Viet Nam Bird flu cases on the rise

A vet in Trieu Trach Commune in central Quang Tri Province's Trieu Phong District vaccinates a bird. Blue-ear disease in pigs and bird flu have spread in several cities and provinces during recent weeks. — VNA/VNS Photo Ho Cau

HA NOI — Blue-ear disease in pigs and bird flu have increased significantly in several cities and provinces over the past three weeks, according to a report on the diseases released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Department of Animal Health last Thursday.

Northern Bac Kan Province's Department of Animal Health said on Friday the H5N1 bird flu epidemic had broken out in 11 hamlets in Cho Don District, with about 380 birds infected and 2,370 birds having to be destroyed, while more than 280 pigs were reported dead in the province's Cho Moi District and Bac Kan Town.

Nong Van Chi, deputy chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Kan Province, said bird flu and blue-ear disease were difficult to control and likely to spread because of local people's hesitance to report the disease to authorities.

Within the last two weeks, blue-ear disease in pigs had broken out in 83 communes of Central Highlands Dak Lak Province, raising the total communes, wards and towns with the disease in 10 districts and Buon Ma Thuot City to 166 out of 184.

Releasing the statistics on Friday, the Dak Lak Province People's Committee said it had earmarked VND9 billion (US$428,000) to buy more than 6,600 vaccine doses and 11,200 litres of chemicals to cope with the epidemic.

The committee has also mobilised local vets, State officials and medical teachers and students to take charge of vaccinations for pigs.

The committee said, however, that the control of the epidemic had been slow due to loose management and supervision in many areas.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has supplied 25,000 litres of antiseptic chemicals from national reserves to support the provinces of Ha Tinh and Ninh Binh to prevent the spread of bird flu.

Central Ha Tinh Province's Preventive Medicine Department said H5N1 bird flu had broken out in four districts and Ha Tinh City while in northern Ninh Binh Province bird flu had spread to seven districts and towns with 32,000 birds having to be destroyed. — VNS  http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/social-issues/229624/bird-flu-cases-on-the-rise.html

Ebola: 14 deaths in Eastern Province since the declaration of the epidemic

September 3, 2012 at 11:54
The Scientific and Technical Committee of the fight against Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Isiro (Province Orientale) published Saturday 1 ^thSeptember, its first evaluation report since the declaration of the epidemic in the DRC on 17 August. He identified twenty-nine cases including fourteen deaths. The district medical officer of health Isiro, Dr. Jacques Bumbaluka says other suspects are being analyzed in the laboratory.

The doctor says that patients are located in two neighboring areas of health: Isiro (18 cases including 11 deaths) and Viadana (11 cases including 3 deaths).

"The case recorded Faradje ultimately proved negative laboratory. Poko alerts and Abba are being analyzed " , he adds.

In addition, Dr. Jacques Bumbaluka believes that the epidemic could be controlled in the coming days, to say the reasons for his certainty.

The Ebola epidemic broke out in the DRC at the beginning of August in the Eastern Province. According to WHO, the lifestyles of rural Congolese facilitate the spread of the disease.

"These are the usual work [rural] as hunting that expose them to the disease. The infected person in the forest will transmit the disease to others in the village " , said Dr. Vital Mondonge recently, physician in charge of controlling communicable disease prevention at WHO.

Absence of a cure, the Minister of Health has asked the public to respect hygiene measures individually and collectively.

The crisis committee epidemics Isiro District in Eastern Province arrested several measures at the community to stop contamination . It is specifically asked people to:

• not shake hands;
• Do not touch any animal found dead in the forest;
• Do not handle the meat;
• Do not touch unprotected vomit, blood, stool of a patient with Ebola or has been unsuccessful;
• do not sleep with the patient Ebola;
• not remain unprotected near a sick Ebola;
• Do not touch or handle contaminated clothing and other items;
• do not touch and / or wash corpses
• be injected under protection standards laid down by this kind of circumstances. http://radiookapi.net/actualite/2012/09/03/ebola-14-deces-enregistres-en-province-orientale-depuis-la-declaration-de-lepidemie/#more-130702

Ebola claims more lives in DRC

INSHASA - The death toll from an Ebola outbreak in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to 14 and the crisis is not yet under control, medical officials said on Monday.

The epicentre of the outbreak, which killed its first victim last month, is in the busy town of Isiro in Orientale Province, but it has spread to the settlement of Viadana 75 km away, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a statement.

WHO also called for aid of nearly $2 million to help Congo's weakened health sector cope with the disease.

Last month officials confirmed that the epidemic was a different strain from the one that killed at least 36 people in neighbouring Uganda, and had likely been sparked by locals eating infected meat in the forest.

As of Sunday, there had been 29 confirmed or probable cases with 14 deaths and a mortality rate of around 48 percent, Anja de Weggheleire, medical co-ordinator in the area for the charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF), said.

