Journal Atani Tokoyo: The identification of AI virus in ducks in Indonesia ckade 2.3.2

20 December 2012

DISEASE OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION ON DUCK IN CENTRAL JAVA, YOGYAKARTA, AND EAST JAVA: IDENTIFICATION OF A NEW VIRUS clade subtype H5N1 AVIAN INFLUENZA IN INDONESIA

ABSTARCT

The Eurasian lineage of H5N1 viruses continue to cause the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry in some countries in Asia and Africa. In Indonesia, H5N1 clade 2.1 viruses have been known to cause outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 in all roomates clade 2.1.3 viruses have predominantly Circulated in poultry in this country since 2005. Most H5N1 HPAI outbreak Occurs in chickens, whereas outbreaks in other avian species is rare Including ducks. However, between September and November 2012, several disease outbreaks were reported from duck farms in three provinces in Java (Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java) with high morbidity and mortality seen in ducks. The majority of disease cases found in young ducks, but in some occasions, adult ducks were also affected. Neurological signs, whitish eye and death were the main clinical signs in young ducks, while reduced in egg production were frequently observed in affected laying ducks. Showed histopathology acute necrotic to chronic non-suppurative encephalitis and perivascular cuffing in dead or severe infected ducks. Immunohistochemistry result Showed H5N1 viral antigen detected mainly in brain. H5N1 virus was successfully isolated either from tissues, oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs or from feather samples. Avian influenza subtype H5 viral RNA was detected by real-time reverse transcription PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of hemagglutinin sequences of seven H5N1 virus isolates indicated that these isolates belong to clade 2.3.2, a sublineage that H5N1 has not been detected previously in Indonesia. Further analysis should be done to investigate Whether the Emergence of this virus in Indonesia is due to new H5N1 viral introduction or to mutation processes occurring in poultry. In addition, another study is Necessary to assess the pathogenecity of the virus in ducks and other poultry, Including chickens.

INTRODUCTION

Disease highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) caused by H5N1 subtype avian influenza virus was identified in poultry since 2003 (Dharmayanti et al ., 2004; Wiyono et al ., 2004). According to the classification of WHO / OIE / FAO, all H5N1 viruses isolated from poultry and humans in Indonesia, including the clade 2.1. The predominant H5N1 virus been found since 2005 to date comes from clade 2.1.3 (2.1.3.1, 2.1.3.2, and 2.1.3.3). Several studies have shown that infection with H5N1 virus-clade 2.1 in group chickens ( gallinaceous ) as layer chickens, broiler chicken, chicken is highly pathogenic, causing illness and death perakut high amounts, while ducks and other water fowl are relatively more resistant to infection these viruses ( Bingham et al. , 2009 ; Swayne, 2007 ; Wibawa et al. , 2012 ). The study results are consistent with the results of the investigation BBVet / BPPV and some sur-vei epidemiology and molecular epidemiology suggests that the rate of prevalence of H5N1 clade 2.1 in ducks and other water fowl in Indonesia is very low compared to the prevalence of the virus in chickens ( Henning et al. , 2010 ; Wibawa et al. , 2011 ; Loth et al. , 2011 ). In September-November 2012 reported the case of a fairly high mortality in ducks in Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java DI. Center for Veterinary Wates (Wates BBVet) did invesitigasi in the field and conduct sampling in order to identify the causative agent of the death of the ducks. This paper aims to identify the causative agent of infectious diseases that are pathogenic to ducks. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS

1. Disease Investigation Case

The investigation conducted by the activities of active disease in which the team BBVet Wates to respond actively, based on reports from farmers and agencies, to conduct on-site investigation of the case. In addition to servicing also active with passive submission service that evaluates agencies and individual samples (farmers), as well as the activities of semi-active / passive where samples were taken at Wates BBVet team doing vigorous activities on activity monitoring service or other animal disease surveillance. Investigation of cases of the disease in Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java, conducted from September-November 2012 to follow up some duck deaths reported in several districts in the three provinces. Chronology of disease cases described in Table 1.

Description:     Mortality is calculated based on the number of deaths in the total population of ducks on a  farm, tc: there is no record as informal reports by farmers, td: not done.

Some information from the breeder also said that duck plague occurred in several districts in Central Java such Boyolali, Starch and Apex. Based on the results of investigations in the field and report deaths of ducks introductory sample data showed that the average mortality was 39.3% ducks with the lowest percentage of 8.3% and highest mortality reached 100.0%. 

