Mexico-11 million slaughtered poultry from bird flu in Jalisco

 21/08/2012

Due to the outbreak of bird flu farms presented in Jalisco, the Senasica announces second phase of vaccination with the application of 90 million doses, 10.9 million birds slaughtered to prevent contagion
MEXICO CITY, Mexico, Aug. 21, 2012. - The Government of Mexico announced the start of the second stage of poultry vaccination before the outbreak of avian influenza AH7N3, which has led to the culling of nearly 11 million birds.The National Service of Health, Food Safety and Quality (Senasica) announced in a statement that the second stage will begin this week on farms in the region of Los Altos, Jalisco, and provides for the application of 90 million additional doses to 88.3 million applied in the first phase.Additionally, we have a reserve bank of 53 million vaccines and viral seeds for greater production if necessary, according to the director of Senasica, Enrique Sanchez Cruz.He also revealed that as of this month begins the repopulation of laying hens and will be around five million birds that enter monthly empty poultry units in which the agency intervened.He explained that this move will gradually restore egg production that was before the outbreak of avian influenza.To eradicate the virus from poultry farms, SENASICA, working with producers, has made stamping 10.9 million birds from 19 June to 20 August.In making an assessment of the first phase of combat the outbreak, Sanchez explained that this figure must be added corresponding to the measures applied by the poultry before the announcement of the presence of the virus to the authorities and the subsequent voluntary sacrifice made by own poultry farmers to protect their flocks.To date, there have been sampled in 438 production units in 45 municipalities of Los Altos, and only 43 of them (commercial farms posture) have tested positive for AH7N3 virus.The official reported that the program has strengthened epidemiological surveillance in the area and have been tested on farms in 22 of the 32 states of the country, with negative results.For now, the outbreak is localized exclusively in the highlands of Jalisco, said.The bird flu epidemic has caused an increase in the price of eggs and chicken meat in the domestic market, so that the authorities are considering reducing import tariffs on these products at competitive prices.Sanchez said the measures in support of the Secretariat of Economy to normalize the supply of eggs, has issued two weeks ago the health requirements to be met by producing countries that want to market their product in Mexico at this juncture of AH7N3.The National Poultry Union reported today that the increase in the price of a kilo of eggs is due primarily to the depopulation that caused the outbreak of avian influenza in Jalisco and the increase in the prices of corn and soybean meal used by the poultry industry to feed the birds.  http://noticierostelevisa.esmas.com/nacional/490001/sacrifican-11-millones-aves-gripe-aviar-jalisco/

Ko Wing-man said that the concern of the corpses of the dead bird with the bird flu virus samples collected in the summer increase

22/08/2012 11:58 AM

Ko Wing-man afternoon turn into a chicken farm in Yuen Long inspections, he said earlier in Bird Street, random testing of samples positive for avian flu, in addition to the dead bird corpses collected in the summer, with an increase in samples of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, the authorities Concerned about the situation. due to the avian influenza virus has a slight variation, not the effectiveness of existing vaccines, the new vaccine will be introduced before the winter.

http://www.metroradio.com.hk/997/News/Default.aspx?NewsID=5c639cc9-4b6e-4aa9-ad46-ac1f7ebed162

Vietnam-#H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in Cho Don (Bac Kan)

Last updated at 09:53, Wednesday, 08/22/2012 (GMT 7)


Nhan Dan Online-After appearing two H5N1 avian influenza outbreak, in which many new epidemic outbreaks simultaneously in Cho Don (Bac Kan). Provincial Department of Animal Health, said the disease is in danger of spreading in the area.



Three days, with further outbreaks of avian influenza H5N1 outbreak in groups 2, 3, and 6 in the town of Bang Lung and three Na Chang, A New and Sen Village, East List of Cho Don district. Agencies and local authorities carried out the destruction of the entire poultry outbreaks, chemical spray disinfection cages, set up checkpoints to disinfectants and media from the service outside, stop selling poultry in the villages surrounding area.

Earlier, appearing two H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in the 4 in the town of Bang Lung and Copyright Contact Village, Yen Thuong, Cho Don District. Although professional bodies and local authorities have culled all poultry in two outbreaks with a total of 500 children, spray disinfectant chemicals, set up checkpoints, but the disease has spread, outbreaks add new outbreak in the district.  http://www.nhandan.com.vn/cmlink/nhandandientu/thoisu/doi-song/i-s-ng-tin-chung/bung-phat-d-ch-cum-gia-c-m-h5n1-t-i-ch-n-1.363857

Vietnam- 2.3.2.1 slight mutation #H5N1

Deal with the bird flu virus has modified
5:53 PM, 22/08/2012

(VOV) - It is worrying that the H5N1 vaccine is only effective below 75% should not universal use in the prevention and control of avian influenza.Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: experimental results in 8/2012 shows the newly discovered group of H5N1 avian influenza virus in arm A (2.3.2.1) has changed a number of amino- acid.Although this virus is still attached to the 2.3.2.1 branch but there was a difference, the virulence of the virus group is the professional body research and evaluation. It is worrying that the H5N1 vaccine is only effective below 75% should not universal use in the prevention and control of avian influenza.Van Dang Ky, Head of Hygiene and Epidemiology - Department of Animal Health said the most effective way to protect poultry is still detected, localized translation. "At present we are mainly applied for early detection and destruction of human disease, hygiene and disinfection, management tightly outbreak, not to spread to other places. Currently we are making this problem very efficiently, and vaccine use in the northern, central and Central Highlands virtually very little use. We only use the vaccine program countries to encircle outbreak, reduce the spread only problem, "Ky said.
Animal Health Department warned, this stage of the season is very convenient for developing bird flu virus, so the local need close monitoring to detect early cases. At the same time, while no effective vaccine to prevent and control the situation cross-border smuggling of poultry to limit pathogen spread, making it difficult to work management epidemic  http://vov.vn/Home/Doi-pho-voi-virus-cum-gia-cam-co-su-bien-doi/20128/222112.vov

Market Vendors In Kakumiro Defy Ebola Ban

In defiance of the ban on public gatherings, a group of about 40 vendors from Mityana and Mubende districts on Wednesday displayed their merchandise in the market as usual. This attracted the attention of the sub county officials led by the Birembo LC3 Chairman, John Baruuli.

