Bird flu hits 9 Vietnam's provinces

[Up to 9. Still do not see the Province that the confirmed case came from....Ninh Binh]

HANOI, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Bird flu is plaguing in nine provinces in Vietnam with a newly-reported coastal province Khanh Hoa was also found the virus, according to Department of Animal Health under Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Wednesday.

In Khanh Hoa province of south central Vietnam, bird flu has killed 27 fowls raised at a local farm, said the department, Vietnam watchdog of bird flu.

Samples of dead ducks found in the province tested positive to the H5N1 virus, said the department.

So far this year, nine provinces of Vietnam nationwide have been hit by avian flu, including four provinces in Mekong Delta, namely Ca Mau, Soc Trang, Hau Giang and Bac Lieu, two northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Quang Ninh, two central provinces of Nghe An and Quang Tri, and the newly-confirmed southern Khanh Hoa, said the department.

Sleman: Bird Flu Outbreak Threatens DIY

Previously reported here: http://pandemicinformationnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/indo-bird-flu-struck-sleman.html

[google translated]
Wednesday, 18 Feb 2009

JOGJA - Pergantian rainy season to the summer or during this period that the increase in the number of flu outbreaks in birds DIY. The air temperature does not menentunya lead to the emergence of the virus Avian influenza (AI) that attack poultry.

"Climate change in the period from January to April will affect the health because of environmental birds play a role in the growth of bird flu virus," said Chairman of the Bird Flu Penanggulangan RSUP dr dr Sardjito Sumardi SpPD (KP) to the journalist in the local hospital, Tuesday (17 / 2).

Mewabahnya back this disease, according to Sumardi can be seen from the cases of dozens of dead chickens in Sleman expressed positive ternjangkit AI virus some time ago. The owner of a dead chicken that even needs to be checked to RSUP dr Sardjito.
Although in the end fell ill expressed negative bird flu, but they were experiencing signs of bird flu fell ill, such as fever, flu and nyerti swallow and was stated suspect bird flu. "But after the test in the laboratory and hospital Sardjito Jakarta to finally expressed their negative bird flu and can go home," he explained.

Therefore Sumardi DIY community can hope to maintain the health environment. For the AI vaccine is currently used for effective new treat bird flu disease in poultry.
While in humans, the vaccine is still in experimental stage. So that the vaccine is not yet known whether it can effectively dimafaatkan to treat human flu virus that infected birds. "Yes indeed, if for poultry, the vaccine is effective for granted but can not be manusi," augment him. (Ptu)

3 questionable statements for you..

There sure are a lot of stories telling us dont worry, yet they seem very contradictory..some even seem to be outright lies..






China bird flu not pandemic, but be prepared: UN
Beijing, February 18, 2009
A recent string of bird flu infections in humans in China posed no pandemic risk as the cases were unrelated, but authorities need to remain alert, UN experts said on Wednesday.

1."The strain we see now is not a pandemic threat," Hans Troedsson, the World Health Organisation's (WHO) representative in China, told journalists.

Troedsson spoke at a press conference in the wake of eight human cases of infection with the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu reported in China so far this year. Five of those infected died from the disease.

Though the number of cases was up from three in China for all of 2008, Troedsson said the numbers remained too low for great concern, especially as they came during winter months when the virus temporarily gains strength.

2."The eight cases do not really represent anything.... What it only says is that we have a number of cases occurring during a period when we could expect that there should be cases," he said.

With the latest deaths, 25 of the 38 people infected with the H5N1 virus in China since the disease re-emerged in 2003 have succumbed to the illness, adding to fears of an eventual pandemic.

A pandemic, or a global outbreak of a fatal disease, usually occurs every 25-30 years, Troedsson said.

"What is important is that governments make preparedness plans," he said.

Troedsson also noted that human-to-human transmission, which would signal the virus had mutated to a form easily
transmissible between people, had yet to be seen.

According to the WHO, there have been 407 cases of human bird flu and 254 deaths in 15 countries since the strain re-emerged in 2003, with most occurring in Vietnam and Indonesia.

3. All recorded human infections of avian influenza are believed to have been directly transmitted from either diseased or dead birds, he said.

Still, much remains to be learned about the virus and governments should remain vigilant, said Vincent Martin, an avian flu expert with the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation.

"The virus is entrenched .. you cannot deny that there is infection," Martin said at the same briefing.

"What we are lacking today is a complete and full understanding of the epidemiology of the disease."

2 completely different messages..

UN rings alarm bells over bird flu in China

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:35:54 GMT
Beijing - The bird-flu virus is nearly entrenched in China's poultry population and represents a threat to world health, UN experts said Wednesday. "It has the potential for a pandemic," said Hans Troedsson, the World Health Organization's (WHO's) representative in China, which has the world's largest poultry population.

He told journalists in Beijing after China reported five human bird-flu deaths so far this year that health experts were concerned about the breadth and intensity in China of poultry infections of H5N1, the strain of bird flu that can be deadly in humans.

Most human H5N1 infections have occurred after patients have had close contact with infected birds, but health experts fear the virus could mutate into a form that could easily be passed between humans and cause a worldwide pandemic.