2. Laboratory Testing

Laboratory testing conducted in BBVet Wates to know the main agent causing disease deaths in ducks. Some testing is done partly by surgical test carcasses, Rapid Test AI, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, virus isolation, conventionalpolymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of ND virus, real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) for the detection of influenza A virus ti-pe and subtype H5 viruses, bacterial culture and serologic testing (titer AI and ND).

 In addition to laboratory testing BBVet Wates, also tests DNA sequencing to determine the sequence of nucleotides (nucleic acids) that make up the gene hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza A virus from samples positive by the results of virus isolation and RT-PCR H5N1 subtype H5. From some of the positive samples, a total of 3-7 samples were sent to asequencing lab partner , the Center Veterinaria Farma (3 samples of duck), Central Veterinary Research Bogor (3 samples), Center for Veterinary Drug Testing and Certification Bogor (7 samples) and Hall Regional Veterinary Investigation II Bukittinggi (7 samples). Samples ducks 1-3, sent to all the sequencing lab partner, while No.. 4-7 sent to BBPMSOH and BPPV II Bukittinggi. Detailed penaamaan H5N1 virus isolates from ducks as below:

No. 1: A/duck/Sukoharjo/BBVW-1428-9/2012 
No. 2: A/duck/Bantul/BBVW-1443-9/2012 
No. 3: A/duck/Sleman/BBVW-1463-10/2012 
No. 4: A/duck/Wonogiri/BBVW-1730-11/2012 
No. 5: A/duck/Blitar/BBVW-1731-11/2012 
No. 6: A/duck/Tegal/BBVW-1727-11/2012 
No. 7: A / Muscovy duck/Tegal/BBVW-1732-11/2012

DNA sequencing was performed by the standard operation procedure (SOP) of the Australian Animal Health Laboratory(AAHL), Geelong Australia, using four pairs of specific primers were designed by the AAHL ( AAHL, 2008 ). Primers are designed to mensekuen whole HA gene fragment that da-pat obtained full open reading frame (ORF) of this gene ( AAHL, 2008 ).

3. Sequence analysis and phylogenetic

 DNASTAR Lasergene 8.0 software used for the assembly and editing HA gene sequences. Multiple alignment performed using the Clustal W in Bioedit software ( Hall, 1999 ). Construction of phylogenetic done in MEGA 4 software ( Tamura et al., 2007 ) with the method of Neighbour Joining (NJ) tree using 1000 bootstrap replication and Tamura-Nei93 (TN93) for models of nucleotide substitution. Analysis of nucleotides pair distances carried by p -distance replication Bootstrapping with 1000 models.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results of laboratory testing

To find out the possible cause of duck plague inspection and testing has been carried out in the laboratory either by rapid test (Rapid Test) for AI, clinical examination, pathological anatomical, histopathological, immunohistochemical and serologic testing, bacteriology, virology and molecular biology with realtime RT- PCR using the primers and probes that identify specific AI subtypes H5. Test results virology and molecular biology in particular are presented in Table 2. 

 

On clinical examination of the diseased ducks, ducks seen that show clinical symptoms of nerve pain such as torticollis (Figure 1), tremors, difficulty standing, loss of balance when walking and in severe cases with death. Surgical outcomes carcasses not found specific changes except for a whitish cornea either unilateral or bilateral (Fig. 2), whitish streaks on the heart muscle that varies from mild to severe, and the congestion of the blood vessels and malasea (necrosis) of the brain with variations from mild to severe.

 

Histopathological examination showed infiltration of lymphocytes in high amounts in heart muscle. In multifocal acute brain inflammation and necrosis in the more chronic cases lymphocytes infiltrate the brain (Figure 3), followed by the inflammation of mild to severe perivascular cuffing. In immunohistochemical staining method using the antibody of H5N1 AI virus antigen is found in the cells of brain neurons (Fig. 4). 

Changes histopathologic and immunohistochemical results are similar to observations at the microscopic changes in experimental ducks were infected by H5N1 virus isolates from clade 1 or 2.1 ( Bingham et al. , 2009 ; Wibawa et al. , 2012 ).But the H5N1 viruses isolated from ducks cases recently seen having lesion severity higher than infections caused viruses from clade 2.1. Therefore, further research needs to be done to determine the extent pathogenesitas new isolates of different poultry species, especially chickens and ducks.