Read more: http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=44782#ixzz24H0GOhlY

DRC: Three aides among the victims of the Ebola

KINSHASA (© 2012 AFP) - Three aides were among the nine people recently died of Ebola in the region of Isiro in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reported Wednesday the World Health Organization (WHO).

Wednesday, August 22, 2012 | 12:42 UTC



 WHO / AFP / Christopher Black Archives. Members of Médecins sans Frontières caring for a man with Ebola in DRC

Of these 9 people, 8 died in Isiro, three nurses, WHO said in a statement. Another died in Dungu, towards the Ugandan border, and two cases were reported in Pawa, south of Isiro.
According to WHO, a team was formed with representatives from the Ministry of Health DRC, WHO and Doctors Without Borders to perform an epidemiological survey. For now WHO does not recommend travel restrictions or trade to the DRC.
These cases dating back to mid-August are the result of an outbreak in a neighboring region of Western Uganda but the virus has been detected is different from the one that hit Uganda. DRC is struck by the virus less virulent Bundibungyo-theoretically-, while in Uganda it is a strain that plagued Sudan.
Isiro, a city of 200,000 inhabitants in the Eastern Province, is located a few hundred kilometers of the affected region of Uganda.
Ugandan authorities have announced a week ago that the epidemic was "under control" but not yet eradicated. It has done so far 16 people and 165 people remain under observation.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever, a highly contagious, kills between 25 and 90% of patients, according to WHO. There is no treatment or vaccine. It is transmitted by direct contact with blood, bodily fluids (sweat, feces ...), by sex and by the mishandling of corpses contaminated.http://www.afriquinfos.com/articles/2012/8/22/trois-aides-soignants-parmi-victimes-fievre-ebola-208655.asp

Vietnam- #H5N1 in five districts 40 thousand birds were destroyed

H5N1 outbreak

- By this time, the H5N1 avian influenza has spread to five districts in Thanh Hoa and Ha Tinh provinces. Nearly 40 thousand birds were destroyed. While in Ha Tinh, stop signs, in Thanh Hoa, the risk of outbreak is very high.
 
H5N1 flu situation has appeared in Thanh Hoa province for more than a week in the local as Loc, the United Loc, Loc Thinh Hau Loc district.
Earlier in August, 2600 the son of the family flock Tong Van Luyen and more than 600 birds including chickens, ducks and his family Vu Van Duy in Peace village Thinh Loc unusual symptoms. The first few days I die then simultaneously infected herd.










Veterinarian vaccinating poultry flocks infected in Thanh Hoa.









Authorities take samples and test results positive for the H5N1 virus, the local authorities were quick to destroy the bird. Since the start of the outbreak, Thinh Loc commune with all 12 households with poultry infected with H5N1, with the total number of birds to be destroyed is 11,584 children.
The localities where the A/H5N1 flu has timely destruction of poultry suspected of being rabid, parallel to which is to strengthen the advocacy of animal husbandry, trade, movement of poultry products Bird flu alert, often organized sanitation, disinfection cages, established key security on duty 24/24 to prevent movement of poultry from other areas or from local out.
 

Sick birds die in Thach Tan Thach Ha district, Ha Tinh

  Before that, the end of July and the first days of August, in Yen Dinh District, and Sam Son town has also appeared status of birds killed by H5N1 influenza virus. According to statistics, nearly 600 children infected birds have been culled in the two localities.
Mr. Le Van Hien, Deputy Director of Thanh Hoa DARD said, after appearing bird flu, authorities instructed local prevention, zoning, do not spread disease. For two units is Sam Son and Yen Dinh far not arise any more bird flu drive.
In Hau Loc district, the destruction of infected poultry and poultry disease prevention spread is being strictly implemented. Thanh Hoa province has not announced bird flu in the province. "


In Ha Tinh, bird flu has appeared and spread over the past one month. 23/7, in two households in Cam Quan (Cam Xuyen district) and Thach Tan (Thach Ha district) appeared sick birds died.
According to Pham Thanh Binh, Director of the Department of Animal Health, Ha Tinh, H5N1 appeared in 17 in 2 Cam Xuyen and Thach Ha. There have been two thousand birds were destroyed, and many days, does not appear any outbreak. However, the information that we hold, in addition to the two districts, in Can Loc, Loc Ha, Ky He also appeared more households with infected poultry.The number of birds culled, in Cam Xuyen and Thach Ha, now has more than 3 thousand birds culled (Thach Ha 2.5 still, Cam Xuyen 6,100 children). Also in the spread Can Loc, Loc Ha, United Kingdom,
To 19/8 has spread to 17 communes in two districts with of poultry disease more than 3 thousand (in Thach Ha 2.5 still; Cam Xuyen 6,100). Can Loc district in the, Loc Ha States United Kingdom, there were 6,700 birds sick, dying to be destroyed. Total over 20 communes with a total bird damage to almost four thousand children.

http://vietnamnet.vn/vn/xa-hoi/85561/dich-h5n1-lai-dang-bung-phat.html

Two dead as cholera, dysentery hit Kibaale

 

 Aug 22, 2012

The district has been in efforts to contain the Ebola fever just recently

 

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• 
• 

* Cholera and dystentry outbreak in Kibaale

* Two dead, 14 admitted

* The same district where Ebola struck

By Ismael Kasooha

Residents of Kibaale district will not live settled lives yet even after the deadly Ebola virus was last week declared contained in the area. Now it is a double strike of cholera and dysentery in the same district.

