Forum: News Reports for Sept 30

Summary from Indonesia Outbreak tracking as at 29 September 2006

Summary of News for 29 September 2006

(From WHO as at 28 Sep)
Total human cases worldwide 251, deaths 148 (2006 – 104 with 70 deaths)

(If you want the links to open in a new window, hold down the shift key and then click on the link)

Indonesia

• Another bird flu cluster confirmed (link http://tinyurl.com/j7xf6)
• Another relative showing symptoms of bird flu (link http://tinyurl.com/zfll4)
• Health Minister states ‘thousands of cases needed to prove H2H’ (link http://tinyurl.com/zqn84)
• Recombinomics commentary (link http://tinyurl.com/afp73)
• Translation of news within the thread at 17:07
• Separate thread for outbreak discussion (link Indonesia Outbreak XII )
• Separate thread for Summary of cases (link Case Summaries )

Thailand

• Phuket prepares for the new bird flu (link http://tinyurl.com/guztz)

Philippines

• Filipinos lulled into false sense of security about bird flu (link http://tinyurl.com/pzf4h)

United Kingdom

• UK Farm Ministry orders Intervet bird flu vaccine (link http://tinyurl.com/pkkjr)

Switzerland

• Swiss measures aim to protect flocks from bird flu (link http://tinyurl.com/frcn2)

Canada

• Pandemic could hit most Nunavimmiut (link http://tinyurl.com/ho33x)
• Roche cannot make enough Tamiflu (link http://tinyurl.com/rp8ns)

United States of America

• Flu vaccine should move out of eggs - FDA (link http://tinyurl.com/gop2c)
  (Big hurrah from Frenchiegirl – posted this very issue in April)
• Research on viral hygiene (link http://tinyurl.com/kroau)
• (Illinois) Seminar stresses world flu threat (link http://tinyurl.com/eo5aq)
• (Illinois) Low-risk bird flu found in wild ducks (link http://tinyurl.com/j5daw)

General

• After an outbreak the virus will stay and diversify (link http://tinyurl.com/jsgc4)
• Pandemic plans must include the poor, expert says (link http://tinyurl.com/lvfcw)
• WHO: Bird flu mutation risk increases with winter (link http://tinyurl.com/zynbq)
• China shares bird flu samples in ‘breakthrough’: WHO (link http://tinyurl.com/ml9bg)
• New inroads made in battling Avian Flu and Dengue Fever (link http://tinyurl.com/jsgc4)
• ProMed – preliminary programme for IMED 2007 meeting (link http://tinyurl.com/kzupz)
• Regular flu shot might help fight bird flu (link http://tinyurl.com/g6tj9)
• Researchers seek survivors of 1918 pandemic (link http://tinyurl.com/rmxhd)
• Congo: suspected pneumonic plague (link http://tinyurl.com/s8yll)

Link to news thread for 29 September (link News Reports for Sept 29 )
(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.

VIET NAM - Hanoi set for opening of first-ever int’l standard lab - http://tinyurl.com/ztvhg Thanhnien News.

A Japan-funded biological laboratory –Vietnam’s first international-standard one –is set to begin operations in Hanoi from October, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) has announced.

The biological safety laboratory block class 3… The lab will enable Vietnamese doctors to conduct tests to discover bird flu virus H5N1 and other dangerous, contagious diseases… Japan will fund Vietnam about US$8 million to build more labs at the institute…. The new lab system is scheduled for operation in December next year.

SINGAPORE - Software developed to gauge spread of diseases - http://tinyurl.com/fe26a

Researchers in Singapore have devised a computer programme to help control the spread of deadly diseases such as bird flu, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) said Saturday. The software can project how an infectious disease will spread in a certain area.

When this information is combined with geographical data, health authorities can pinpoint which “high population concentration” areas should be targeted first to control the disease’s spread, Professor KC Lun of the school of biological sciences told The Straits Times.

The World Health Organization has expressed interest in the software development.

MALAYSIA - Chicken prices go up again - http://tinyurl.com/fker3

… this latest increase could not be avoided as there had been a sudden surge in demand for chicken meat. … chicken producers had suffered heavy losses of between RM2 million and RM3 million monthly since January until this month due to oversupply and the Avian Flu scares.