On examination of the bacterial culture of the eye, eye fluid, brain, heart and the hearts of all the results were negative fungal and bacterial pathogens. This suggests that the probability of death in ducks problem is not caused by bacteria and fungi infections. In serological tests, serum samples from 28 ducks found 8 samples tested (28.6%) AI H5 antibody positive and 12 samples (42.9%) positive antibody ND. With the antibody titers in both AI and ND duck serum, suggesting the possibility that ducks had been vaccinated or had the disease or ND AI field. From the test data found 1 virus isolation positive cases ND (samples from LDCC), AI 10 positive, 1 negative isolation and the remaining 5 cases are still in the process of virus isolation (Table 2). For ND virus isolates, the test was performed by injecting the corresponding virus isolates in ducks as intravenous way, however, after 3 weeks of ducks did not die and arise ND antibody with a high titer (HI titer 2 ⁵ ). This result indicates that the ND virus isolates were found not to cause the death of duck plague. On examination by PCR, from 17 cases of ducks, 11 cases tested PCR and obtained the following data: 9 H5 viral RNA positive samples, 9 ND viral RNA negative, a negative sample either H5 or ND, and the rest are still in the process of testing (Table 2). This reinforces the results of molecular testing of suspected causes of death occurring outbreaks in ducks is AI virus subtypes H5.

Sequence and Phylogenetic Analysis of the hemagglutinin gene

The results showed that the DNA sequence of the ORF of the HA gene of the virus was 1707 base pairs ( base pairs ) and it encodes 569 amino acids of the HA protein. The seven isolates had high genetic similarity, which is 99% both at the level of genetic similarity nucleotides or amino acids. The results of the analysis of Basic Local Alignment Search Tools (BLAST) in Genbank and genetic distance using Mega 4 software ( Tamura et al. , 2007 ) showed that the seven isolates of H5N1 duck has a rate of 97-98% homology with H5N1 clade viruses 2.3.2.1. Instead, based on, the level of homology with viruses from clade 2.1 low at around 91-93%. These results indicate that the H5N1 isolates from ducks is not derived from the Indonesian clade 2.1.

Sequence analysis showed that the HA protein isolates seven ducks have basic amino acid sequence motifs that recur tread area cuts protease enzyme ( proteolitic cleavage site ) were identical to viruses from clade 2.3.2.1, namely PQRERRRKR ( Li et al. , 2011 ) ( Figure 5). This indicates that the viruses isolated from ducks has Characteristic HPAI virus ( Perdue et al. , 1997 ; Senne et al. , 1996 ).

To view the classification of H5N1 isolates isolated from ducks, performed phylogenetic analyzes using the Neighbor-Joining (NJ) Tree with nekleotida TN93 substitution models using 1000 bootstrap replications. The results of the phylogenetic tree showed that the duck isolates included in clade 2.3.2 and is a branch of the phylogenetic clade 2.3.2.1 (Figure 6). Next, to see whether this virus is still in one strain ( lineage ) with clade 2.3.2.1, the test was done to determine the genetic diversity within the average nucleotide pair duck isolates with viruses from clade 2.3.2.1. WHO / OIE / FAO H5N1 Evolution Working Group ( WHO, 2008 ; WHO, 2012 ) has made ​​provision H5N1 clade classification as follows: 1) Classified a new clade if it has an average percentage range (diversity) nucleotide pair between species ( average pairwise distance ) of more than 1.5% of the clade that has been there and most previous definitions, 2) the results of phylogenetic analysis and the diversity of the HA sequence   shows sharing common ancestral node with bootstrap values> 60% of the nodes indicate phylogenetic clade (after 1000 neighbor-joining bootstrap replicates ).

Figure 6 . phylogenetic tree of H5N1 isolates isolated from ducks (3 isolates using that for analysis). Analysis using the NJ tree, with a nucleotide substitution model of Tamura-Nei (TN93) with 1000 boostrap replication. Phylogenetic tree dirootkan on A / goose / Guangdong/1/96 (H5N1). H5N1 isolates from ducks case is colored red.

