Social Bats Pay a Price With New Fungal Disease: Study Determines Which Bats Are Headed for Extinction

 05-Jul-12 10:21AM

The impact on bat populations of a deadly fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome may depend on how gregarious the bats are during hibernation.

Species that hibernate in dense clusters even as their populations get smaller will continue to transmit the disease at a high rate, dooming them to continued decline, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz. One gregarious species has surprised researchers, however, by changing its social behavior.

White-nose syndrome has decimated bat colonies throughout the northeast since it first appeared in New York state in 2006, and it continues to spread in the United States and Canada. In the new study, researchers analyzed population trends in six bat species in the northeast. They found that some bat populations are stabilizing at lower abundances, while others appear headed for extinction. The study, published July 3 in Ecology Letters, examined data from bat surveys between 1979 and 2010, covering a long period of population growth followed by dramatic declines caused by white-nose syndrome.

All six species were impacted by white-nose syndrome, but we have evidence that the populations of some species are beginning to stabilize, which is really good news," said Kate Langwig, a graduate student at UC Santa Cruz and first author of the paper. "This study gives us an..

http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/environment/detail?token=ODA5NTU0NTA1Y2Q0MDViYWIyZWI3M2VlNzVlYjg1

Phl warned of unknown respiratory disease in Cambodia

By Sheila Crisostomo July 06, 2012 12:00

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines and neighboring countries have been warned of an “unknown respiratory disease” that has killed 61 children in Cambodia..

..The WHO said the neighboring countries of Cambodia “have already been officially informed through a posting made through the International Health Regulations (IHR) event information system.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=824581&publicationSubCategoryId=63

Hong Kong closes bird market over H5N1 virus

Hat tip Tetano

(AFP)–5 hours ago

HONG KONG — Hong Kong on Thursday closed a popular tourist spot where hundreds of caged birds are on display after the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus was detected at one of the stalls.
The agriculture, fisheries and conservation department said it was closing the Yuen Po Street bird market in the city's bustling Mongkok district for 21 days. There are about 70 bird stalls in the market.
The move came after the virus was found in a swab sample collected from a cage holding an oriental magpie robin during a routine avian influenza surveillance operation.
All the stall's birds would be killed, the department said in a statement.
A spokeswoman told AFP they were still investigating the cause of the virus as the bird itself was not infected... http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jdoaJ2YAbzQ821h49g0CDSbZGTyQ?docId=CNG.051f804d4677263cca8ea52a406c33d6.431

Iraq bans import of birds and eggs from 18 countries

 Thursday, July 5, 2012 15:09

 Baghdad - the way
Iraq decided to prevent the import of birds and eggs from 18 countries in order to preserve the environment from bird flu.
An official source said on Thursday that the government ban, which included both types of eggs hatching and table and live birds of prey and the decorations.
He added that the countries covered by the ban are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India and Hong Kong, Laos, Mainmar, Egypt, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, South Africa, Indonesia, Nepal, Australia and Sri Lanka.

  http://www.assabeel.net/%D9%85%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA/misc/96998-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%8A%D8%AD%D8%B8%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B6-%D9%85%D9%86-18-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9.html