NC boy dies of some ‘unknown’ virus. Health Department guy said he sees ‘no communicable risk’. Yeah whatever.

http://www.wral.com/news/9967901/detail.html

New bird flu outbreak identified in Inner Mongolia www.chinaview.cn 2006–09–30 17:57:55

Special report: Global fight against bird flu [link http://tinyurl.com/z5ttu ]

BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) — An outbreak of bird flu has been identified in north China’s Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).

The national avian influenza laboratory confirmed on Friday that the H5N1 virus was found in samples of the dead poultry in Xincheng village, Baotou City.

The H5N1 strain of bird flu had killed 985 chickens. Another 8,990 chickens had been culled to control the outbreak. The local agricultural department had quarantined the infected area. The outbreak was under control, the ministry said

I have just checked out the OIE site and, to the best of my understanding, all previous outbreaks in Mongolia have been in wild birds - I figured this might be the first report of H5N1 in poultry.

Regular Flu Shot May Help Against Bird Flu … http://tinyurl.com/j6qsw

AnnieB – at 06:37
AnnieB – at 06:42
Being hopeless with Asia’s geography, I hope it’s not anywhere near the big pig die-off, is it?

More info on seasonal flu shot and H5N1:

Possible defense against bird flu? Ordinary flu shots cut death rate in mice, scientist says from San Francicso Chronicle (California)

…Webster…The fear is that it could evolve into a form that transmits easily among people. “I hope to God it doesn’t, because this is an extremely bad virus,” Webster said…

…Webster said that the similarities between the H5N1 strain and the virus that caused the 1918 Spanish flu are worrisome. All flu viruses are notoriously unpredictable, he warned. “We will never be about to outguess influenza,” Webster said. “It makes sense to stockpile vaccines…”

…Webster said partial protection is better than none at all. “There is a lot of difference between infection and death,’‘ he said…

…Baylor College of Medicine flu specialist Dr. Wendy Keitel said that Webster’s report was interesting but “very speculative…” [more]

(sorry but tinyrul not working at moment)

llinois Wild Bird Samples Undergo Additional Avian Influenza Testing

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Infozine

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a detection of the H5 and N1 avian influenza subtypes in samples from wild, migratory Green-winged Teals in Illinois.

Washington, D.C. - infoZine - Initial tests confirm that these wild duck 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 birds and initial test results indicate the presence of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus, which poses no threat to human health.”

http://tinyurl.com/k7zu4

Batou City - Dead Poultry found Friday

Health officials stock up on flu vaccine; outbreak difficult to predict from The Ithaca Journal (New York)

…At least one state has already reported an influenza outbreak. Several dozen people, most of them school children, fell ill in three Alabama counties in September. Tests confirmed the flu in at least 14 of the samples sent in to the state health department…

…Flu season usually runs from October or November through March. Many schools and health departments see this season as a chance to prepare for something even worse — a possible future influenza pandemic. Although there is no sign of bird flu yet in this country, now is the time to get the public used to some of the precautions communities have developed to deal with an outbreak…

…Widespread influenza outbreaks usually do not begin until December and peak between late December and March…

http://tinyurl.com/fr4zf

Comment: Looks like flu season may have had an early kick-off.

Bird flu (more) alarming than HIV-Aids: Health official from The Sun-Star (Philippines)

“This Bird Flu or Avian Influenza (AI) is more alarming than the HIV/Aids,” said Dr. Manny Dulay Jr., of the Department of Health of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm)…It is also difficult to trace where the person got the virus…He said that it is not a question of why or if, but when because “of our geographical location — we are close to countries with identified bird flu affected areas. In the Armm we have marsh lands and coastal areas that are open to migratory birds.” …As of today, only three Asian countries are “Bird Flu Free” to include Singapore, Brunei and Philippines.

http://tinyurl.com/hvbg4

I think the verdict is still out on the Phillipines. :-(

Flu pandemic would take toll on healthcare system from The Minot Daily News (North Dakota)

The U.S. health system is better prepared for another influenza pandemic, but a bird flu pandemic would be expensive and would strain available services, state epidemiologist Tracy Miller told healthcare workers Thursday in Minot…

