http://allafrica.com/stories/201109020201.html
1 September 2011
The ostrich industry has been faced with an export ban on ostrich
meat due to Avian Influenza since April this year, with losses amounting
to R108 million per month. Forced slaughtering is required by
international law on farms testing positive for the virus. To date, more
than 33 000 birds have been culled in the greater Oudtshoorn area.
National Government compensated farmers for culled birds to the tune
of R33 million, but on Friday (26/08) it came to light that no more
money will be forthcoming from the National Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry. Many farmers have already culled on the
assumption that they will be compensated, and farmers who were in line
to cull resisted when they learned that there was a R17 million
shortfall in compensation funds.
The Western Cape Government Economic and Infrastructure Strategic
Committee and Budget Policy Committee, chaired by Minister Alan Winde,
held emergency meetings this week and recommended that the R17 million
be allocated from a provincial contingency fund. This recommendation was
yesterday (31/08) approved by Cabinet.
Friday, September 2, 2011
DIE-OFF, AVIAN - RUSSIA: (KRASOYARSK), WILD BIRD
Date: 26 Aug 2011
The cause of the mass deaths of birds in lake Tagar, Minusinsk
District of Krasnoyarsk, is to be investigated. On the shores of the
lake, more than 100 wild ducks have been found dead. Sick birds were
seen as well.
Specialists of Rosselkhoznadzor are investigating the event, putting
the lake under a monitoring regime and collecting samples to determine
the causes of illness and death of the birds.
This is not the 1st such incident at the lake. In September 2010, more
than 500 birds died there.
The cause of the mass deaths of birds in lake Tagar, Minusinsk
District of Krasnoyarsk, is to be investigated. On the shores of the
lake, more than 100 wild ducks have been found dead. Sick birds were
seen as well.
Specialists of Rosselkhoznadzor are investigating the event, putting
the lake under a monitoring regime and collecting samples to determine
the causes of illness and death of the birds.
This is not the 1st such incident at the lake. In September 2010, more
than 500 birds died there.
Vietnam battles FMD and AI
[2 September 2011]
Vietnam has been struck by the foot-and-mouth disease again. It has emerged in two provinces, affecting hundreds of cattle and pigs. The disease was detected in nine villages of Luc Yen district in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai and in Son Tinh district in the central province of Quang Ngai. Earlier, local authorities launched a vaccination program to protect livestock, but due to insufficient volume of vaccine doses, a large number of animals were not immunized. Meanwhile, bird flu was reported to afflict poultry in Quang Ngai province.
Vietnam has been struck by the foot-and-mouth disease again. It has emerged in two provinces, affecting hundreds of cattle and pigs. The disease was detected in nine villages of Luc Yen district in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai and in Son Tinh district in the central province of Quang Ngai. Earlier, local authorities launched a vaccination program to protect livestock, but due to insufficient volume of vaccine doses, a large number of animals were not immunized. Meanwhile, bird flu was reported to afflict poultry in Quang Ngai province.
DENR alerts all entry ports in East Visayas vs bird flu carriers
PIA Press Release
Friday, September 02, 2011
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, September 2 (PIA) -– An alert to all entry ports against the entry of wild birds infected with the deadly avian flu disease was recently issued by Regional Executive Director Rogelio T. Trinidad of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
In his directive, Trinidad instructed his field officers to “closely coordinate with other government agencies and local government units to monitor all entry ports” to make sure that no exotic birds and other wildlife are illegally transported from bird flue infected countries.
The alert issued comes in the heels of a heightened alert issued by the UN Food and
Agricultural Organization against a deadlier strain of avian flu virus, Ms. Purification Daloos, OIC Public Affairs Office said in a report.
On Monday, the UN warned of a possible resurgence of the deadly bird flu virus, saying that wild bird migration could have brought back the virus (H5N1) to the previously virus free areas and that a mutant strain was spreading in Asia.
In order to prevent any breakout of the avian flu disease in the Region, Trinidad has ordered enhanced surveillance of the seaports in Liloan, Southern Leyte for entry from Mindanao and in Allen, Northern Samar to prevent the entry from Luzon of any wilds birds suspected to be infested with the bird flu.
The attention of the Wildlife Enforcement Officers from partner agencies was also called for them to assist the DENR in the monitoring and surveillance of all entry points.
The Regional Executive Director called on the public to be vigilant and to help keep Region 8 bird flu free.
The public is advised not to buy, touch, hunt, kill or eat migratory birds and other wildlife as they may be carriers of bird flu.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Vietnam: 9 yo treated for H1N1 - HCMC
On 1 / 9, HCMC Hospital for Tropical Diseases, said the hospital being treated for boys QPH 9 years old (live District 6, HCMC) influenza A/H1N1.
Previous three days, patients breathe tired, cough, high fever, signs of respiratory distress and was transferred to a hospital emergency department. Patients hospitalized in a state of dyspnea, cyanosis, severe respiratory distress, lung injury, the number of leukocytes in the blood lower. The doctors advised, people should not subjective to H1N1 because the initial symptoms of the disease is quite similar to common respiratory diseases.