Phylogenetic analysis and genetic diversity by using MEGA 4.0 software showed that the average distance between neighbor nucleotides pair of duck isolates was 0.3%, which means that the seven isolates of H5N1 from ducks case is still in the group, but the average distance of nucleotides pair with the group or other clusters within clade 2.3.2.1 (group 1, group 2 and group 3) is more than 1.5% (2.3-4.6%) (Figure 6). Although the average distance between isolates nukletida pair of ducks is more than 1.5% of the other group in the clade 2.3.2.1, all virus isolates still share a common ancestral node of clade 2.3.2. These results indicate that there is a possibility isolates or ducks are derived from a group or cluster of new phylogenetic clade 2.3.2 (Fig. 6). To date it is known that only viruses derived clade of of 2.1 which attacks poultry and humans in Indonesia. With the invention of a new clade of H5N1 in Indonesia, particularly in the area of Yogyakarta, Central Java and East Java, suggesting the possibility of introduction of a new virus into Indonesia. But the initial introduction, the animal species involved, and the factors that cause the emergence of this virus which causes death in ducks in all three parts of Java is not yet known. To find it necessary to hold a retrospective study of both epidemiology and molecular epidemiology. More important is the need to be increased attention ( awareness ) and monitoring the possibility of expansion of the virus to other parts of Indonesia through the traffic of poultry or their products. To prevent the spread of cases, necessary control measures such depopuasi or culling of infected poultry ducks and restrictions and strict traffic control ducks and their products into and out of the three areas mentioned above.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Based on the laboratory test results concluded that the suspected cause of duck plague that is currently happening in the province of Central Java, and East Java are DIYogyakarta AI subtype H5N1 disease.
2. Seven isolates of H5N1 viruses have been sequenced allegedly not come from the lineage of clade 2.1 H5N1 virus has been endemic in poultry in Indonesia.
3. Isolates of H5N1 viruses isolated from ducks have a higher degree of kinship to the viruses of clade 2.3.2.1 (97-98% nucleic acid similarity) than kinship against viruses from clade 2.1 (91-93%).
4. Based on phylogenetic analysis, isolates of H5N1 viruses isolated from ducks are included in clade 2.3.2.
5. Based on the analysis of the genetic diversity of the nucleotide sequence of the HA gene, did not rule out if this virus isolates belong to a group ( sublineage ) new but still included in the clade 2.3.2. This should prove a more accurate analysis and involve more comprehensive virus isolates.
6. The factors that led to the emergence of clade 2.3.2 into Indonesia needs to be further investigated, whether this is due to the introduction of a new virus into Indonesia.
7. Need improved monitoring of poultry (chickens and waterfowl) on circulating viruses and the like clade 2.3.2 HPAI endemicity resulting.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author would like to thank the Director of Animal Health, Head BBVet Wates, Chief Regional BPPV II Bukittingi, BBalitvet Chief, Head and Chief BBPMSOH Pusvetma for their input and support given in the writing of this article. Our thanks also go to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), Geelong, Australia and the FAO-OIE OFFLU Project, which has helped increase the capacity of the testing and development of AI and sequensing DNA diagnosis in laboratories in the technical services unit under the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health, Indonesia. We also would like to thank all parties, particularly the Department of Agriculture / Animal Husbandry and Animal Health at the district and also breeders who have helped in the investigation of disease.