…“As much as anybody hates to say it, it’s still going to come down to budget. There’s not unlimited funds,” Miller said. “Even just having people in the hospital for longer than what you would normally expect because it’s a brand new type of virus is going to start costing not only patients, but the healthcare industry as well…”

…“If there was truly a pandemic, I don’t know that we can truly afford to wait eight months for the vaccine to be developed,” she added…

http://tinyurl.com/hm7je

Klatu – at 10:59, The Philippines has had several articles on BF this week. Could they be “staging”? I would be suprised if they don’t get hit this year.

banshee – at 10:45 This is the same story as Dusty – at 07:10 mentioned with a tiny url just two posts above you.

http://www.record-bee.com/local/ci_4422654

Understanding the duck deaths

Author: From staff reports Date: September 2, 2006 Publication: Lake County Record Bee (Lakeport, CA)

Cynthia Davis — Record-Bee staff LAKEPORT — The city of Lakeport’s new Web site currently lists “Dead Birds at Library Park” under the category of Hot Topics for residents.

It’s an apt description at a time when the heat is on the city and county to quickly respond to dead or dying ducks in the city’s centerpiece park .

The waterfowl are believed to be affected by avian botulism, but the actual cause may never be known for

Officials discuss animal die-off response

Author: Cynthia Davis—Record-Bee staff Date: September 30, 2006 Publication: Lake County Record Bee (Lakeport, CA)

LAKEPORT — The City Council will soon discuss banning any feeding of ducks or waterfowl at Library Park. This comes after another dead duck was found last weekend at Library Park and one of the ducks tested previously by the California Department of Fish and Game has tested positive for H5 avian influenza. According to officials at the California Department of Fish and Game, further testing is now being done to determine the exact avian influenza subtype.

Alexia Retallack, a California Fish and Game information officer, said that all indications show that this is a low-pathogen strain of bird flu that is not a threat to human health.

“In this particular case, we had a positive hit for avian influenza and the subtype is H5 category,” said Retallack.

“There are 16 h types and 9 N types which can mix together into 144 different combinations, most of which are no problem,” Retallack added, “So when you get an H5 you send it in for further testing to determine the N type. So far it looks like there is nothing to worry about.”

The duck is undergoing further testing at the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, said Retallack. The lab would have notified them if the sub type was N1 or something to be concerned about, she added.

“The most important thing they were able to figure out is that it was low pathogen,” said Fish and Game biologist, Patrick Foy.

USGS Office of Communications spokesperson Catherine Puckett said, “So far, in North America, we have not found the virus strain of concern (HPAI or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1) worldwide in any of the thousands of ducks and other birds we have tested. As far as avian influenza is concerned, waterfowl and shorebirds commonly carry avian influenza (mostly strains that are not threatening to human and poultry health), and thus, researchers expect to find different kinds of avian influenza when they conduct tests of live or dead waterfowl.”

Given that the avian influenza strain identified in the local duck is low pathogen, it is not to be confused with the bird flu strain causing concern around the globe, called H5N1.

Since it first appeared in Hong Kong in 1997, the H5N1 virus has caused 208 reported cases of human illness, including 115 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. In nearly all cases, the illnesses resulted from extensive, direct contact with infected birds. H5N1 is a bird virus and rarely affects humans. It has spread through parts of Europe, Asia and Africa, but has not yet been found in the Americas.

Bush administration health officials said last March that H5N1 is likely to arrive in this country this year.

The concern locally is how to address duck die-offs and collect dead animals in a timely manner.

Lakeport Acting City Manager Richard Knoll said the city has developed an internal protocol, titled, “Responding to dead or dying fish, birds, or other animals.”

“We are in the early stages of developing a plan to address the human influenza,” said Knoll. “I think it’s important to understand the potential issues. For me as a lay person I don’t fully understand the potential, but some are saying it’s not a matter of if, but when.”

He added, “Eventually, this will be a regional issue.”

Fish and Game biologist Allan Buckman said he is working on a cooperative disease response program for Lake County, the City of Lakeport, and other cities around the county. Buckman said he also has discussed the issue of the potential for disease from domestic waterfowl in Library Park with Knoll.

Buckman said he recommends removal of all domestics, prohibition of the public dumping of birds there and termination of feeding.