Previous three days, patients breathe tired, cough, high fever, signs of respiratory distress and was transferred to a hospital emergency department. Patients hospitalized in a state of dyspnea, cyanosis, severe respiratory distress, lung injury, the number of leukocytes in the blood lower. The doctors advised, people should not subjective to H1N1 because the initial symptoms of the disease is quite similar to common respiratory diseases.
PH no plan to issue travel alert to China, Vietnam
09/01/2011
MANILA, Philippines - There are no plans yet to release a travel advisory to China and Vietnam amid the new avian flu virus scare.
Eric Tayag, chief of the Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center, said only those who have been exposed to livestock infected with the mutant H5N1 virus are the only ones prone to get the disease.
As such, President Benigno Aquino III and his entourage do not need to undergo quarantine since they will not be exposed to poultry.
Aquino is in China for a state visit. He will be back on Saturday.
Tayag noted the Philippines is now on its 8th year of being bird flu-free.
Still, the thermal screenings in airports are always activated for flu monitoring for any disease, not only on bird flu.
He reiterated that there is an animal-to-human transmission of the virus so far. There is no case yet of person-to-person transmission.
If ever a person gets infected of the disease, he cannot transfer it to another person.
The H5N1 virus is deadlier than the original H1N1 virus and even dengue. In a span of only two days, a patient can die of the disease, according to experts. – By Sol Aragones, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines - There are no plans yet to release a travel advisory to China and Vietnam amid the new avian flu virus scare.
Eric Tayag, chief of the Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center, said only those who have been exposed to livestock infected with the mutant H5N1 virus are the only ones prone to get the disease.
As such, President Benigno Aquino III and his entourage do not need to undergo quarantine since they will not be exposed to poultry.
Aquino is in China for a state visit. He will be back on Saturday.
Tayag noted the Philippines is now on its 8th year of being bird flu-free.
Still, the thermal screenings in airports are always activated for flu monitoring for any disease, not only on bird flu.
He reiterated that there is an animal-to-human transmission of the virus so far. There is no case yet of person-to-person transmission.
If ever a person gets infected of the disease, he cannot transfer it to another person.
The H5N1 virus is deadlier than the original H1N1 virus and even dengue. In a span of only two days, a patient can die of the disease, according to experts. – By Sol Aragones, ABS-CBN News
Keeping bird flu at bay a tough challenge
2011-09-01
BEIJING - China faces a tough challenge if it wants to curb a regional outbreak of bird flu in the coming autumn and winter, said the nation's top veterinarian Yu Kangzhen on Wednesday.
The chance for a large-scale outbreak, however, remains quite slim, he said.
Yu made the remarks following a warning from the United Nations of a possible return of the deadly avian influenza epidemic, as a mutation of the H5N1 strain that can apparently sidestep defenses of existing vaccines was spreading in China and Vietnam.
"Since February 2009, China has reported zero bird flu outbreaks and the agriculture and health authorities are constantly on high alert of potential bird flu epidemics among poultry and humans," he told China Daily in a written statement.
But the virus has been detected sporadically among wild birds and in certain areas among farmed poultry, he admitted. "Also, mutations of the virus have been detected in the poultry."
In response, the Ministry of Agriculture ordered further heightened surveillance of the potentially deadly virus and made plans in the event of outbreaks, he said.
Since 2004, China has seen 50 cases of bird flu involving poultry on the mainland, with 31 in 2005 alone, official statistics show.
Authorities have set up a comprehensive mechanism to contain the virus, combining mass vaccination of poultry and timely culling of the infected.
"Based on results from surveillance, poultry on the mainland is basically safe from bird flu infections," Yu said.
So far this year, nearly 2.5 million samples have been tested for the virus and a mass vaccination against the virus will soon kick off on poultry farms nationwide, he added.
As precautions, quarantine efforts, particularly on the borders, will be further beefed up to avert any imported cases, he said.
Previously, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization said bird migrations over the past two years had brought H5N1 to countries that had been virus-free for several years, including Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, Nepal and Mongolia.
Worse, the mutant strains posed unpredictable risks to human health, the organization warned.
Shu Yuelong, director of the National Influenza Center of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told China Daily that the virus actually has been constantly mutating among poultry.
"But so far no evidence has showed that the mutant strains could jump easier from birds to humans," he said.
"The possibility of major outbreaks of human bird flu can be basically ruled out and there is no need to worry," he added.
Since 2003, H5N1 has infected 565 people worldwide, killing 331, according to the World Health Organization. A 6-year-old Cambodian girl died on Aug 14 from bird flu, the eighth person to die from H5N1 avian influenza this year in the country.
China Daily
BEIJING - China faces a tough challenge if it wants to curb a regional outbreak of bird flu in the coming autumn and winter, said the nation's top veterinarian Yu Kangzhen on Wednesday.