Already, two people have succumbed to the cholera outbreak on the shores of Lake Albert in the western district of the country.

The dead have been identified as Aduba Kabaja, 42, a resident of Kitebere landing site and Peter Kasanga, 50, a resident of Songalawo landing site in Ndaiga sub-county.

Dr. Dana Kyamanywa, the district health officer said that the duo died on the August 13 and August 16 respectively.

"It has been confirmed that it is cholera and we have already set up an isolation unit to treat patients at Ndaiga health centre II at the lake shores," said Kyamanywa.

The two middle-aged men both died at their homes before they could report to the health centre.

So far 14 people are currently admitted at the Cholera Isolation Centre at Ndaiga health centre II in Ndaiga sub-county.

But Dr. Jackson Amony, who is currently the national coordinator of the Ebola taskforce said the isolation centre does not meet the standards of an isolation unit which poses danger in the area.

"The problem is aggravated by the mobility of the communities living on the lake shores and sanitation is very poor and there are no toilets," he explained.

“The air smells of faecal matter as one arrives at the fishing villages, which poses higher health risks.”

He said that although Intravenous-IV fluids have been supplied, there are no treatment guidelines and no attendants at the isolation centre which has only one government health worker.

"These people lack protective gear and are not facilitated," Dr. Amony said.

Kibaale district health officer, Dr. Dan Kyamanywa said they have already dispatched some drugs and other necessities to contain the situation.

He appealed to the public to maintain high levels of hygiene and sanitation to prevent contracting cholera.

Caution!

Medical theory suggests that cholera is spread through eating foods and drinks contaminated with human faeces.

The public has been cautioned to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating food, eat food when it is still hot, avoid eating foods and drinks sold at the roadside and ensure that human waste is properly disposed of in the latrine.

A person can also take Erythromycin tabs every six hours as a preventive measure, especially for those staying in high-risk areas.

Meanwhile the outbreak of dysentery also has been confirmed in Kijonjomi village, Kyanaisoke sub-county in Kibaale district.

Eighat people have been hospitalized with dysentery but have not been brought to the hospital.

The revelation was made by Dr. Kyamanywa during the Ebola coordination meeting at Kagadi hospital on Sunday.

He said that dysentery was reported some two days back by residents who had suspected it for were Ebola.

The medics have decided to do Syndromic treatment for the dysentery outbreak.

Caution, again!

Dysentery is characterized by abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.

Experts say that dysentery is caused by contaminated water drawn from unprotected water sources.

They have already trained village health teams in the affected village for a follow-up to manage the outbreak.  http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/634387-Two-dead-as-cholera--dysentery-hit-Kibaale.html

#Ebola kills 3 health care workers in DR Congo, raising death toll to 9

 

   

KINSHASA, DR CONGO (BNO NEWS) -- Three health care workers in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are believed to have died from Ebola, raising the number of fatalities from the outbreak to at least nine, local and international health authorities said on Tuesday.
The Congolese Ministry of Health said it is aware of at least fifteen suspected Ebola cases, including nine fatal cases. The initial death toll given on Friday was risen to nine after three health care workers died in the town of Isiro, located in the province of Orientale which borders the Central African Republic and South Sudan to the north and Uganda to the east.
In addition to the nine deaths in Isiro, three other suspected Ebola cases have also been reported in the town. Two suspected cases have further been reported in Pawa, about 42 kilometers (26 miles) south of Isiro, and one fatal case has been reported in Dungu, some 139 kilometers (86 miles) northeast of Isiro.
Last week, three samples from two of the victims were taken to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in the Ugandan city of Entebbe where they tested positive for the Bundibugyo species of the deadly Ebola virus. The first case was reported on August 1 and some experts have expressed concern that the disease may spread because the towns are remote but busy and the country's health system is poor.
http://wireupdate.com/ebola-kills-3-health-care-workers-in-dr-congo-raising-death-toll-to-9.html

VOA -DRC Confirms Ebola Outbreak

21, 2012

KINSHASA — The Democratic Republic of Congo DRC has confirmed an outbreak of Ebola fever in the northeast of the country. The announcement follows confirmation of an outbreak of the incurable disease in Uganda last month.

DRC Health Minister Felix Kabange Numbi confirmed the Ebola outbreak in the Orientale Province.

Kabange says they had been monitoring several suspected cases of Ebola in Isiro in Haut Uele district in the past few weeks. Several blood samples tested positive and, in one case, the virus has been identified as so-called Bundibugyo Ebola - a strain of the disease associated with Uganda’s outbreak.

The health minister says a 15 cases have been identified in Isiro, a town of some 200,000 people in north eastern Congo, about 250 kilometers from the Ugandan border. Nine people have died and another 88 have been identified as having had exposure to those with Ebola.

The minister says those cases are being monitored and they are isolated in their homes, for now. He says an infected person’s disease is not contagious until the person shows symptoms and only then would they consider quarantine.

Officials in Kinshasa are concerned that health workers in Isiro may refuse to admit people showing Ebola symptoms to clinics or hospitals for fear of being infected. It is believed that at least one of the 15 presumed Ebola victims was a nurse.

The health minister says protective clothing is being sent to health workers in Isiro and that people leaving the town will be screened at the airport and at other exit points.