2.7 million birds infected with #AH7N3 virus

Tepatitlán, Jal. Two weeks after being detected, the AH7N3 avian influenza virus has infected 2.7 million birds killed in farm Tepatitlán 987.701 and Acatic, which so far has focused the outbreak.
The National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA) confirmed that the number of farms affected by avian flu is 24, out of 129 sampled within a radius of 40 kilometers, the region's poultry Los Altos, where other producing 10 ships were subjected to the virus.
Based on the National Emergency Animal Health has analyzed the SENASICA 14.4 million birds, of which there are 2.7 million affected, so it keeps a tight control around the quarantined area, including the presence of elements Federal Preventive Police (PFP) in checkpoints to prevent movement of sick animals, meat, eggs, offal and poultry.
SUFFICIENT SUPPLY
The head of the agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, Enrique Sánchez Cruz, reiterated that it guaranteed the supply of chicken and eggs for domestic consumption.
Mexico is a country that has about 500 million birds as a whole, of these, about 200 million are in position.
Jalisco has 90 million laying hens and identified the problem area has a population of between 8 and 10 million laying hens "he said.
He said the virus has been detected only in laying hens and broiler or chicken production and reiterated that "there is no shortage of eggs or meat."
REQUESTS OPEN BORDERS SAGARPACruz Sanchez said that the closure of borders Jalisco poultry products is not justified, so SAGARPA asked governors across the country and their respective secretaries of Agricultural Development does not restrict the movement of pasteurized egg, dehydrated and processed product poultry, since they are subject to thermal processes that eliminate the virus.
He said that in the eight points are in operation monitoring and control, so that the products leaving poultry farms, both domestically and for export, are suitable and safe for consumption, the official said. He said the proof is the resumption of exports to Japan industrialized egg is produced in Los Altos.
The federal official made a new tour of the affected area, checkpoints and surveillance as well as regional diagnostic laboratories for emerging diseases, located in the municipalities of El Salto and Zapotlanejo, and the mobile unit for animal diagnosis.
SALES DOWN
However, the health crisis and the increase in the price of a kilo of whole chicken egg and caused a drop in wholesale trade sales of 15% and 25% to retailers, reported Alfredo Neme Martinez, director for Latin Union Global Wholesale Markets.
He said that the reported increase in food was 25% in just one week. Required the Ministry of Economy and the Federal Consumer verification instrument operating supply centers, public markets and convenience stores.
NOT BEEN ABLE TO IMPORTVACCINE WILL BE READY BY THE END OF MONTH
Guadalajara, Jal. It will be the end of July when the Mexican government has the first batch of vaccines against avian influenza virus H7N3 subtype produced in the country, said Hugo Fragoso Sanchez, general manager of Animal Health National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA).
After clarifying that the import process of biological products in Asian countries has not been possible because "there is no vaccine available," because there are active outbreaks in Pakistan and Italy, the official said that the main strategy to immunize poultry population the country is the production of the vaccine in labs set up in Mexico.
We have a Mexican national laboratory that has the ability to produce the vaccine does not occur in a week or two ... A vaccine production may exceed three months. "
He added that after completing the respective tests in August may have 80 million doses in the country, but in principle, the production will be limited.
We believe having an initial production, a first batch of 2 million doses. "
HIGH COSTAlthough he declined to mention how much it cost to produce the biological, the official said that a vaccine of birds between 15 and 25 cents each dose and at this time is required to immunize at least 30 million birds that make up the flock in the area under review . What would an estimated 900 to 1,500 million pesos, whereas two doses per animal, but in laying hens are usually applied to three.
This vaccine will be applied in regions close to the affected area to prevent the problem out there, "said Fragoso.. http://eleconomista.com.mx/estados/2012/07/04/suman-27-millones-las-aves-infectadas-virus-ah7n3

Indonesia- 8 yr old dies from #Birdflu #h5n1

HAT TIP  Gert van der Hoek
Ministry of Health Confirms A Karawang Citizen Dies from Bird Flu
Thursday, July 5, 2012

JAKARTA - : Directorate General of Disease Control and Environmental Health (P2PL) Ministry of Health to confirm the death of the girl residents Karawang district, West Java, KK (8) is due to bird flu (H5N1).

Director General Tjandra Yoga Aditama P2PL in Jakarta, Thursday ( 5/7), said the new cases of H5N1 have been confirmed by the Center for Basic Biomedical and Health Technology, Balitbangkes, Ministry of Health.
http://www.mediaindonesia.com/read/2012/07/05/331091/293/14/Kemenkes-Pastikan-Seorang-Warga-Karawang-Meninggal-akibat-Flu-Burung

HAT TIP Ronan Kelly

Indonesian Girl, 8, Dies of Bird Flu in Jakarta Hospital: Health Ministry
July 05, 2012

An eight-year-old girl from Karawang, West Java, died after catching the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

The girl, identified as “K.K,” lived near the Karawang market. She often walked past the market's live stock and bird pens on her way to school.

On June 12, K.K. carried a clutch of freshly killed chickens home from the market with her father, said Tjandra Yoga Aditama, director general of disease control and environmental health at the Health Ministry.

She became ill six days later on a trip to Singapore. A doctor there diagnosed the girl with laryngitis, Tjandra said.
...
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/...inistry/528789

Int'l infectious diseases expert to lead Duke-NUS programme

 05 July 2012
SINGAPORE: An international infectious diseases expert will lead a signature programme of the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore...

Professor Wang Linfa was appointed as director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) research programme from July 1.
It said Prof Wang is a renowned expert on identifying new and emerging diseases of bat origin.

He's a Science Leader for the Office of the Chief Executive and Senior Principal Research Scientist in CSIRO Livestock Industries' Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, Australia.

At CSIRO, he led a project team of more than 20 staff who study new and emerging viruses that affect both humans and animals.

..He is especially noted for his work on bat-borne viruses that have the potential to impact human and animal health.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1211775/1/.html

Cambodia Outbreak Is Unlikely to Be Influenza

Hat tip Tetano
By JAMES HOOKWAY

International health officials investigating the outbreak of an unidentified disease in Cambodia that has killed more than 60 children since early April say it is unlikely to be a form of influenza, but they still face a long struggle to identify the precise nature of the illness.

Describing the initial finding as "positive," World Health Organization physician and public-health specialist Nima Asgari said the mystery illness "doesn't look like any kind of influenza."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303684004577508372906028072.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

The experts said the fatal strange disease of children in Cambodia may be mixed disease

 2012-07-05 2050）
Nima Asgari, public health experts of the World Health Organization in Cambodia, the Xinhua News Agency reporter that fatal abnormal Cambodian children may be mixed illness of several known diseases, including viral diseases, bacterial diseases, the specific cause is still under investigation.