The chance for a large-scale outbreak, however, remains quite slim, he said.
Yu made the remarks following a warning from the United Nations of a possible return of the deadly avian influenza epidemic, as a mutation of the H5N1 strain that can apparently sidestep defenses of existing vaccines was spreading in China and Vietnam.
"Since February 2009, China has reported zero bird flu outbreaks and the agriculture and health authorities are constantly on high alert of potential bird flu epidemics among poultry and humans," he told China Daily in a written statement.
But the virus has been detected sporadically among wild birds and in certain areas among farmed poultry, he admitted. "Also, mutations of the virus have been detected in the poultry."
In response, the Ministry of Agriculture ordered further heightened surveillance of the potentially deadly virus and made plans in the event of outbreaks, he said.
Since 2004, China has seen 50 cases of bird flu involving poultry on the mainland, with 31 in 2005 alone, official statistics show.
Authorities have set up a comprehensive mechanism to contain the virus, combining mass vaccination of poultry and timely culling of the infected.
"Based on results from surveillance, poultry on the mainland is basically safe from bird flu infections," Yu said.
So far this year, nearly 2.5 million samples have been tested for the virus and a mass vaccination against the virus will soon kick off on poultry farms nationwide, he added.
As precautions, quarantine efforts, particularly on the borders, will be further beefed up to avert any imported cases, he said.
Previously, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization said bird migrations over the past two years had brought H5N1 to countries that had been virus-free for several years, including Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, Nepal and Mongolia.
Worse, the mutant strains posed unpredictable risks to human health, the organization warned.
Shu Yuelong, director of the National Influenza Center of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told China Daily that the virus actually has been constantly mutating among poultry.
"But so far no evidence has showed that the mutant strains could jump easier from birds to humans," he said.
"The possibility of major outbreaks of human bird flu can be basically ruled out and there is no need to worry," he added.
Since 2003, H5N1 has infected 565 people worldwide, killing 331, according to the World Health Organization. A 6-year-old Cambodian girl died on Aug 14 from bird flu, the eighth person to die from H5N1 avian influenza this year in the country.
China Daily
Vietnam: Prepares to import 60 mil. doses of vaccine for Poultry in South - won't be effect. on new strain
[It seems they are preparing 60 million doses of a vaccine that doesn't work again the new strain. The new mutant strain is not yet in the South of Vietnam]
Enter the 60 million doses of flu vaccine for poultry vaccination phase two
Wednesday, 31/08/2011
Excerpt:
* Peace replicate this model according to the Safety Department of Animal Health Disease, bird flu, blue ear disease, foot and mouth disease (FMD) has been basically controlled the whole country. However, in the last two weeks, has generated a new epidemic in Nghe An and Quang Tri in FMD appeared of Nghe An and Quang Ngai. The risk of disease outbreaks in livestock and poultry is very high in the near future.
For prevention and control, Veterinary Department continued to coordinate bird flu vaccine for the southern province of vaccination. Up to now, has provided 45 million doses of 50 million doses of H5N1 vaccine-Re5 imported and prepare import 60 million doses of vaccine for bird flu vaccination drive in two southern provinces.
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=vi&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dc%25C3%25BAm%2Bgia%2Bc%25E1%25BA%25A7m%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DHWk%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla%253Aen-US%253Aofficial%26num%3D10%26lr%3D%26ft%3Di%26cr%3D%26safe%3Dimages%26tbs%3D%2Cqdr%3Ad
From our July 18th article:
http://pandemicinformationnews.blogspot.com/2011/07/vietnam-h5n1-virus-clade-232-appears.html
Enter the 60 million doses of flu vaccine for poultry vaccination phase two
Wednesday, 31/08/2011
Excerpt:
* Peace replicate this model according to the Safety Department of Animal Health Disease, bird flu, blue ear disease, foot and mouth disease (FMD) has been basically controlled the whole country. However, in the last two weeks, has generated a new epidemic in Nghe An and Quang Tri in FMD appeared of Nghe An and Quang Ngai. The risk of disease outbreaks in livestock and poultry is very high in the near future.
For prevention and control, Veterinary Department continued to coordinate bird flu vaccine for the southern province of vaccination. Up to now, has provided 45 million doses of 50 million doses of H5N1 vaccine-Re5 imported and prepare import 60 million doses of vaccine for bird flu vaccination drive in two southern provinces.
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=vi&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dc%25C3%25BAm%2Bgia%2Bc%25E1%25BA%25A7m%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DHWk%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla%253Aen-US%253Aofficial%26num%3D10%26lr%3D%26ft%3Di%26cr%3D%26safe%3Dimages%26tbs%3D%2Cqdr%3Ad
From our July 18th article:
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.
http://pandemicinformationnews.blogspot.com/2011/07/vietnam-h5n1-virus-clade-232-appears.html
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
variant of bird flu in Vietnam fear the spread of Asian
2011-09-01 07:51
(Vietnam News ‧ Hanoi on the 31st) the Director of the disease in Vietnam Weisheng Bu Wendeng chess today confirmed the recent poultry in northern Vietnam found the virus variants.