"It is posing a pandemic risk," Troedsson said of the bird-flu outbreak in China's poultry.

"No one can escape it," he added. "It will strike the whole world."

A warning to China of a pandemic also came from another UN agency, the Food and Agricultural Organization.

"We should not be complacent," said Vincent Martin, an animal health adviser from the organization. "If it happens, it will be very scary for everyone."

He called for bird-flu prevention and investigations into how the virus spreads, warning that it was evolving.

The experts said they were also concerned that the most recent human infections in China were widely distributed across the country and could not be linked to nearby outbreaks of bird flu among poultry.

WHO has confirmed 407 human bird-flu cases since 2003 in 15 Asian and African countries, 254 of which were fatal. China has seen 26 deaths from 39 cases, eight of which occurred this year.

WHO: China's bird flu cases don't signal pandemic

Feb 18, 3:14 AM EST By TINI TRAN Associated Press Writer

BEIJING (AP) -- China's eight bird flu cases last month do not constitute an immediate public health problem, U.N. health officials said Wednesday, but the country needs to step up its vigilance to combat the disease. Hans Troedsson, head of the World Health Organization in China, said the H5N1 flu infections, which included five deaths, have followed a historic pattern of increasing during the cold season. About 83 percent of China's 38 total cases since 2003 were reported from November to March, he said. "Why we don't suspect this is the beginning of a pandemic is that you have these cases geographically distributed and there are no links between them," he said in Beijing. "All of them have been exposed to sick or dead poultry or wet markets, so there is a plausible explanation on how they can be transmitted." He added there was no indication of human-to-human transmission. Scientists have long feared that the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, which has devastated poultry stock across Asia, could mutate and become highly infectious among people, triggering a deadly global pandemic. Still, the cases in China have raised concerns because there were no large outbreaks of the flu among poultry in areas where humans fell ill, Troedsson said. "It is of great concern for us. It's something we are raising, both with WHO and FAO (the Food and Agriculture Organization), with the government," Troedsson said. China has taken steps to control and monitor its poultry population in the last four years, said Vincent Martin of the Rome-based FAO, but there remain big "gaps" in its ability to monitor its poultry, he said. "Definitely the Ministry of Agriculture is aware of this problem. They are taking millions of samples to check on the status of the poultry population but it's a huge task and a huge challenge for them," he said. In addition, China's centuries-old method of "backyard farming," with small farmers living amid and raising livestock together creates immense obstacles to wiping out the bird flu virus completely, he said. Worldwide, avian influenza has spread across 15 countries, with 407 human cases reported, 254 of them fatal.

So which is it Hans?..Posing a pandemic risk no one can escape, or just run of the mill annual infections? If the recent cases dont represent anything, why are you concerned about the lack of poultry outbreaks in the same areas?..

Tercemar Virus Flu Burung Diberi Kaporit water

on Wednesday, February 18 2009 16:48
the disposal of water in the District of Cilendek Timur Kecamatan Bogor Barat that diindikasi dirtiest the bird flu virus was given chlorine by the Kesehatan Service joint team and the Service of Pertanian Kota Bogor, yesterday.
According to Kasi the Health and the Production Distan the Bogor City drh Ahmad Maolana that came to the location, giving of the chlorine so that the resident around the disposal pond in RT 02/03 not restless. “Untuk saw his influence, two days afterwards the Penelitian Veteriner Body (Balitvet) Bogor will take the sample of water that has been given chlorine tersebut,” said Ahmad. However, resulting from giving of chlorine in this disposal pond, the fish belonging to the resident died. “Walau also how the prevention efforts better than later the resident why-kenapa,” more Maolana to the Bogor Radar, yesterday. Apart from giving of chlorine that was done by the Kesehatan Service of the Bogor City, of Distan also sprayed disinfectant against the poultry around this territory, including around the disposal pond. “Kami also carried out spraying. This as the step in anticipation so that the resident increasingly tenang,” he added. Ahmad added, the resident might not worry dirtiest water not from the source of water that often was used by the resident. “Kan that was given the chlorine not the source of water that often was used by the resident. So, the resident might not khawatir,” he added.
The resident Cilendek East could be restless with the death of hundreds of fish Mas property of the resident in RT 02/03. The sub-district head Bogor Barat Hendi Iskandar calmed the resident that hundreds of fish died not because of the bird flu virus melaikan giving of chlorine disinfectant to release from the virus. “Warga better should not panic first, because the related service was still continuing to make an effort to look for the solution dealt with this problem. At first results of the further inspection also did not yet go out. Who knew after being given water chlorine in this location became free from flu burung,” he said.
Now the measuring pond 8 X 10 metre this was closed and protected in order to not have access entered this location. The sub-district head also asked for the owner of the pond to immediately drain the pond after being stated free bird flu by the official, so as to not have again the resident's concern would tercemar him water around this location. “Kita continued monitored in the location, good to the animal, humankind and the environment, including increasing the co-ordination officially related in order to facilitate the control and give peace in warga,” he added. Prevented increasingly the width of the spreading of the bird flu virus, this year of Distan Kota Bogor was planned memvaksin the poultry at the beginning of March. Periodisation of this vaccination will be held by three times in stages in 68 districts in the Bogor City. “Mudah-mudahan was at the beginning of March done by us the first stage vaccination in the City Bogor,” said Kasi the Health of the Animal and the Production, drh Ahmad Maulana, when being met the Bogor Radar, yesterday. Therefore, Ahmad hoped for the community's participation that maintained the poultry to take part in making one of the preceptive programs successful this bird flu. He appealed to the resident who had the poultry to pen his kept animal when the official of the vaccination came. “Saya hoped the resident wanted to participate by means of penning his kept animal and not making an effort to hide him from the official vaksinator that came to the field nanti,” he added. Resulting from not partisipatif him the resident, vaksinator the poultry often experienced the difficulty when undertaking his task because the resident did not pen his poultry.
In fact, Distan has beforehand coordinated with the local district. “Sebelum our vaccination must coordinate with the district first. But we often must the chase with the chicken belonging to the resident till finally this chicken stress. The stress chicken did not enable to divaksinasi,” he said. Maolana realised the resident often the fear if his poultry died after being vaccinated. So, he appealed to the resident to pen his chicken before being vaccinated. “Itulah his risk if the stress chicken was vaccinated, the possibility of the death was bigger. The death of the chicken also often was caused by the application mistake like the dose and the process of the injecting, but we had the special procedure for that. Therefore the resident should not takut,” he explained. Maolana added, the vaccination must be against the poultry carried out by the routine every time three months. Apart from the vaccination program, as preceptive efforts Distan bird flu also had the other program like spraying and the extermination of the chicken as well as his pen in territories that it was warned were attacked by the virus H5N1.