He says the authorities have informed the airport of the symptoms of Ebola and anyone suspected of having the virus will not be allowed to board a plane, but will be examined by a team of doctors.

Symptoms include headache, loss of appetite, intense tiredness, muscular pain, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pains and difficulties in breathing or swallowing.

A team to coordinate response to the disease has been set up in Isiro. International health groups participating include Doctors Without Borders and the U,S. Centers for Disease Control.  http://www.voanews.com/content/Ebola-drc-outbreak/1492233.html

EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (05): (ORIENTALE) WHO

Date: Tue 21 Aug 2012
Source: WHO Global Alert and Response (GAR), Disease Outbreak News [edited]
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_08_21/en/index.html


Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - update
-------------------------------------------------------------
As of Mon 20 Aug 2012, a total of 15 (13 probable and 2 confirmed) cases with 10 deaths have been reported in Province Orientale in Eastern DRC. The reported cases and deaths have occurred in 3 health zones as follows: 12 cases and 8 deaths in Isiro, including 3 health care workers who have died; 2 cases and one death in Pawa; and one fatal case in Dungu.

The Congolese Ministry of Health has convened a National Task Force and is working with several partners including WHO, UNICEF, Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) Suisse, MSF Belgique, and the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Similar Task Forces have been established at provincial and district levels to oversee and guide the response.

A joint MoH, WHO, and MSF emergency response team is in the field to conduct a detailed epidemiological investigation and support case management. Control activities that are being carried out include active case finding and contact tracing, enhanced surveillance, case management, public information and social mobilization, and reinforcing infection control practices.

WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health in the areas of coordination, surveillance, field epidemiology, laboratory, case management, outbreak logistics, public information and social mobilization. An additional team of epidemiologists, a logistician, an anthropologist, and social mobilization officers is being mobilized from the DRC, Republic of Congo, the WHO AFRO regional rapid response team, WHO Inter-Country Support team (IST) based in Gabon, and WHO HQ, for possible deployment in the field.

WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to Democratic Republic of Congo.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Marianne Hopp

[This new WHO report raises the number of cases from 10 on 17 Aug 2012 to 15 on 20 Aug 2012, and the number of fatalities from 9 to 10. A 3rd health zone, Pawa, is involved now in addition to the Isiro and Dungu Health Zones. These 3 health zones are located in the Orientale Province of eastern DRC.

Of the 15 cases, 2 have been confirmed as cases of infection by the Bundibugyo strain of ebolavirus. In contrast the outbreak of Ebola fever in an adjacent region of Uganda has been a result of infection by the Sudan strain of ebolavirus. The almost simultaneous outbreaks of ebolavirus infection in close proximity, caused by different strains of the virus, suggests that climatic or environmental factors may be playing a role. Further information is awaited.

N.B. "Ebola virus disease" has been substituted for "Ebola hemorrhagic fever" in the thread name in response to an observation from a correspondent that the ebolavirus fever is rarely hemorrhagic.

A map of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo is available at http://www.mapsofworld.com/democratic-republic-of-congo/democratic-republic-of-congo-political-map.html. The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/35-r. - 

Nine dead as Ebola spreads in DR Congo

 

Listen / Download

© MSF — Hospital of Kagadi, in Western Uganda, where MSF launched an emergency intervention against an Ebola outbreak at the end of July 2012

The deadly Ebola Virus has killed at least nine people including three health care workers in the eastern part of the Democratic republic of Congo, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO says at least 15 cases of the disease have been reported in Isiro, Pawa and Dungu regions of Province Orientale in Eastern DR Congo.
Glenn Thomas from WHO says efforts are underway to establish if the Ebola outbreak in Eastern DR Congo is linked to the outbreak in Uganda which has killed 16 people.
"There are 12 cases and eight deaths in Isiro including three health workers who have died, two cases and no deaths in Pawa and one fatal case in Dungu. The Congolese Ministry of Health has convened a national task force and is working with several partners including WHO, MSF Swiss, MSF Belgique and the CDC. Similar task force have been set up and established at provincial and district levels to oversee and guide the response to this latest outbreak. At the moment WHO is not recommending any travel or trade restrictions be applied to DR Congo."  http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/2012/08/nine-dead-as-ebola-spreads-in-dr-congo/

Livestock health risk to billions revealed

 

Tuesday August 21 2012

A new report reveals that just 13 diseases or infections that are transmitted from animals to humans, such as tuberculosis, avian flu and Rift Valley fever, are responsible for around 2.4 billion cases of human illness and 2.2 million deaths per year.
The study by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) shows that most of the victims are in low and middle-income countries. In the least developed countries some 20% of human sickness and death is due to zoonotic disease that had recently jumped species from animals to people.

http://www.agra-net.com/portal2/home.jsp?template=newsarticle&artid=20017983355&pubid=ag002

Russia bans poultry from Dutch bird flu area

 

Tuesday August 21 2012

Russia has announced temporary restrictions on poultry imports from the Dutch province of Utrecht following an outbreak of low pathogenic avian flu.
The ban applies to live poultry, hatching eggs and all types of uncooked poultrymeat, along with slaughtering equipment, feed and feed additives for birds

http://www.agra-net.com/portal2/home.jsp?template=newsarticle&artid=20017983363&pubid=ag002

Close pig barns at fairs, U.S. expert says, amid swine flu fears

 

08/21/2012 | Helen Branswell, The Canadian Press

Enclosures in the Swine Barn stand empty after all except the champion pigs were cleared from the building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Aug. 7, 2012. AP/The Indianapolis Star, Chet Strange

 

It's been found in pigs and-or people in more than 10 U.S. states and counting. In less than a month, more than 200 people — most young children — have been infected by an unwanted visitor to many of the state and county fairs that are held at this time of year.