He said, especially in the province of Phu Tho, experts have found more virulent new virus H5N1-2.3.2.1, Vietnam Veterinary Bureau is the ability to test new anti-drug vaccine, if fully implemented and effective on the play.
‧Phu Tho Province, about 60 kilometers from the capital, Hanoi.
..
He said that as southern China and northern Vietnam, frequent interaction, so these two areas of FAO will issue a warning; He stressed that there is no threat found in Thailand, Korea and Japan, the trend, but still close observation.
More likely fatal?
The more notice missed WHO
For the H5N1 avian influenza virus mutants emerged in Vietnam, the Vietnamese Vice Minister Cheng Weisheng Bu military said that at present have not received the World Health Organization (WHO) official notice that the mutant virus than the original virus more lethal to humans .
Feijia strong warning against the invasion
As the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus strain variants there are signs of the spread in Asia, the Philippine government has been on alert to prevent bird flu virus invasion of the Philippines.
Waldorf in the Philippines Presidential deputy spokesman said Wednesday, the Philippines has not yet heard the case of H5N1 virus infection cases, but Nongye Bu has increased vigilance, monitoring the movement of the H5N1 virus, while the entry point in the tight checks.
Hong Kong virologist on Tuesday warned that scientists still do not determine whether the human H5N1-2.3.2.1 more lethal, is also no vaccine can be prevented by strict monitoring of all walks of life called bird flu, so as not to spread to humans.
(Vietnam News ‧ Hanoi on the 31st) the Director of the disease in Vietnam Weisheng Bu Wendeng chess today confirmed the recent poultry in northern Vietnam found the virus variants.
He said, especially in the province of Phu Tho, experts have found more virulent new virus H5N1-2.3.2.1, Vietnam Veterinary Bureau is the ability to test new anti-drug vaccine, if fully implemented and effective on the play.
‧Phu Tho Province, about 60 kilometers from the capital, Hanoi.
..
He said that as southern China and northern Vietnam, frequent interaction, so these two areas of FAO will issue a warning; He stressed that there is no threat found in Thailand, Korea and Japan, the trend, but still close observation.
More likely fatal?
The more notice missed WHO
For the H5N1 avian influenza virus mutants emerged in Vietnam, the Vietnamese Vice Minister Cheng Weisheng Bu military said that at present have not received the World Health Organization (WHO) official notice that the mutant virus than the original virus more lethal to humans .
Feijia strong warning against the invasion
As the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus strain variants there are signs of the spread in Asia, the Philippine government has been on alert to prevent bird flu virus invasion of the Philippines.
Waldorf in the Philippines Presidential deputy spokesman said Wednesday, the Philippines has not yet heard the case of H5N1 virus infection cases, but Nongye Bu has increased vigilance, monitoring the movement of the H5N1 virus, while the entry point in the tight checks.
Hong Kong virologist on Tuesday warned that scientists still do not determine whether the human H5N1-2.3.2.1 more lethal, is also no vaccine can be prevented by strict monitoring of all walks of life called bird flu, so as not to spread to humans.
Vietnam to test dengue fever vaccine on children
Last updated: 8/30/2011 16:15
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A nurse takes care of dengue fever patients at Ho Chi Minh City Children’s Hospital No.1. |
The Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City is going to test dengue fever vaccines at two Mekong Delta’s towns in September, following safe experiments on humans worldwide, the institute chief has said.
Doctor Tran Ngoc Huu, head of the institute and chairman of the research project, told the Tuoi Tre recently that dengue fever has been causing the most deaths and the third highest number of infections among 28 popular infectious diseases in Vietnam.
Figures from the Ministry of Health showed that Vietnam has reported around 30,000 dengue fever infections in Vietnam during the first eight months this year, mostly in the central and southern regions.
Experiment for the vaccine will be done on 1,402 children in Long Xuyen of An Giang Province and 934 in My Tho of Tien Giang Province.
Huu said the participants range in age between two to 14 years old, are healthy and join in the research voluntarily with their parents' agreement.
After the experiment, which is the last stage of the project, the vaccine will be assessed for its effectiveness and the research will be presented to authorities before wide use of the vaccine, he said.
Huu said that the vaccine, currently named as Dengue-CYD, was produced and has been studied for around 20 years by France-based Sanofi Pasteur, which has provided several vaccines being used in Vietnam.
The vaccine has been studied in 13 countries including the US and Australia, and in both infected and uninfected countries, he said.
After trials on animals, experiments on more than 6,200 people between one and 45 years of age have shown that the vaccine is safe and caused similar side effects like other vaccines in use such as swelling, redness and pain at the injection spot, fever and headache, the doctor said.
