Summary from Indonesia Outbreak tracking as at 22 September 2006
| Cases Discussed | Jun-06 | Jul-06 | Aug-06 | Sep-06 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Died, no tests | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 9 |
| Died, tested positive | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| Other tested positive | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Suspected symptoms | 4 | 2 | 46 | 28 | 80 |
| Tested negative | 0 | 6 | 25 | 5 | 36 |
| Totals | 10 | 14 | 80 | 35 | 139 |
(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
Malaysia
United Kingdom
West Bank and Gaza
Uganda
Australia
United States of America
General
Link to news thread for 22 September (link News Reports for Sept 22 )
(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.
(Wales, UK) Migration time spurs fresh alert over cases of bird flu (link http://tinyurl.com/gzvuo )
Sep 23 2006 Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail
A MASSIVE scheme to test birds in a bid to reduce the risk of deadly avian flu has been launched in Wales as experts revealed the areas that lie on autumn migratory paths.
Health officials have also called on the public to continue reporting dead birds, particularly in the higher risk areas of Torfaen, Anglesey and Wrexham.
http://tinyurl.com/jby9f (Excerpt)
USDA EXPANDS THE NATIONAL POULTRY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2006 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced an interim rule that expands the National Poultry Improvement Program (NPIP), a voluntary cooperative federal, state and industry program designed to prevent the spread of poultry diseases in commercial poultry operations. The expansion of the program is in harmony with international animal health guidelines.
Under the interim rule, USDA will provide 100 percent indemnity for specified costs associated with eradication of H5 and H7 LPAI at commercial poultry operations that participate in the NPIP program as prescribed. USDA will only offer 25 percent indemnity for costs associated with eradication at commercial facilities that choose not to participate in the active surveillance portion of this program. In previous H5 and H7 detections, indemnification was often handled by states and the provisions varied.
“This program expansion strengthens U.S. protections against poultry diseases such as avian influenza,” said Dr. Ron
http://tinyurl.com/z6jcx (Excerpt):
Prevent the Spreading of the Virus of AI
Pemko Tebing Tinggi not yet Do De-Population Unggas
on Friday, 22–09–2006
ali yustono
Medan the Business – Tebingtinggi
Up To Now the Government of the City (Pemko) Tebing Tinggi did not yet carry out the Limited Extermination (De-Population) in order to anticipates the spreading of the virus Avian influenza (AI) the cause of bird flu although the Directorate’s Jendaral side (the Director General) Livestock Breeding has suggested him.
“Memang the Director General Perternakan has suggested in order to be done by the limited extermination against the citizen’s poultry in order to interrupts the spreading link of the AI virus that attacked almost in 27 districts of more than one Tebing Tinggi City.
According to them, to de-population had his cost of Rp 12.
500 per the tail for the chicken that dimusnahkan,” the Tebing Tinggi headword of the agricultural Service, drh Superior Nirwan, to the reporter breakingprep Wednesday (20/9) in space Pemko Tebing Tinggi of the Secretariat’s data.
According to Superior Nirwan, from nine steps or the control strategy of bird flu that was carried out in Tebing Tinggi, the step de-population that was not yet carried out, whereas that other like spraying already and continued to be done.
In spite of that, the limited extermination definitely immediately will be carried out.
In the meantime, the Representative of the Tebing Tinggi mayor Drs H Syahril Hafzein that was accompanied by Kabag Infokom Drs H Asmali MBA mentioned, in responding to the development of the AI virus, that continued to increase from time to time, of Pemko Tebing Tinggi formed the team of the Control Committee of Bird Flu and Kesiap-siagaan faced the influenza Pandemic.
This committee was formed with the element muspida and the related agency through SK the Tebing Tinggi mayor No 440/204/Perta/2006.
This committee, said Hafzein, had the task and responsibility formulated strategic steps that were needed in the prevention, the control and the control of bird flu as well as kesiap-siagaan faced the influenza pandemic.
Wisconsin
Businesses plan for worst-case scenario
It pays to be ready for the worst-case scenario this flu season, says Kelly Coles, vice president of operations for Tosca Ltd., Green Bay.
[snip]
Tosca — which manufactures and services returnable containers for the cheese, beer and produce industries — developed its own business plan in the event of a pandemic with suggestions from its team of employees, Coles said.
[snip]
Tosca will be one of two Wisconsin companies to share its business plan on Oct. 24 at a Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce seminar called Pandemic Planning for Business.
“We rely on individuals and businesses to help themselves,” said Brown County emergency director Cullen Peltier. “The more prepared citizens and businesses are, the easier it will be to coordinate resources.”