A new swine flu virus is infecting a growing number of people in the United States. But the official response to this outbreak is substantially different from the one that greeted the swine H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009.
Public health authorities, perhaps still stinging from criticism of the response to the H1N1 pandemic, are struggling to strike the right note with this virus, which so far doesn't seem to be spreading from person to person. But is their low-key strategy the right one to take?

One prominent flu expert is questioning the approach, which has largely focused on encouraging people not to eat or drink while touring pig barns at fairs and to wash their hands after visiting these exhibits.

Michael Osterholm suggests it's too soon to conclude that this new virus is going to be a mere nuisance or just another weird chapter in the ever-perplexing saga of influenza viruses.

And he says it's time to take what likely would be a very unpopular step — tell organizers that this year, pigs should stay home from the fair.
"I'm convinced that wherever you have pigs and fairs right now you're seeing this transmission —at least in North America," says Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy, and of the Minnesota Center for Excellence in Influenza Research and Surveillance.

"These pigs shouldn't be at the fairs."

The virus, an influenza A of the H3N2 family and a distant cousin of human viruses of the same name, was first spotted in humans ...  http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/life/health/article/220679--close-pig-barns-at-fairs-u-s-expert-says-amid-swine-flu-fears

Swine Flu Case Reported Days Before State Fair

video

August 21, 2012 7:26 AM

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Just a couple days out from the start of the Minnesota State Fair, officials have a confirmed case of the swine flu in the state.
The new strain is called H3N2v, and people usually get this flu from pigs, not from other people. About 1,000 pigs are scheduled to arrive at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in the next couple days.
State health officials said they had a feeling a few cases might happen in Minnesota. That’s because there have been more than 200 cases in eight other states this summer, mainly at other fairs in the Midwest.
A lot of kids show their pigs at the Minnesota State Fair, and this new swine flu that’s in Minnesota was found ..
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/08/21/swine-flu-case-reported-days-before-state-fair/

Deadly Ebola virus strikes Congo-CNN video

http://edition.cnn.com/video/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=cnni#/video/world/2012/08/21/intv-congo-ebola-outbreak-bazira.cnn?eref=edition

Zambian government putting measures in place to prevent Ebola virus entering the country

August 21, 2012 | By Gloria   

• 0
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Zambia’s Ministry of Health says it is taking measures to prevent the deadly Ebola virus from entering Zambia.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Kamoto Mbewe says the government is currently sensitizing people around the boarder areas on Ebola symptoms and how the disease can be prevented.

Dr. Mbewe says the Ministry is also orienting its staff on how it can easily identify the disease if one presents themselves with the symptoms.

According to Dr. Mbewe isolation places have already been made ready for any outbreaks in some provinces in the country.

At least one person has died after an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials say.

The death is one of two cases of the virus discovered in the town of Isiro.

Medical charity workers say they are attempting to find and isolate anyone who has been in contact with those infected by the virus.

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) says the strain is not the same as the kind found recently in neighbouring Uganda...

  http://flavafm.co.zm/2012/08/21/zambian-government-putting-measures-in-place-to-prevent-ebola-virus-entering-the-country/

Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo (update 20 August 2012)

hattip Dutchy

20 August 2012 - On 17 August 2012, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Province Orientale in Eastern DRC.

As of 20 August 2012, a total of 15 (13 probable and 2 confirmed) cases with 10 deaths had been reported. The reported cases and deaths have occurred in 3 health zones as follows: 12 cases and 8 deaths in Isiro, including three (3) health care workers who have died; 2 cases and no deaths in Pawa; and 1 fatal case in Dungu.
The Congolese Ministry of Health has convened a National Task Force and is working with several partners including WHO, UNICEF, Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) Suisse, MSF Belgique and the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Similar Task Forces have been established at provincial and district levels to oversee and guide the response.

A joint MoH, WHO and MSF emergency response team is in the field to conduct a detailed epidemiological investigation and support case management. Control activities that are being carried out include active case finding and contact tracing, enhanced surveillance, case management, public information and social mobilization, and reinforcing infection control practices.

WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health in the areas of coordination, surveillance, field epidemiology, laboratory, case management, outbreak logistics, public information and social mobilization. An additional team of epidemiologists, a logistician, an anthropologist and social mobilization officers is being mobilized from the DRC, Republic of Congo, the WHO AFRO regional rapid response team, WHO Inter-Country Support team (IST) based in Gabon, and WHO HQ, for possible deployment in the field.

WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to Democratic Republic of Congo. 
http://www.afro.who.int/en/clusters-a-programmes/dpc/epidemic-a-pandemic-alert-and-response/outbreak-news/3665-ebola-outbreak-in-democratic-republic-of-congo-update-20-august-2012.html

Some parts of the province Oriental affected by haemorrhagic fever Ebola- 7 dead 116 under watch

7 dead 116 under watch
3 of the dead are nurses
Kinshasa, 20/08 (ACP). - Isiro, chief town of the district of Haut-Uele territory of Dungu and Dakwa locality in the same district, Orientale province, are affected by haemorrhagic fever Ebola, announced the Minister of Public Health, Felix Kabange Numbi, during a press conference he hosted Friday in the conference room of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to Kinshasa.
Mr. Kabange said that it is a fever for ten days unidentified been recorded in this province, and after monitoring cases in the territory of Dungu and Isiro, eight samples have been made so far . Among the cases collected there Dungu with two (2) cases reported negative 3 cases presented with Isiro and four samples, 2 of which are positive.
This is a woman whose removal took place August 12, 2012 and died August 13, 2012 Ebola Bundibugyo strain and a man, the result of sampling aware of this months is positive strain not known. This man is alive but his wife died. It was the head of nursing. Two nurses also died.