He also confirmed that the experiment result from each country is only announced after the result has been looked over by the National Council of Ethics on Human Research.
However, Huu said that the vaccine is not used widely in any country yet.
The doctor said Sanofi Pasteur has promised to sell the vaccine to Vietnam’s Ministry of Health at good price.
He said the vaccine will be widely used no sooner than 2014.
Experts called on the avian flu virus mutations prevent
2011 August 30 22:30:06
Hong Kong virologist warned today that no vaccine can prevent the spread of the territory of China and Vietnam is the H5N1 avian influenza virus mutants, and called for strict monitoring of all sectors of bird flu, so as not to spread to humans.
Although scientists are not currently determine whether the virus more lethal to humans, but they say that this mutant and the original virus were sufficiently different to make human use against the original H5N1 virus strain of the vaccine for its failure.
University of Hong Kong's top virologist Peres (Malik Peiris), said: "There are one kind of human H5N1 candidate vaccine, World Health Organization (WHO) recommended, but it can not completely control this mutant, but this situation is not uncommon because the H5 virus constantly changes, and we also need to develop new vaccines to the light. "
FAO said yesterday, H5N1 avian flu new variant is spreading within China and Vietnam, and the current vaccine is clearly unable to control this variation. FAO warned that bird flu may be "massive relapse."
Guangdong Provincial Health Department: unexplained illnesses must be reported within 2 hours
201 2011-08-31 07:56:00
Found that the plague, cholera, avian flu or unexplained disease outbreaks, the hospital must be reported within 2 hours through the network. Guangdong Provincial Health Department recently released "Report of Guangdong Province, health surveillance of infectious diseases" and 5 guidelines, called on all localities to regulate and strengthen supervision of infectious diseases.
Guangdong Province reported infectious diseases in accordance with health supervision guidelines, the relevant departments of medical institutions should have a "department of infectious diseases register."
Found in Group B infectious diseases and pulmonary anthrax, SARS, polio, highly pathogenic avian influenza cases or suspected cases, or find other infectious diseases and unexplained disease outbreaks should be within 2 hours to report infectious disease report cards through the network; no direct reporting responsibility to implement the network reporting unit should be within 2 hours with the fastest means of communication (telephone, fax) to the local county-level disease prevention and control report and sent out within 2 hours of report cards of infectious diseases.
The other B and C class infectious disease patients, and to report the suspected patients of infectious pathogen carrier in the diagnosis, direct reporting responsibility for the implementation of network reporting unit should be reported within 24 hours of the network; no direct reporting responsibility to implement the network reports units should be sent out within 24 hours of report cards of infectious diseases. Responsibility Report and the report were the fastest means of communication units to escalation. Meet public health emergencies should be reported within 2 hours
Australia: Newcastle strain of mutant swine flu
September 01, 2011
Hunter New England Health says a drug-resistant mutant strain of swine flu has been detected in the Newcastle region, the largest outbreak reported worldwide.
The World Health Organisation's Collaborating Centre for Influenza in Melbourne found 14 per cent of the flu samples taken from the local region this winter were resistant to the drug Tamiflu, which is used to ease flu symptoms.
However, it appears the virus is not particularly severe, as there were no deaths among the 25 people infected and none were admitted to an intensive care unit.
Public Health physician Doctor Craig Dalton says it is not yet clear why the mutant strain has appeared in the Newcastle region.
"We're looking at the cases and we can't find anything particularly eliminating at this stage," he said.
"These people had not received Tamiflu prior to the collection of the specimen, so that means they didn't get the anti-viral treatment and then develop resistance.
"They'd obviously been infected with a strain that was already resistant to Tamiflu."
Continued {click on title for full story]
Hunter New England Health says a drug-resistant mutant strain of swine flu has been detected in the Newcastle region, the largest outbreak reported worldwide.
The World Health Organisation's Collaborating Centre for Influenza in Melbourne found 14 per cent of the flu samples taken from the local region this winter were resistant to the drug Tamiflu, which is used to ease flu symptoms.
However, it appears the virus is not particularly severe, as there were no deaths among the 25 people infected and none were admitted to an intensive care unit.
Public Health physician Doctor Craig Dalton says it is not yet clear why the mutant strain has appeared in the Newcastle region.
"We're looking at the cases and we can't find anything particularly eliminating at this stage," he said.
"These people had not received Tamiflu prior to the collection of the specimen, so that means they didn't get the anti-viral treatment and then develop resistance.
"They'd obviously been infected with a strain that was already resistant to Tamiflu."
Continued {click on title for full story]
Bird flu flies back into the news
- 08:00 31 August 2011
Millions of ducks are flying south from Siberia this week, and some are carrying a virus that could lead to a resurgence of H5N1 bird flu in poultry – and people – across Eurasia.
"We're issuing an alert because we expect in the coming weeks to see the virus pop up in unexpected places across a wide area," says Jan Slingenbergh, head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's early warning system for animal diseases.