"A week ago we were a bit optimistic ... but a few days later we got some more cases ... We have quite a clear picture of what is happening, but I cannot say it is under control," she said.

Officials say that nearly 170 people remain under surveillance to see if they develop symptoms of the disease and with the last confirmed case on Saturday, the end of the epidemic remains a long way off, de Weggheleire said.

Ebola is transmitted to humans from monkeys and birds and causes excessive bleeding in victims. Mortality rates can be as high as 90 percent.

http://ewn.co.za/2012/09/04/DRC-Ebola-outbreak-death-toll-rises

Bird flu found in Thanh Hoa

Department of Animal Health (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) certification, bird flu found in Thanh Hoa with outbreaks in poultry of people H.Hau Loc, 1,000 chickens, ducks sick, to be destroyed . Is this dangerous disease has appeared in seven provinces: Ha Tinh and Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, Bac Kan, Thanh Hoa and Quang Ngai.

http://www.thanhnien.com.vn/pages/20120904/tin-van-04-09-2012.aspx

Ca Mau: 6 poultry samples positive for H5N1

  

Tuesday, 04/09/2012, 01:57 (GMT +7)

. - On 3-9, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ca Mau Province said, recently discovered six poultry samples positive for influenza H5N1, in Tran Van Thoi Thoi Binh and Ca Mau City.  For disease control, Ca Mau province has instructed relevant agencies to consolidate Steering prevention services at all levels; establishment inspection especially in high-risk areas, check , regular transport and trade of poultry and livestock in the area ... Provincial Health proactive measures to prevent and combat the H5N1 flu.  * Afternoon 3-9, Tran Hung, Deputy Sub-Department of Animal Health, Ha Tinh province, said up to this point in Ha Tinh province has basically successfully controlled the outbreak of avian influenza and not to detect outbreak new influenza. From the end of the month 7-2012, outbreak of bird flu outbreak in Ha Tinh mainly in Cam Xuyen district, Thach Ha, then add some communes in Ky Anh District, Can Loc district, Ha Tinh ... . made more than 30,000 poultry (chicken, duck) infected and sick death and destruction. ...http://www.sggp.org.vn/thongtincanuoc/2012/9/298073/

Hospitalized H3N2v Cases Identify Community Transmission

Recombinomics Commentary 22:45
September 3, 2012

On November 19, a child aged <5 1="1" 2="2" acute="acute" after="after" an="an" and="and" been="been" before="before" br="br" child="child" condition="condition" congestion.="congestion." cough="cough" days="days" developed="developed" fever.="fever." fever="fever" for="for" had="had" hospitalized="hospitalized" of="of" onset="onset" the="the" unrelated="unrelated" week="week" years="years">
Lake County Deputy Health Commissioner Ron Graham said a child was recently hospitalized for a short time, but recovered and is back home.

The above MMWR comment (in red) describes “patient zero” (1F) for the current H3N2v pandemic.... 
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/09031204/H3N2v_Community_Hosp.html?

New Virus Tied to Ticks Poses Puzzle for Doctors

By DENISE GRADY

 September 3, 2012 

For a year and a half, scientists have been swarming over a 100-acre farm in northwestern Missouri, catching ticks and drawing blood from raccoons, possums, turkeys and deer.

“They even bled my horses, and my dogs and cats,” the owner of the farm said. “They got to looking at me, and I said, ‘I already gave.’ ”

The scientists have been trying to find out how this farmer and another unfortunate Missouri man contracted a severe viral disease — a new one, never seen before. It put both men in the hospital for more than a week with high fevers, diarrhea, nausea, muscle pain, low blood cell counts and liver abnormalities.

Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention think the men were infected by lone star ticks, meaning that there may be a frightening new addition to the list of tick-borne dangers that includes Lyme disease, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. But despite scouring the countryside, investigators have found neither ticks nor animals carrying the new virus. They have named it the Heartland virus, for the hospital and region where it was found. So far, the two men in Missouri are the only humans known to have been infected.

The cases are a stark reminder that new infectious diseases can still emerge, frequently from unknown bacteria and viruses that lurk in animals.

“This is a novel virus,” said Laura K. McMullan, a senior scientist at the viral special pathogens branch of the C.D.C. Now that it has been identified, she said, researchers can try to find out how long it has been around and how common it is, in part by testing stored blood samples from people who had similar illnesses in the past that were never diagnosed.

The disease first appeared in Missouri in June 2009, when Robert Wonderly, then 57, a factory worker who lives on a farm, suddenly fell ill. For several days he felt weak, feverish and irritable. Then his chest began to ache.

Tests at Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph ruled out a heart attack, but Mr. Wonderly just got sicker. His fever spiked to 104 degrees. When his wife told a nurse that she had found a tick embedded in his skin the day before he became ill, the nurse called in an infectious diseases expert, Dr. Scott M. Folk.