REFERENCES

AAHL. , 2008. Sequencing of Avian Influenza. CSIRO-Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), Geelong, Australia.Bingham, J., Green, DJ, Lowther, S., Klippel, J., Burggraaf, S., Anderson, DE, Wibawa, H., Hoa, DM , Long, NT, Vu, PP, Middleton, DJ & Daniels, PW 2009. Infection studies with two highly pathogenic avian influenza strains (Vietnamese and Indonesian) in Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), with particular reference to clinical disease, tissue tropism and viral shedding. Avian Pathol 38 (4): 267-278. Dharmayanti, NLP.I., Damayanti, R., Wiyono, A., Indriani, R., and Darminto. , 2004. identification of avian influenza virus isolates Indonesia by the method of reverse transcripatese polymerase chain reaction RT-PCR. JITV. 9. 2: 136-142 Hall, T. , 1999. BioEdit: a user-friendly biological sequence alignment editor and analysis program for Windows 95/98/NT. Nucleic Acids Symp Ser 41: 95-98. Henning, J., Wibawa, H., Morton, J., Usman, TB, Junaidi, A. And Meers, J. , 2010. Scavenging ducks and transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza, Java, Indonesia. emerg Infect Dis 16 (8): 1244-1250. Li, Y., Liu, L., Zhang, Y., Duan, Z., Tian, G., Zeng, X., Shi, J., Zhang, L. & Chen, H. , 2011. New avian influenza virus (H5N1) in wild birds, Qinghai, China. emerg Infect Dis 17 (2): 265-267. Loth, L., Gilbert, M., Wu, J., Czarnecki, C., Hidayat , M. & Xiao, X. , 2011. Identifying risk factors of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 subtype) in Indonesia. Prev Vet Med 102 (1): 50-58. Perdue, ML, Garcia, M., Senne, D.& Fraire, M. , 1997. Virulence-associated sequence duplication at the hemagglutinin cleavage site of avian influenza viruses. Virus Res 49 (2): 173-186. Senne, DA, Panigrahy, B., Kawaoka, Y., Pearson, JE, Suss, J. , Lipkind, M., Kida, H. & Webster, RG 1996. Survey of the hemagglutinin (HA) cleavage site sequence of H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses: amino acid sequence at the HA cleavage site as a marker of pathogenicity potential. Avian Dis 40 (2): 425-437. Swayne , DE 2007. Understanding the complex pathobiology of high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses in birds. Avian Dis 51 (1 Suppl): 242-249. Tamura, K., Dudley, J., Nei, M. & Kumar, S. , 2007. MEGA4: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) software version 4.0. . Molecular Biology and Evolution 24 : 1596-1599. WHO. , 2008. Toward a unified nomenclature system for highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1). emerg Infect Dis 14 (7): e1. WHO. Of 2012.Continued evolution of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1): updated nomenclature. WHO / OIE / FAO H5N1 Evolution Working Group. Influenza Other Respi Viruses 6 (1): 1-5. Wibawa, H., Bingham, J., Nuradji, H., Lowther, S., Payne, J., Harper, J., Wong, F., Lunt, R., Junaidi, A., Middleton, D. And Meers, J. Of 2012. The pathobiology of two Indonesian H5N1 avian influenza viruses representing different clade 2.1 sublineages in chickens and ducks Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. In Press. Wibawa, H., Henning, J., Wong, F., Selleck, P., Junaidi , A., Bingham, J., Daniels, P.And Meers, J. 2011. A molecular and antigenic survey of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus isolates from smallholders duck farms in Central Java, Indonesia during 2007-2008. Virol J 8: 425. Wiyono, A., Indriani, R., Dharmayanti, NLPI, Damayanti , R., and Darminto. , 2004. Isolation and Characterization of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus H5 subtype of chicken origin Outbreak in Indonesia. JITV. 9.1: 61-71 Article written by: Hendra Authority, Walujo Budi Prijono and  Sri Handayani Irianingsih  : Center for Veterinary Wates Ni Luh Putu Indi Dharmayanti:Central Veterinary Research Bogor Yuli Miswati and  Kiki Safitria: Veterinary Investigation Center Bukittinggi Anieka Rohmah and Rosmalina Sari Dewi Daulay:  Farma Veterinaria Center, Surabaya Ernes Andesyha and Romlah:  Center for Quality Testing and Certification of Veterinary Drug Bogor


http://atanitokyo.blogspot.com/2012/12/identifikasi-virus-ai-pada-itik-ckade.html

AVIAN INFLUENZA, HUMAN (63), EGYPT, INDONESIA, WHO

Published Date: 2012-12-19 15:31:16

Date: Mon 17 Dec 2012
Source: WHO, Influenza at the human-animal interface [edited]
http://www.who.int/influenza/human_animal_interface/Influenza_Summary_IRA_HA_interface_17Dec12.pdf


[NB: The WHO reports confirming A/H5N1 human infections are now being reported in the following format. The fatal case in Indonesia recorded below was reported in ProMED-mail posting Avian influenza, human (61): Indonesia (WJ) fatal, child 20121214.1452311, whereas the Egyptian case is a new case not previously reported. - Mod.CP]

Human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses; associated animal health events
-----------------------------------------------------
From 2003 through 17 Dec 2012, 610 laboratory-confirmed human cases with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection have been officially reported to WHO from 15 countries, of whom 360 have died.

Since January 2012, 32 human cases of influenza A(H5N1) virus infection have been reported to WHO.

Since the last update on 5 Nov 2012, 2 new laboratory-confirmed human cases with influenza A(H5N1) virus infection were reported to WHO, one from Egypt and the other a fatal case from Indonesia.

Table: Laboratory-confirmed human cases with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection reported between 5 Nov and 17 Dec 2012

Country / Province / Age(y) / Sex / Onset* / Hospitalisation* / Death* / Exposure

Egypt / Demietta governorate / 2 / F / 3 Dec 2012 / 1 Dec 2012 / surviving / backyard poultry (chicken and ducks)

Indonesia / West Java / 4 / M / 30 Nov 2012 / 5 Dec 2012 / 6 Dec 2012 / poultry (duck) in neighbourhood)

* dates thereof

Comment: based on previous years' observations, an increase in reported H5N1 influenza events in poultry is expected for this time of year. Sporadic human cases reported this month [December 2012] in countries with known influenza A(H5N1) virus activity in poultry are within the expected range. No onward sustained human to human transmission was reported.