H5N1 has cost poultry farmers an estimated $20 billion so far. It has also infected 565 people, of whom 331 died. Virologists are trying to discover the mutations that could enable H5N1 to spread between people and go pandemic.
Dominant strain
The FAO is concerned about a strain of H5N1, called 2.3.2.1, which has been circulating for several years but is now emerging as dominant in birds in Asia.
It is no more virulent than previous strains but it is well adapted to many wild migratory species, so the virus has been carried to countries where H5N1 had been eliminated from poultry, including Bulgaria, Romania and Israel.
H5N1 outbreaks in poultry peaked in 2006, with 4000 across Eurasia and Africa. Extensive culling and vaccination quelled the virus, and by 2008 there were just 302 outbreaks. With the spread of 2.3.2.1, outbreaks are back on the rise. Some samples of the strain in China and Vietnam show its continuing evolution.
"The more cases you get in birds, the more it might spill over into humans," says Slingenbergh.
WHO, OIE downplay importance of new H5N1 variant
Robert Roos 
Aug 31, 2011 (CIDRAP News) – The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) took pains today to downplay the significance of a new H5N1 avian influenza variant that another major international organization warned about this week.
In an Aug 29 statement, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said a new H5N1 strain called clade 2.3.2.1 had emerged recently in Vietnam and China and that existing poultry vaccines were ineffective against it. The statement also cited recent increases in H5N1 bird outbreaks and warned about a possible major resurgence of the virus.
The WHO said today that its Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System recognized the H5N1 variant in February. "Based on available information, this evolution of the H5N1 virus poses no increased risk to public health," the WHO statement said. "It is not considered unusual because influenza viruses are constantly evolving, especially in areas where they circulate regularly in poultry."
The agency further said clade 2.3.2.1 does not change the public health implications of H5N1 viruses, given the available information. "Human cases of H5N1 infection remain rare and sporadic events, occurring mostly in areas where H5N1 viruses circulate regularly in poultry," the statement said.
The OIE made similar points in a statement today. It said the emergence of clade 2.3.2.1 is a result of minor genetic changes that typify the natural evolution of the virus.
"This is not immediate cause for alert but, as with the emergence of any new strain, reinforces the need for sustained monitoring of viruses in animal populations so that changes in viruses circulating in the field are detected at an earliest stage and that most appropriate disease control strategies are chosen to best protect animal and public health, the OIE said.
The agency also commented that avian flu vaccines, like human flu vaccines, need to be tested regularly to see if they are effective against the viruses in circulation. The OIE reference laboratory in Harbin, China, has developed a vaccine that, in trials, has protected poultry from clade 2.3.2.1, the statement said. Once available for field use, the vaccine will be employed in countries where the new variant has been identified.
"Registration and manufacturing of a poultry vaccine with the new seed strain is in progress," the OIE said.
Meanwhile, a clade 2.3.2.1 virus caused the illness of a 59-year-old Hong Kong woman who contracted an H5N1 infection last November, probably while traveling in mainland China, according to a report today by The Standard, a Hong Kong newspaper. The story cited Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) as the source of the information.
Hong Kong health officials said at the time that the virus in the woman's case belonged to clade 2.3.2. She recovered from her illness, according to online information from the CHP.
Romania: Bird Flu H5N1 Alert News
2 Articles
All Excerpts.
August 31, 2011
It spreads a mutant form of bird flu - UN warns
A known microbiologist Hugh Pennington said that "while there is still no certainty that bird flu has mutated so that it is transmitted from person to person, there is a" reasonable speculation "that has become resistant to Tamiflu, the main drug used in Britain in fighting the virus. "
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ro&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://www.financiarul.ro/2011/08/31/se-raspandeste-o-forma-mutanta-a-gripei-aviare-avertizeaza-onu/&usg=ALkJrhgDXOrkHgQzCwMBl36imW6KXv_ZrA
August 31, 2011
Food and Agriculture Organization warns bird flu could recur
Millions of ducks flying in Siberia this week, and some carry a virus that could lead to the reappearance of H5N1 influenza, or flu, in birds and humans in Eurasia.
"We issue an alert because the next few weeks we expect the appearance of virus in unexpected places across a wide area," said Jan Slingenbergh, head of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
"As more cases occur in birds, much more will be spread to humans," said Slingenbergh.
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ro&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://www.green-report.ro/stiri/organizatia-pentru-alimentatie-si-agricultura-avertizeaza-gripa-aviara-ar-putea-sa-reapara&usg=ALkJrhjOTHv_3cf4eP2LBCUVNVWldRuJsA
All Excerpts.
