Thursday, June 14, 2012

Yoshihiro Kawaoka to keynote at Influenza R&D meeting in San Francisco, CA, on July 9-10, 2012

Thursday, 14 June 2012
Yoshihiro Kawaoka, Ph.D., from the University of Tokyo, will be giving a keynote presentation entitled "An Epic Journey to Publish Ferret H5N1 Transmission Studies" at the Influenza Research and Development Conference on July 9th-10th, 2012 in San Francisco, CA by GTC.
Two recent studies describing the transmission of influenza viruses possessing mutant HAs of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses in ferrets were extensively discussed in the media prior to their publication. In this presentation, Dr. Kawaoka will discuss the findings and implications of their study on the molecular basis of the transmissibility of H5N1 influenza virus in ferrets and describe the biosafety/biosecurity and administrative oversight related to this study.
Dr. Kawaoka has studied Tamiflu-resistant influenza viruses and has also undertaken the study of the 1918 Spanish flu virus. Information uncovered by Dr. Kawaoka is used globally by public health agencies as they undertake the enormous task of..   http://www.melodika.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=310954&Itemid=54

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The Chengguan deployment to monitor the avian flu epidemic

Source: Gansu, China -  2012-06-14 08:41

 into Gansu, China, according to Xin reported hearing recently, Yuxi, Guyuan, Dalian, Liaoning and other places have occurred in poultry outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza or farms detected positive samples, the province the Jingtai also a series of an outbreak.
 Yesterday, reporter learned from the Chengguan District, the district convened the members of the headquarters unit for the control of major animal epidemic convened an emergency meeting of region control of major animal epidemic headquarters, the streets, the Bureau of Commerce, Trade and Industry Branch of the bazaars in the area. shopping malls, supermarkets, live poultry to set up inspection, verification inspection of things, and resolutely put an end to the illegal immigrant without a license and poultry products into the circulation...http://gansu.gscn.com.cn/system/2012/06/14/010102621.shtml


Canadian researchers make Ebola breakthrough

 13, 2012 7:02 PM

By KAREN CHEN, 

 
OTTAWA — Canadian researchers have pioneered a new treatment for Ebola, a deadly disease that kills up to 90 per cent of those infected within days.
The Winnipeg team’s treatment buys precious time for victims of the virus through an injection that is effective for up to 48 hours after exposure to the virus. Previous treatments only worked if administered within half an hour of infection.

The treatment works by slowing the virus, giving the body’s immune system more time to respond and kill off the Zaire strain of the virus, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

“It’s been a lot of work,” said Gary Kobinger, 43, lead author of the study. “We’re not an overly big community working on this problem, but it’s one with a lot of people and a lot of resources and a lot of heart.”
Kobinger’s team has been tackling Ebola at the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory for nearly a decade.
The treatment uses three different antibodies, which are the body’s natural markers for invading viruses. Researchers isolated and cloned the antibodies to bring them to a high enough concentration to be effective in destroying the disease with 100-per-cent effectiveness if administered within 24 hours and 50-per-cent effectiveness within 48 hours.
The antibody cocktail mimics .. more here http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Canadian+researchers+make+Ebola+breakthrough/6777835/story.html

Legionnaires outbreak: Health chiefs confident the worst is now over

Jun 13 2012
legionnaires Image 2
There are two new confirmed cases of the disease, taking the total to 41.
They were both previously classed as "suspected" and the number of suspected cases has therefore dropped from 49 yesterday to 47 today.
So far one man has died, named locally as 56-year-old Robert Air, from Seafield in Edinburgh.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Edinburgh City Council are investigating the source of the outbreak in the south-west of the capital.
Of the cases being treated in hospital, 11 are in intensive care and 19 are on general wards.
A total of 18 cases are being treated in the community, while 32 have been discharged from hospital.
Seven cases are being treated outwith the NHS Lothian area...

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/health-news/2012/06/13/legionnaires-outbreak-health-chiefs-confident-the-worst-is-now-over-86908-23895514/

Latest update on suspected fatal case of enterovirus infection

13 June 2012
 

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 13) provided the latest update on the suspected fatal case of enterovirus infection involving a 4-year-old boy.