8 provinces HPAI

Social

Thứ Tư, 18/02/2009, 05:15 (GMT+7)

* Foot concerns mồm long móng the herd Bac Lieu, Quang Nam

- On 17-2, Mr. Lam intelligence - Department Chief Veterinary Department Bac Lieu - that appeared four outbreak HPAI in Vinh Phu Dong, Phuoc Long district (Bac Lieu). Veterinary stations Phuoc Long district has all three poultry ill with the death of 1,000 children in Vinh Phu Dong and get sick more product samples sent Veterinary Center Region VII in Can Tho test.

. According to Mr. Lam understanding, the first outbreak of Bac Lieu province appear on two days in the Na Sa Tran Vinh Loc in Hamlet, Vinh Phu Dong commune must all ducks than 600 sick children, test results disease sample products on poultry Na his positive with H5N1 virus. So, to 17-2, there are eight provinces including Ca Mau, Soc Trang, Nghe An, Hau Giang, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Bac Ninh and Bac Lieu have HPAI not last 21 days.

On 17-2, Trung Le Tan - Vice President of Que Son District People's Committee (Vietnam) - that has a local official with authorities and worry about long mồm móng appear on flocks of cattle. Specifically over the last ten days, in the households of Đinh Đi, Nam Dinh and Tran Van Hoang Thanh - in the Nghi Trung commune, Que Hiep, Que Son district - detected 12 infected buffaloes mồm lo long mong, in which a child died. After translation of Bùng, district veterinary stations guided the household hygiene, chuồng targets in the camp and conduct the spraying and insecticide to control disease spread to the large. Veterinary stations have emergency deployment of vaccination for the buffaloes, cows all over the district

More a case of avian influenza infection

Social

Thứ Ba, 17/02/2009, 17:43 (GMT+7)

The 16-2, Department Chief of Department of Health and Environment (Ministry of Health) Nguyen Huy Nga official notification has been more a case of avian influenza infected with H5N1 in Vietnam. Male patient, 32 years old, living in Kim Son, Ninh Binh province.

Cured 5-2 days with high fever manifestation, difficulty breathing, 13-2 on the patient was moved to the tropical diseases and infection with national manifestation is severe, there is a mechanic and in Health events not spectacular.

According to Russia, this is a patient infected with H5N1 third from 27-12-2008, in addition to a patient suspected deaths related to H5N1 virus, but doctors do not get the diseases subject to testing.

. Through the tracking of money, patients infected with H5N1 last above participated slaughter and eat poultry, while the patients family and the surrounding areas have many birds died unknown causes. This area has not yet announced HPAI.

Meningitis, meningococcal - india (04): (north eastern)

Date: Mon 16 Feb 2009
Source: Sify News [edited]
<http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14857020>


At least 230 people have died of meningitis in the north eastern
states of Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram, officials said on Monday
[16 Feb 2009]. The situation is alarming in Meghalaya and Tripura,
they said. "We have asked the National Institute of Communicable
Diseases (NICD) in New Delhi to send necessary vaccine and drugs to
control the disease that has assumed an epidemic proportion in the
Longtharai Valley tribal areas of Dhalai district," said Tripura
health service director Satya Ranjan Debbarma.

The NICD last week asked the 3 north eastern states to keep a close
surveillance in remote locations, especially where the outbreak of
meningococcal meningitis was reported. "Over 230 people including
children and women died in the disease in Meghalaya (165 deaths),
Tripura (55 deaths), and Mizoram (10 deaths) over the past one
month," a senior health official told reporters [in Agartala,
Tripura]. Over 2500 people, including children and women, were taken
ill in the 3 states.