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://realtime.zaobao.com.sg/2012/07/jg120705_061.shtml&usg=ALkJrhgsnxDDgQxD-CUwaf9oIuXJAY_dsQ

Continued health fence in the area of Jalisco Tepatitlan

4 picsContinued health fence in the area of Jalisco Tepatitlan
http://www.fotojalisco.net/foto.asp?id_foto=18662

Another 800 thousand birds with influenza in Jalisco

Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality reported that the number of birds affected increased from 1.7 to 2.5 million, will prepare influenza virus vaccine.

 July 4, 2012 by David Patiño Torres National Section
 Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA), an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, reported that the number of birds affected by avian flu outbreak in Mexico increased from 1.7 to 2.5 million, of which almost one million died or were culled.
SENASICA infromó The device also applies to health farms and backyards of Jalisco for the study and processing of 14.4 million birds in order to tackle the outbreak of avian influenza virus type A, subtype H7N3, which does not affect humans , according to authorities.
"We reviewed 129 poultry farms and has been confirmed, until the evening of Tuesday, July 3, the presence of exotic virus in 24 farms, ten more were negative and the rest is followed by laboratory diagnosis," said SENASICA .
Fragoso Hugo Sanchez, head of the agency, said that it has issued the import permit of a suitable vaccine to control the outbreak and Mexican scientists conduct tests to develop other national production.
For vaccines produced in Mexico will have the support of private laboratories, and according to Fragoso Sanchez, all vaccine against avian influenza virus will be ready by August, when it is expected the production of at least 80 million doses.
In this regard, said the vaccine will meet all safety standards recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health, will be tested for efficacy and protective capacity, and its no harm to birds, as it will be applied in regions near the affected area to prevent the virus from leaving the area.

Undo editshttp://www.sexenio.com.mx/articulo.php?id=16838

Joint WHO and Cambodia Statement PDF

http://www.wpro.who.int/cambodiadisease_english.pdf

Mexico-Vaccines against avian flu not until late July #BIRDFLU

Vaccines against avian flu until late JulyJuly 4, 2012



El Salto, Jalisco. - The first batch of two million doses of vaccine made in Mexico to prevent avian influenza will tentatively later this July, said Director of Animal Health SENASICA Hugo Sanchez Fragoso.
At a news conference, said that Mexico will produce, with the support of private laboratories, the whole virus vaccine for avian influenza is required by August, when production is expected at least 80 million doses.
He stated that the vaccine produced will comply with all safety standards recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health, will be tested for efficacy and protective capacity and not harm the birds, as it will be applied in regions close to the affected area to keep the virus out of there.
The director of the National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA), said the Mexican vaccine production is one of the three options you have to combat this health challenge facing the country.
He added that there is a national laboratory that has the ability to produce the vaccine, but that takes time because the epidemic was first detected and began working in the biological to combat it.
He said another possibility considered is to bring a vaccine made and ready to apply, "but it is available anytime, anywhere and when you need it" because it is exotic disease has only been introduced in some countries world.
He said that no active outbreaks of bird flu in Pakistan and Italy, but you can not bring the vaccine because their production is compromised.He said that was available in some countries being located with an import permit to bring it to Mexico, but you have to develop a series of tests to determine whether it is safe and whether it protects, plus it's available at most three million dose.
He added that the third option in which you work is coordinated with research scientists at the Department of Agriculture United States, which has a world reference laboratory for avian influenza.
http://conexiontotal.mx/2012/07/04/vacunas-contra-gripe-aviar-hasta-finales-de-julio/

Mexican government detects more birds with bird flu

: add 2.5 million
July 4, 2012

The number of birds affected by an outbreak of bird flu in western Mexico went from 1.7 to 2.5 million, of which nearly a million died or were destroyed, according to a government report released Wednesday.
..
Meanwhile, in Guatemala, Deputy Agriculture Minister Mario Marcucci announced that redoubled vigilance along its border with Mexico to prevent the virus from entering the Central American country.
http://noticias.terra.com.pe/gobierno-mexicano-detecta-mas-aves-con-gripe-aviar-suman-25-millones,b0f3519190458310VgnVCM3000009acceb0aRCRD.html

THAILAND-Ministry warns against bird flu

THAILAND-Ministry warns against bird flu

 

The Nation July 5, 2012 1:00 am

The Public Health Ministry yesterday instructed health officials nationwide to keep an eye out for birdflu infections among humans.

This move follows a report that more than 150,000 chickens in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang were culled due to an outbreak of bird flu.
Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said members of the public should report to health volunteers or livestock officials immediately if they find any suspicious deaths among birds in their area.
Disease Control Department's deputy director Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingchareon said symptoms that a bird might be infected include diarrhoea, bluish purple cockscomb, a loss of appetite, softshelled eggs and a drop in egg production.  http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Ministry-warns-against-bird-flu-30185512.html

Undiagnosed illness in Cambodia

4 July 2012 -

The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia has notified WHO of an outbreak of an undiagnosed illness which has affected 62 children, of which 61 have died since April 2012.