 12 cases of haemorrhagic fever Ebola including 7 deaths were previously recorded in this province, namely: 1 case, 1 death with 100% fatality rate and 3 contacts in Dungu, 8 cases including 3 deaths with 37 , 5% fatality rate and 44 contacts in monitoring and observation Isiro and 3 cases with 3 deaths with 100% fatality rate and 32 follow-up contacts in the area of ​​health Viagana.  http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.acpcongo.com%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D11207%3Aquelques-contrees-de-la-province-orientale-touchees-par-la-fievre-hemorragique-a-virus-debola%26catid%3D41%3Asante%26Itemid%3D62&anno=2

Ebola Scare: Uganda screens Travellers at Border Points

Aug 20, 2012 by ntvuganda

http://www.ntvuganda.co.ug/
According to A World Health Organisation report from the Ministry of Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo, six people have died of Ebola in the Country. The report comes at a time when Uganda in a space of a month has lost 16 people due to the deadLy ebola haemorrhagic fever. Samples sent to Uganda from Congo indicate that the Ebola strain is the Bundibugyo type which killed 37 people in Uganda 2007. Uganda's Ministry of Health affirms that it is more than ready to deal with this strain if it were to enter into the country. At all border points experts have been put in place to screen anyone entering the country from DRC.

Ebola: MSF (Belgium) strengthens its team in the north-eastern DR Congo

 . KINSHASA - Doctors Without Borders (MSF-Belgium) strengthens its intervention Isiro in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever has begun.

  Three people arrived Monday and five more are expected on Tuesday to help teams of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Department of Health, told AFP Weggheleire of Anga, medical coordinator for MSF Belgium .

The virus activity in this region is different from that which affected neighboring Uganda, according to the same source.  . DRC is struck by the virus less virulent Bundibungyo-theoretically-, while in Uganda it was a strain that has plagued Sudan, said Madame de Weggleheire.

The alert was launched 10 days ago and after thorough examination, WHO confirmed Saturday that the epidemic has infected a dozen people killed and about ten others.

  The epidemic extends Isiro, a city of about 200,000 inhabitants to neighboring communities as Viadana, Dungu and Pahoua.

  Most importantly, the coordinator explained, is to identify the suspects and followed them for three weeks.  According to her, the repetition of such an epidemic could be explained by the presence of a natural reservoir of the virus. http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=fr&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.romandie.com%2Fnews%2Fn%2F_Fievre_Ebola_MSF_Belgique_renforce_son_equipe_dans_le_nord_est_de_la_RD_Congo52200820121905.asp

South Sudan Border Closed Following Ebola Outbreak in DRC

The Acting Governor of Western Equatoria State Sapana Abuyi has ordered for the closure of the border between Western Equatoria State and Democratic Republic of Congo following reports of Ebola disease outbreak in Dungu and Isiro Provinces in Democratic Republic of Congo.

20 August 2012

Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) staffs attend an Ebola patient inside an isolation ward in Bundibugyo December 12, 2007 in this picture released by MSF.(Reuters/Claude Mahoudeau/MSF/Handout)

By Joseph Nashion
YAMBIO, 20 August 2012 [Gurtong] - Reports indicate that at least one person has died after an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The governor issued an order yesterday barring travellers from moving between the two countries in a preventive move aimed at preventing the spread of the deadly disease.
“Any person presently at the boarder should refrain from direct body contacts and hand-shaking with anybody from across the border in DRC,” says the order signed by the Acting Governor.
The security agents have been instructed not to allow the movements of people as the market places at the border remain closed.
All state institutions, departments and travellers between the two countries have been urged to strictly adhere to the order.
“All health personnel in the state are ordered to be on high alert and monitor the situation,” says Abuyi.
The South Sudan government had in July issued an Ebola alert following the disease outbreak in Uganda.

South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo share a lot in terms of population movements and trade. As a result people moving from one place to other could spread the disease.
A total of 36 cases with 16 deaths have been recorded in Uganda since July. Two of them are health workers.
Ebola is a highly infectious disease, which presents with high grade fever and bleeding tendencies. It is very infectious, kills in a short time but can easily be prevented.
The signs and symptoms of the disease include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, headache, measles‐like rash, red eyes and sometimes with bleeding from body openings.
Ebola can be spread through direct physical contact with body fluids like saliva, blood, stool, vomit, urine, vaginal secretions and sweat from an infected person and soiled linen used by a patient.
It can also be spread through using skin piercing instruments that have been used by an infected person.
A person can get it by getting in touch with a dead body of a person who has died of the disease.
There is neither cure nor treatment, but some infected people have recovered from the disease.  http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/ArticleView/mid/519/articleId/7574/South-Sudan-Border-Closed-Following-Ebola-Outbreak-in-DRC.aspx

U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Emergency Message to U.S.Citizens Suspected Cases of Ebola Virus in Orientale Province

August 17, 2012

The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa informs U.S. citizens that the provincial medical inspector of Orientale Province has announced that there are suspected cases of the Ebola Virus in the towns of Isiro and Dungu. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has laboratory confirmation of two cases. The Ebola Virus is one of the hemorrhagic fever illnesses. The virus is transmitted through contact with infected blood, bodily fluids, and handling or washing of infected corpses or through contact with objects that have been in contact with infected secretions. Avoid consumption of meat derived from primates. If you have any concerns, you should contact your healthcare provider.
For further information, please visit the following CDC websites and monitor www.cdc.gov for updates:

• Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Resources
• Guidance for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad
• Ebola Questions and Answers