Public health risk assessment of avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses: the public health risk remains unchanged.

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

Norovirus widespread epidemic IN UK / ineffectiveness DISHWASHER

In the UK there has been an outbreak of norovirus or "cold
stomach "unusually severe.

Almost nine hundred thousand people have contracted the disease, according
the Daily Telegraph. The rate so high for this time of year is
considered the most dramatic beginning of the epidemic in the
history.

According to doctors, the number of cases continues to rise. As warn
experts, diarrhea, caused by the virus, can take up
five days, but a week after the person is recovered
infection being the carrier.

---------

Commercial dishwashers can kill bacteria daily, but
no norovirus, gastroenteritis causes many diseases and
foodborne worldwide, according to a study
recent and published by HealthDay News.

Although the guidelines of the restaurant industry for
cleaning of dishes and cutlery kill bacteria, are not
effective against norovirus, researchers noted
Ohio State University. They found that the virus can withstand
manual and mechanical cleaning.

"We know that when public food establishments continue
cleaning protocols, they do a very good job of removing
bacteria ", said in a press release issued by the university
Melvin Pascall study leader, associate professor
science and food technology. "Now we can see that
Protocols are less effective for removing viruses and killing, and this
may help explain why there are still so many diseases
caused by cross-contamination of foods. "

For the study, published in a recent issue of the journal
PLoS One, the researchers contaminated milk and cream cheese
skimmed with a norovirus, with _E. _Listeria_ coli_ or three
common causes of foodborne illnesses.
Then, we applied these milk products to steel utensils
steel, ceramic plates and to vessels. The utensils were washed
by hand or in a dishwasher following sanitization protocols
using chlorine and a quaternary ammonium compound (a detergent
germicidal).

Both washed by hand or in the dishwasher fell by _E. and to coli_
_Listeria_ To safe levels. Although the dishwasher were more
effective in eliminating potentially harmful bacteria and viruses, the
Researchers found that neither cleaning methods
managed to reduce the presence of norovirus.

"Although the protocols able to kill some of the virus, the
Norovirus is highly contagious and can infect humans involves
only a few viral particles, "noted Li Jianrong, a professor
assistant food virology. "These results indicate that
or detergents or disinfectants used in protocols
current cleaning are effective against norovirus in
concentrations currently used ".

"The management and adequate sanitation remains the factor
single most important to prevent cross-contamination
food and dishes in establishments offering
food, "he said Pascall." However, it seems that we must
better identify agents or methods to reduce significantly
the presence of norovirus, and work to update
protocols ".

The researchers noted that the norovirus is responsible for 90 per
percent of cases of non-bacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks.

The norovirus, which can contaminate food or water
easily, spreads quickly in confined populations, by
example on cruise ships, dormitories and prisons. According to
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of
EE. UU., Norovirus annually causes an estimated 91,000 visits
emergency room and 23,000 hospitalizations for severe diarrhea
among children under five.

The researchers said they plan to evaluate the effectiveness of
methods of cleaning against hepatitis A and
influenza.
http://www.promedmail.org/es

Indonesia: New Virus is NOT a Mutation

 [You can read more about the 2.3.2.1 clade on the right side-bar of this blog.  It has been reported in Vietnam and the posts are here at Pandemic Information News]

20 December 2012

Phylogenetic analysis and the results of the test isolates of avian influenza virus (H5N1) by the Center for Veterinary (BBVet) Wates, Central Java (Central Java), suggesting that the virus attacked thousands of ducks these days is not the result of mutations.

"Criteria for closest to the virus that attacks virus of poultry in Vietnam and Hong Kong," said Director of Animal Health, Pujiatmoko, Thursday (20/12).

Ministry of Agriculture (Ministry of Agriculture) found a strain of the H5N1 virus not previously found in Indonesia. Testing was also done by comparing the virus was endemic in Tegal, Bantul, Sleman, Sukoharjo and Wonogiri.