The majority of cases were from the southern part of the country, and were hospitalised in a children's hospital in Phnom Penh. The symptoms observed are high fever, followed by respiratory and/or neurologic symptoms with rapid deterioration of respiratory functions.

WHO is working with the Ministry and other partners to investigate the outbreak, to identify the cause and source of the illness. Assistance is being provided in the area of field epidemiology and active case finding.

http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_07_04/en/index.html

60 children killed in Cambodia by mystery disease

Hat tip Ronan Kelly

60 children killed in Cambodia by mystery disease

Wednesday, 04 July 2012
Bridget Di Certo and Chhay Channyda
Phnom Penh Post

A small child is treated at Kantha Bopha hospital in Phnom Penh. 60 children have died from a new and unidentified disease, while only two of the 62 admitted to the hopsital have survived. Photograph: Hong Minea/Phnom Penh Post

An unknown deadly illness has appeared in Cambodia, killing at least 60 children in the past three months, health officials said yesterday.

Of the 62 children admitted to the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospitals with similar symptoms of severe fever and respiratory and neurological destruction, only two were able to be saved, hospital founder Dr Beat Richner said yesterday.

In a letter from Richner to Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng sent on June 20 and obtained by the Post yesterday, the Swiss doctor raised the urgency of the issue and told the minister such a disease had not been seen in the past 20 years in Cambodia.

“They [the children] are suffering from an Encephalitis and in the last 6 hours they develop a most severe pneumonia," he wrote. “The X Ray and CT are showing that the alveolus [pockets in the lung for oxygen exchange] are destroyed within hours before passing away.”

All the children who died, died within 24 hours of being hospitalised in what Richner called a “dramatic evolution” of the lung-destroying disease.

At the time of the letter, 47 children had died. In the 13 days following, there have been a further 13 deaths at the Kantha Bopha hospitals.

World Health Organization public health specialist Nima Asgari yesterday confirmed the international organisation had teamed this week with the Ministry of Health to investigate the mysterious and fatal affliction.

“It is very early to find the cause. We are still trying to gather data,” Asgari said, adding it was unlikely the disease was related to dengue or the re-appearance of Chikungunya in the Kingdom.

The United Nations agency said in a June 30 report that the clinical signs of those afflicted with the disease “appear unusual,” with patients suffering from fever and a rapid deterioration of respiratory functions, although platelet counts, liver and renal functions were found normal.

Ministry of Health officials, including minister and deputy director of the Communicable Disease Control Department Ly Sovann, referred all questions to department director Sok Touch, who could not be reached for comment yesterday.

A hotline official at the Communicable Disease Control Department said two teams from the Health Ministry had visited Takeo and Kampong Cham provinces yesterday to investigate other cases of the unknown disease.

“It has happened in 14 provinces across the country,” the official said. “We have not found the cause of this disease yet, but they [patients] have severe respiratory problems,” he said, adding that a third team would go to the Kantha Bopha hospitals on Thursday.

Takeo provincial hospital deputy director Te Vantha said he had joined a meeting with Ministry of Health and Kantha Bopha officials on June 29 to discuss the situation.

“Kantha Bopha has informed us about the rapid development of a disease that can kill children within 24 hours, so we must be careful,” Vantha said. “This unknown disease happens to children mostly under the age of 5 years and the symptoms are fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.”

He said that in Takeo, there were two known cases of children dying from the unknown lung-destroying disease in June.

Speaking from the Kantha Bopha hospital in Siem Reap, where there have been two deaths, Richner said his team had been unable to definitively determine a cause yet but worried it may be the result of what he termed “wrong treatment”.

“All these children had encephalitis [acute inflammation of the brain] and were hospitalised and treated at private clinics before coming to us," he said. “I worry that a wrong treatment and drug intoxication at some private clinics has destroyed the lungs leading to a pneumonia we cannot treat.”

He added that his hospitals had been receiving a high number of encephalitis cases.  http://camwatchblogs.blogspot.com/2012/07/60-children-killed-in-cambodia-by.html

Colima Closes border with Jalisco bird flu

Colima | Monday July 02

The Colima government prohibits the entry of birds was detected after an outbreak of H7N3 avian influenza in two municipalities of Jalisco

The state government, through its Ministry of Rural Development and the State Committee for Livestock Promotion and Protection, announced the closure of its border with the state of Jalisco to keep out commercial poultry, chicken fat, chicken manure and chicken manure , "by the risk that through these products can carry the avian influenza virus."

The Ministry of Rural Development, said that the measure was taken after it was detected in the neighboring state of Jalisco an outbreak of H7N3 bird flu detected in municipalities and Tepatitlán Acatic.

Reported that the National Agrifood Health and Quality (SENASICA) activated the national emergency device of animal health in the region of "Los Altos de Jalisco", so in Colima is strictly prohibited the entry of birds for slaughter, chick for fattening, chicken manure and chicken manure from Jalisco.

Similarly, reported that Colima is free of this disease, which was recognized by the SENASICA and continuously observed by avian health campaigns conducted by the assistant animal health agency of the State Committee for the Promotion Animal Protection and Colima.