The laboratory result from the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Centre today showed that the boy's nasopharyngeal swab and endotracheal tube aspirate tested positive for Coxsackie A2 virus but negative for EV71. The cause of the boy's death is under investigation by the Coroner.
The kindergarten which the deceased child attended has been put under medical surveillance. So far there is no sign of enterovirus outbreak. The kindergarten has undergone thorough disinfection on the advice of the CHP. The CHP will continue to monitor the health of children in the kindergarten and determine the need for further measures should there be any significant changes.
Ends/Wednesday, June 13, 2012

http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/116/25556.html

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Hong Kong-Influenza ferocious six public hospital Branch explosive force

...a number of public hospital medical ward "bursting".。 In the past two weeks, the average occupancy rate of public hospital medical wards close to a hundred percent, of which six, including the medical ward of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, Tuen Mun and the Prince of Wales Hospital occupancy rate for two consecutive weeks of more than hundred percent..









http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/news/20120613/00176_048.html&usg=ALkJrhicGQkfJ3H2w225bV_kd5Yo3Yhmqw

The enterovirus speed kill-year-old boy

....The boy attended kindergarten Huxiao Zhang said last night that the boy on the school on Friday did not have symptoms, the appearance is very healthy, the school has no other children of similar symptoms or infection. The school has asked the Centre for Health Protection on the handling, and have not received any instructions required to be closed. 。 The school yesterday cleaning and disinfection of the campus.  Students were killed, she felt very sad.
  Hong Kong University infection and infectious disease center, director of Ho Pak-leung said that the past, influenza, scarlet fever and enterovirus outbreak of the season, but this year the three kinds of infectious diseases broke out almost simultaneously, the situation particularly. 。 Deaths appears, displaying the EV71 intestinal virus is active, the CHP needs to further examine the boy ...

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/news/20120613/00176_045.html&usg=ALkJrhiOvKN_VZ_cXnssLeMtk6C2K5K51A

VaxInnate start H5N1 candidate vaccine VAX161 Phase I clinical trials for volunteers

2012-6-13 5:53:17
The study will recruit 250 healthy adults of 18 to 49 years old, and the outcome expected at the end of this year.  The resulting data will help the VaxInnate determine appropriate doses of the vaccine for further development. http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://www.bioon.com/biopharm/525287.shtml&usg=ALkJrhgmxc-1dLn1t1RVhxVGgf0i5cx-5A

Blue ear pig back to Mekong Delta

13/06/2012 08:21
  TT - At the meeting the Steering Committee of the National HPAI Prevention 12-6 pm, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Diep Kinh Tan said that blue ear pig epidemic was raging in six northern provinces (Hoa Binh, Quang Ninh , Bac Ninh, Lang Son, Lai Chau and Dien Bien), now appears translations in Bac Lieu.
This demonstrates that the prevention of local services are being loosened, and neglect subjective, when new services appear not radical, just deal should the situation become more serious.

According to Qin, the epidemic situation is showing signs flare up again in the Mekong Delta region if not controlled, control from the beginning.



http://m.tuoitre.vn/tin-tuc/Chinh-tri-Xa-hoi/Chinh-tri-Xa-hoi/136009,Dich-heo-tai-xanh-tro-lai-DBSCL.ttm

Vietnam-HFM, dengue fever develop unpredictably

                             June, 12 2012 11:12:00
 
DONG NAI - The Preventive Healthcare Centre in southern Dong Nai Province warned that hand-foot-mouth disease (HFM) and dengue fever has developed quickly and unexpectedly across the region.
Centre statistics show that HFM disease has spread to 169 out of 171 communes, affecting 2,000 people and killing two since earlier this year.
Meanwhile, nearly 1,800 people have contracted dengue fever in 154 communes, with one patient succumbing to the disease.
Worse still, about 80 per cent of patients at Dong Nai's Children Hospital contracted both diseases, in part due to their attending unregistered, individually run kindergartens, according to their parents.
The provincial Education and Training Department admits there are hundreds of unlicensed kindergartens where baby sitters are old and facilities lack hygienic standards.
According to the centre, this is the peak time for the spread of diseases, with the number of people suffering from illnesses in Long Thanh, Nhon Trach and Trang Bom districts as well as Bien Hoa City currently higher than in previous years.
While the provincial healthcare centre plans to kill mosquitoes and larva spreading dengue fever via chemical spraying, Director Cao Trong Nguong says this is not a solution.
It is more important to raise peoples' awareness on health care, he stressed. - VNS http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/social-issues/226014/hfm-dengue-fever-develop-unpredictably.html

