Summary from Indonesia Outbreak tracking as at 21 September 2006
| Cases Discussed | Jun-06 | Jul-06 | Aug-06 | Sep-06 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Died, no tests | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 10 |
| Died, tested positive | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Other tested positive | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Suspected symptoms | 4 | 2 | 46 | 26 | 78 |
| Tested negative | 0 | 6 | 25 | 5 | 36 |
| Totals | 10 | 14 | 80 | 31 | 137 |
(From WHO as at 19 Sep – latest update on their site)
Total human cases worldwide 247, deaths 144 (2006 – 100 with 66 deaths)
(If you want the links to open in a new window, hold down the shift key and then click on the link)
Indonesia
China
Philippines
Iraq
Angola
Nigeria
United States of America
General
Link to news thread for 21 September (link News Reports for Sept 21 )
(Usual disclaimer about may not have captured everything. Feel free to add your own where omissions have occurred.)
Please note that I copy the links directly from the thread so if they don’t work you may need to re-visit the Thread.
NOTE TO OTHERS
I have copied the above News Summary into the Sandbox so that, if for any reason I don’t ‘appear’ to create the summary in a timely manner, someone can do it and then create a News Thread with the summary at the top. You can use the copy in the Sandbox as a sort-of-template. Cheers team.
Still looking for suitable respirator during a pandemic. Is this one acceptable? http://tinyurl.com/pk5zj
Children may be most at risk for bird flu
Richard D. Walton
richard.walton@indystar.com
Children could be the most vulnerable if the bird flu strikes the United States, the director of the Marion County Health Department said at a summit today for state and local school health officials.
Dr. Virginia Caine, who spoke at the conference on the potential pandemic, said that projections suggest an attack rate as high as 40 percent for children exposed to the virus … more
(Although this story is from Marion County, USA, I think it is applicable worldwide) link http://tinyurl.com/mkr5d
(Florida USA) Lee readies for bird flu
Epidemiology professor leads 60 officials through exercise
By MICHELLE L. START mstart@news-press.com Originally posted on September 22, 2006
Marc Beaudin/news-press.com Lee County Health Department Director Dr. Judith Hartner leads a conference call Thursday during a pandemic flu readiness drill at the Lee County Emergency Operations Center in Fort Myers.
Imagine a group of 20 sick Asian exchange students arriving in Fort Myers and within days, they’ve spread a virus that infects 2,000 residents and kills 225 people.
The virus spreads throughout Florida, infecting 400,000 people. A state of emergency is declared and law enforcement officers are called in to guard hospitals, pharmacies and grocery stores.
That was the scenario about 60 Lee County officials encountered Thursday during a pandemic bird flu readiness drill. The exercise was led by Dr. Scott Lillibridge, professor of epidemiology and director of the Center for Biosecurity and Public Health Preparedness at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
The link to more on this story is http://tinyurl.com/kztf5
MORE ABOUT BIRD FLU
Who is expected to become ill in Lee County:
* Children younger than 18: 33,653
Indonesian boy dies of bird flu: official Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:00 AM BST
JAKARTA (Reuters) - An 11-year-old Indonesian boy has died of bird flu, the health ministry said Friday, taking the country’s death toll from the disease to 50.
The boy died on Monday at a hospital in Tulungagung in East Java province, said Runizar Ruesin, the head of the ministry’s bird flu information center
This from Reuters http://tinyurl.com/huwgo
Malaysia sets up advanced lab to fight infectious diseases
News Update by The Star News Desk
SUNGAI BULOH: Malaysia now has the facilities and infrastructure to conduct advanced research in combating all kinds of viruses and diseases, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the Nipah virus, avian flu, tuberculosis and anthrax.
The Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) Complex, which opened Friday, is the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific region and boasts of being able to handle hazardous diseases. More at http://tinyurl.com/lq62x
Human H5N1 pre-pandemic vaccines – WHO produces guidance on virus composition
http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ew/2006/060921.asp#3
A number of pharmaceutical companies have reported that they are developing human H5N1 based influenza vaccines. Some European national authorities are considering stockpiling these under the rationale that, unlike a specific pandemic vaccine, these can be made ahead of a pandemic. If there is an H5N1-based pandemic, a stockpiled vaccine, even if incompletely matched to the pandemic virus (perhaps only giving 30% susceptibility protection), will prevent more infections and deaths than waiting for the specific pandemic vaccine [1]. Also, for influenza, vaccination is the only preventive intervention for which there is evidence of effectiveness, and it is assumed that this will also apply in a pandemic situation.