Dr. Folk immediately suspected ehrlichiosis, a bacterial disease that is carried by ticks and is common in the area. So he prescribed the standard treatment, the antibiotic doxycycline. In the meantime, he sent a sample of Mr. Wonderly’s blood to Atlanta to be tested at the C.D.C.

People with ehrlichiosis usually ..

more here

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/04/health/research/new-tick-borne-heartland-virus-has-scientists-puzzled.html

Ebola in Uganda – update

Ebola in Uganda – update (WHO, September 3 2012, 


3 September 2012

There have been no new confirmed cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever reported in Kibaale district, Uganda, since 3 August 2012, indicating that the outbreak is coming to an end.

A total of 24 probable and confirmed cases including 17 deaths have been reported since the beginning of the outbreak.

Of these, 11 cases were laboratory confirmed by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe. The last confirmed case was discharged on 24 August 2012 following recovery.

All contacts of probable and confirmed cases have been followed up daily and have completed the recommended 21 days of monitoring for any possible signs or symptoms of Ebola.

The partners who are involved in the response to the Ebola outbreak are transferring capacity to national and district authorities to sustain the essential functions, including enhanced surveillance and response, psychosocial support and infection prevention and control in health care facilities.

[link to www.who.int] 

Epidemiological situation Ebola: no suspected cases in Kinshasa

A false alarm indicating the propensity of Ebola virus in the urban-rural commune of Maluku, Kinshasa last week failed to shake the city.Haemorrhagic fever Ebola virus has not reached the city of Kinshasa, not even the common urban-rural Maluku, entrance from the east. Dysentery which suffer some residents in Maluku is not viral. Efforts are made to ensure that this epidemic in the Eastern Province, particularly in the area of ​​health Isiro is controlled.
On site, the International Committee of scientific and technical coordination of the fight against the Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus A in the district of Haut-Uele has his headquarters in Isiro for closer monitoring of the epidemiological situation. Probable cases and / or suspicious samples undergo before being placed in segregation units, to avoid the tendency. Already 28 confirmed cases with 12 deaths, as of August 30, 2012.
This development was made by the Minister of Health, Dr Felix Kabange Numbi on Friday 31 August, during a face to face with an audience of journalists, Kinshasa.
The Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Director of the 4th Directorate of the Ministry of Health responsible for the disease, took part in the press conference. There was more fear than harm. A false alarm indicating the propensity of Ebola virus in the urban-rural commune of Maluku, Kinshasa last week, failed to shake the city. Some residents have rushed to the empty suitcases places, for fear of being contaminated. "Ebola is declared" disease under surveillance in the DRC. " The epicenter of this epidemic is the health zone Isiro in the Eastern Province.
In Kinshasa, no cases of Ebola have been reported. Dysentery and other forms of diarrhea whose residents suffer Maluku is not viral. So there is not any signs of the presence of Ebola in Kinshasa, "the Minister assured. Never mind! Measures are taken to strengthen surveillance in various border crossings including N'djili International Airport and ports, services, border police. Also private ports are they subject to such supervision to protect the city of Kinshasa pangs of Ebola. All flights from the east are subject to control and ports both public and private teams are positioned so that nothing escapes the health services, "said the Minister.
The daily bulletin of epidemiological August 30, 2012 presented by the International Coordinating Committee of Scientific fight against Ebola hemorrhagic fever A in Haut-Uele district reported 28 confirmed cases, including 12 deaths. These cases are distributed as follows: Isiro: 15 cases with 9 deaths; Viadana: 10 cases with 3 deaths; Faradje 1 case. The 2 cases reported last week in Dungu, the lab results are negative. Present at the press conference, the WHO Representative in the DRC has expressed concern about the risk of spread of the disease in other provinces. Therefore He pulled the attention of the international community on the need for international mobilization to help the DRC to fight effectively against this contagious and devastating.
Efforts in preventing
"Being a viral disease, Ebola has no treatment to cure nor a vaccine to prevent it. Can not cure the symptoms, "warned Dr. Kabange Numbi. Efforts are made to ensure that this epidemic in the Eastern Province, particularly in the area of ​​health Isiro is controlled. After the declaration of the Ebola outbreak in the Eastern Province by the Ministry of Public Health of the antennas of the National Radio and Television, the Government of the Republic FC 136.5 million disbursed to enable the competent authorities to make on site for more in-depth observations.
Accompanied by the WHO Representative in the DRC and other partners including UNICEF, the Ministry of Public Health has visited the sick placed in segregation units prior to the distribution of drugs purchased by the Government and kits and protective equipment provided by WHO and UNICEF in the areas of health affected. The joint delegation also decided to free the administration of medical care to victims of Ebola virus before considering home care of the most distant. Particular emphasis was also placed on awareness. Support has been allocated to local media to achieve this end.
On-site Isiro, the International Committee of scientific and technical coordination of the fight against the Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus A in the Haut-Uele district has established its headquarters in Isiro for closer monitoring of the epidemiological situation. Probable cases and / or suspects undergo before taking places in quarantine to prevent the tendency. Bluntly, the Minister of Health called for all-out mobilization and national solidarity to prevent the tendency of the disease.   http://www.mediacongo.net/show.asp?doc=23518