China - Various Infectious diseases kill 1,575 in May

2012-06-12 20:49:50

BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- More than 982,932 cases of infectious diseases were reported on the Chinese mainland in May, resulting in 1,575 deaths, the Ministry of Health said Tuesday.
Most of the deaths, or 1,441 cases, were caused by Category B notifiable diseases. The five most frequently reported diseases last month included hepatitis, tuberculosis, syphilis, dysentery and gonorrhea, according to a statement released by the ministry.
Infectious diseases are separated into three categories in China according to their severity.
No cases of SARS, human-communicable bird flu, polio or diphtheria were reported in the month. Seven cases of cholera -- a Category A infectious disease -- were reported, but none were fatal, according to the statement.
Category C infectious diseases left 134 people dead, among whom 132 were killed by hand-foot-mouth disease, the statement said. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-06/12/c_131648374.htm

Taiwan reports new FMD outbreak

   June 12 2012

Taiwan has detected food and mouth disease (FMD) at a pig farm in P'ing Tung county, the island's fourth case of the virus so far this year.
In a report sent to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on June 8, the Taiwanese veterinary authorities said sub-clinical FMD (serotype O) was found in 15 pigs during routine surveillance. No deaths were recorded and no animals were destroyed.

http://www.agra-net.com/portal2/home.jsp?template=newsarticle&artid=20017966656&pubid=ag002

Researchers develop comprehensive H5N1 test kit

12 June 2012 | EN

Man holding dead bird, Indonesia
Scientists hope the new test kit could halt the spread of global bird flu
Flickr/ILRI
[MANILA] Scientists in Singapore have developed a diagnostic kit that can detect all known strains of avian influenza (H5N1) virus within a few hours — a medical breakthrough, which is expected to limit chances of a global pandemic.

Scientists from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) have developed the most comprehensive and rapid H5N1 test kit to date — the H5N1 real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) assay.


At present, the World Health Organization-recommended H5N1 diagnostic kit can detect only three out of ten distinct genetic groups. The other seven can be detected, but not within a single test.

The newly developed kit is capable of detecting all known strains of the H5N1 virus accurately and rapidly, with a single test.

"Our technology has greatly simplified and accelerated the process of detection and identification of new H5N1 variants. Such information is especially critical when the virus mutates to become more dangerous," said Masafumi Inoue, senior research scientist at A*STAR.

Alongside Timothy Barkham,..

http://www.scidev.net/en/health/bird-flu/news/researchers-develop-comprehensive-h5n1-test-kit.html

Vietnam-Many livestock units are continuing large losses


  12/06/2012 19:30
  On 12/6, at a meeting of the National Steering Committee against bird flu took place in Hanoi, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Diep Kinh Tan said if the livestock units continue to lose as large as today will narrow their production or "hanging cage", just four months we will be short of food. ..


Many livestock units are continuing large losses
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=vi&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://www.chaobuoisang.net/nhieu-co-so-chan-nuoi-dang-tiep-tuc-thua-lo-lon-1214510.htm&usg=ALkJrhh-fVHe8-0EKryipvunOf9KBQ0asw

Indonesia- This year six cases with six deaths

Bird Flu In Humans Occurs in Bengkulu and NTB

By Juliyah
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 | 18:17 Jakarta, InfoPublik - During January to May 2012, the number of cases of avian influenza (AI) reported as many as six cases with six deaths. Additionally this year, the province of Bengkulu and NTB reported cases of AI in humans.

 
This was said by the Acting / Deputy Minister of Health Ali Ghufron Mukti in a press release Public Puskom Strathmore on Tuesday (12/6). But the case continues to occur despite Indonesia most people including medical professionals, believe that the Influenza in Indonesia is a mild disease that self-limiting disease.

 
So far, Indonesia has not had a specific influenza immunization program.
 
"Although influenza vaccination to existing ones, but still given the seasonal nature Indonesia is only for people who travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj," he said.

 
Based on surveillance data Influenza Like Illness (ILI) in 24 health centers and the Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) in 30 hospitals Indonesia is reported to the National Institute of Health Research and Development (2012), showed an increase of influenza cases from October 2011 until February 2012.
 
Cases of Influenza H5N1 found in poultry in 33 provinces in Indonesia. Since first reported in July 2005, the cumulative number of cases reached 189 with FB 157 deaths.

 
Stated, in Indonesia, mortality and morbidity due to FB is relatively low compared with other infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. However, FB threats to human security is greater than any other infectious disease, because there is the possibility of mutation and initiate a pandemic influenza.

In addition, when the influenza pandemic occurs, the impact will affect all countries in the world. It is estimated there will be deaths in large numbers, drugs, inadequate social and economic disruption. Therefore, each state must prevent that happening and it's not always anticipate.