(…)
Assuming a reasonably effective vaccine is produced, decisions over whether to purchase these vaccines will not be easy. The financial investment and risk are considerable as it is impossible to determine the likelihood of an H5N1 pandemic [5]. Also, considerable work will be required to explain to the public that this vaccine is advisable even though the effectiveness is likely to be lower than most vaccines currently licensed and used. The fact that children will be among those for whom vaccination would be recommended will add to this difficulty [1]. Last, but not least, assessing safety will be a particular issue. While there are no particular reasons to expect that these vaccines will be less safe than any other influenza vaccines they will, by definition, only be applied on a large scale during a pandemic. At that time it will probably be very difficult to investigate any reported rare side-effects. Currently, it seems likely that some national authorities will invest in further developing and purchasing these vaccines.
anonymous – at 02:18 I have been waiting for a UV light patent respirator a long time. Many months ago a young man proposed here on the forum to construkt one. I did some research and found that no LEDs can provide UV-C light, so i skipepd the idea since bulbs uses to much battery energy. My guess is that when this respirator get on the market it will be expensive, and it will need a constant supplys of batteries../or recharge. I dont think it will solve the problem that disposable respirators have put us in, the fact that we will run out in a pandemic.. Go for the P3 (N100) respirator painters etc uses, they have replaceable filters and the mask is made of silicon. It will last a lot longer then the ordinary disposables, but need to be disinfected after use in a gentle way that dont harm the filter to much… How?, no one agres about, my proposal are rubber alchohol. Bicyclist masks are boil-washables, but is only P1 filter that will stop dust particles.
Discussions re: respirators do not belong in the News Thread. Thanks.
A more indepth article about the confirmed death of the 11 year-old
Bird Flu Kills Child, Marking Indonesia’s 50th Death (Update1)
By Karima Anjani http://tinyurl.com/owbh3
Sept. 22 (Bloomberg) — Bird flu killed an 11-year-old boy in Indonesia, a Ministry of Health official said, pushing the country’s death toll to 50.
Tests confirmed the child from East Java was infected with the H5N1 strain of avian influenza when he died on Sept. 18, said I Nyoman Kandun, the health ministry’s director general of disease control and environment…….
The latest case is the second fatality in East Java’s Tulungagung district in the past three months. A 5-year-old boy from the same district died on June 16, according to the WHO….. Poultry deaths were recorded in his neighborhood in the past month and may indicate a source of the boy’s infection, Runizar Ruesin, head of the health ministry’s avian flu information center, said in a telephone interview today.
Authorities are testing his relatives and monitoring close contacts to check whether the virus is spreading, Ruesin said……
And slightly more information on the boy’s death.
The child died in a hospital in Tulungagung, East Java province, on Monday - hours after he was admitted and two days after developing symptoms of the disease, said Nyoman Kandun.
For those of you still on the fence, and not sure of what actions, precautions you should be taking, I highly suggest you read the following article. You may need to register with the site, but it is worth it.
Speaker details dangers of avian flu ‘We will see bodies pile up,’ physician cautions
By John Mitchell, jmitchell@VenturaCountyStar.com September 22, 2006
….Dr. Michael Osterholm’s presentation on an avian influenza pandemic to members and guests of the World Affairs Council of Ventura County…
He doesn’t know when or where it will land in the United States, but, he said, a serious effort should be mounted “right now” by federal, state and local agencies to prepare for it.
“If the pandemic is caused by H5N1, the avian influenza virus strain currently circulating in Asia, it could kill as many as 1.9 million Americans and infect 30 to 60 percent of the population,” he said, adding that H5N1 is the most powerful influenza virus detected in modern history…..
For people who doubt the looming danger, Osterholm said, “I wouldn’t bet my family’s life that it’s not going to happen.”
Currently, there is no bird flu vaccine, he said.
“We’re still using 1950s vaccine,” he said. “Over the decades there has been only one major modification to it. And H5N1 vaccine research results generally have been disappointing….