Vietnam H5N1

Vietnam of Youxiang OIE report 3 H5N1 avian flu

Related topics: farming

Time :2012-09-03 09:52

Vietnam once again to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reported 3 cases of H5N1 avian flu. Outbreak areas then Tuen County in Enteromorpha Province, North Dong Vien, Yen Thuong Bang Lung. There are currently a total of 366 cases of confirmed and 1,867 poultry suspected infection. All of these poultry have been culled. Has yet to identify the source of the outbreak. 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%2Finfo.china.alibaba.com%2Fnews%2Fdetail%2Fv2-d1046206121.html

Province Orientale: 28 Ebola cases reported, 12 deaths

Monday, September 3, 2012

Returning from the Eastern Province where he went especially with the representative of the WHO / DRC Dr Léodegal Bazira to assess the situation on the ground regarding the outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever raging in this part the country, the Minister of Health, Dr Felix Kabange Numbi held a press conference last Friday, August 31 at Pev during which he gave accurate figures on the evolution of the disease.

As of 30 August 2012, 28 cases were reported with 12 deaths including three health professionals. This is the area of health Isiro says Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi, considered the epicenter that more cases. 15 acs with 9 décès.soit a fatality rate of 60%. The health zone Viadana recorded 10 cases including 3 deaths, 2 cases with 0décès Dungu, Faradje 1 case with zero 0.

With regard to monitoring cases, the surveillance team followed up on Isiro 141 cases out of 172 cases date of August 30.

The Minister of Health and his team visited in turn the different areas of health affected by the epidemic. They also visited various centers isolation of patients when they were able to speak with some for comfort "because among them there are those who are anxious, thinking they are afraid they will die ..." noted Dr. Felix Kabange

While commending the bravery of the nursing staff and the support of partners including WHO, whose representative, says he took the chance to accompany me to visit people with Ebola, the MSF for building isolation units for their patients daily care, CDC Atlanta for Isiro sent five specialists who installed a mobile laboratory and UNICEF to support drug and logistics, Dr. Felix Kabange also stressed the management of land has encountered some difficulties with the complex ground geography reinforced by the poor state of roads, lack of protective equipment for staff.

However, Dr. Felix Kabange said that to overcome these difficulties the location must provide staff more motorcycles and bicycles available, and deficiency of protective equipment, the partners whose Oms is committed to meeting this gap.

Despite these problems, Dr. Felix Kabange wishes to clarify that the management of patients going in the right conditions because drugs are available. In addition, he adds, we provide holistic care, there are even psycho-clinicians to provide psychological care of people with Ebola. In addition, there is one and only one coordination on the ground, so that the various partners and community health workers working in perfect harmony to curb this epidemic.

Awareness key to eradication of the epidemic

Dr. Felix Kabange wanted to clarify size, "there is no specific treatment or vaccine to treat Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Treatment is symptomatic, that is to say they treat the signs of the disease. "However, the only effective treatment remains the awareness to observe the rules of hygiene. Why, during his stay in the Eastern Province, the Minister of Health had working sessions with local media to raise awareness among the population. It is called, to guard against contamination of the Ebola to wash their hands with soap before preparing food, before eating and after using the latrine, to boil water or disinfected with a chlorine solution, eat only hot food and goods covered.

It is also advisable not to defecate near water sources, not to organize the funeral of a deceased patient of Ebola hemorrhagic fever or touch his body, not touching an animal found dead forest.  http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http://www.lobservateur.cd/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D8145:province-orientale-28-cas-debola-notifies-12-deces-enregistres%26catid%3D47:nation%26Itemid%3D49&usg=ALkJrhhSt3g4yxF1o8xs5sUDZB8r19weOg

Wisconsin reports 14 cases of influenza after patients were near pigs

By Mark Johnson of the Journal Sentinel

Aug. 30, 2012
State health officials announced Thursday that 14 people in Wisconsin are confirmed to have the variant of the H3N2 influenza virus, though all have either recovered or are currently recovering from the virus. One child was hospitalized briefly, according to the Department of Health Services.

All of the patients had contact with pigs or came close to pigs at the Wisconsin State Fair or county fairs in Kenosha, Dodge and Manitowoc counties. As a result, state officials asked that fair visitors show caution and that those with weakened immune systems avoid entering swine barns.

"While this strain of influenza appears to cause an illness similar to seasonal strains, keep in mind that any influenza can cause very severe illness in certain people," State Health Officer Henry Anderson said in a news release.