In an e-mail sent Thursday to the Record-Bee, Buckman noted, “I am thinking of similar situations where a small feeding zoo’ was established near human use areas for people who want to feed such animals, if that remains a local concern. I am pleased they are taking this seriously.”

If the ordinance is by the city, said Buckman, then they would administer their own laws. “I am suggesting the same concerns to the county and other cities on other lake front parks, but this needs to be developed as one large coordinated plan.”

Retallack reiterated Buckman’s statements, saying “Any AI H5N1 high pathogen event will trigger a response from both the federal and state agencies and we would bring in USDA, CA Department of Food and Agriculture, and Health Services. The best thing a community can do is have a plan.”

An e-mail sent Sept. 11 from SpiritWild’s Sandie Elliott to Buckman said, “If the lab would have listened to me on Aug. 14 when I suspected LPAI (low pathogenic avian influenza) preceding the botulism, we could have done lots of testing. I believe the topic of a program outline is soon to be a subject that the board of supervisors will be demanding.” Elliott added, “It’s about time.”

Lake County Administrator Kelly Cox initiated a meeting to occur next week (and possibly as early as Monday) between his office, Elliott, the County Agricultural Commission, Animal Control and representatives from both the Sheriff and Health Departments to discuss these important issues.

Contact Cynthia Davis at cdavis@record-bee.com

Sorry if the above is a re-post~

tristar – at 12:02, I surrender the newshound reins to you. Have a good time…

Indonesian flu victim’s sister also has virus

9/30/2006 9:17:20

Source ::: Reuters

‘’‘Jakarta - A” 21-year-old Indonesian woman, the sister of a boy who died of bird flu earlier this month, is suffering from the same disease, the health ministry said yesterday.

The patient, currently being treated at a hospital in East Java province, had contact with sick and dead fowl, as had her brother, said Runizar Ruesin, the head of the ministry’s bird flu information centre.’‘’

“She has been declared a bird flu positive case by the ministry lab and NAMRU,” he said, referring to a US Naval Medical Research Unit based in Jakarta.

The Soetomo hospital in East Java capital Surabaya said the woman was also suffering from pneumonia.

“Her condition is stable but her pneumonia has not improved yet. She is still being supported by a respirator,” Urip Murtejo, the hospital’s deputy director, said.” - excerpt

http://tinyurl.com/zpsrd

 Comment~If Low path H5N1 rarely kills waterfowl, why are the ducks in California dying?

http://www.spiritwild.org/ The Avian Botulism outbreak that has plagued the area of Library Park in Lakeport seems to have run its course. No sick or dead waterfowl has been found in the area since September 3rd.

The area will still be monitored because avian diseases can come in waves, however, the cooler weather will help with the dissolved oxygen levels in the lake water and usually signals the end of the annual botulism outbreaks in the area.

Approximately 50 ducks died during this outbreak which is considered very, very, small.

  Comment;

We are in the early stages of developing a plan to address the human influenza

  Says it all.Scary………

Comment?http://wildlife1.usask.ca/wildlife_health_topics/botulism/botulismc.phpAn article describing annual botulism. Perhaps these birds died of botulism and merely carried the low path AI??

homesteadmom – at 12:15 wrote:

Comment~If Low path H5N1 rarely kills waterfowl, why are the ducks in California dying?

http://www.record-bee.com/local/ci_4422654

Nice catch! Low-path H5 has been around for a while , except now officials are being forced to look for it .

Homsteadmom at 12:15

Great catch on all the news!

The posting form that Banshee and Monotreme use is really, really excellent. First they post a link using the link description? with the article’s headline as the link description. This enables you to skim quickly to see which articles are most important if you have limited time. Posting this way also helps avoid duplications, because you can tell what the site is by running your mouse over the headline link. (It shows up at the bottom of your screen.)

Banshee and Monotreme then put the tiny url link below the article excerpt for Annie B’s use in the summary. This solves everybody’s problems. The tiny url is nice for the summaries but they often become broken links. If this happens, you have no link at all to the story. You don’t even know the source it came from.

The markup form of url is easy to use if:

1. Copy and paste the sample at the bottom of the page. link description?

2. Copy the url for the article you are posting then highlight “link_url” in the sample and paste your site’s url over it to replace “link url:.