When the pandemic hits, what will it be like?
“Imagine a 12-to-18-month global blizzard,” he said…
Individuals and families should stockpile a six- to 12-week supply of food and water in their homes, he said. Business and education areas must prepare to protect employees and students.
more…
“widespread in the United States” ?
Recombinomics Commentary September 21, 2006
“The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior today announced a detection of the H5 and N1 avian influenza subtypes in samples from wild Northern pintail ducks in Montana. Initial tests confirm that these samples do not contain the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain that has spread through birds in Asia, Europe and Africa. These samples were collected from apparently healthy ducks and initial test results indicate the presence of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus, which poses no threat to human health.
The duck samples were collected on Sept. 15 in Cascade County, Montana, by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks as part of a cooperative, expanded wild bird monitoring program. Sixty-six samples were collected directly from the birds using cloacal swabs. Samples were initially screened at the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Of the 66 samples tested at the Colorado State University state lab, 16 samples were sent to USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa for confirmatory testing.
One of the 16 samples screened by NVSL tested positive for both H5 and N1.
The above comments indicate H5N1 has been detected in Montana. Although it is possible that the two detected serotypes for H and N are not from the same virus, all prior reported examples in the United States this year have been H5N1. Previously H5N1 was in mute swans in southern Michigan, in mallards in Maryland, and in mallards in Pennsylvania. The report of H5N1 in Montana suggests H5N1 is widespread in the United States.
Canada has not released details of serotypes detected this year other than to indicate that the results mirror last year’s findings which included H5N1, H5N2, H5N3, and H5N6. One report from Quebec indicates H5N2 and H5N6 has been detected this year.
However, only H5N1 has been reported in the United States. Canada also reported H5 from a dead duck on Prince Edward Island. The sample degraded prior to testing in Winnipeg, but the evidence from Prince Edward Island strongly implicated the Qinghai strain of H5N1.
It remains unclear why only H5N1 has been reported in the United States. Release of the H5N1 sequences would be useful. H5N2 in Canada had acquire swine sequences inn addition to H5N1 sequences in internal genes.
There are many existing plants where the workers could be trained to produce a flu vaccine in cells. Not using eggs will speed up the process.
snip: Based on existing dosages, we’d have enough doses in about 3 to 4 months to cover the U.S. with the system we propose,” Lash said. Currently, it would take six months to make 250 to 300 million doses of pandemic flu vaccine for the United States. “What we’re proposing could make 600 million doses in four months. snip
China prepares vaccines for possible flu outbreaks from China View (Xinhua)
Chinese health officials are preparing 23 million to 25 million doses of flu vaccine, after experts warned the H5N1 bird flu could break out again with other flu strains during winter and spring. The vaccines would be available from mid September, when an inoculation campaign began, said a statement by the China Preventive Medicine Association. The quantity of doses is 20 percent more than last year…
…Zeng said no major flu outbreaks had occurred in China in the past few years, but localised outbreaks happened constantly, including some in schools, in the first quarter of this year. Figures from the Ministry of Health showed a 13 percent rise in the flu incidence rate in the first quarter compared with the same period of last year…
Comment: Xinhua is the official news agency for China.
Bird flu has potential to be ‘catastrophic’ from Cheshire Online (UK)
…UP TO 245,000 people could contract ‘bird flu’ in Cheshire with the potential for almost 7,400 deaths…Planners are allowing for an influenza-type pandemic in two waves, three to nine months apart, affecting a quarter of Cheshire’s 983,076 population…The likelihood of such a scenario is rated as ‘possible’, with the outcome labelled ‘catastrophic’ and it is given a risk rating of very high…
Comment. Thanks banshee…Oh I see…there is no H5N1 in China and the pigs…and the chickens do not have H5N1…but they are going to start vaccinating humans against H5N1 anyway. Good one!!
You want proof. There it is.
How much do you want to bet that in the next five years all experiments with experimental pharmaceuticals will take place in China?