You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Embassy Kinshasa web site. You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs website where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warning, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well or you can download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App for travel information at your fingertips. If you don't have internet access, current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States, or for callers from other countries, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
If you are going to live in or travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, please take the time to tell us about your trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date. It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa is located at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, tel. +243-081-225-5872 (Do not dial the zero when calling from abroad). The Consular Section of the Embassy may be reached at tel. +243-081-884-6859 or +243-081-884-4609 and is open Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For after-hours emergencies, U.S. citizens should call 081-556-0151 and ask to speak with the duty officer.

 http://kinshasa.usembassy.gov/wm081712.html

Ministry of health says there are only two Ebola patients in the country

The Ministry of Health says there are only 2 confirmed victims of Ebola and one suspect being treated in the country.
The 3 are admitted at the isolation facility at Kagadi Government Hospital, Kibaale District.
The ministry’s public relations officer Rukia Nakamatte says one of the patients is badly off and is not responding to treatment, while the second one is improving.
Nakamatte adds that all the patients who were discharged are being monitored and counseled to ensure smooth reintegration into society.
She is appealing to the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of Ebola.
http://www.ugpulse.com/uganda-news/health/ministry-of-health-says-there-are-only-two-ebola-patients-in-the-country/26858.aspx

Kibaale grapples with fresh cholera outbreak after Ebola

 August 21 2012 at 01:00

Kibaale is battling a fresh outbreak of cholera that has so far claimed two lives, just weeks after the deadly Ebola hit the mid-western district.

Dr Dan Kyamanywa, the district health officer, said they are planning to hold joint hygiene and sanitation campaigns with health workers and volunteers of Uganda Red Cross. He said cholera has been a recurrent problem along the Lake Albert shores which is mainly attributed to the disposal of waste in the lake by the fishing communities. “It is embarrassing because these people lack latrines and they defecate in the waters of Lake Albert [which they] consume,” said Dr Kyamanywa.

Cholera has been confirmed in Ndaiga Sub-county. On Saturday, eight people were confirmed to have contracted the disease, two of which died. “At the time our health workers reached the shores, most of the patients lacked fluids and drugs,” said Mr Sunday Issa, the manager Uganda Red Cross Kibaale branch.

Mr Issa said the disease is likely to spread due to the unsanitary conditions in the fishing sites of Kitebere and Ndaiga. This is the second time cholera has broken out on the Lake Albert shores this year. In May and Junem the disease claimed five lives and 20 others admitted to Mpeefu Health Centre.

The cholera outbreak comes at a time when cases of Ebola are being reported across the border in the DR Congo according to humanitarian health NGO, Medicens Sans Frontiers MDF. Two ebola deaths have been reported.
A doctor working with MSF told Daily Monitor that they are expanding emergency response in DR Congo with special attention being paid to a village known as Ebola where the disease is said to be spreading fast.

Second outbreak
The government and partner organisations have in the last few weeks struggled to contain the Ebola Sudan strain which struck Kibaale District, claiming at least 22 lives. Two patients are still undergoing treatment at Kagadi Hospital.

Meanwhile, development partners are continuing to donate items for the fight against Ebola in Kibaale.

Over the weekend, World Vision donated assorted items, including disinfectants, worth Shs108m for patients and health workers in Kagadi Hospital. Mr Kenneth Kusemererwa, the programme manager World Vision Kibaale, said: “They have to be put to good use since we need a happy community free from diseases.” http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kibaale+grapples+with+fresh+cholera+outbreak+after+Ebola/-/688334/1483880/-/wmhga8z/-/index.html

DRC: a form of border control to stop the spread of Ebola virus

August 20, 2012 at 3:33

Now, every traveler must complete a form on arrival in Kinshasa in all border crossings. The National Hygiene border, former leadership of international quarantine announced this control on Sunday, August 19 to restrict the spread of Ebola haemorrhagic fever.According to the deputy national director of the National Hygiene border, Dr. Michel Musudi, this medical form is a way to collect from the traveler the symptoms of Ebola.
"This fact sheet will tell where he is going and who they should contact. On the plug, it has the destination address. In case he showed symptoms of the disease at the border, we could take her to a health center. If there are many signs that fall within the definition of cases, we will harvest samples. And if it turns out that the person is positive, can be traced to any individuals with whom she had contact. "
Indeed, the director of the National Institute of biomedical research and virologist, Dr. Muyembe has recalls that there is to date, "no drug or vaccine against Ebola virus." He said the only remedy against this disease is to break the transmission chain. And for this we must:Isolate the sick;Protect the medical team;Detect anyone in contact with patients;Follow them for 21 days to isolate and analyze their blood during fever.
Before the introduction of this sheet border, the Crisis Committee epidemics District Isiro, where cases have been detected for the current outbreak, had taken some steps to stop the spread of the disease.
Hand hygiene and food is highly recommended. It is forbidden to shake hands or be in contact with someone with this disease. Moreover, it is forbidden to touch or wash the body of a deceased person of Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
The Ebola outbreak was declared in the DRC last week with twelve cases including six deaths, according to the district medical officer of Isiro Interim Health, Dr. Jacques Gumbaluka. The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi said last weekend that the disease was detected in the Dungu district in Isiro and Vianana in the Eastern Province.
"There was an alert in Bukavu in South Kivu. But the analyzes are ongoing, "said the ministerhttp://radiookapi.net/actualite/2012/08/20/rdc-une-fiche-de-controle-aux-frontieres-pour-arreter-lexpansion-du-virus-debola/