In the case of birds entering the state, Colima reported that supplies chicken to sacrifice and immediate consumption of Nayarit state, so it is prohibited the entry of live poultry from the entities of Jalisco and Michoacan, "because have lower animal health status Colima, this in relation to avian diseases such as salmonella, avian influenza and Newcastle disease. "

Furthermore, it has a strict control of the income of birds, their products and by-products through control of the mobilization of Colima products entering the main road through the seven booths phytozoosanitary established in the state, which monitor to prevent pests entering and diseases of quarantine...


http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/856982.html

Mexico declares bird flu emergency

 03 July 2012 0651 hrs

MEXICO CITY: The Mexican government declared a national animal health emergency on Monday in the face of an aggressive bird flu epidemic that has infected nearly 1.7 million poultry.

More than half the infected birds have died or been culled, the agriculture ministry said of an epidemic that was confirmed on Friday by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

"We have activated a national animal health emergency... with the goal of diagnosing, preventing, controlling and eradicating the Type A, sub-type H7N3 bird flu virus," the min..


..H7N3, has occasionally caused human disease in various parts of the world, according to the UN, but has not shown itself to be easily transmittable between humans.  http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1211303/1/.html

It grows in Colima vigilance against bird flu

It grows in Colima vigilance against bird flu
 The Health Ministry steps up monitoring in the stateColima (30/JUN/2012.) - First report of bird flu in farms in the state of Jalisco, Colima adjoining, for the detection of virus Type "A" H7N3, the Ministry of Health and Welfare reported that state intensified the State System of Epidemiological Surveillance and monitor units seven Influenza (flu) is in the entity, to perform the detection of probable or suspected cases of this disease.
The head of the agency, Agustín Lara Esqueda said that normally, this flu is not transmitted to humans and who are at low risk of infection are people who are in direct contact with sick birds.
As is made for seasonal influenza, state Health Department said the state also has the early diagnosis of State Public Health Laboratory and has enough medication for the treatment of this condition (oseltamivir).
He said the report will be watching that issue the animal health authorities and veterinary responsible for carrying out the actions of prevention and control of diseases in animals, as the implementation of the surveillance cordon phytozoosanitary performing at the entrances to the state .
He also mentioned that avian influenza is a disease that is present in chickens, pheasants, turkeys, chickens Guinnea, ducks and turkeys, among other birds, according to federal authorities of the Ministry of Health and the World Animal Health said the virus does not affect humans.
Thus, by following the national guidelines issued by the Undersecretary of Prevention and Health Promotion in case they were to report human cases, even if minimal risk is for people who come into contact with sick birds.
In this sense, farm owners should be coordinated with the animal health authorities and report if they have respiratory problems among their workers, so they are sent to medical services.
To prevent transmission of this disease, it is suggested to people who are in contact with birds cover nose and mouth and wash your hands, since the aforementioned virus is transmitted by respiratory or through contamination of bird droppings. 
http://www.informador.com.mx/mexico/2012/386663/6/crece-en-colima-la-vigilancia-contra-gripe-aviar.htm

13th gene identified in 1918 pandemic virus

Date: Thu 28 Jun 2012
Source: University of Edinburgh Press Release [edited]
http://www.ed.ac.uk/news/all-news/flu-280612

Discovery sheds light on flu infections
--------------------------------
Scientists have discovered a new gene in influenza virus that helps the virus control the body's response to infection. Although this control is exerted by the virus, surprisingly it reduces the impact of the infection. The findings will help researchers better understand how flu can cause severe infections, as well as inform research into new treatments.

Just finding this gene in the first place is important, but the find is even more significant because of the role it seems to play in the body's response to flu. Researchers found when the virus gene -- called PA-X -- was active, mice infected with flu subsequently recovered. When the PA-X gene did not work properly, the immune system was found to overreact. This made the infection worse, and did not help destroy the virus any quicker.

The study looked at how the gene affected the behaviour of "Spanish flu", a virulent strain of influenza that caused a pandemic in 1918. It was carried out by the Universities of Cambridge, Cork, Edinburgh and Utah, the Institute of Systems Biology in Seattle and the United States National Institutes of Health. Scientists discovered the PA-X gene some 30 years after the flu genome was first decoded. The researchers, whose study is published online in the journal Science [see below], found the hidden gene by analysing patterns of changes in the genetic information of thousands of different flu strains.

The flu virus has a very, very small genome - just 12 genes. Professor Paul Digard, of The Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh said: "Just finding a new gene is a pretty significant change to our understanding of this virus. Dr Andrew Firth, of the University of Cambridge, said: "The flu virus has a very, very small genome - just 12 genes. Finding a new gene makes a pretty significant change to our understanding of this virus."

The research was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Medical Research Council, the U. S. National Institutes of Health, Science Foundation Ireland, and the Wellcome Trust.
http://www.promedmail.org/?p=2400:1000:4020501424682213:::::

Mexico detects 1.7 million birds affected by avian flu outbreak

Organización Editorial Mexicana
June 29, 2012

AFP

Mexico. - Mexico has identified 1.7 million birds infected with the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian flu now affecting 10 farms in the state of Jalisco, which have been isolated, said Friday the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, fisheries and Food (SAGARPA).