3. Copy the article’s headline and use the copy-paste method to replace “link description” in the sample.

Banshee’ and Monotreme’s method provides a clear, quick and easy way to scan and we are also left with fewer broken links. I like the ability to see the source of the news article also.

If this sounds like a first grade teacher wrote it…I was one.

I just want to say I appreciate all our news posters so much, both the Indonesian newshounds and the News Reports newshounds.

bgw in MT – at 13:26 Thanks~I printed it for future postings. I was in the sandbox an hour,lol. Feel free to delete or rework my posts.

Well, let the first grade teacher try that again. You know first grade teachers insist on doing it until you get it right. LOL

The posting form that Banshee and Monotreme use is really, really excellent. First they post a link using the “link description” with the article’s headline as the “link description”. This enables you to skim quickly to see which articles are most important if you have limited time. Posting this way also helps avoid duplications, because you can tell what the original site link is, by running your mouse over the headline link. (It shows up at the bottom of your screen.)

Banshee and Monotreme then put the tiny url link below the article excerpt, for Annie B’s use in the summary. This solves everybody’s problems. The tiny url is nice for the summaries but they often become broken links. If this happens, you have no link at all to the story. You don’t even know the source it came from.

The markup form of url is easy to use if you:

1. Copy and paste the sample at the bottom of the page. “link description?” (See text formatting rules at the bottom of the page.)

2. Copy the url for the article you are posting, then highlight “link_url” in the sample and paste your site’s url over it to replace “link url”.

3. Copy the article’s headline and use the copy-paste method to replace “link description” in the sample.

Banshee’ and Monotreme’s method provides a clear, quick, and easy way to scan and we are also left with fewer broken links. I like the ability to see the source of the news article also.

I just want to say I appreciate all our news posters so much, both the Indonesian newshounds and the News Reports newshounds.

I don’t know why the second “link description” came out as a link to a password page since I typed the phrase in the first paragraph, and the phrase in number 1, just the same. I guess I’ll have to break the first grade teacher’s rule. :-)

West Java: Another Cluster?

(Software translation from Indonesian)

30/09/2006

“Metrotvnews.com, Tasikmalaya: Tim the doctor from the Health Service of the West Javanese province took the sample of the citizen’s blood in the Improper Mountain Village, the Kawalu Subdistrict, Tasikmalaya. The taking of the sample of blood was carried out against six people, that is the wife of the patient trpapar bird flu and the neighbour terdekat him. From the fast test, the team of the doctor found a child was 10 years old was named Ajis experienced the sign like bird flu.

Currently, the Ajis condition still in observation of the official of the Kawalu Subdistrict Community Health Centre. Moreover, the Tasikmalaya Livestock Breeding Service did penyisiran against the poultry to the radius 500 metre from the patient’s house suspek bird flu.

From results of the fast test, was not found the affected poultry bird flu.

Two citizens of the Improper Mountain Village, that is Ateng and his child Muslihah, since the last two days was treated in Tasikmalaya space of the isolation of the regional Public Hospital.Both of them experienced the sign like bird flu. - excerpt

http://tinyurl.com/hykoh

bgw in MT

If you want to show someone else how to do something, you need to use the prevent formatting function which looks like this [=....=]

So if you want to show others how to do [[ link_url | link description ]]

You need to do this [=[[ link_url | link description ]]=]

Now lets see if this works. :-)

And if I want to show others how to do this [=[[ link_url | link description ]]=]

I need to do this [=[=[[ link_url | link description ]]=]=] and so on.

I can understand Indonesian translations better than I can under that. But I’ve copied it out, and will give it a shot. Don’t hold your breath.

Thanks, Anon22. I have copied your advice, and if I’m ever fearless enough to try to instruct others again, I’ll use it. I knew I knew how to make the links, but I didn’t realize PM markup had quite so many surprises in it. I guess the first grade teacher should go play in the sandbox with the other kids. ;)

The problem, of course, with only markups is that could cannot get to the link from a printed copy and some email copies.

banshee – at 12:27 touchy, touchy, just made an observation because you said you didn’t have the tiny url. Don’t worry, your job here is safe. I no longer will post. Have a good time …

Commonground – at 14:12 I can understand Indonesian translations better than I can under that. But I’ve copied it out, and will give it a shot. Don’t hold your breath.