Officials fear flu pandemic from Public Opinion (Pennsylvania)
…”The threat of another influenza pandemic is real,” Taylor told the 13 legislators from Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and West Virginia gathered at the Chambersburg college…Officials from the four states compared notes on how they are preparing for the next worldwide flu epidemic, expected to be a deadly pandemic. Health officials are waiting for the H5N1 stain of avian influenza to mutate to a virus that can be transmitted easily between humans. They estimate that 40 percent of people will not be at work during the six- to eight-week peak of a pandemic…
…”There are few communities, agencies and industries that have continuity-of-operations plans,” said James Spears, who heads state homeland security in West Virginia. “The lack of CoOp is one of the most serious threats during an avian flu epidemic. Few in industry are taking CoOp seriously. They say: ‘I’m too busy trying to make daily business…’”
…Travel might have to be restricted. If local communities cannot handle a mass migration from the Baltimore-Washington area, “would it be possible to close the interstate at the Potomac River,” asked delegate John Overington of West Virginia…[more]
TomDVM…and the estimated population of China is….1,313,973,713 (July 2006 est.)
At that rate (25 million doses a year) they will have enough vaccine for their entire population in 52 years? Not taking into account additional growth in the population. ;)
CIDRAP: Avian Flu - Agriculture and Wildlife Considerations:-
“Investigators in Asia showed that asymptomatically infected domestic ducks shed more H5N1 virus for longer periods in 2004 than in 2003, which may be a factor in amplifying the spread of H5N1 to domestic poultry (see References: FAO/OIE/WHO 2004). Another report demonstrated the presence of H5N1 influenza virus in asymptomatic eagles that were smuggled from Thailand into Belgium in 2004 (see References: Borm 2005).
Tom DVM – at 11:03, I thought they were inoculating against seasonal flu to prevent reassortment with H5N1. Either way, doesn’t give one the warm and fuzzies.
Comment
Just to remind people, it’s a good time to check your county health department web site, for flu and PPV innoculation dates and locations. The vaccinations should be scheduled for Oct. and Nov. In my area, the shots are $20. each, for 9 yrs and up. If you are not in a risk category your insurance won’t probably pay for vaccinations at your regular doctor’s office, which will be more expensive. The PPV covers 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. About 1 out of every 20 people who get pneumococcal pneumonia, die from it. Drug resistant strains can make treatment more difficult. This is the second whammy danger after the lungs are damaged from a flu virus. Consider getting your whole family vaccinated.
World Bank Clears $13M to Fight Bird Flu
The World Bank has approved a $13 million grant to help combat the threat of the deadly bird flu in the West Bank and Gaza, the development institution announced Friday. The money will be used to help minimize any threats of the bird flu posed to people from the area’s domestic poultry industry, it said.
The money “will assist the Palestinian Authority to improve their readiness and protect the citizens from a potentially devastating threat as the migration season is around the corner,” said Arif Zulfiqar, head of the World Bank’s department’s that handles grant applications.
The World Bank said that in April the bird flu virus was confirmed across eight locations in Gaza.
Drug-resistant TB on the rise in U.S. from MSNBC
…Although the number of drug-resistant TB cases in the U.S. is small compared to developing nations, health officials here warn that visitors from other countries who are unaware of their infections are bringing over the deadliest mutations.
Often those with drug-resistant strains stop taking their medicine when they feel better but aren’t cured…
…Of gravest concern is so-called “extensively drug-resistant” TB, which recently killed more than 50 people in South Africa. It’s been found in limited numbers in the U.S. — 74 reported cases since 1993.
The strain is nearly impossible to cure because it’s immune to the best first- and second-line TB drugs. It is as easily transmitted through the air as garden variety TB…
…“It certainly has outbreak potential if we don’t get on it right away,” said Dr. Kenneth Castro, director of the CDC’s Division of Tuberculosis Elimination…[more]
Comment: Reason why I posted this story is twofold. First, demonstrates how infectious diseases can be brought into a country. Second, problems with getting infected individuals to take the full course of prescribed medications. Many people are pinning their hopes on Tamiflu but I think there is a good chance of Tamiflu resistance because some people will not take the medicine correctly.
Full course of Tamiflu is what? 10 days I believe. TB meds are/were around a year. Big difference. I would think that folks would be able to be persuaded to take a 10 day regimen, if the alternative was death. But, then, never underestimate the stupidity of many intelligent people.
cactus – at 14:27, doctors complain about getting people to finish a 10 day course of antibiotics. You would be suprised…
Nah, banshee, I see it every shift I work. I just thought that maybe,just maybe, they would be scared enough to take it correctly. Of course, that assumes that TPTB give it correctly.