"The 3 north eastern states have borders with the Chittagong Hill
Tracts (CHT) of south east Bangladesh where meningococcal meningitis
is spreading in an epidemic form," said an official of the NICD.

The Tripura government has taken a slew of measures to control the
disease by setting up makeshift health centres in the affected
Longtharai Valley, 135 km [84 mi] north of the capital Agartala.
"Several medical teams [are] working in the affected areas
round-the-clock and preventive medicines were being given to 140 000
people in the tribal dominated areas," said RK Dhar, director of the
family welfare and preventive medicine.

A 2-member team of NICD led by joint director Jagdir Singh visited
the affected East Khasi Hills and Garo Hills areas of Meghalaya and
helped doctors in the region deal with the disease. "We have enough
anti-meningococcal meningitis vaccines and a number of medical teams
are working round-the-clock to deal with the situation," said
Meghalaya health service director A Kynjing. "Like the other north
eastern states, we have launched a massive public awareness campaign
on the need for cleanliness as it is an airborne disease," said YP
Singh, principal secretary of the Tripura government in-charge of
health department.

After visiting the affected areas, RK Dhar, an expert on communicable
diseases, said: "Meningococcal meningitis is a communicable disease
that is spread through droplets of respiratory or throat secretions.
The most common symptoms are stiff neck, high fever, headache, and
vomiting. Even when the disease is diagnosed early and adequate
therapy instituted, 5 to 10 percent of the patients die typically
within 24 to 48 hours of onset of symptoms," he said. Tripura Health
Minister Tapan Chakraborty, who is also camping in the affected
tribal areas for the past few days, held meetings with the village
heads of 40 affected villages and asked them to help health officials
and paramedics.

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

[An outbreak of a rapidly fatal illness in remote, impoverished
tribal areas of the Indian state of Tripura was characterized as
mysterious in a news release reported in the previous ProMED-mail
post Meningitis, meningococcal - India (03): (NE), RFI 20090216.0657.
From the news report above, it is apparent that this outbreak is now
thought to be part of the ongoing epidemic of meningococcal disease
in north eastern Indian states of Tripura, Mizoram, and Meghalaya
that has spread to neighboring Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.
ProMED-mail has heard unofficially that the cause of the meningitis
epidemic in the north eastern Indian states of Tripura, Mizoram, and
Meghalaya, as well as Delhi, is said to be serogroup A _Neisseria
meningitidis_.

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of India that shows the
states of Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram can be found at
<http://healthmap.org/promed/en?g=1263207&g=1254169&g=1262963&&v=23,93,5>.
A map of Bangladesh showing the location of the Chittagong Hill
Tracts that borders the Indian state of Mizoram can be found at
<http://www.traveljournals.net/explore/bangladesh/map/m3773498/chittagong_hill_tract.html>.
- Mod.ML]

”Belum had the resident so suspect AI” Selogiri

On Wednesday, February 18 2009, Hal.V (Expose)
two residents from the Sendangijo Village and Singodutan, Kecamatan Selogiri could experience the high fever when the virus avian influenza (AI) attacked two villages, some time before. Two residents were stated headed to influenza like illness (ILI), a condition for the health that was sick resulting from AI with the position under investigation and suspect AI.
Dengan Demikian, did not yet have the resident who was expected (suspect) AI.
Demikian was revealed by the Puskemas Selogiri Head, Dr Adhi Darma, when giving the explanation in being in a meeting of the co-ordination (Rakor) the AI handling and DBD in the Kecamatan Selogiri Office, on Tuesday (17/2). He explained, post AI that attacked the region of three villages in Selogiri, totalling 41 residents was at once checked to detect the possibility being attacked by the fever or influenza that headed to ILI. Dari this inspection, he said, two residents were stated suffered the fever. “Namun, not yet until headed to suspect AI,” he explained. Adhi Darma explained, during 2008, his side carried out the inspection 43 residents to detect the fever illness or influenza that headed to ILI. Dalam this inspection, his side found eight residents from the Pare Village and Jendi, Kecamatan Selogiri that suffered the fever. Nevertheless, he added, did not yet have any was sick the resident who headed to suspect AI, moreover until claimed the life. “Tahun 2008, that was checked by us had three villages. This 2009, there were four villages that were checked by us, namely the Sendangijo Village, Singodutan, Nambangan and Pare. ” Sementara Itu, Camat Selogiri Bambang Haryanto asked all the village head and related equipment to ask his resident so that quick reported to the Kesehatan Service or the closest Community Health Centre when having the case of the poultry died suddenly.
Apart from the rain season that caused the humid weather and became the growth of the AI virus, the Selogiri Subdistrict territory, he said, also to the endemic AI region since three years set. ”Kami will not be very bored to always remind the resident so that preceptive bird flu. Selogiri was the border territory that was susceptible to the spread penyakit,” he explained.