August 31, 2011
It spreads a mutant form of bird flu - UN warns
A known microbiologist Hugh Pennington said that "while there is still no certainty that bird flu has mutated so that it is transmitted from person to person, there is a" reasonable speculation "that has become resistant to Tamiflu, the main drug used in Britain in fighting the virus. "
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ro&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://www.financiarul.ro/2011/08/31/se-raspandeste-o-forma-mutanta-a-gripei-aviare-avertizeaza-onu/&usg=ALkJrhgDXOrkHgQzCwMBl36imW6KXv_ZrA
August 31, 2011
Food and Agriculture Organization warns bird flu could recur
Millions of ducks flying in Siberia this week, and some carry a virus that could lead to the reappearance of H5N1 influenza, or flu, in birds and humans in Eurasia.
"We issue an alert because the next few weeks we expect the appearance of virus in unexpected places across a wide area," said Jan Slingenbergh, head of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
"As more cases occur in birds, much more will be spread to humans," said Slingenbergh.
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ro&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://www.green-report.ro/stiri/organizatia-pentru-alimentatie-si-agricultura-avertizeaza-gripa-aviara-ar-putea-sa-reapara&usg=ALkJrhjOTHv_3cf4eP2LBCUVNVWldRuJsA
New Delhi: Government ready to deal with Berdflu
01 Sep, 2011
New Delhi: Food and Agriculture Organization (Afao) again Falne bird flu in Asia in the wake of warnings by the government today said that avian influenza is fully prepared to deal with bird flu.
Here,''said an official statement on avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, the new and deadly strain of Mutant Afao report in respect of the warning has come. The government has taken seriously the warning of Afao and is ready for any situation.''
Before the bird flu Afao Falne warned about the possibility. Afao's Chief Veterinary - Medical officer,''said Yuan Lubrath Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia and Vietnam have the most problems, but no country is safe. ''
New Delhi: Food and Agriculture Organization (Afao) again Falne bird flu in Asia in the wake of warnings by the government today said that avian influenza is fully prepared to deal with bird flu.
Here,''said an official statement on avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, the new and deadly strain of Mutant Afao report in respect of the warning has come. The government has taken seriously the warning of Afao and is ready for any situation.''
Before the bird flu Afao Falne warned about the possibility. Afao's Chief Veterinary - Medical officer,''said Yuan Lubrath Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia and Vietnam have the most problems, but no country is safe. ''
UK-Wales: Warning from UN over new strain of bird flu H5N1
Aug 31 2011
Excerpt:
The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation called on countries to adopt “heightened readiness and surveillance” against a resurgence of the virus.
Juan Lubroth, FAO chief veterinary officer, said: “Wild birds may introduce the virus, but people’s actions in poultry production and marketing spread it.”
In the past two years, avian flu has appeared in poultry or wild birds in countries that had been virus-free for some years.
Dr Roland Salmon, the director of Public Health Wales’ communicable disease surveillance centre, said the development of a mutant, vaccine-resistant strain of bird flu should not cause alarm.
“I don’t think this has a great deal of human health implications.
“Any problem that you’re likely to see in Britain is almost certainly going to kick off among British poultry, rather than among humans.
“You’re not going to suddenly get 50 people in Britain infected with bird flu, but you might get a flock of birds here infected,” he said.
Excerpt:
The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation called on countries to adopt “heightened readiness and surveillance” against a resurgence of the virus.
Juan Lubroth, FAO chief veterinary officer, said: “Wild birds may introduce the virus, but people’s actions in poultry production and marketing spread it.”
In the past two years, avian flu has appeared in poultry or wild birds in countries that had been virus-free for some years.
Dr Roland Salmon, the director of Public Health Wales’ communicable disease surveillance centre, said the development of a mutant, vaccine-resistant strain of bird flu should not cause alarm.
“I don’t think this has a great deal of human health implications.
“Any problem that you’re likely to see in Britain is almost certainly going to kick off among British poultry, rather than among humans.
“You’re not going to suddenly get 50 people in Britain infected with bird flu, but you might get a flock of birds here infected,” he said.
Philippines Warns Populace on H5N1 Mutation, Malaysia Brushes News Off
3 Articles:
August 31, 2011
DA on alert against bird flu-infected products
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) today assured that it is already implementing precautionary measures to prevent the entry of the deadly bird flu virus into the Philippines.
DA Secretary Proceso Alcala said in a radio interview that he has ordered the deployment of personnel in points of entry in the country to prevent the transport of infected chicken and other poultry products that may be affected by the deadly H5N1 virus.
Alcala said that he has also alerted the National Meat Inspection Service and the Bureau of Animal Industry.
-snip-
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=722404&publicationSubCategoryId=200
08/31/2011
DOH: New bird flu strain deadlier
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health has warned the public of the threat of a new strain of bird flu virus, the H5N1.
Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, program manager of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, said there are now cases of the new strain in China and Vietnam.
H1N1 can be transmitted from one human to another, but H5N1 can be transmitted from an animal to human.
While there are no cases of death due to H1N1 last year, the new strain is another matter. The mutant H5N1 has a 60% mortality rate. This means 6 out of 10 patients die of the disease.
Dr. Eric Tayag, director of the DOH National Epidemiology Center, said 8 persons in Cambodia who were infected with the bird flu virus have died.