"The medical device applied in farms and backyards includes a flock of 6 million 120 thousand 500 birds, which was detected 1 million 700 thousand affected," the agency said in a statement, adding that the animals had 870 000 died from the disease or were slaughtered.

The ministry announced that it had activated a national emergency device in the region of Jalisco called Los Altos, where the farms affected by the virus, subtype H7N3.

In this device have been checked 111 farms and 15 domestic manufacturing facilities and had detected the virus in 10 of the farms.

Mexico said it has already reported the situation to the international animal health organizations, including United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FA0), which indicated that the outbreak was highly pathogenic.

The measures outlined in the statement, have been taken to protect poultry production in the area, Jalisco is the largest egg producer in Mexico, as the "H7N3 influenza virus does not pose a risk to the consumption of poultry ".http://www.oem.com.mx/laprensa/notas/n2599428.htm

1.7 million dead birds affected by avian flu in Mexico

A 870 000 and 1.7 million dead birds affected by avian flu in Mexico

Bird flu has killed about 870,000 birds, sick or killed, a dozen farms in Jalisco (western Mexico), Mexican authorities confirmed Friday that found that there are 1.7 million birds affected.
"The number of birds that have died from disease or depopulated as a control and eradication are 870,000, until today," he said in a statement the National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA), which did not specify the number of animals slaughtered.
The body under the Ministry of Agriculture reported that 1.7 million have been detected in birds affected, about 6,120,500 were reviewed in the medical device implemented in recent days in the Los Altos de Jalisco.
Last Thursday, the agency announced the presence of the H7N3 strain of avian influenza viruses in animals from three farms in the municipalities of Tepatitlán and Acatic that were quarantined as a control measure.
The SENASICA stated that launched the National Emergency Animal Health, which have reviewed 111 large poultry farms, of which 10 were with the virus, 7 more than in the first review.
He confirmed that next week could get the vaccine to Mexico will be imported from Asia to "protect the birds from the disease and prevent mortality."
He said the H7N3 avian influenza virus poses no risk to the consumption of poultry products and that the control and eradication measures implemented are intended to protect the production of that area.
The Organization of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had already reported Friday that about 200,000 birds have died directly in Mexico by the disease while another 600,000 have had to be culled to control the outbreak.
The agency called on the authorities in Mexico to act to prevent the spread of the disease, considered "highly pathogenic".
According to FAO, in Mexico there had been so far the presence of the H7N3 subtype.
The last outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza occurred in 1994, affected 11 states and was the subtype H5N2. Since then the disease remains controlled, said the international organization.  http://www.unionradio.net/ActualidadUR/nota/visornota.aspx?id=114808&tpCont=1&idSec=2

Flesh-eating bacteria patient to leave Georgia hospital

The Georgia graduate student who just weeks ago was fighting for her life after contracting a rare flesh-eating bacterial infection will be released from the hospital on Monday to continue her recovery at a rehabilitation center, her father said on Friday.
Aimee Copeland, 24, has undergone amputations of her left leg at the hip, both hands and her remaining foot after being diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, a bacterial infection that can destroy muscles, skin and tissue...
http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-rt-us-usa-georgia-infectionbre85s1c5-20120629,0,3154271.story

Mexico Emergency bird flu: FAO #BIRDFLU #H7N3

Call to take preventive actions in other regions and thus help prevent further spread of the problem
MEXICO CITY. - The FAO called on the authorities in Mexico to act to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, subtype H7N3, detected in three commercial poultry farms in Jalisco.
So far they have killed about 200 000 birds and 600 000 others have had to be sacrificed, said in a statement the regional office of the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), based in Santiago de Chile.
"In this context FAO calls on the authorities in Mexico to make all possible efforts in this emergency to contain the outbreaks confirmed and take preventive actions in other regions and thus help prevent further spread of problem, "the statement said.
According to the international body, Mexico and the device has enabled national animal health emergency and has informed the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) that is conducting an epidemiological investigation.
The objective is to determine the magnitude of the problem and the likely source of infection, to establish measures contraepidémicas enabling rapid elimination of the disease. The three poultry farms, the statement said, are in the municipalities of Tepatitlán and Acatic in the state of Jalisco, known as the largest producer of eggs in Mexico.
According to FAO, in Mexico there had been so far the presence of this subtype of influenza, H7N3.
The last outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza occurred in 1994, affected eleven states and was the subtype H5N2. Since then the disease remains controlled, the agency said.
The birds showed clinical Sinology acute and death, between 32 and 94 weeks of age.
The H7N3 subtype of influenza is very aggressive in poultry, FAO adviertió.
In 1963 affected turkeys in the United Kingdom, in the early 90's came to Australia where he killed hundreds of chickens and in 2002 an outbreak in poultry farms in San Antonio, Chile, affecting more than 500 000 birds at a cost of $ 31 million.
Also featured twice in Canada: in 2004 in British Columbia, where forced to sacrifice 17 million birds, and in 2007 in Saskatchewan, where a staff of affected players.