Ministry of Agriculture continues to investigate the association of genetic (phylogenetic) isolates of H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1 which have been identified in other countries in Asia.
Pujiatmoko said the possibility of spreading the virus carried by wild birds migration routes. The virus may also be carried in birds that had been abroad, then back again and infect other ducks. Deputy Head of Department of Livestock Forum of East Java, Maskur said, there were 8260 ducks died from the virus.

http://www.republika.co.id/berita/nasional/umum/12/12/20/mfbsd4-virus-h5n1-terbaru-bukan-hasil-mutasi 

New Flu Vaccine by GlaxoSmithKline Approved

  Dec 18th, 2012

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a seasonal flu vaccine that is four-strain by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, it was announced Monday. Fluarix Quadrivalent was approved by the FDA to be used for immunization of children three years of age or older and for adults against subtypes A and B of the flu virus.
This is the first intramuscular vaccination that is used to protect against four different flu strains. Vaccines that are three-strain are administered currently to help protect against two common A viruses and one B strain that is predicted to be the predominant strain in that given year, said officials from GlaxoSmthKline.
However, since 2000, there have been two strains of the B virus circulating each season, meaning those patients who are infected with a B virus that is not contained in their vaccine, were not immunized against it.
Company officials said that Fluarix Quadrivalent protects against two A viruses and gives increased coverage against the second B virus. They continued by saying that the three strain vaccines helped to protect millions against flu, but in the last 11 flu seasons, six of the seasons had a B strain circulating that was not the strain authorities from public health had selected to be in the vaccine.
Glaxo announced the vaccine would start to be available for the start of the 2013-2014 flu season. It plans to also fulfill all orders for its three-strain vaccines. Flu vaccines are typically ordered by healthcare providers one year in advance

http://www.healthaim.com/new-flu-vaccine-by-glaxosmithkline-approved/

Seasonal Flu: Philidelphia Cough-and-cold season arrives suddenly, hits hard

December 20, 2012

After a run of topsy-turvy influenza seasons that included one pandemic and another with almost no flu, the new cough-and-cold season has arrived abruptly and in force.

Across the country, influenza-like illnesses are showing up at their earliest point in nearly a decade. Locally, pediatric hospitals are already experiencing some of their highest emergency-room volumes since the peak of the pandemic three years ago.

What is typically a one-two punch - various early-winter viruses followed by late-winter influenza - may be emerging in the Philadelphia region as simultaneous rises in the respiratory infection RSV and flu. Both hit young children hard.

Continued:  http://articles.philly.com/2012-12-19/news/35914596_1_pandemic-flu-predominant-flu-strain-rsv

Flu season hits early in Michigan, closes schools

December 19, 2012
In Michigan, 63 cases of flu had been reported as of Thursday, up from 34 the previous week.
"That's a pretty big jump," said Angela Minicuci, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Community Health. "It's hard to predict if it will continue. It is a concern to see this many cases this early in the season."
Twenty-three of the cases are in southeast Michigan, Minicuci said, with 20 in southwest, 14 in central Michigan and six in northern Michigan. The state doesn't usually see these numbers until the peak months of January and February, officials said.
This week, the L'Anse Area Schools in the Upper Peninsula closed for three days, starting at midday Monday, due to a flu outbreak, one staffer said.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121219/LIFESTYLE03/212190350#ixzz2FbN0rVp2

Seasonal Flu: Canada Waterloo Update

WATERLOO REGION — The flu is being blamed as a contributing factor in the death of a fifth person in the region.
On Wednesday, public health officials confirmed the death of an elderly resident with underlying health conditions as well as influenza. Three other elderly residents — all with underlying health problems — and a previously healthy child have also died as the region experiences flu rates higher than the provincial average this season.

A total of 154 influenza cases have been confirmed.
“I anticipate we have probably reached levels of activity that we would consider the peak at this time,” said associate medical officer of health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang.
However, it’s still too early to tell what’s around the corner. “Often the most predictable thing about the flu is that it’s not entirely predictable.”
Five deaths are within the range of a typical flu season, she said. This year’s season began early in the region.
It’s not too late to get a flu shot, and tests suggest the vaccine is a good match this year. Vaccination rates remain low, however.
It’s available at no charge through family doctors, urgent care clinics and some workplaces and pharmacies.
Two remaining community flu shot clinics run from 2 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 3 at the public health building (room 508), 99 Regina St. S., Waterloo, and on Jan. 10 at the public health building (boardroom), 150 Main St., Cambridge.
For more information, call 519-883-2324 or go to www.regionofwaterloo.ca/seasonalinfluenza.

http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/856908--fifth-death-attributed-to-flu-in-region

Alaskan Scientists Zero In On Avian Flu At Temperatures 40 Below

12/19/2012
Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alaskadispatchcom/alaskan-scientists-zero-i_b_2334352.html 