Resident alarmed the Spreading of Bird Flu Yogyakarta

On February 18 2009
the Resident alarmed the Spreading of Bird Flu Yogyakarta
- since several days ago the plague of bird flu threatened Yogyakarta. That was just recently recorded by hundreds of chickens in Bantul and Sleman died. That was acknowledged positive was attacked resulting from the Avian virus influenza (bird flu). The condition was like this made the resident restless and concerned because already many chickens died suddenly good in two areas. Moreover so restless him until the owner of the chicken that died could be carried to RSUP Dr Sardjito, despite finally results were stated by the bird flu negative. Was based on the note and the calculation, from January to April was the alert month bird flu. Because of being estimated this virus will it was predicted spread. According to Chairman Tim of the Control of Bird Flu of RSUP Dr Sardjito the doctor Sumardi SpPD, so the virus did not only attack the animal but also humankind. This matter was sent by him, on Tuesday (17/2). Because, continued he, in the change in the season in the month January-this April the bird flu virus it was predicted more could spread and attack the animal as well as humankind So, the community was asked to be on the alert.
Stated by Suspect It was further that he explained, the owner of the positive chicken bird flu could be with several of his relatives treated in RS Dr Sardjito because of experiencing signs like the fever, flu, and pain. They had also been stated suspect bird flu. However after being held by the laboratory test in RS Dr Sardjito or to Jakarta finally was stated by the negative and was permitted to come home.

As is known, several days ago in Bantul hundreds of chickens died suddenly it was suspected was attacked by the bird flu virus. After that was followed by dozens of chickens belonging to the resident in the Krasakan Village, Jogotirto, Kecamatan Berbah, Sleman also died as a result of this virus attack. The head of the Health Post of the Animal(Poskeswan) Prambanan, Sleman Supra Setyaningrum said, the death of dozens of chickens in Berbah resulting from bird flu. Was based on results rapid test, showed positive was attacked by this virus. His side at that time at once carried out spraying of disinfectant and asked for the addition of the liquid to anticipate expanded him this illness attack. ’’Kebetulan we were still having supplies so as direct we semprot,’’ he explained. According to Supra, the bird flu attackthere not the first time happened because beforehand the similar case had also stricken the Jogotirto Village, Berbah, Sleman.

Signs and portents

Please do go and read Scott McPherson's blog. Thanks! I always enjoy your blog.

Signs and portents

Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 at 09:33AM


Excerpt (at the end):

I am going to proclaim something here, and for some it may be profound, and for others it may provoke a "DUH!" response. Here we go:

I believe something has changed. Not necessarily in the virus itself; it still has not "gone H2H." But I do believe that the chickens themselves are adapting to the virus. And once that happens, the virus must also adapt to find new hosts or it will perish.

There is absolutely no reason to believe that H5N1 is going to do anything but adapt. This virus is amazing, even by influenza standards. Now factor in the extreme and absolutely sudden number and geographic spread of human cases in China that we know of, and re-read the Time story. Now also factor in the situation in eastern India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Look at the new Vietnamese human cases and the continuing situation in Indonesia.

Here's what I think has happened: H5N1 has won its latest battle with the human race and has completely overrun its defenses. It has not won the war, but it is clear that it has completely outmaneuvered every attempt by humans to thwart its advance. But this latest victory may, eventually, be considered as the turning point in the war.

Consider the circumstances. The global economy is in shambles. Surveillance is about to become very lax and unaffordable. Farmers are risking imprisonment and even execution by bringing in illegal poultry. Culls cannot keep the virus out of any region. And now the chickens are not doing their duty and dying to warn us -- at least not according to the latest news coming out of China.

Open speculation from leading Chinese scientists regarding this "living chickens" theory leads me to believe that the government itself is stymied and this is how they are asking -- no, begging for outside help to solve the riddle. This collective shrugging of scientific shoulders from a country that is welling with pride and also within a couple of years of putting a Chinese man on the surface of the Moon is very telling.

So let's review these signs and portents.

Panasonic is not recanting its earlier plans; in fact, it is restating them and telling anyone who listens not to question their motives nor their methodology.

China has lost the handle on containing H5N1, according to the Time article. And the widespread geographic location of human cases is not assuring; it is downright troubling (thank you, Time).

Vietnam has also lost the ability to rein in illegal smuggling of poultry, usually from China.

Chickens are not dying in certain areas of China. But people are.

Human cases are abundant, compared to last year.

Pandemic money is in the US stimulus bill. Of course there are skateboard parks and a quadrillion condoms, but the presence of panflu monies in both versions was eyebrow-raising.

And the British government recently announced plans to double its antiviral stockpile with Relenza, and not Tamiflu, as the antiviral centerpiece (as I have advocated for two years).

These signs and portents may be the first real indications that the Pandemic Doomsday Clock is ticking. The countdown may have begun, and the cumulative weight of these separate events may have convinced both the Japanese government and Panasonic executives that the countdown has indeed begun; that the clock is no longer stuck at five minutes to midnight; and that the first outbreaks of bona-fide, H2H2H2H avian influenza are just weeks or months away.

It may have also served to convince the Chinese government to lay in additional supplies of their human bird flu vaccine, although to be honest I would rather take my chances with the virus.

We keep hearing that the WHO and others are emphatically saying there is no need to raise the pandemic threat level and that there are no outward signs that the virus has mutated. We don't know if this is true or not; not that we think anyone is lying, but it may take longer than a few days to look at the virus and make that pronouncement.