22/09/2006
(Toggletext Software translation)
Liputan6.com, Bengkulu:” the citizen’s two children of the Seluma Regency, Bengkulu it was suspected was affected by the bird flu virus.
The two children were still being treated in the Muhamad Yunus Public Hospital, Bengkulu, on Friday (22/9). Beforehand Iwas, 5 years and Ferly, 3 years, suffered the sign that was the same as the bird flu sufferer. They experienced the high fever was accompanied breathless since a week set. Initially the older brother was siblings this took medicine in the Seluma Community Health Centre. However because his sign resembled bird flu, Iwas and Ferly afterwards was reconciled to RS Muhamad Yunus. Their parents were increasingly worried because beforehand hundreds of neighbouring chickens died suddenly. Director RS Muhamad Yunus the doctor Safrudin mentioned, the two patients were at this time treated in isolation space.”
Image of mother & child.
Recombinomics Commentary September 22, 2006
Thus, the number of human cases in Java continues to increase, and contact with poultry continues to be cited, yet the absence of matching sequences in a significant portion of poultry isolates on Java continues to be cause for concern. -excerpt
cactus – at 14:35, I think most people WILL take it correctly - provided they can get it. But, there are always those who don’t like to stick to the plan.
22 September 2006 (excerpt) http://tinyurl.com/ohn2l
U.S. Response to Potential Outbreak of Avian Influenza
United States pledged $392 million to prepare for influenza threats
U.S. Department of State
Office of Public Affairs
September 18, 2006
FACT SHEET
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT ON AVIAN AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA
The United States is working with countries in Asia, the Near East, Europe, Eurasia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and with key international agencies like the World Health Organization and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, to assist in preparedness for, surveillance of, and response to a potential outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza and the subsequent threat of a human pandemic. The following are highlights of actions taken by the U.S. Government to address this challenge.
Last Updated: Friday, September 22, 2006 | 10:53 AM ET CBC News
“U.S. legislators have agreed on a tentative deal that will let Americans buy prescription drugs in Canada and bring them across the border — but it won’t apply to online or mail-order purchases.
The agreement, reached by the House of Representatives on Thursday, would let Americans carry up to a 90-day supply of medication back to the United States without it being seized by customs agents.
U.S. border authorities, under the Homeland Security Department, began aggressively clamping down on the practice two years ago, usinganti-terrorism laws to seize Lipitor, Tamiflu, Viagra and other prescription drugs purchased in Canada by Americans. - excerpt.
Should keep the gasoline lobby happy.
Uganda
East Africa: Border Districts On Alert Over Bird Flu
Uganda authorities have asked officials in districts bordering Sudan to be on alert following confirmed cases of avian flu in the southern Sudanese capital of Juba, officials said on Friday.
“We have sent out a warning to all districts especially those bordering Sudan and the national task force on bird flu is meeting every week to assess the situation,” Paul Kaggwa, the spokesman for the Ministry of Health, said.
The districts include Adjumani, Apac, Arua, Gulu, Kaabong, Kitgum, Koboko, Kotido, Lira, Moroto, Moyo, Nebbi, Pader and Yumbe. They were asked to set up and strengthen task forces on bird flu to enhance surveillance and public education.
North Dakota, USA
City has historic bird flu link
In 1918 children skipped rope to the rhyme: “ I had a little bird, It’s name was Enza, I opened the window, And in-flu-enza.”
According to records about a Wahpeton cemetery, 10-year-old Louisa Wadena of Wahpeton Indian School died during the 1918 flu epidemic, which killed more people than World War I. It’s been cited as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history. More people died of influenza in a single year than in four years of the bubonic plague from 1347 to 1351. The flu pandemic in 1918 was a global disaster.
About 150 people from throughout the area attended Thursday night’s preparedness meeting specifically designed to help families prepare for a pandemic. The meeting was sponsored by the Wilkin and Richland county emergency management agencies. Health experts say there is possibility that today’s strain of bird flu could become a pandemic. If so, communities across the world are being asked to prepare for possible interruptions in all services. Meeting organizers stressed people should be prepared to take care of their own families for 3–10 days, prepare essentials such as clothing, food and water, important records and other relevant information in case of evacuation. Thursday’s meeting provided basic information people can also use for any type of emergency.