Undo edits

http://nuklearnoticias.mx/negocios/emergencia-en-mexico-por-gripe-aviar-fao/

Quarantined in Mexico at least 150 farms on suspicion of avian influenza

150 egg production farms are under quarantine in Jalisco, in western Mexico, where they were detected the first cases of avian influenza AH7N3 called, which is not contagious to humans, health officials said.
"In order to diagnose, prevent, control and eradicate the virus" is "activated the National Emergency Animal Health, which encompasses home, review of farms in the region where the first cases of influenza AH7N3" , said in a statement the National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality.

He explained that through a series of tests confirmed the presence of avian influenza type A, subtype H7N3, in poultry farms and municipalities Tepatitlán Acatic in Jalisco (West), which does not affect humans but only to birds.
The health measures provide for the control of the movement of affected birds, poultry meat and offal to avoid being moved to regions without the presence of the virus.http://www.ntn24.com/noticias/ponen-en-cuarentena-en-mexico-054241

Poultry farms under surveillance

  Authorities agro Thailand or Vietnam will bring the first Western vacunas
June 29, 2012


  Guadalajara, Jalisco. - To counteract the effects of avian influenza H7N3 in poultry type of the Los Altos de Jalisco, authorities agribusiness in Thailand or Vietnam will bring the first vaccines to counter the damage, is expected to arrive in biological during the week.

For now, the National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA) kept under surveillance poultry farms in that area to prevent the virus from spreading, as well as conduct research to identify its origin.

The biological be paid by the Poultry its own procurement and distribution will be through the National Union of Poultry Farmers and state. Currently some farms remain under quarantine, but nowhere was banned the transportation of birds.  http://www.oem.com.mx/eloccidental/notas/n2598999.htm

Mexico denies human risk in H7N3 Outbreak

Deny human risk

The Health Ministry Jalisco (SSJ), eliminated risks to human health from avian flu cases registered in Tepatitlan and Acatic.

Jose Antonio Munoz Serrano, head of the SJS, said the H7N3 influenza virus poses no risk from consumption of poultry meat or eggs, because the National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA) applied as a health fence on the farm where the first cases were detected.

"There zoonoses (possibility of transmission from animals to humans), this type is A H7N3 influenza is a flu that lies entirely in animals, and talking animals, only attacks birds.

"It is particularly limited to these animals, can not catch either or pigs or cattle, then it is a whole new animal health issue," said the official.  http://noticias.terra.com.mx/mexico/estados/jalisco/influenza-aviar-mata-a-200-mil-pollos-en-jalisco,212fd7e67f238310VgnVCM4000009bcceb0aRCRD.html

Mexico tight lipped on current #H7N3 Outbreak #h5n1 #birdflu

Authorities did not say a peep about bird flu in Jalisco
June 29, 2012 • 6:35
 
On a tour, noted yesterday REFORM workers removing dead birds from a farm in Acatic and then incinerated.

Guadalajara. - Authorities say a peep and producers when challenged about the extent of spread of avian influenza A H7N3 that have occurred in farms and Acatic Tepatitlan, Jalisco.

The National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA) revealed on 21 June that evidence of the virus were detected in 4 of 110 poultry farms in the state, so a fence was installed sanitary and quarantine applies a precaution.

On Wednesday, indicated that they had sacrificed SENASICA 200 000 birds and is awaiting the arrival of one million vaccines purchased in Asia. These are the only official data that have been revealed.
On a tour, noted yesterday REFORM workers pulling the dead birds of at least three pens of egg producer located in the Municipality of Acatic, a few meters from the highway Guadalajara-Lagos de Moreno.

Without life, the animals are thrown into three tractors and a dump truck, meters after take them to a pit and burned.

One of the locals, who declined to give his name said that this movement began two weeks ago. He explained that the culling is done during the day as at night the workers leave the company and only the watchmen stay tuned for the facility.

Another worker, who also kept anonymity, confirmed that only this week on the farm for which works have been slaughtered around 20 000 birds.

"The kill and bury from first yes the were burning but no longer right now, walk around the control, but say that wherever it is well watered," he said.

It is estimated that the state exists in a universe poultry over 80 million, and in the affected municipalities, up to 12 million.

Evade authorities and producers provide daily records of the number of infected birds or slaughtered to enable to measure the problem in Jalisco, which is the main egg-producing state nationally, with 45 000 cases a day.
Poultry entrepreneurs interviewed were tight, but the reporter off the recorder, admitted that "it is a serious problem" even one of them said that this situation continues in a month lose all his chickens. Although the measures implemented by the SENASICA have been circulated since last week, producers of the place say that the outbreak was detected earlier this month.

The SENASICA has indicated that there is a strengthening of animal health measures in the area, but until yesterday, inspection modules was not installed any person, in some cases, staff said that there was no contingency in the area.