 
We remember the pandemic severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2003 and Pandemic Influenza H1N1 in 2009. The second pandemic has an impact not only health but also on economic and social aspects, he said.

 
Ali Ghufron stated, the Government of Indonesia has taken several steps influenza pandemic preparedness and response, including the strengthening of 100 bird flu referral hospitals, strengthening epidemiology and virology laboratories, the application of sentinel and routine surveillance, vaccine development, the implementation of the ecology and transmission, clinical spectrum, management of disease and molecular genetics, training, build coordination and distribution logistics arrangements as well.

 
"Indonesia and other developing countries have also succeeded in realizing the fair, transparent, and equitable framework in the WHO system," he said.

 
He explained that the framework of the fair, transparent, and equitable framework that established the World Health Assembly on the 64th WHA in 2011 in resolution WHA 64.

 
"This framework guarantees the right of all developing countries to gain equal access to affordable vaccines, antiviral, and diagnostic kit for influenza pandemic, and assisted in their vaccine production capacity," concludes Ali Ghufron.

http://www.bipnewsroom.info/?page=news&newsid=24096

Jiangyin Inspection and Quarantine Bureau sincere cooperation deal with the challenges

2012-06-12 15:53:32 According to the OIE website news, from March to June of this year, there were 4 cases of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak, a total of 30,087 poultry and birds infected with 10 733 deaths, culling of 138 030. Infection rates and mortality rates of 20.2% and 35.7% respectively. There were two cases of human infection with H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, with one death.

It is reported that the avian flu in spring and autumn prone to the epidemic in May and June this year intensive occurrence of rare, the possibility of greatly increased regional bird flu pandemic broke out. Coupled with neighboring countries and regions, outbreaks are frequently reported, making the bird flu in Southeast Asia has become a truly "disaster area" a tremendous impact on economic development, but also greatly endanger the safety of the public health. EU, Canada and other countries accordingly have increased the intensity of the inspection and quarantine of poultry products, increase the difficulty of Inspection and Quarantine.....    
http://www.cqn.com.cn/news/zjpd/dfdt/581000.html

Dr Chow: the risk of avian flu still exists can not be taken lightly

Dr Chow: the risk of avian flu still exists can not be taken lightly
Food and Health Secretary York Chow said the overall risk of avian influenza in Hong Kong, particularly the human infection risk, and maintained at a stable low level, but the first five months of this year, 20 wild birds confirmed that the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus, showing The virus is still popular in the vicinity of Hong Kong, that the public can not be taken lightly.

A committee of the Legislative Council, Dr York Chow, said earlier a boy infected with bird flu, and that the case is a single imported cases, but the prevention and control work should not be relaxed.

http://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E5%91%A8-%E5%B6%BD-%E7%A6%BD%E6%B5%81%E6%84%9F%E9%A2%A8%E9%9A%AA%E4%BB%8D%E5%AD%98%E5%9C%A8%E4%B8%8D%E8%83%BD%E6%8E%89%E4%BB%A5%E8%BC%95%E5%BF%83-070400388.html

Hong Kong-Suspected fatal case of enterovirus infection under investigation


12 June 2012

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a suspected fatal case of enterovirus infection involving a four-year-old boy.
The boy, with good past health, developed fever, runny nose and cough since June 9. His condition deteriorated rapidly and was found collapsed in bed in his home in the late evening on June 10. On the same evening, he was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital where he was certified dead in the early morning on June 11.
The nasopharyngeal swab and endotracheal tube aspirate taken from the boy tested positive for enterovirus.
The boy has no recent travel history. His parents were asymptomatic. He studied in a kindergarten in Chai Wan and there is no recent outbreak of hand, foot, mouth disease in the school.
CHP’s investigation continues. The cause of the boy's death is under investigation by the Coroner.
This is the first suspected fatal case of enterovirus infection reported to the CHP this year. The CHP recorded one fatal case in each of the year between 2009 and 2011.
http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/116/25523.html

Monday, June 11, 2012

china rumor - two people died of SARS or avian flu

Could be nothing and I am searching the area, so any help is cool. Maybe just a pneumonia and not really sars or bf.
 In the thread it is mentioned that if you post a falsehood, go to prison..sooo.. she evidently believes it. Shortly after that there were no more posts.. so we will have to see what else pops up.




Legionnaires' disease: mapping the outbreak

Michael MacLeod