[snip]
Arnie Pankow, who worked at Wahpeton Indian School, now known as Circle of Nations, said records show Wadena died of pneumonia on Oct. 21, 1918, and the funeral was held two days later. Records show the death rate for 15- to 34-year olds of influenza and pneumonia were 20 times higher in 1918 than in previous years. Pankow said the records have long since been removed from the school, where Wadena was living at the time.
USA
USDA expands compensation for bird flu cleanup
Poultry farmers who participate in a program to prevent the spread of diseases would be fully compensated for loss of birds and equipment if low-pathogenic strains of avian influenza are found, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Friday.
USDA said it expanded the National Poultry Improvement Program to cover commercial production flock, such as table-egg layers and meat-type chickens and turkeys. Until now, only breeder flocks were eligible.
[snip]
Under the expansion, participating producers would be reimbursed for 100 percent of their costs associated with the cleanup of low-pathogenic H5 and H7 subtypes.
West Bank and Gaza
US$13 million grant to fight avian flu in the West Bank and Gaza approved by the World Bank
The World Bank has approved a US$13 million grant to minimize threats posed to humans by avian influenza in domestic poultry in the West Bank and Gaza. US$3 million is being provided from the World Bank’s Avian and Human Influenza Facility, a multidonor financing mechanism set up earlier this year, while a US$10 million grant from the World Bank’s own resources has been approved and will serve as a second stage of this project.
“These grants will assist the PA to improve their readiness and protect their citizens from a potentially devastating threat as the migration season is around the corner” says Arif Zulfiqar, World Bank Head of Department responsible for all Facility Grant Applications, “In particular, the Bank is committed to helping the poor and vulnerable benefit from quality public health care as well as reforms in the animal health system, to help avert a possible human pandemic with the devastating social and ,economic impacts this would imply.”
In April 2006, the avian influenza (H5N1) virus was confirmed across eight locations in Gaza. The proximity of outbreaks in neighboring countries, coupled with a large volume of bird migrations, increases the probability of a spread of the virus among domestic poultry, and thus places West Bank and Gaza at high risk.
Oregon, USA
Summit addresses pandemic planning
Allen, who was hired in March 2005 as Oregon’s public health director, was the keynote speaker Thursday at a pandemic illness planning summit organized by Lane County Public Health officials.
About 125 people - including community leaders, business owners, school officials, volunteer agencies, the faith community and local colleges - attended the meeting at Lane Community College
[snip]
“If we can do that well, we can shift if something like 1918 happens,” she said. “It’s better to plan midrange, then stretch” than try to plan for the end of the world, she said.
She really has no idea what H5N1 is doing, does she?
Georgia, USA
The University’s Office of Security and Emergency Preparedness will offer a lecture on pandemic influenza, one of the primary concerns among emergency planners across the country.
The lecture will be hosted by Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. The lecture is one of the activities planned for September as part of the National Preparedness Month.
[snip]
According to OSEP’s Web site, www.osep.uga.edu, a pandemic influenza is a virulent flu that spreads globally and causes serious illness. Unlike the seasonal or common flu, for which most people have immunity or a vaccine, a pandemic influenza is a health threat to almost everyone.
[snip]
Several local organizations will be there, including the Athens-Clarke County Community Emergency Response Team and the East Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross. The showcase is an opportunity for students to learn about how to prepare for emergencies such as tornadoes, ice storms or even terrorist attacks, said Haley.
California, USA
Half-day summit will focus on how schools can handle a pandemic
San Benito County is taking the threat of a pandemic flu seriously. The county Office of Education and the Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Division, have teamed up to offer a summit for school administrators in October.
The workshop comes on the heels of a push by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction for schools to prepare for a possible pandemic. Pandemic influenza has spread across the world three times in the last century, including the devastating 1918 Spanish flu. Health agencies warn that a mutation of the avian influ
[snip]
The workshop will be Oct. 12 at the Hollister School District office. It includes a lecture on pandemic influenza, a talk about San Benito’s preparation and practice scenarios. Though the focus will be on schools with K-12 students, the information will be valuable to preschool and college level as well. Those encouraged to attend include school nurses, business office representatives, human resource staff and district-level staff.