But the WHO protocol for changing the threat level ignores the holistic situation and should force us to question if a change in the virus itself is the best/only way to proceed with moving from Phase 3 to Phase 4.

Everyone needs to be renewed and refreshed and vigilant as heck right now. And we need to find more signs and portents. I am uncomfortably sure they are out there and will manifest themselves in due time.

200 Wuchang decomposed corpse appear to dog the lake is more than another article

2009-02-17 08:00
Changjiang Daily February 17 following the day before yesterday, Wuchang Road, the alley Wuluo discovered the decomposed corpse of 200 dogs, yesterday morning, Wuchang Lake lake drying also found decomposed corpse wrong dog. Journalist with the mayor of Wuhan Hotline reflects up to 17.30 yesterday after Xu, who does not have to deal with.


Drying lake side of the road caused by the past, dead dogs pedestrian attention. Side photo reporter Zhao


On the lake, residents are concerned about dead dogs

Yesterday morning, Dad said Tin News Hotline reflects Wuchang Lake drying lake found many dead dogs, the pungent smell disgusting.

Reporters on the scene to see that the draining of the lake was a road into two, one side of the road is the lake side of the discharge must be filed after the low-lying vegetables.

Near the road in the field of vegetables, two piles of dead dogs, dead dogs rotting corpses were issued acrid smell of the past, the per capita trip over their noses.

Journalist closer look revealed that many of these dogs died of medium-sized dogs, including a pile of dead dogs, the son of a black plastic bag container.

Tian dad is a police pre-retirement yesterday morning, listening to his wife on the issue of death of dogs, it has accelerated in the exploration, then call the hotline this journal. "With so many dogs died, an agreement quickly, otherwise the consequences of worrying." Tian said Dad.

Tian father's wife said the day before the drying lake just a pile of dead dogs, added hours yesterday.

The journalist does not take into account the day after treatment

Yesterday, 10:38, journalists call the Mayor's hotline, a reflection of the sun found a large number of dead dogs on the lake, at the same time, the journalist also phone Wuchang District Government to take account of the animal disease epidemic prevention and control.

Subsequently, the journalist was twice Wuhan Municipal Public Security Bureau 110, Wuchang and Hongshan District 2 police phone was asked to journalists details and specific locations which will be addressed. The reporter waited for half an hour, no police came.

11:30 Xu, Zhonghua Road, Wuchang journalist an interview back on the scene, police are still no alarm.

Wuchang sanitation by the Chinese master of the summer, at that time were on the scene, he said that leadership will be reported and communicated to the health sector.

11:31, the reporter left the scene on the way back log, Hongshan a police station, said at the scene found two towers is not found, refer to new information site.

3 hours yesterday afternoon, this reporter in the Wuchang District Government animal epidemic prevention and control to understand the progress of treatment, a staff member on the phone said there are Hongshan, not under the management .

While China and South Africa claimed路街sanitation, such cases have to deal with organizations in the health sector, the Institute can not ask for help.


5 hours yesterday afternoon, this reporter from the scene once again found rotting dog carcasses两堆still stacked on the lake, the distribution of a pungent odor.
First shopping daddy this afternoon to see the police to the alarm, I do not know why there was no agreement.


Source of the dead dog is still a mystery

This reporter learned that, in addition to Wuluo Road Lane, drying of the lake has been found dead dogs, Wuchang Wouters is also the day before yesterday has more than 30 decomposed bodies dog.

Wuchang District, is often decomposed cadaver dog, which triggers many distrust and concern that many people in a phone call to inquire about the source of rotting dog carcasses.

Members of the public said the rotting corpse of a dog's life has been causing inconvenience to the hope that departments investigate and deal as soon as possible to prevent acts flowing dog carcasses.

This reporter has learned that yesterday, the drying of Lake dog found the body decomposed, the departments concerned have yet to be addressed and not to investigate the origin of dog carcasses.

The day before yesterday Wuluo dog carcasses found on the street, the services of the investigation, the journalist was investigating the situation to make progress.

"Currently, a high incidence of infectious diseases is the spring, the urban area, all of a sudden emergence of so many dead dogs, is spread?" Yesterday, many people have asked for.

Wuhan, CDC, Infectious Diseases Director Luo Yong said the same people and dogs have suffered from infectious diseases are rabies, under normal circumstances, only where the circumstances biting dissemination.

Wuhan, a large number of dog carcasses rotting, the public need not panic, even if the dog is dead and will not give the disease.

At the same time, think the same Luo Yong, rotting dog carcasses processed as quickly as possible, on the one hand, the smell will be broken, central air, affect the livelihoods of the other hand, a long time, do not treat, will be the race of many bacteria.
hat-tip Muscade

Wuhang University found that fatal point of SARS coronavirus

2009-02-17

By February 16 after nearly six years of reporting efforts, Wuhan University researchers recently discovered the deadly SARS coronavirus, the one group are called "non-structural protein nsp14" genetic coding. The researchers said that this important discovery for screening drugs against SARS virus lay the foundation for further research into small molecule drug.
Journalist learned from Wuhan University, found that the gene encoding the school are the College of Life Science, National Key Laboratory of Virology Professor Guo Deyin their doctoral Chen, co-authors also include the Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences, director of the Center for Modern Tanami, such as viruses. The results of the study recently in the international authority of a comprehensive academic journal "The United States Academy of Sciences" published.