About 175 people may attend the seminar. Peltier said he’s been getting lots of calls requesting pandemic planning.
[snip]
The program will offer participants:
Wyoming, USA
Representatives from only a handful of the more than 900 businesses in the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce attended a meeting Wednesday on why businesses need to prepare for a possible pandemic flu.
[snip]
“My advertising technique obviously wasn’t effective,” said Lori Becker, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, which sponsored the event. “People don’t realize how much this will affect them.”
[snip]
Deborah Allender is the emergency preparedness and training coordinator for ServeWyoming, an organization that creates volunteer opportunities. She said she attended the meeting in order to get a better idea of how disabled people could be included in the planning for a pandemic flu.
Connecticut, USA
Free Program Offered On Influenza Outbreak
The Westerly Hospital will host a free community awareness program to present its plan for coordinating patient health care in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 3 and 5 in the Henry J. Nardone Conference Center at the hospital.
Information will also be presented on how individuals can protect themselves and their families in an outbreak.
The program will be led by nurse Debra Johnson, the hospital’s infection control coordinator.
Canada
`Culture of secrecy’ around public data
Audit shows delays by government files and records prove hard to access. A Canadian Newspaper Association audit found that responses from government officials for information varied across the country, from outright denial of information to delays or requests for hefty fees.
[snip]
And inquiries from the public about the federal government’s pandemic preparations are unworthy of a timely response from bureaucrats.
[snip]
n all, basic questions about health-care spending, crime, pesticide use and emergency preparedness posed to government officials were denied in 31 per cent of cases, despite the fact the information requested was not controversial and should be readily available. In some cases, requests were met with lengthy delays or hefty fees.
[snip]
Health Canada responded to just one request — reporting that the records did not exist — and asked for a 60-day extension on the other requests, beyond the legislated 30-day limit. Those extensions expired without response on July 4.
New Jersey, USA
Café provides opportunity for scientific inquiry
PRINCETON TOWNSHIP — The Prince ton Senior Resource Center will host its first Science Café 2 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Suzanne Patterson Building. The topic will be “The Pandemic Influenza Threat” and the guest speaker will be David Henry from the Princeton Regional Health Department.
[snip]
In preparation for the first session, attendees are encouraged to attend the lecture series offered at the Princeton Public Library this month.
For more information, call the Princeton Senior Resource Center at (609) 924–7108.
Alabama, USA
Forte honored for commission service
County Director of Homeland Security Ronnie Dollar urged the commission to take steps educating county employees and citizens on the risk of pandemic flu.
Dollar said federal officials are saying local governments should, “form their own committees to have a plan.”
“Eufaula has started a plan and formed a committee,” he said. “There’s probably a greater threat of this than a terrorist attack.”
[snip]
Local officials are expected to meet Oct. 3 just before the commission’s work session to further discuss plans. The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. from the Eufaula Courthouse.
`treme at 8:21
Thanks for the post… Westerly RI (borders CT at R.I.’s southwest corner) is approx. 20 miles from my house
This concerned citizen will be attending…
TC_in_CT – at 09:18
This concerned citizen will be attending…
That’s great! That’s why I post all of these local announcements. They aren’t as exciting as the latest cluster reports out of Indonesia, but they give us a chance to act directly on local plans.
It’s trite to quote this, but I can’t help myself
“Think globally, act locally.”
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.
Great attention must be paid to the possible occurrence of common flu and bird flu peaks at the same time, Zeng told a forum jointly held by Sanofi Pasteur and the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association in Beijing.
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.
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).
COMMENT
Is anyone familiar with this news source? I don’t know what to make of such a seemingly legit announcement (interspersed, of course, with disinformation about H2H) from media that is under state control. Why would this article be allowed to run?
Ignore the three exclamation points above, please. My feeble formatting. Not intended to convey panic at all.
Edna Mode - I posted yesterday:
Posted by Banshee in the News Thread. I thought there was a “News clampdown” now in China. Yet they choose to print this? And who are their “experts”? They make it sound like H5N1 is going to combine with the Seasonal flu. This article scares me!! 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… http://tinyurl.com/pxzvd Comment: Xinhua is the official news agency for China.
No H5N1 found in humans in 10 months from VietNamNet (Vietnam)
Bird flu: A threat to humanity from The New Nation (Bangladesh)
…Since now we have seen that there are many strains of flu virus. But the strain that is mostly infecting people since 1997 is the H5N1 strain. This strain, in many ways, different and dangerous from other flu strains which we will try to explain below.