Contact the Public Health Division at 831–637–5367 or the County Office of Education at 831–637–5393 for more information. Registration is open until Oct. 6 and spots are limited.
China
Bird flu ‘may strike’ in winter
Top influenza scientists warned on Friday of the big possibility of a major bird flu outbreak in China this winter or next spring.
Such an outbreak, which would hit poultry and human beings, would probably take place as common flu cases reach their peak, said Zeng Guang, chief epidemiology scientist at China’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
[snip]
It remains difficult to determine how the H5N1 virus will develop, said Zeng, but he noted there was a possibility it may form a hybrid with other flu viruses.
Possible crossbreeding may result in a new form of virus which could be transmitted between humans, he noted.
Australia
Coast leads race for a bird flu cure
A TEAM of international scientists led by a Gold Coast young Einstein has formed a ‘rapid response’ network to fight against bird flu.
Griffith University’s Mark von Itzstein will head to Asia within months to test the lethal H5N1 virus with anti-flu drugs and chemical compounds that could be developed into new drugs. [snip]
Prof von Itzstein will visit the Institut Pasteur of Cambodia before the end of the year to test not only Relenza and new drug compounds he has developed, but also the flu drug Tamiflu which governments including Australia’s have stockpiled.
[snip]
Dr Philippe Buchy from the Institut Pasteur said his facility would concentrate on isolating and identifying new viral strains.
“Having a quick-response network against pandemic flu is of the first importance since a flu pandemic could trigger millions of deaths,” he said.
“The only way to prevent or limit the pandemic is an early identification of the potential pandemic strain.”
This is a good idea. Amazing that this hasn’t already been put into place.
I was looking to see if anybody caught the numerous World Bank stories and wondered if anybody truly believed that money was going anywhere but to Hammas’ payroll. We are in an epidemic in Indonesia, and they are screaming for money and they haven’t received anything. Also, I don’t remember 8 cases in Gaza and the West Bank in April. Why just there and not Israel? $3 million of it came from the WB “Bird Flu” fund and the other $10 million from their “own sources”. The Palestinian Authority is out of power, Hamas is in, and they have NO infrastructure…medical or otherwise. Israel is monitoring on their own, as is Egypt. That money, if it really is for bird flu detection, would do more in Indonesia right now.
Also, a story from the midwest yesterday had a writer and editor who told the truth. They gave an accurate CFR, 170,000 out of 400,000 population. I’ll see if I can find the story. I emailed the writer and thanked her for her honesty and courage. So often I see the number skewed down to some ridiculously low number and think “no wonder people don’t pay attention”.
UK
Unique flu vaccine trial to start in London
With winter on its way and the flu season about to begin Londoners are being offered the opportunity to sign up for a unique clinical trial to test a new DNA Vaccine. The trial, which has received approval from the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), will test for the first time whether a DNA vaccine can protect people from infection with influenza.
If successful, this challenge study could pave the way for DNA vaccines such as this H3 vaccine for annual flu and PowderMed’s H5N1 pandemic vaccine, to reach market approval. PowderMed also started a trial on the H5N1 DNA vaccine last month.
[snip]
This trial is one of three being conducted this year by UK company PowderMed to assess the ability of DNA vaccines to protect against annual and pandemic influenza. PowderMed’s DNA vaccines use a proprietary needle-free system to deliver microscopic gold particles coated with DNA at supersonic speed into the immune cells of the skin. Previous studies have shown that these vaccines can protect animals from challenges with either annual or bird flu viruses and produce a protective level of immune response in humans.
[snip]
Full details of this clinical study and directions for potential volunteers can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov. Anyone interested, who is otherwise healthy and aged between 18 and 50, should contact Quintiles at Guys Drugs Research Unit on 0800 634 1130.
New York, USA
Transcriptionists sign with national group
Beginning next month, the new chapter of the American Association of Medical Transcription will meet to provide MTs working from Buffalo to Syracuse and the Southern Tier with educational and networking opportunities.