Enrique Sánchez Cruz, chief of SENASICA, said that the results of the farms that have been inspected will be available towards the following weekend.

Poultry producers are considered as a first step the import of one million doses of a vaccine specifically authorized and SENASICA-from Asia, which would today.

Sanchez Cruz said Mexican scientists are already working on developing a vaccine itself.

After the announcement of infections, the price of eggs has become more expensive nationwide: June 26, the price of tilefish was 15.80 pesos per kilo and yesterday stood at 22.50, according to the Ministry of Economy.

According to the SENASICA, the A H7N3 is not contagious to humans.

http://noticias.terra.com.mx/mexico/estados/jalisco/autoridades-no-dicen-ni-pio-sobre-gripe-aviar-en-jalisco,2a2dc1aa10838310VgnVCM3000009acceb0aRCRD.html

Farming poultry in deserts 'may reduce bird flu risks' # H5N1 # BIRDFLU

 

Hazem Badr

27 June 2012 | EN

Scientists say raising poultry in the desert will reduce the risk of bird flu transmission

Flickr/Eveline314

[CAIRO] Egypt's Desert Research Center (DRC) has called on the government to support rolling out poultry farms in desert regions, following the success of a pilot project to reduce avian flu transmission to humans.
The project ran from December 2011 to February this year, on five small units in the Egyptian desert. Researchers adopted procedures that helped avoid the transmission of infection, introduced indigenous desert plants into poultry diets, and evaluated varieties of poultry capable of resisting hot temperatures and drought.
Ismail Abdul Jalil, a former DRC president and leader of the research team that implemented the project, told SciDev.Net: "With the emergence of the avian flu virus in Egypt four years ago, the idea of moving poultry farms out of residential areas ​​was raised, as having farms adjacent or close to housing was one of the main reasons why the virus was … being easily passed from poultry to humans".
At a meeting last month..
 http://www.scidev.net/en/health/bird-flu/news/farming-poultry-in-deserts-may-reduce-bird-flu-risks-.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_news

Guadalajara.-quarantined farms Tepatitlán. Slaughtered birds for avian influenza #H7N3 #BIRDFLU

A video for you http://www.nuestravision.com.mx/nuestravision/index.php/noticias?task=videodirectlink&id=4530

Mexico animal health emergency #BIRDFLU #H7N3

Mexico animal health emergency

Tepatitlan de Morelos, Jalisco., June 26, 2012 The National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA) confirmed, following a series of molecular diagnostic tests, the presence of avian influenza type A, subtype H7N3, in poultry farms and municipalities Tepatitlán Acatic, which does not affects humans, only birds, according to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). In this situation, the SENASICA reported that in order to diagnose, prevent, control and eradicate the virus activated the National Emergency Animal Health covering, home, review of farms in the region where the first cases of this type of highly pathogenic influenza, exotic to Mexico. The H7N3 avian influenza virus poses no risk to the consumption of poultry and containment measures to be applied are intended to protect the production of this area. The health measures provide for the control of the movement, to prevent the affected birds, poultry, offal and manure are transferred to regions without the presence of the virus. Para ello, se dispondrá de cordones zoosanitarios. For this purpose, beads have animal health. It is also considered immunization prior permission from the SENASICA, to protect and prevent the spread of the disease and quarantine and isolation of affected farms. Even be eradicated poultry products and byproducts in the terms determined by the body. Other health measures are the practices of sanitation, disinfection, sterilization, using germicides and pesticides in animals, premises and transport to prevent transmission to farms and uninfected birds. This process is expected to attend technical and reference laboratories of the National Diagnostic Services in Animal Health (CENASA) and the National Service Center for Animal Health Certification (CENAPA) SENASICA. It also asked the producers increase biosecurity measures and report to health authorities when they detect suspected cases of infection by the virus. This will help control and eradication of the disease and protect the poultry industry. Symptoms that may have chickens, turkeys and other birds, are: sudden drop in egg production, soft shelled egg, depression and decay, reduction in consumption of food, overcrowding of birds and ruffled feathers; bloody nasal discharge, blue and purple chin crest swollen head, eyelids, comb, wattles and legs, and diarrhea and death. SENASICA certify, through laboratory tests, that the farms that sell eggs and poultry meat for human consumption are healthy as marking the international animal health standards. Finally, it was reported that, based on international protocols followed in these cases, the SENASICA notified the OIE of the presence of this disease and the measures taken to eradicate it. For further information or reports, contact the Mexico-United States for the Prevention of Foot and Mouth Disease and Other Exotic Diseases of Animals: Toll free, 01 800 75 1210 0; Phone: (55) 52593035, 52591441 and 36180821 to 30 ; (55) 59051000 Ext. 51234, 51236, 51241 and 51242. También vía correo electrónico a: iromero@senasica.gob.mx; julio.garcia@senasica.gob.mx; juan.acevedo@senasica.gob.mx , informó SENASICA.http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sagarpa.gob.mx%2Fsaladeprensa%2Fboletines2%2FPaginas%2Fdefault.aspx