds out, and went into Sidrap.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Borders, Budgets, and the Rising Risk of Disease

July 6th, 2011

Is there a perfect storm brewing along our nation’s southern border? Let’s take a look at the numbers in El Paso, Texas where I recently visited:

  • There are 27 million crossings per year alone at the El Paso Point of Entry (POE) and a border population of 25 million;
  • Cuts to federal funding including a 50% reduction in the Early Warning Infectious Disease Program as well as 12.5% cuts to critical preparedness and response funding;
  • Texas is second in the nation for number of tuberculosis cases, the majority of which are found near the border and many of the cases involve tuberculosis strains that are drug resistant
  • The bordering country, Mexico, was the source of the last global influenza pandemic

So is this a bad situation getting worse or ticking bomb?

An Invisible Public Health Structure

Border Patrol talking with Dr. Ali Khan at the El Paso border crossingEarlier this month I visited the El Paso POE and came away thoroughly impressed by the professionalism of the Customs and Border Protection. I met many of those “boots on the ground” local public health folks who work on the Texas/Mexico border and who shared with me how the border has been neglected with minimal resources for years. Staff have been forced to live by that old credo “do more with less” to safeguard not only the communities living along the border, but the nation itself.

During my trip I also had the distinct honor to meet and chat with a lawmaker who really understood the importance of border health—U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas who notes, “A border crosser with an infectious disease can be anywhere in the United States within 36 hours.” Congressman Reyes knows that the border is a challenging environment with many barriers including different priorities for the two countries who share the border, different public health systems, travel restrictions, language, and politics. Additionally, our public health teams must contend with new and emerging infectious diseases, an economic crisis where budget cuts have decimated public health programs that man the border, and gaps in preparedness.

Disease Threats

Dave Daigle and Dr. Ali Khan of CDC stand for a picture with El Paso Health OfficialsWhile in El Paso, I also met with Dr. David Lakey, Commissioner of Texas Department of State Health Services who discussed his concerns about tuberculosis and other infectious diseases around the border. Lakey pointed out that Texas is second only to California with tuberculosis cases and that these cases are higher near the border than other parts of the state. Lakey said that in the poor communities along the border, people are less likely to get early treatment and often times they travel back and forth across the border and are not able to complete their treatment routine which leads to drug-resistant tuberculosis. Clearly the border is a challenge for those seeking to control infectious diseases.

Valley Fever

In addition to tuberculosis, an emerging disease called coccidiodomycosis or “Valley Fever” seems to be on the rise in this border region. Valley Fever is caused by inhalation of fungal spores that live in the desert soil; the spores can be dispersed by high winds. We see between 10,000 and 15,000 new cases diagnosed in Arizona each year, but very few cases are diagnosed across the Arizona-Mexico border, even though we know that pathogens don’t stop at borders. What is more likely than the pathogen stopping at the border is that health-care providers and laboratories are not trained to recognize and diagnose Valley Fever, allowing it to spread further.

Hard Questions and the Way ahead

Cars driving through the El Paso border crossingHow do we conduct surveillance and create sustainable bi-national systems for early warning infectious disease surveillance recognizing that there are 250-400 million northbound legal border crossings a year and that 25% of the US population and 35% of the Mexican population resides in the ten combined Border States? Is doing more with less really the answer? If so, then what can we no longer afford to do? Moving forward we must work to implement guidelines or a process for both countries to coordinate on epidemiological events. We require a bi-national border system for case reporting and communication and outbreak investigations and responses. And finally we must do a better job linking and integrating existing bi-national border efforts.

To learn more about CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, which works to prevent the introduction, transmission, and interstate spread of communicable diseases into the United States and its territories, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dgmq/

Tell Us What You Think

Do you live in a border state? Had you ever thought about the importance of public health at our borders? How do you think the nation needs to address the issue of budget cuts and possible disease threats?

Friday, July 8, 2011

Thousands of Chickens Infected by Bird Flu Death

At least 38 thousand chickens died suddenly in Sidrap, South Sulawesi, on Friday (8 / 7). Pemerintah daerah setempat langsung menutup transaksi jual beli, karena ayam-ayam itu dinyatakan positif terjangkit virus flu burung (H5N1). The local government immediately closed the sale and purchase transactions, because the chickens tested positive for bird flu virus (H5N1).

Sidrap Standby One AI Vaccine Stock Running Low - Problem Prices, Traders Worried Eggs and Chicken

SATURDAY, 08 JULI 2011

Sidrap - Virus Avian Influenza (AI) or bird flu in Sidrap increasingly widespread. Previously, total poultry die as a result of this virus is only about 10 000 animals, has now exceeded 39 thousand more. Head of Department of Livestock (Disnak) Sidrap, Muh Aziz, on Thursday said the deaths data Regency Sidrap, continued Azis, has set Sidrap in a bird flu alert status. 11 districts in the current Sidrap all been classified as endemic. Two districts namely Maritengngae and chert current Panca claimed the most severe. The period of transmission is so fast, he said, a major cause of increasingly widespread outbreak of bird flu in Sidrap.

This was also compounded by the depletion of stockpiles of vaccines and disinfectants as well as test tool (rapid test). Amid growing threats to bird populations in Sidrap, Regency expects the full attention Sidrap South Sulawesi province, especially in terms of relief supplies of vaccines and disinfectants.
Eggs Prone Well, in the midst of uncertainty when the bird flu outbreak is over, a number of traders eggs in Sidrap deeply worried. They fear that is usually ...

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus could partly be evacuated by pregnant BALB/c mouse during abortion or preterm delivery

Published on: 2011-07-08

The highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus is one of candidates for future pandemic. Since H5N1 viruses had previously been isolated only from avian species, the outbreak raised questions about the ability of these viruses to cause severe disease and death in humans.

Pregnant women are at increased risk for influenza-associated illness and death. However, little is known about whether influenza viruses could transmit to the fetus through the placenta, and the effects of abortion and preterm delivery to maternal influenza infection are not well understood.

We found that the H5N1 viruses could vertical transmit to the fetus through the placenta in the BALB/c mouse model, and the viruses could partly be evacuated by the pregnant mice during abortion or preterm delivery. This study may further our understanding about the transmission of this highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, supply optimized clinical treatment method for pregnant women, and shed some light on better preventing and controlling for future potential outbreak of H5N1 influenza pandemic.

Author: Lili XuLinlin BaoWei DengChuan Qin
Credits/Source: Virology Journal 2011, 8:342

USDA: H5N1 flu prompts ban of some poultry imports from Minnesota

Jul 7, 2011 5:15 PM ET

Avian-Flu Halts Some Minnesota Poultry Exports, USDA Says

Hong Kong, Cuba, Guatemala, Singapore and Taiwan have halted poultry exports from Wright County, Minnesota, after cases of low-pathogenic bird flu were discovered, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Countries have banned imports of poultry from Minnesota because low-pathogenic avian influenza cases were confirmed in the state,” Workabeba Yigzaw, a spokeswoman for the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, said today in an e- mail.

Hong Kong stopped imports of poultry meat and products derived from birds raised or processed in Wright Country on or after July 4, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Cuba and Guatemala stopped all shipments of raw poultry and poultry meat products in that county from birds slaughtered on or after June 29, the agency said.

Singapore stopped imports of fresh or frozen poultry meat from birds raised and processed in Wright County, Minnesota on or after July 4, the USDA said. Taiwan halted imports of all poultry meat and products loaded-on-board vessel on or after June 29, the agency said.