The majority of the flu patients have been children. The average age: 10 years...
[link to www.jsonline.com]

Woman's Death Associated With H3N2v Virus

...Ohio is currently reporting 102 cases of H3N2v statewide. Those with confirmed cases of H3N2v are between the ages of 6 months and 61 years old. Most ill individuals have recovered on their own or were treated and released after a short stay in the hospital.
At this time, surveillance indicates that the individuals most likely became ill with the flu virus after exposure to swine.
At-risk individuals (children younger than 5 years old, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic conditions such as asthma and other lung diseases, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune system, and neurologic or neurodevelopmental disorders) should avoid exposure to pigs and swine barns during this fair season.... [link to www2.nbc4i.com]

H3N2v H2H Clonal Expansion Raises School Concerns

Recombinomics Commentary 23:55
August 31, 2012

In the U.S., influenza surveillance systems that normally start up in October have been activated early to look for cases, Finelli said.

She said the CDC is concerned that with the resumption of school and the impending change in the weather this virus could become more transmissible among people.

So far only a few instances of person-to-person spread have been seen with H3N2v. But Finelli noted that late last year there was some human-to-human transmission in Iowa and West Virginia. While the numbers last year weren’t high, she said the CDC is worried that pattern might be repeated this year.

The above comments from a Helen Branswell piece notes the two H3N2v outbreaks at the end of 2011 that did not have swine exposure...
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/08311206/H3N2v_H2H_Clonal_School.html
 

Three H3N2v Case Cluster In Somerset County Pennsylvania

Recombinomics Commentary 04:30
September 1, 2012

The three cases occurred among youth participants in the Somerset County Fair, Aug. 18-25.

This is the same virus that recently caused illness in association with the Huntingdon County Fair that took place earlier in August. Nationwide, a total of 288 cases have been confirmed. The illnesses reported in Pennsylvania are also mostly in children and are typical for the flu.

The above comments from the Pennsylvania Department of Health press release describe a second H3N2v outbreak, which is also in central Pennsylvania, but closer to the Maryland and West Virginia borders, including Mineral County, West Virginia, where the current sub-clade was first detected in late 2011 at a day care center were confirmed and contact cases had no swine exposure.

Like the Huntingdon outbreak, multiple confirmed cases have been reported, and more ILI cases are likely. The sequence from one isolate from the Huntingdon outbreak, A/Pennsylvania/13/2012 (collected August 15) was closely related to the other 33 sets of sequences from July and August collections from Hawaii, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, representing clonal expansion via sustained human to human transmission.

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/09011202/H3N2v_Somerset_PA_3.html

First Confirmed H3N2v Death - Ohio

Recombinomics Commentary 18:30
August 31, 2012

The 61-year-old female Madison County resident passed away earlier this week.

The individual had direct contact with swine at the Ross County fair before becoming ill.

The above comments from the Ohio Department of Health press release describe the first confirmed H3N2v fatality. Details, including disease onset date and underlying conditions, were withheld.

The death highlights the dangers associated with a heavily biased data base focused on swine exposure. In the August 31 CDC update, additional human to human transmission was acknowledged, but the number of cases and locations were withheld.

Similarly, the sequences from 34 cases have been released, but age and gender have been withheld.

This lack of transparency is hazardous to the world’s health and signals more efficient and deadly H3N2v transmission.
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/08311204/H3N2v_Fatal_1.html

As I mentioned before, this will be your next pandemic

They just haven't told you yet.
The thing is fairly mild, but can still lead to complications in the elderly or others with underlying conditions. It is starting to slowly go H2H...
The latest flu vaccine does not cover this strain, although to get it may protect from H3N2 recombining in you with a different strain. This flu strain is new and not really understood. As usual and normal, flu strains can and do mutate.
 A further problem down the road will be the chance for this flu to combine with a stronger strain such as but not limited to H5N1. No need to panic, just remain aware of it. I don't advocate a flu vaccine or offer medical advice, just trying to keep you appraised of the situation. My family took the previous H1N1 vaccine without any side effects and did not catch that or any flu in 2009...just sayin.

New strain of swine flu confirmed in Western Pa.

Posted: Sat, Sep. 1, 2012, 3:01 AM

State officials Friday confirmed two cases of a new strain of swine flu and one probable case in Western Pennsylvania.

All three cases involved youth participants at the Somerset County Fair in mid-August, the state Department of Health reported. No one was reported hospitalized.The flu, known as H3N2v, has sickened nearly 300 people nationwide. The Associated Press reported Friday that a 61-year-old woman who came into contact with hogs at an Ohio county fair and contracted the virus had died. To find out more about the virus, visit www.health.state.pa.us - Robert Moran

US reports first death from new swine flu

Kyle Robertson A pig makes it's way through the Swine Barn at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus on Aug. 1, 2012. Public health officials in the United States are reporting the first known death due to infection with the new flu virus that has been jumping from pigs to people there.

 THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Columbus Dispatch, Kyle Robertson

Related:

• More human cases of swine flu spotted
• Video: Tackling childhood obesity
• Kids with diabetes off to int'l soccer match

The United States has reported the first known death caused by the H3N2 variant virus, the new swine flu that has been jumping from pigs to people there.
And in another development that underscores how dynamic the intersection is between pigs, people and influenza viruses, health authorities in Minnesota announced Friday they have found three people infected with a different swine flu virus, an H1N2 variant virus.
An unidentified Ohio woman became the first to succumb to infection with H3N2v, which was first seen in people in the U.S. last summer. The virus has triggered an explosion of cases — 288 at last count — in 10 states this summer... 

She said the CDC is concerned that with the resumption of school and the impending change in the weather this virus could become more transmissible among people. So far only a few instances of person-to-person spread have been seen with H3N2v.
But Finelli noted that late last year there was some human-to-human transmission in Iowa and West Virginia. While the numbers last year weren’t high, she said the CDC is worried that pattern might be repeated this year.
“We learned from that situation that we have to be ultra-vigilant as weather changes from hot weather to cold weather,” Finelli said.
There is evidence that suggests flu transmission is more efficient when temperatures are cooler and absolute humidity drops.
As well, young children are highly susceptible to this virus, having no immunity to it. So if an infected child went to school, there is a possibility the virus could take off among his or her classmates....   http://metronews.ca/news/world/354993/us-reports-first-death-from-new-swine-flu/

Minnesota State Fair: Pigs might've given people flu

Three people appear to have become infected with a strain of influenza after exhibiting pigs or visiting the swine barn at the Minnesota State Fair, health officials said Friday.
Only one of the three cases has been confirmed to be an infection of the influenza variant H1N2, and test results are pending for the other two people, Minnesota health officials said.

"The H1N2v strain is different from the H3N2v strain that has prompted stepped up surveillance and prevention efforts nationwide, after causing 289 reported cases of illness and one death since the beginning of the year," state health officials said in a statement.

A teenage girl was confirmed to have the virus after she saw the pigs at the fair and became ill on August 26, officials said.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/31/health/minnesota-state-fair-influenza/index.html

State confirms two cases of swine flu at Somerset County Fair

State confirms two cases of swine flu at Somerset County Fair

Health officials confirmed three cases of swine flu contracted by participants at the Somerset County Fair. (August 31, 2012)

MICHELLE GANASSI Daily American Staff Writer Daily American

August 31, 2012

Health officials report that three Somerset County Fair participants have contracted the new strain of swine flu.

Christine Cronkright, state Department of Health spokeswoman, said two of the cases have been confirmed by lab reports and a third person visited their physician with similar symptoms.

"We think they may have it," Cronkright said.

None of the three people were hospitalized. Cronkright declined to comment on whether the youth were showing pigs or provide their identities.

There have been a total of 288 confirmed cases nationwide of the H3N2v strain. Cronkright said the department received the information Friday afternoon. She did not know if Somerset County Fair officials were notified because the state Department of Agriculture notifies fair officials. That department was notified late Friday afternoon.

Cronkright said there is no evidence that the flu is being transferred from person to person.

"It is something we are watching very closely," she.

http://www.dailyamerican.com/news/somerset/da-ot-state-confirms-two-cases-of-swine-flu-at-somerset-county-fair-20120831,0,4437712.story

CDC: First Death From “State Fair Flu”

August 31, 2012 |

5:58 pm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today reported the first death from influenza A H3N2 variant (H3N2v), the swine flu strain that has been crossing intermittently from pigs to humans since last year. The victim was an “older adult with multiple underlying health conditions,” according to the CDC, and the Associated Press fills in that the victim was a 61-year-old woman from “central Ohio’s Madison County [who] died this week… after having contact with hogs at the Ross County Fair.” In a statement, the Ohio Department of Health says that she was one of 102 cases so far in the state this year. In total, the CDC says, there have been 289 cases so far this year (with Indiana leading, at 138 cases); in 2011, there were 12. Fifteen people have been hospitalized.

The CDC has been urging people for several weeks now to consider the risk of flu in state fair pig areas, and to stay away if they are....