A report by a World Health Organization (WHO) committee says avian flu may have a longer incubation period and is more likely to cause diarrhea than typical flu viruses are, among other differences…
…Researchers from Hong Kong report that lung cells growing in a laboratory responded much more intensely to the H5N1 virus than to an ordinary flu virus, even though the viruses reproduced at about the same rate, according to the report published online by Respiratory Research.
The H5N1 viruses were “more potent inducers” of cytokines and chemokines-chemical messengers that trigger inflammation-than H1N1 viruses were, says the report by a team led by J.S.M. Peiris of the University of Hong Kong. A flood of inflammation-triggering chemicals released by the immune systems has been referred to as a “cytokine storm…”
…Avian influenza A viruses may be transmitted from animals to humans in two main ways:
Ø Directly from birds or from avian virus-contaminated environments to people. Almost all these casualties were directly exposed to infected fowl, making contact with the virus through the birds’ saliva, nasal secretions and feces, which become dry, pulverized and are then inhaled.
Ø Through an intermediate host, such as a pig[3]…
…The findings “suggest that the duck has become the ‘Trojan horse’ of Asian H5N1 influenza viruses,” says the report by an international team led by researchers from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. “The ducks that are unaffected by infection with these viruses continue to circulate these viruses, presenting a pandemic threat…” [much more]
Comment: A fairly long article about the science behind H5N1.
Nigeria
EU, FAO Launch Project to Curb Bird Flu in Nigeria
The European Union is providing nearly $700,000 to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) to look for cases of avian influenza in Nigeria. The surveillance program aims to help eradicate the disease from Africa’s most populous country.
The six-month project involves a comprehensive study on the incidence, spread and impact of bird flu in Nigeria, as a means of eradicating the disease in the West African country.
More than 200 health workers will travel across the country to look for cases of avian influenza.
The H5N1 virus was first detected in chicken in the northern state of Kaduna in January, and it quickly spread to 13 of Nigeria’s 36 states, as well as the capital city.
Tanzania
Africa must intensify fight against bird flu
MS ROSEBUD Kurwijila, African Union’s Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, was recently on a working visit of Tanzania where he sounded warning that the country, as it is the case with other African countries, must not only continue to be on alert but must intensify efforts to thwart possible infection of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
She met, among other officials, Minister for Livestock Development Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa and Deputy Agriculture Minister Dr Hezekiah Chibulunje and several other government officials over the looming bird flu crisis.
The AU Commissioner was in the country where he spelled out African Union Strategies to cope with avian flu outbreak, sounding warnings that the country was not yet free from migratory birds that are believed to have brought the deadly strain of the disease to Europe and are headed to Africa. The outbreak of the deadly H5N1 strain begun in 2003 in Asia, where it had devastated flocks and infected humans, killing over 60 people.
To date, HPAI outbreaks have been confirmed in eight countries in Africa. Nigeria was the first country to be hit in February 2006. Consequently, the outbreak has spread to Niger, Egypt, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Cote d’vore and Djibouti.
Her message was crystal clear. “The entire world, Africa continent being more vulnerable, is at risk in view of the current outbreak of the deadly bird flu disease that also affects humans”, she said.
Wisconsin, USA
Readers respond to suggestions about how to ready for bird flu
When I asked readers of this column for their views on bird flu and the threat of a human influenza pandemic, I had a feeling quite a few would respond.
Indeed, the volume of e-mails, calls and letters has been overwhelming - nearly 1,300 to date.
Equally impressive, most of those sharing their thoughts have conducted rather extensive research, particularly in terms of how to prepare for a pandemic. I appreciate those efforts; I, too, take the issue very seriously.
[snip]
inally, the most complete description of preparations arrived from the Pacific Northwest. The writer asked that her name not be used because of the extensive and costly arrangements - about $3,500 worth - that she and her family have made and their desire to keep those details private.
Thus far, they have bought a six months’ supply of food; three 55-gallon water barrels; seeds for the vegetable garden; bicycles to use when there’s no gas for the car; a wood-burning stove; a stockpile of batteries; solar chargers; a crank/solar radio; protective masks; antibiotics; over-the-counter medicines; salt and soda; disposable urinals, bedpans and a beside portable toilet; latex disposable gloves; and a six-month supply of cat food and litter.
They also have stored cash, books, games and videos (for when there is electricity). And they are considering the acquisition of guns.
The goal, she said, is to “think of everything we would need to live apart for six months.”
Inspirational article. Lot’s of prepping going on out there.
USA
The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has given a preliminary diagnosis on the ills of poor morale and staff departures currently rocking the public health agency: a chronic, “perhaps autoimmune” disease “with evidence of an acute exacerbation.”