LOL

DennisC – at 14:30

The problem, of course, with only markups is that could cannot get to the link from a printed copy and some email copies.

Yep, that’s why we need both kinds of links for each article.

Illinois

Wild Green-winged Teal ducks in central Illinois have tested positive for a low-pathogenic strain of avian influenza, the government said on Friday. “Initial tests confirm that these wild duck samples do not contain the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain that has spread through birds in Asia, Europe and Africa,” the Agriculture and Interior departments said in a statement. Five of 11 samples taken from the ducks tested positive for the H5 virus subtype and one contained the H5 and N1 subtypes, they said. The samples were sent to a federal laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for further testing of virus strains. The samples were collected on Sunday at the Rice Lake Conservation area in Fulton County, central Illinois. The ducks showed no signs of illness, which also indicates a low-risk strain of avian influenza.

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?id=7788&cat=dis&lang=eng

notice tinyurl site is down.

California

Officials discuss animal die-off response

 …This comes after another dead duck was found last weekend at Library Park and one of the ducks tested previously by the California Department of Fish and Game has tested positive for H5 avian influenza….

said that all indications show that this is a low-pathogen strain of bird flu that is not a threat to human health….

The most important thing they were able to figure out is that it was low pathogen,” said Fish and Game biologist, Patrick Foy.

 http://www.record-bee.com/local/ci_4422654

H5N1 Bird Flu in Illinois

Recombinomics Commentary September 29, 2006

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of the Interior (DOI) today announced a detection of the H5 and N1 avian influenza subtypes in samples from wild, migratory Green-winged Teals in Illinois. Initial tests confirm that these wild duck samples do not contain the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain that has spread through birds in Asia, Europe and Africa.

The bird samples were collected on Sept. 24 in the Rice Lake Conservation Area of Fulton County, Illinois, through a partnership between USDA and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as part of an expanded wild bird monitoring program.

Eleven samples were collected directly from the ducks. Of those samples, a pool of five samples tested positive for H5 and were sent to USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, for confirmatory testing. One of the five samples screened by NVSL tested positive for both H5 and N1.

“The above comments strongly’‘’ suggest H5N1 bird flu has been found in Illinois. The announcement is similar to earlier announcements of H5N1 in mute swans in southern Michigan, mallards in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and Northern pintail in Montana. In all cases, cloning yielded one or more H5N1 isolates.

In each case low path North American strains were isolated. It remains unclear if additional H5 serotypes were detected. Last year Canada found H5N1, H5N2, H5N3, and H5N9 in various provinces across southern Canada. This year Canada has detected H5N2 and H5N6 and overall results mirrored last year’s results, but numbers, locations, and serotypes have not been delineated other than the one report from Quebec.’‘’

The data from both country suggests H5 has been widespread in North America since August of 2005, and this year H5N1 is common across the northern regions of the lower 48 states in the US, as well as southern Canada.

Thus far, only sequences from one H5N2 in British Columbia collected in August 2005. That sequence had some Canadian swine and Asian polymorphisms, signaling evolution via recombination.

In addition, H5 was detected in a dead goose on Prince Edward Island. The other three dead geese were not tested, but all four died suddenly after showing symptoms found in H5N1 infections of waterfowl by the high path Qinghai strain. These results strongly suggest the Qinghai strain of H5N1 has already migrated to North America. Low path H5N1 rarely kills waterfowl.

Wild birds are frequently infected with multiple strains. Cloned isolates listed for sequencing by OSU frequently have serotypes that do not match the initial serotype for the un-cloned samples. Thus, there are several ways that low path H5N1 can mask the presence of high path H5N1.

Sequence analysis however, can frequently detect prior interactions and recombination between high and low path H5N1. Therefore, sequences from the 2005 and 2006 isolates should be released. OSU has sent earlier samples for sequencing under in NIAID Influenza Sequencing Project.

However, the most recent table of submitted samples does not include any recent H5N1 collections.”

http://tinyurl.com/jtv5r

• Quebec marches to the beat of a different drummer.