Ebola death toll rises in western Uganda

DRC is gonna be bad I think. Uganda ain't over as much as they think either. Tell ya something thats a clue.. USUALLY the embassies of the affected country, always make a statement or update or warden message. The U.S. Embassy at Kinkasha has yet to do so, even though we have known about it more than a week.This is very unusual in my book and tells me something is funny .  Here is a late story of mixed info, dated today that says Uganda has 22 dead

 

 

 Ebola death toll rises in western Uganda

August 2, 2012

By Ismael Kasooh
Two more people have died of Ebola in Kibaale district, mid western Uganda taking the official death total to 16, with 19 more suspected of having the disease.
The deceased have been identified as Nicholas Asingwire, a resident of Kenga village in Kagadi Sub County and Frediano Nsabimaana, a resident of Nyamugusa village in Bwamiramira Sub County.
Dr. Dan Kyamanywa, the district health officer in Kibaale, said the two men died in the communities but were buried by the Ebola burial experts.
Dr. Kyamanywa said that the official death toll is now 16 but the community puts the death toll at 20 as four deaths were not recorded by the local health team as they occurred in the sub counties of Bwikara and Bwamiramira.
Dr. Kyamanywa confirmed that samples from the 19 patients have been sent to Kampala for testing. He said that these patients come from the sub counties of Nyamarunda, Burora, Bwamiramira, Kyaterekera, Muhorro and Kagadi town councils.
“The number of patients has gone up and we hope more will come in as more awareness is done,” said Dr. Kyamanywa.
Some patients gave an interview to the New Vision newspaper at a distance. They said that they are suffering in the isolation centre without food and water.
The newspaper reports one as saying: “We are here suffering without food and drinking water it’s good that you have come.”
The district health officer said that they are trying to look for money to feed the patients.
“It’s true that we don’t have money to feed these patients but we are making arrangements to get money and buy food for them,” said Dr. Kyamanywa.
But Dr. Kyamanywa said that Medicines Sans Frontires-MSF has donated plampenats (packed foods) ready for eating but the patients have refused to eat them.
He said that they are also monitoring the health workers in Hoima who came for the burial of the late Claire Muhumuza, a clinical officer who was working at Kagadi hospital who died from Ebola after attending to others during the outbreak.
Kyamanywa added: “We have registered 34 health workers who were in close contact with late Muhumuza and we are monitoring for at least 21 days to see if they can develop any signs and symptoms.”
Emmanuel Ssenoga, the chief administrative officer in Kibaale, said that the district has not received any government assistance because the financial year is just starting.
“We have not received any funds from the central government even for other sectors so we have no money,” said Ssenoga.
Meanwhile the district woman Member of Parliament Robinah Nabbanja has given SHS 200,000 (£51 GDP) to help feed the patients while they wait for government assistance.
The deceased have been identified as Nicholas Asingwire 5 a resident
of Kenga village in Kagadi Sub County and Frediano Nsabimaana a
resident of Nyamugusa village in Bwamiramira Sub County.
Dr. Dan Kyamanywa the district health officer Kibaale said that these
people died in the communities but were buried by the Ebola burial
experts.
Dr. Dan said that the death toll is now 16 but the community puts the
death toll at 20.
“Our records show that now the number of people who have succumbed to
the disease is 16,” said Kyamanywa.
Some four deaths were not recorded by the health team and occurred in
the sub counties of Bwikara and Bwamiramira.
Dr. Kyamanywa said that the sample of the 19 patients have been sent
to Kampala for confirmation.
He said that these patients were collected from the sub counties of
Nyamarunda, Burora, Bwamiramira, Kyaterekera, Muhorro and Kagadi town
councils.
“The number of patients has gone up and we hope more will come in as
more awareness is done,” said Dr. Kyamanywa.
The patients who talked to the New Vision at a distance said that they
are suffering in the isolation centre without food and water.
“We are here suffering without food and drinking water it’s good that
you have come,” the patients shouted.
The district health officer said that they are trying to look for
money to feed the patients but in actual sense there is no money.
“It’s true that we don’t have money to feed these patients but we are
making arrangements to get money and buy food for them,” said Dr.
Kyamanywa.
But Dr. Kyamanywa said that Medicines Sans Frontires-MSF has donated
plampenats (packed foods) ready for eating but the patients have
refused to eat them.
“We have these ready foods in store but patients have refused eat
them,” said Kyamanywa.
He said that they are also monitoring the health worker in Hoima who
came for the burial of late Claire Muhumuza a clinical officer who was
working at Kagadi hospital.
Meanwhile Kyamanywa said that they have registered all health workers
who came into contact with late Claire Muhumuza and being monitored.
“We have registered 34 health workers who were in close contact with
late Muhumuza and we are monitoring for at least 21 days to see if
they can develop any signs and symptoms,” said Kyamanywa.
The chief administrative officer Kibaale Emmanuel Ssenoga when
contacted said that the district has not received any funds from the
centre because the financial year is just starting.
“We have not received any funds from the central government even for
other sectors so we have no money,” said Ssenoga.
Meanwhile the district woman Member of Parliament Robinah Nabbanja has
given shs.200,000 to help in feeding the patients as they wait for
government.  http://www.keycorrespondents.org/2012/08/02/ebola-death-toll-rises-in-western-uganda/

After Uganda, Congo

After Uganda, Congo.

The Ebola epidemic that broke out in July 2012 in the neighboring country killing 16 people has now spread to the eastern DRC in Eastern Province.

The Health Minister, Felix Kabange Numbi, announced that the 12 cases reported seven deaths were recorded in the region concerned.

Only defense against the virus, the strict hygiene measures to avoid contamination:

The official asked Congolese to avoid contact with any animal found dead in the forest or eating his flesh.  http://www.slateafrique.com/93089/rdc-ebola-le-retour-province-orientale