In most of the US, then, the immediate risk of exposure from fair animals will end soon. However, the CDC has pointed out that there has been limited person-to-person transmission of this virus in the past two years, and has written some guidance for school systems who may want to be watching for ongoing clusters of infection.
The distant concern with flu is always that it is unpredictable, and may mutate into a more infectious or more virulent form. Adding pigs into the picture always alarms public health people a little, because the immunoanatomy of pigs’ lung epithelium is similar to humans’, allowing pigs to possibly serve as a “mixing vessel” for reassorting strains of flu. While concern over the H3N2v outbreak has seemed muted, it’s clear the CDC and the rest of the public health establishment do not take it lightly; 10 days ago, for instance, the CDC published standards for “enhanced surveillance” for any laboratories examining isolates from this flu.
With luck, and with deference to the victims — especially this sad death in Ohio — the H3N2v will remain a curiosity rather than become a source of alarm. But even so, it is yet another of the periodic reminders we get, that flu should never be taken for granted.
Update: Just as I hit the button on this, supreme flu reporter Helen Branswell of the Canadian Press published a piece emphasizing the concerns over transmission as kids return to school. Separately, I asked on Twitter for any sightings of blog posts on H3N2v, as I hadn’t seen any. The loose consensus is that the indefatigable Mike Coston of Avian Flu Diary is the only blogger to examine it this far. If you saw others, please let me know. Oops: Profound apologies to Crawford “Crof” Kilian, who has been covering it as well.  http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/08/death-fair-flu/

Swine Flu Death: Ohio Woman First Person To Die From H3N2v Influenza Virus, State Health Department Says

08/31/12 04:03 PM ET

CINCINNATI -- The death of a 61-year-old Ohio woman is the first in the nation associated with a new swine flu strain, the state Department of Health said Friday.

The woman, whose identity was not released, was from central Ohio's Madison County and died this week following an illness she contracted after having contact with hogs at the Ross County Fair.
The woman had underlying medical conditions, but the H3N2v influenza virus may have contributed to her death, the department said...
[link to www.huffingtonpost.com]

Ohio woman dies from H3N2v complications

 In the U.S., the new strain of swine flu has died the first person
September 1st, 2012 | 08:13

 Officials from the U.S. state of Ohio reported the first case of death of people who acquired a new strain of swine influenza H3N2v.

According to the Ministry of Health staff, 61-year-old woman who shortly before she developed symptoms of swine flu in contact with pigs at a fair, died earlier this week. However, the report states that the woman also suffered from several other diseases, which together with H3N2v could be fatal.

"Strain H3N2v, like other viruses, are more likely affects those with weakened immunity," - said the head of the Ministry of Health Ohio Uaymislo Ted, who also urged people who are at risk, contact with pigs, and take all necessary precautions .

Federal authorities have identified this summer 288 cases of human infection with the strain H3N2v, 102 of them in Ohio.

Previously, biologists found three new antibodies, one of which successfully protect mice from lethal doses of all types of influenza, including swine (H1N1) and avian (H5N1) influenza. This leads to the prospect of a universal cure for the disease. http://podrobnosti.ua/health/2012/09/01/855585.html

KOLKATA:It’s not a #birdflu outbreak: Experts

 

| Sep 1, 2012, 04.16AM IST
KOLKATA: Poultry deaths in North 24-Parganas might not have resulted from bird flu, believe animal husbandry officials and a section of experts. Even though samples are yet to be sent to the High Security Animal Diseases Laboratory in Bhopal for testing, the symptoms observed so far are closer to Ranikhet disease than H5N1 or the bird flu virus, they said.

All precautions, though, have already been taken to ensure that chickens from the affected areas don't reach either Kolkata or any of the other districts, according to the animal husbandry department. It has already resulted in a marginal price rise of chicken in the city.

"We have sent the samples for analysis. As of now, it doesn't seem to be bird flu for it's rare at this time of the year. The symptoms are more like Ranikhet disease. Also, had it been bird flu, it wouldn't have been restricted to just the organized poultries. The backyard farms would have also been affected," said an animal husbandry official.

Meanwhile, the ban on chickens from North 24-Paragans, which supply around 60% of Kolkata's chicken, has led to a spurt in price. The cost of a kg has gone up from Rs 88 last week to around Rs 92 now. Midnapore, Birbhum and Howrah are now catering to the Kolkata market. "We have instructed poultries in North 24-Paraganas not to supply to Kolkata. Supply won't be affected in Kolkata for the other districts are now providing more. But this could lead to a scarcity in the districts," said Avijit Kanjilal of the West Bengal Poultry Federation.

The federation has already taken steps to check the spread of the virus. "Initial signs suggest that this is not a flu outbreak. But we are taking no chances. Disinfectants have already been sent to farms in every south Bengal district. The affected poultries in North 24-Parganas have been shut down. We shall distribute more disinfectants over the next few days," added Kanjilal.

Microbiologists said the outbreak was less likely to be bird flu. "First, it's unlikely at this time of the year. More importantly, had it been H5N1, it would have spread by now. It could be some other virus like the Ranikhet disease. But we can't be sure unless the samples are checked," said a microbiologist at the West Bengal University of Animal and Fisheries Sciences.