H5 in Dead Duck in Lakeport California

Recombinomics Commentary September 30, 2006

The City Council will soon discuss banning any feeding of ducks or waterfowl at Library Park. This comes after another dead duck was found last weekend at Library Park and one of the ducks tested previously by the California Department of Fish and Game has tested positive for H5 avian influenza.

“In this particular case, we had a positive hit for avian influenza and the subtype is H5 category,” said Retallack.

‘’‘The above comments indicate H5 has been detected in a dead duck at Library Park in Lakeport, CA. Last month dead ducks were tested and were said to have died from avian botulism. However, the presence of H5 raises additional concerns.

Test results have not been announced by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, IA. In the past they have announced the detection of H5N1 in mute swans in Michigan, mallards in Maryland and Pennsylvania, Northern pintail in Montana, and Green-winged Teals in Illinois. These isolates have been characterized as low path and the North American strain based on sequence data and in some instances, followed up with a pathologenicity index.’‘’

However, the numerical result of the pathogenicity test has not been disclosed. Moreover, no sequence data has been released.

H5N1 is problematic because wild birds are frequently infected wsith multiple strains, and the strain that grows out in chicken eggs in the testing lab frequently does not match the serotype of the initial test on the uncloned samples. In addition, the various serotypes detected have not been released. Many sampes have been positive for H5, but negative for N1.

The distribution of H5 serotypes remains unclear. This year Quebec has reported H5N2 and H5N6. Last year Canada reported H5N1, H5N2, H5N3, and H5N9. However, all of these earlier reports were from healthy birds tested under a surveillance program. In additiona H5 was detcted on a live market in New Jersey, but the serotype was withheld, and the manadtory OIE report was not filed.

The only dead birds reported to be positive were from four dead geese on a farm on Prince Edward Island (PEI). Those geese suddenly died after neurological symptoms. One was tested and was H5 positive, but virus was not isolated and sequence data was not generated from the insert from the PCR test. The size of the insert was withheld and an OIE report was not filed.

The Qinghai strain of H5N1 produces sudden death in waterfowl following neurological symptoms. Neurological problems are also associated with botulism poisoning, so the diagnosis of botulism poisoning in H5 positive dead waterfowl is cause for concern.

More information on the number of dead ducks, as well as the serotype and sequence of the H5 detected, would be useful.

http://tinyurl.com/jvpbp

DennisC – at 16:36 wrote: California

Officials discuss animal die-off response

… another dead duck … tested positive for H5 avian influenza…. this is a low-pathogen … not a threat to human health….”

The most important thing …. it was low pathogen,”

http://tinyurl.com/nuk8u

“2. When forced to investigate, (like when citizens bring in their own dead birds.)lie or trivialize the findings - call it mild, or harmless” .

http://tinyurl.com/nd9zg

or

 “not a threat”

Isn’t it awfully coincidental that they have rabbies in dogs in Indonesia, right around the same time they had the problem with rabies in China?
http://tinyurl.com/na4ll (Excerpt)

RABIES - INDONESIA (EAST NUSA TENGGARA)

A ProMED-mail post http://www.promedmail.org

ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases

http://www.isid.org

Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2006 00:22:15 +0200

From: Thomas Schmidt <tho-schmidt@web.de>

Source: Kupang Post, 23 Sep 2006 [edited]

http://www.indomedia.com/poskup/2006/09/23/edisi23/floresa.htm

Over the last week, 19 citizens in 3 villages in the Palue Subdistrict, Sikka, were bitten by dogs suspecting of having rabies. Two heads of the dogs were sent to Maumere to be checked further, while the bite casualties were treated in the Palue Community Health Centre.

The Kupang Post in Maumere on Thu 21 Sep mentioned that, of the 19 bitten by possible rabid dogs, 5 came from the Reruwairere Village, 4 from Maluriwu and 11 from the Nitunglea Village [this gives a total of 20; clearly an error somewhere]. “This report was given by the Palue Sub-district Head to the Sikka Regional Government,” said a citizen from Palue.

http://tinyurl.com/jbsz3

CBN Report: Contrary to Prevailing Beliefs, Aerosol may be Significant Mode of Flu Transmission

By David Press, M.D. and Eric Toner, M.D., September 28, 2006

In a review article released ahead of print in the November issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases [1], Raymond Tellier examines the evidence supporting the widespread assumption that influenza is transmitted from person to person primarily by large respiratory droplets rather than small aerosols. This distinction is important because the mode of transmission determines infection control procedures and choice of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers.