Lee Suy stressed the Philippines is still free of any bird flu cases. The country has banned the importation of livestock that are coming from countries with bird flu cases.
He said, however, that the threat is still there since there is a possibility for the smuggled livestock to enter the country.
Tayag also said migratory birds usually come in October.
He also warned those who own a poultry to take extra precaution because of the animal to human transmission of the disease “Pwedeng mahawa yung mga pumapatay ng hayop, nag-aalaga ng hayop at nagtatanggal ng balahibo, dahil droplets ang virus na ito.”
Some of the symptoms of H5N1 are cough, colds and fever. In severe cases, the lungs are affected and if not treated early, it can lead to death.
The Philippine Inter-agency Committee on Zoonoses, which includes the DOH, The Bureau of Animal Industry and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, will meet on Friday to discuss the matter.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/31/11/doh-new-bird-flu-strain-deadlier
August 31, 2011
Malaysia brushes off bird flu warning
MALAYSIA has brushed off a warning by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) about a resurgence of the deadly bird flu virus and a new mutant strain.
Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai was quoted in the New Straits Times today as saying that the country remained vigilant about the H5N1 virus but no new cases had been reported.
"The public should not worry. We will let them know about the latest developments on the virus," he was quoted as saying.
An aide confirmed his comments.
-snip-
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/malaysia-brushes-off-bird-flu-warning/story-e6frf7jx-1226126532483
August 31, 2011
DA on alert against bird flu-infected products
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) today assured that it is already implementing precautionary measures to prevent the entry of the deadly bird flu virus into the Philippines.
DA Secretary Proceso Alcala said in a radio interview that he has ordered the deployment of personnel in points of entry in the country to prevent the transport of infected chicken and other poultry products that may be affected by the deadly H5N1 virus.
Alcala said that he has also alerted the National Meat Inspection Service and the Bureau of Animal Industry.
-snip-
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=722404&publicationSubCategoryId=200
08/31/2011
DOH: New bird flu strain deadlier
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health has warned the public of the threat of a new strain of bird flu virus, the H5N1.
Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, program manager of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, said there are now cases of the new strain in China and Vietnam.
H1N1 can be transmitted from one human to another, but H5N1 can be transmitted from an animal to human.
While there are no cases of death due to H1N1 last year, the new strain is another matter. The mutant H5N1 has a 60% mortality rate. This means 6 out of 10 patients die of the disease.
Dr. Eric Tayag, director of the DOH National Epidemiology Center, said 8 persons in Cambodia who were infected with the bird flu virus have died.
Lee Suy stressed the Philippines is still free of any bird flu cases. The country has banned the importation of livestock that are coming from countries with bird flu cases.
He said, however, that the threat is still there since there is a possibility for the smuggled livestock to enter the country.
Tayag also said migratory birds usually come in October.
He also warned those who own a poultry to take extra precaution because of the animal to human transmission of the disease “Pwedeng mahawa yung mga pumapatay ng hayop, nag-aalaga ng hayop at nagtatanggal ng balahibo, dahil droplets ang virus na ito.”
Some of the symptoms of H5N1 are cough, colds and fever. In severe cases, the lungs are affected and if not treated early, it can lead to death.
The Philippine Inter-agency Committee on Zoonoses, which includes the DOH, The Bureau of Animal Industry and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, will meet on Friday to discuss the matter.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/31/11/doh-new-bird-flu-strain-deadlier
August 31, 2011
Malaysia brushes off bird flu warning
MALAYSIA has brushed off a warning by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) about a resurgence of the deadly bird flu virus and a new mutant strain.
Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai was quoted in the New Straits Times today as saying that the country remained vigilant about the H5N1 virus but no new cases had been reported.
"The public should not worry. We will let them know about the latest developments on the virus," he was quoted as saying.
An aide confirmed his comments.
-snip-
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/malaysia-brushes-off-bird-flu-warning/story-e6frf7jx-1226126532483
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
WHO-Evolution of H5N1 avian influenza virus does not increase risk to public health
30 August 2011 -- WHO closely monitors the evolution of influenza viruses and is aware of recent reports of an H5N1 virus (described as H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1) circulating in poultry in parts of Asia. Based on available information, this evolution of the H5N1 virus poses no increased risk to public health. It is not considered unusual because influenza viruses are constantly evolving, especially in areas where they circulate regularly in poultry.
The WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, the group of experts that studies animal and human influenza viruses that may impact human health, recognized this new clade in February 2011.
WHO also routinely assesses the public health risk from all animal influenza viruses. Based on available information, the identification of this newly-reported H5N1 virus clade does not change the current public health implications of the H5N1 avian influenza viruses for humans. Human cases of H5N1 infection remain rare and sporadic events, occurring mostly in areas where H5N1 viruses circulate regularly in poultry. Human cases could occur wherever the viruses are present in poultry and when humans might be exposed to infected birds or contaminated environments.
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