(more)In 2003 after the SARS outbreak, the medical profession recognized the pathogenic SARS coronavirus, but the virus is how substantial survival and reproduction, but has not been clarified. This question is crucial for the prevention of SARS disease. In recent years, both at home and abroad on the SARS virus, the laboratory had undertaken extensive research, but the occurrence of SARS virus characteristics and pathogenic mechanism is still poorly understood.

Experts believe that, SARS virus has been brought under control, but the nature of wildlife groups still exist in SARS-like coronavirus, SARS virus, the risk of another outbreak still exists.

According to introduction, SARS virus is now found in The largest RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus, which is life by gene transfer RNA. Wuhan university research group ASTRI select a number of coronavirus-specific RNA-processing enzymes as its major research goals, through the yeast system in vitro screening and biochemical analysis, we found SARS virus genome-encoded 1b district a "non-structural protein nsp14" At the same time with two RNA-processing activity, and use the SARS virus replication subsystem activity to prove that these are SARS virus genome replication necessary.

Participation of key researchers Chen explained, "non-structural protein nsp14" for the virus genetic information "disguise", so that the immune system to identify any, will be substantial virus unknowingly into a place to attack, as well as HIV transmission play a protective effect. In addition, it is their genes into the virus core protein illness, not this group of coding, more genes have changed not a virus. Professor Guo Deyin said through the system to identify some of the SARS virus, this feature harmful, but the material is harmless to human body, and then developed into small-molecule drugs.

It is understood that in 2001, Academy of Sciences Wuhan University Tanami to make forward-looking emphasis on new hair, sudden major viral disease research, in the school of Health set up the Wuhan University ASTRI modern virus centers and national colleges and universities at that time only three level biosafety laboratory, so that the school in the study of SARS virus has unique conditions. (This article Source: By Author:艾启ping, WANG Huai-min)

Hong Kong once again found the body of the suspect birds with H5 avian influenza virus

[I don't remember hearing this?]
2009-2-16
excerpt:
This starling body in February 12 in the village of Tung Ping Chau Sha Tau seized. Bird carcasses seized locations 3 km there is no chicken. The spokesman said that the department will step up inspections of the Hong Kong live poultry farms, wholesale markets and the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, the AFCD will continue to closely monitor the wild birds.

China has a person with bird flu vaccine production reserve conditions

National Science and Technology Information Service Network
2009-2-16

National Food and Drug Administration recently launched a pandemic influenza virus inactivated vaccine (commonly known as "Human use of avian influenza vaccine")批签发synchronization procedures. At present, our country has a pandemic influenza virus vaccine production reserve conditions happen in a pandemic influenza or emergency situations, by the state to start for the pandemic influenza vaccination.

This year, our country emerged for many cases of human bird flu cases, the State Food and Drug Administration official said, given the current avian influenza prevention and control of the situation, to safeguard public health, the State Food and Drug Authority before the official start of the pandemic influenza vaccine批签发synchronization process, namely, the production enterprises, regulatory testing and drug testing批签发at the same time, and vaccine production conducted a site inspection.

Pandemic influenza viruses are inactivated vaccine by Beijing Kexing Biological Products Co., Ltd. and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention jointly developed by commodity called hope Seoul to Fuk, applies to 18-year-old to 60-year-old adults. The vaccine by the State Food and Drug Administration approval process through, inter alia, the approval in April 2008 on access to medicines Register documents.

National Food and Drug Administration pointed out that to deal with pandemic influenza are global common issues faced by, and as a result of limited production cycle must be before an outbreak of pandemic influenza on reserves a certain amount of vaccine to ensure that the epidemic emerged in the early days of to the appropriate people to carry out vaccination.

Governments are actively under the framework of the World Health Organization strategy, many countries have reserves of a large number of H5N1 vaccine. In our country, I hope that Seoul Laifu documents are currently the only access to the H5N1 pandemic influenza vaccine.

HK: Lawmakers urged to buy bird flu vaccines

Paul Mozur and Beatrice Siu

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The recent spate of mainland bird flu cases has spurred a debate between legislators and the health minister about vaccine purchases.


Civic Party lawmaker Audrey Eu Yuet- mee asked at the Legislative Council yesterday whether the government would consider purchasing vaccines for citizens.

Secretary for Food and Health York Chow Yat-ngok said the decision depends on whether the H5 virus vaccine is still efficient under the current avian flu development.

"The decision must be made according to the situation, and see which type of vaccine is the most efficient. The government has to be more prudent on the decision," he said, adding the government will consider buying the vaccine once it is proven to be efficient.

But Eu said the public deserves to be better informed about why the government has not gone about purchasing the vaccine, given that other places such as Singapore, Japan and Taiwan have.

"We understand it would be wasteful to purchase vaccines that don't work, but we want to know how effective these vaccines are, and why the government hasn't been considering this," she said. Eu compared the current situation to the SARS outbreak in 2003.