Nurul Haq, secretary of the animal resoucres development ministry, said that local tests had confirmed that it wasn't bird flu. "It could be either Ranikhet disease or some other virus. We have sent the samples to Bhopal and shall wait for the report," Haq said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Its-not-a-bird-flu-outbreak-Experts/articleshow/16100055.cms

Govt denies bird flu report, samples sent to Bhopal lab

Govt denies bird flu report, samples sent to Bhopal lab
With bird flu panic gripping Swarupnagar in North 24-Parganas for the past few days, the state husbandry department has decided to send the blood samples of the chickens to a Bhopal research laboratory. The Belgachia lab here did not find any H5N1 positive case.
Animal Resources Development (ARD) Minister Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury, said bird flu was not behind the fowl deaths and said samples will be sent to Bhopal. “Following their confirmation, we can say whether there has been an occurrence of bird flu in that area,” he said.
The unusual death of a large number of poultry triggered the panic. Officials of ARD Department on Friday said there has been no report of fresh case of bird death from the area. They suspect that chickens may have been given stale food that resulted in their largescale deaths.
A senior official of the ARD department said the preliminary blood test reports confirmed that the birds died not due to bird flu but because of some “unnatural disease”.
A team of officials from ARD today inspected the poultry in Swarupnagar, where its sale has been stopped. Around 40 commercial poultry farms have been sealed in four panchayat areas of North 24-Parganas — Baduria, Kakrasuti, Lakshmikantapur and Nayabandh — where about 50,000 chickens died, a few days ago.
Quarantine measures like spraying lime has been started within one square kilometre area where the bird deaths took place, according to the guidelines of the Animal Husbandry department of the Union government.
It may be noted that in 2011, bird flu spread in parts of Tehatta in Nadia and the government gave around Rs 17 lakh as compensation to around 4,000 poultry farmers. Officials of the ARD department said this year, a total of around Rs 25 lakh has been allotted to control the disease of animals and preventive measures, therefore, should be taken earlier to prevent any outbreak.
Govt hiding facts: CPM
Leader of the Opposition Surya Kanta Mishra on Friday criticised the government and said the state government is trying to hide facts regarding bird flu. He said “he was confirmed that bird flu panic has gripped North 24-Parganas and that the government is trying to hide facts”. “There is no need to take all ministers along with secretaries on district tours. The secretaries have their work in the field too”, he said. The need of the government is to send the blood samples of the dead birds to laboratories in Bhopal and Pune for testing, he added. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/govt-denies-bird-flu-report-samples-sent-to-bhopal-lab/996246/2

Quang Ngai declares H5N1 bird flu epidemic

 

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Updated : Sat, September 1, 2012,11:52 AM (GMT+0700)

Veterinary officers handle ducks infected with the A/H5N1 virus in Tu Nghia District, Quang Ngai Province

Photo: VnExpress

The Quang Ngai Province People’s Committee yesterday declared an epidemic of the A/H5N1 avian flu as the disease has spread to five districts, with nearly 58,000 affected ducks and chickens having died or been culled.

Under the declaration, poultry slaughtering, transportation and trade are banned in epidemic areas, and urgent measures, including spraying antiseptic in affected areas, must be taken in accordance with to the Health Ministry’s instruction to prevent the spread of the disease.

The provincial Veterinary Sub-department said it has sent nearly 80 samples taken from affected poultry to the Veterinary Agency for Zone 4 in Da Nang city for testing, and results have shown that all the samples were infected with the deadly A/H5N1 virus.

Currently, the disease has seriously affected 17 communes in five districts, namely Son Tinh, Nghia Hanh, Tu Nghia, Mo Duc and Binh Son, according to the sub-department.
The provincial authorities request that breeders inform veterinary agencies of any new epidemic outbreaks and not to trade, slaughter or transport infected poultry.

All concerned agencies are required to tighten control over poultry-related activities and absolutely ban transporting of poultry into or out of epidemic areas, the authorities said.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has granted 1 million doses of vaccines against A/H5N1 virus to Quang Ngai to vaccinate all flocks of poultry in the province. http://www.tuoitrenews.vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/society/quang-ngai-declares-h5n1-bird-flu-epidemic-1.84914

Bird flu epidemic breaks out in Quang Ngai 58,000 infected fowl

(VOV) - The Quang Ngai provincial People’s Committee declared on August 31 that a bird flu epidemic has swept through 23 hamlets in 17 communes of five districts across the province

All of the nearly 80 blood samples sent from these localities tested positive for the A/H5N1 virus, prompting local authorities have culled 58,000 infected fowl.
The provincto e is implementing strict measures to control the illegal slaughter and transport of poultry to prevent the disease spreading wider.
The provincial Department of Animal Health has provided one million doses of vaccine to protect poultry in seven neighbouring districts and towns. 
http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/Bird-flu-epidemic-breaks-out-in-Quang-Ngai/20129/141652.vov