In an e-mail message titled “Leading” sent to the Atlanta-based agency’s executive board and other key managers Tuesday night and to all staff on Friday, Dr. Julie Gerberding urged managers to reassure employees who have read recent news reports about the agency and are “likely to be sad, confused, angry, embarrassed, or outraged.”
In recent days CDC’s personnel, management and financial troubles, initially reported in the Journal-Constitution, have been increasingly publicized in other news reports. They have highlighted concerns of former CDC directors and outside public health observers that the agency is losing its way.
Comment
Some different diagnoses. Iatrogenic. Malpractice.
School closures aim to curb flu
Schools in England could be ordered to close to pupils to try to curb an “inevitable” flu pandemic. The Department for Education and Skills guidance says a rapidly spreading outbreak is inevitable and could kill up to 700,000 in waves lasting months. …
Similarly, universities are not expected to close. Such decisions would be for individual vice-chancellors or principals, who should plan for “a range of scenarios - staying open, reducing operations and/or closing to students”.
Excerpt:
The family and the Medical Official that had been connected with Abram TULUNGAGUNG- the Abram Assurance, 11, that was killed because terjangkit the bird flu virus, caused the panic. Yesterday, 25 people that was taken the sample (the example) blood to be checked to the laboratory.Tertular the virus avian influenza (AI) that or not. 25th that was taken his blood consisted 20 medical officials RSUD Dr Iskak and the family’s 5 Abram members.
Posted article on Indo thread also.
Posted on Sat, Sep. 23, 2006
Associated Press
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. - Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory and UCLA will be developing a high-volume lab that will use robots to quickly test samples for infectious diseases.
Test results would be cut from a month to a couple of days or a week at most, the scientists said.
‘’‘The $22 million project is called the High Speed, High Volume Laboratory Network for Infectious Diseases.
The robots - working around the clock without air in a sterile environment - will handle thousands of samples of liquids that are too small for human hands.
The lab will conduct surveillance of animal populations, specifically looking for bird flu, scientists said.’‘’
The surveillance will show where the birds are moving, which species are involved and different flyways throughout the world, said Tony Beugelsdijk, a Los Alamos lab chemist.
Machines will figure out DNA sequencing of a pathogen to identify a disease. The work is currently done by hand.
Computers will compile the findings and post them on public databases within a day or two.
The lab is slated to be completed within a year.”
-excerpt
http://tinyurl.com/nxx6q _________________
Comments?
Good to see the Americans doing there bit!
Klatu – at 22:00
Great news and long overdue.
From “Readers respond to suggestions about how to ready for bird flu,” posted by Monotreme – at 18:42
“But Mark Sevelis of Germantown, Wis., raised a skeptical eye and asked, “Is there really any reason to wait for the sky to fall? If these events are going to happen, they are going to happen. I try to live and enjoy each day as if it is my last. I do not worry about things that may or may not happen.”
But I bet he has auto insurance and home insurance. That is a great article, Monotreme. Thanks for posting it.
For me the news cuts both ways. I’m sad to see that they need such a facility and so quickly. It undersocres concerns that you don’t wish to see become reality, but I’m glad to see someone putting their money where their mouth is.
PENNSYLVANIA
JOINT USDA AND DOI NEWS RELEASE: AVIAN INFLUENZA TESTS COMPLETE ON WILD MALLARD DUCKS IN PENNSYLVANIA
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2006 - The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior today announced final test results, which confirm that low pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus was found in samples collected last month from wild mallard ducks in Pennsylvania. This subtype has been detected several times in wild birds in North America and poses no risk to human health. http://tinyurl.com/z6w7o
Edna Mode – at 22:38
You’re welcome.
Yeahhhhhhhhhh…..Flu Wiki made the news.
<Snip> Ellen Rice of Olympia, Wash., offered a simple, sensible plan: Stay informed (she checks her favorite site, www.fluwikie.com, every day); prepare (she picks up a few extra canned goods and other supplies each time she visits a grocery store); and educate others.
thanks
COMMENT:
Klatu at 22:00. Lab sounds nice…just hope they have budgeted for all the folks along all the flyways who have to get all the samples from all the birds they may have to catch (unless they are only talking about picking up the dead ones), who then have to prepare all those samples and send them all via a timely courier service…not to mention any protective equipment all those folks may need.
Good start, nonetheless…
Oh my gosh! That’s me! Ellen Rice = Olymom. My 15 seconds of fame . . .
I am about to create the Summary for this News page then I will start a new thread. Please give me about 30–40 minutes then you can start posting again.
Cheers and thanks
Closed to increase Forum speed