[snip]
The first meeting will measure the interest among area MTs to maintain a local chapter. It will be held on Oct. 14 at Monroe Community College. For information, call Andrea Holland at 585–256–6220, extension 103, or contact her at aholland@execuscribe.com. Speakers will discuss pandemic flu preparedness and the Monroe County immunization program and disease control unit.
Pennsylvania, USA
CHAMBERSBURG — Family preparation and local government planning will be important in dealing with an avian flu pandemic.
Municipalities should prepare to provide essential services with a bare bones staff, according to Franklin County Department of Emergency Services director Gerald Flasher. Townships should consider their role in watching out for the health, safety and welfare of their residents.
[snip]
“The only effective way to manage a pandemic is isolation,” Dutko said
Arizona
While states prepare for the possibility of an avian flu pandemic, the Navajo Nation veterinary program, with its expertise in zoonotic diseases, is the lead agency for H5N1 detection and control in bird species on the Navajo Nation.
They are already doing wild bird surveillance and that would be the lead agency for any detection or eradication that were to occur in poultry or other birds on the Nation, George Hardeen, communications director for Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr., said.
Dr. Scott Bender, veterinarian with the Navajo Nation Veterinary and Livestock Program under the Navajo Department of Agriculture, said the tribe has a bird flu response plan.
COMMENT: From Monotreme’s China Daily posting at 21:45:
“Zeng Guang, chief epidemiology scientist at China’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention…It remains difficult to determine how the H5N1 virus will develop, said Zeng, but he noted there was a possibility it may form a hybrid with other flu viruses…Possible crossbreeding may result in a new form of virus which could be transmitted between humans, he noted.”
I guess the Chinese can say they warned us…
Wasn’t just a couple of weeks ago when there was a headline out of China saying that they wouldn’t have any bird flu this year?
China Daily reports: Bird Flu May Strike in Winter
Top influenza scientists warned on Friday of the big possibility of a major bird flu outbreak in China this winter or next spring.
Such an outbreak, which would hit poultry and human beings, would probably take place as common flu cases reach their peak, said Zeng Guang, chief epidemiology scientist at China’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Zeng said that the three major bird flu outbreaks over the past three years had all taken place during the winter or spring.
Currently, all human cases of bird flu have been infected by sick birds. There is no evidence to suggest that the virus can be passed from person to person, according to World Health Organization (WHO).
What is it that they are smoking???
When is the peak common flu season in China?
gharris – at 23:04
Every read “1984″ or “Animal Farm” by George Orwell? Modern day China is the living incarnation of both of these books.
Orlandopreppie 21:51
Judging by the progress in Lebanon…Hammas seems to do fairly well in an emergency situation…certainly better than the US with Katrina.
09/21/2006
A Bart Township woman still doesn’t know what caused the death of 48 birds she found on her property at the end of July. After a newspaper article ran about the birds, Doris Rissel, 77, said she was contacted by Linda Swank, a wildlife conservation officer with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, who came to her home in Georgetown and removed the only bird that was there at the time. Fearing that the dead birds could be carrying diseases, Rissel burned the rest of them.
The bird that Swank removed was sent to New Bolton Center in Kennett Square where it underwent “complex toxicology and forensic testing.” Results from the tests still don’t show why the bird died, only that it wasn’t hit by a car or hurt by another animal.
“New Bolton Center did everything they could on it,” said Swank. “I’m not sure if it’s because there was nothing there or that it was in too much a state of decay.”
The oddness is why they can’t find out why these birds died,” she said. “I don’t think 48 birds died of a heart attack.
Swank said she is frustrated too because she wasn’t contacted when there were possibly many “good samples” of dead birds to send for testing.
“I had hoped I could get her some answers but I guess there were no answers to be had on that bird,” she said.
Although the game commission is asked to go out and get samples, Swank said dead birds should first be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1–877-PA-HEALTH.
Except for the two birds Rissel found on each side of her house that fell from her roof, both of her next door neighbors also had birds in their yards, she said. - excerpt
I am creating the News Summary for this thread then I will open a new one. Give me about 45 minutes please - looks like its been a usy news day …
Cheers
Got 2 (10 day dosage) Prescrips. for Tamiflu from my Dr. for my kids. Hoping my health Ins. will pay for it?