"The government says these are isolated cases in the mainland," she said. "But with SARS, we saw cases of people buying drugs to help prevent it in the mainland, and the public didn't know what was happening, and the government didn't know, and quickly we had SARS here."

Eu added what seemed like isolated cases in the mainland may not be, and called for the government to take all steps necessary to prevent any outbreak of bird flu.

Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases member Lo Wing-lok said the committee was evaluating the effectiveness of various vaccines, but pointed out: "There is no way to predict whether the next pandemic will be be avian flu, H5N1, or another influenza such as H2 or H9."

He said the committee was putting together a set of recommendations for Legco that would be available in the coming months.

Catering sector lawmaker Tommy Cheung Yu-yan also asked whether it was too late for the government to investigate chicken farms after the carcasses of infected poultry washed up on Lantau Island.

Chow said the investigation was carried out at the end of January on mainland and Hong Kong farms, as soon as the dead birds were found.
The government also said it would keep close contact with mainland authorities.
hat-tip Muscade

Hunan, the first case of successful treatment of avian influenza in patients with adult patients discharged

February 17, 2009 17:06:37 Source: Xinhuanet

Changsha Xinhua February 17 (Xinhua Xing-Hua Huang) on the 17th, Hunan first successful treatment of adult patients with avian flu in a SHU Central South University Xiangya hospital after 20 days of full treatment, clinical symptoms of the elimination of the formal procedures for discharge. This is where the recent success of the first three cases of human avian influenza cases.

Xiangya Hospital Fangping Chen introduction, Xiangya Hospital Clinic Human bird flu expert group examination and discussion consider, Shu certain vital signs normal, the spirit of good appetite, clinical symptoms disappeared completely in line with the National Human bird flu cases regarding the standard for discharge.

It is understood that this year's 21-year-old Shu a (female), the Department of溆浦县Farmer, peacetime and grandfather, grandmother, father, younger brother to live together. End of last year, working from home in Guangdong. January 23 this year, Shu at home without a clear incentive to neurite fever, up to 40 degrees, a cough accompanied by expectoration, in the local clinics for treatment does not work, four days after the people溆浦县into hospital-patient treatment, then transferred to Xiangya Hospital hospitalization.

January 29, Hunan Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention laboratory specimens of patients with detection, the results for the H5 subtype avian influenza virus nucleic acid positive. The next day, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct a review of patient specimen testing, the results for the H5N1 avian influenza virus nucleic acid positive. Epidemiological survey found that patients had come into contact with dead poultry.

After the outbreak happened, Hunan high priority, in accordance with the "human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza contingency plans" to take the corresponding control measures, and all close contacts of the implementation of strict medical observation, at present, all close contacts do not appear unusual clinical manifestations.

For patients, Xiangya hospital diagnosis and treatment of experts convened by the relevant expert groups, medical groups, nursing and disinfection and isolation group and so on, day and night concerned about the patients. To February 2, Shu a condition marked improvement. After further treatment, a condition further stabilize the SHU, there is no cough, leukocytes returned to normal, the gradual elimination of clinical symptoms.

Discharge procedures are undergoing a Shu told Xinhua that the Xiangya hospital her hands away from the bleach from her heartfelt thanks to the local government and the medical staff treated her. She said that after returning home, take a break, will continue to work.

It is understood that since late December last year, China has successively report 8 cases of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases. Up to now, with the exception of a certain Shu Hunan patients, the Shanxi彭某children, Guizhou Zhou patients had been discharged.

Hunan First bird flu patients discharged from hospital

People Changsha February 17 (Xinhua Zhou Yun) holding flowers, smiling. Hunan Lake溆浦县from the highly pathogenic avian influenza patients舒荣flower, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, after more than 20 days of treatment, at 16 o'clock today, bidding farewell to her day and night to protect doctors and nurses, happily recovered and were discharged the.

January 23, the annual party 21-year-old flower舒荣sudden high fever and cough accompanied by expectoration, null and void in the local clinics for treatment. 26,舒荣flower溆浦县the people into hospital, hemogram showed leukopenia, chest CT showed the right pulmonary inflammatory lesions. Due to have a history of exposure to sick poultry, hospitals doubt that she is infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza, thus corresponding virology examination, and treatment of avian influenza patients. January 28, lung CT showed inflammatory lesions trend has expanded, and preliminary test results show that sputum specimens舒荣flower H5 subtype of avian influenza virus nucleic acid positive.

The early morning of January 29,舒荣perianth into Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. Hospital immediately set up expert group to develop treatment programs, organizing the implementation of treatment and their families medical observation in isolation. January 30 afternoon, CDC National Detect confirmed舒荣flower person suffering from highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 subtype). Active treatment in hospital, the flower舒荣body temperature returned to normal, sputum was decreased 10 days after the clinical symptoms disappeared. At present, the flower舒荣normal vital signs, mental appetite is still good, has reached the discharge standard.

Flower舒荣of recovery and was discharged in the community has aroused strong repercussions, people thank the medical staff at the same time, firmly believe that the bird flu virus can be overcome.