[Comment:  The clade 2.3.2 in Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, is deadly for ducks]
Excerpt from the original article:

However, the primary focus of the scientists is the flu, although it's not what most think of when it comes to the flu. No runny duckbills or chicken soup for these guys. Brandt Meixell, a wildlife biologist and co-investigator with the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center, said it's almost impossible to tell apart a sick duck from a healthy one and the virus very rarely leads to death.
“Holding one bird that has it and one that doesn't -- there's no discernible difference,” Meixell said.
Duck influenza hasn't received as much attention as avian influenza. So far as is known, it stays within bird populations, only produces mild illness and cannot be transferred to humans.
The virus generally moves through the birds in the fall, especially young ducks, thanks to their “naive” immune systems, Meixell said. Not only are the Chena birds all staying back for winter, they're also packed tightly together allowing for easy transmission of the virus. Checking them throughout the winter will give scientists a better idea how long the virus and its antibodies remain in the animals.
 

Pigs In China’s Guangdong Province Infected With Avian Flu

By David Tan | Featured Research
December 20, 2012

Scientists have made a startling discovery that pigs in China’s Guangdong province are infected with avian influenza viruses.

AsianScientist (Dec. 20, 2012) – Scientists have made a startling discovery that pigs in China’s Guangdong province are infected with three strains of avian influenza viruses.
Led by Dr. Zhang Guihong, a team of scientists from the College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou published their findings recently in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.
In the period from 2010 to 2012, the scientists examined serum from pigs for both the avian and swine types of influenza virus. In total, 1,080 21- to 25-week-old pigs were tested for the H3, H4, H5, and H6 subtypes of avian influenza virus, and the H1 and H3 subtypes of swine influenza virus.
Looking first at the avian influenza A virus, 0.93 percent of pigs were positive for the H3 subtype, 1.6 percent were positive for the H4 subtype, and 1.8 percent were positive for the H6 subtype.
Of the swine flu virus, 35 percent of pigs were positive for H1N1, and 19.7 percent were positive for H3N2.
None of samples were positive for the avian H5 virus, which meant that the pigs had most likely been sporadically infected with the H3, H4, and H6 subtypes.
Importantly, no serum samples collected in 2001 were positive for any of the avian viruses, indicating that transmission into swine was recent.
Influenza A virus is responsible both for pandemics that have killed millions worldwide, and for the much less severe annual outbreaks of influenza. Because pigs can be infected with both human and avian influenza viruses, they are thought to serve as “mixing vessels” for genetic reassortment that could lead to pandemics.
In the lab, pigs have been infected experimentally by all avian H1-H13 subtypes. However, natural transmission of avian influenza to pigs has been documented only rarely.

“We recommend strongly that the pork industry worldwide should monitor the prevalence of influenza in pigs, considering their important role in transmitting this virus to humans,” said Dr. Zhang.

The article can be found at: Su S et al. (2012) Seroepidemiological evidence of avian influenza A virus transmission in pigs in southern China.
——
Source: American Society for Microbiology; Photo: rajthesnapper/Flickr/CC.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

http://www.asianscientist.com/in-the-lab/avian-influenza-a-virus-infects-pigs-in-southern-china-2012/

Indonesia: Bogor Directly Monitoring Families of Victim

December 20, 2012

KBRN, Bogor: security measure Bogor district government continues to cases of bird flu that causes a toddler, Irfan example, Parung Panjang resident, passed away earlier this week.

As reported earlier, Bogor District Health Office directly supervise the families of the victims that amounted to four people to the event as soon as possible bird flu inveksi anticipated to be referred to Suryanti Saroso Hospital. While anticipation is also done local Animal Husbandry and Fisheries.

Head of Prevention and Eradication of Animal Diseases, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Bogor, Hardi, the RRI, Thursday (12/20/2012), said the victims of bird flu from ducks or 'enthog'yang traffic comes from outside the region .

At present, sampling is done from animals from poultry to the victim's home checked in the lab, if it is positive it will be destruction. This action is done because the area has not been declared safe Parung length of bird flu.

"We will disinfect for first, second later cattle-positive terkan be localized," he explained.

Furthermore, people are suggested to be cautious of the circulation of animals, especially from outside Bogor. In addition, people were asked not to interact directly with sick animals and to report to the Health Office and District Fisheries bogor case of bird flu symptoms. (Nata / SonnyHF)

http://rri.co.id/index.php/detailberita/detail/38705#.UNMOv4njnA4