Ultimately, Tellier concludes that for purposes of pandemic planning it is not necessary to determine which mode of transmission predominates; rather, it is sufficient to show that aerosol transmission occurs with appreciable frequency, and to plan accordingly. Because he believes the evidence for significant aerosol transmission to be compelling, Tellier insists that the current guidelines must be changed to adopt N95 respirators for standard PPE for healthcare workers during a flu pandemic. The current standard, surgical masks, is not adequate.

COMMENT

I hope a Health Care Worker in Canada will bring this to the attention of the Ontario Nurses Association, who objects to the Canadian government position that N95 is no better than regular surgical masks for nurses.

Commonground,

A string of asterix will give you sidescroll everytime. Use the dash key - instead. Thanks!

Threat of ‘superflu’ rampage as mutant viruses resist drugs

Telegraph.co.uk (Filed: 01/10/2006)

The drive to fight deadly flu pandemics with special antiviral drugs risks creating an untreatable “superflu”, the head of -Britain’s public health watchdog has warned.

Sir William Stewart, the chairman of the Health Protection Agency, warned that the widespread use of antiviral drugs to treat illnesses, including bird flu and seasonal influenza, is causing- viruses to mutate into drug-resistant- forms.

He claimed that drug-resistant viruses now represented as big a threat to public health as antibiotic-resistant superbug bacteria, such as MRSA. His comments come as bird experts were once again placed on alert for cases of avian flu returning to Britain with migrating birds.

http://tinyurl.com/lomeu

You know…the evidence for the production of resistance, from antivirals. expontentially faster than that which occurred from antibiotics, has been common knowledge ever since antivirals were introduced.

I guess someone forgot to tell the pharmaceutical company, governments and the World Health Organization.

ANON - YYZ. I have a lot of respect for researchers like Dr. Banting. When it came time to test his hypothesis and his new concoction called insulin…he did what any ethical scientist would do…he lifted up his sleeve and ‘put his money where is mouth is’.

Now, in 2006, it seems a Dr. Tellier is has made some significant findings in relation to the transmission of influenza.

In Ontario, where during the SARS crisis, nurses who later contacted SARS and at least one later died, were given surgical masks by their superiors with the garauntee that they were protective against SARS.

A lot of lives are hanging in the balance as a result of Dr. Tellier’s significant findings…

…I am quite sure that Dr. Tellier would like to follow his famous colleague, Dr. Bantin, and put on a surgical mask and be placed in different aerosol air suspensions.

New bird flu outbreak (in Poultry) reported in Inner Mongolia

China Daily News http://tinyurl.com/kjhcb (Xinhua) Updated: 2006–10–01 10:05

An outbreak of bird flu has been identified in North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).

The national avian influenza laboratory confirmed that the H5N1 virus was found in samples of the dead poultry in Xincheng village, Baotou City.

The H5N1 strain of bird flu had killed 985 chickens. Another 8,990 chickens had been culled to control the outbreak.

The local agricultural department had quarantined the infected area. and the outbreak was under control, the ministry said.

Late antiviral treatment can help (regular seasonal) flu patients Updated Fri. Sep. 29 2006 5:09 PM ET

Canadian Press - CTV News http://tinyurl.com/rpjpf

TORONTO — A study of patients hospitalized with influenza suggests treatment with an antiviral drug, even if started later than is considered optimal, can substantially increase a person’s chance of survival.

A group of Toronto researchers found the rate of deaths among flu patients in hospital was halved in those who received the drug oseltamivir, sold under the brand name Tamiflu. The findings were presented Friday at an infectious diseases conference in San Francisco.

Between seven and eight per cent of patients hospitalized for flu who didn’t receive the drug died during the period of study, said lead author Dr. Allison McGeer, an infectious diseases expert at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital. Among treated patients, four per cent died, she said.

I am creating the News Summary for this thread then I will start a new one. Please give me 30–40 minutes.

Cheers and thanks

Closed to maintain Forum speed.