Swine flu vaccine linked to child narcolepsy: EU watchdog

STOCKHOLM — A swine flu vaccine used in 2009-10 is linked to a higher risk of the sleeping disorder narcolepsy in children and teens in Sweden and Finland, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said Friday.

The EU agency studied the effects of the Pandemrix vaccine on children in eight European countries after Sweden and Finland reported higher incidences of narcolepsy among children who were inoculated with the vaccine during the swine flu pandemic in 2009 and 2010.

"The case-control study found an association between vaccination with Pandemrix and an increased risk of narcolepsy in children and adolescents (five to 19 years of age) in Sweden and Finland," the ECDC said.

"The overall number of new cases of narcolepsy being reported after September 2009 was much higher in Sweden and Finland ... compared with the other countries participating in the study," it said.

In the six other countries -- Britain, Denmark, France, Italy, The Netherlands and Norway -- no link was found based on a strict statistical analysis, which tried to address media bias.

However, other confirmatory analyses did identify an increased risk, the report said.

The report included several recommendations for further study to try to distinguish between true vaccine effects and media attention.

An ECDC spokesman said that while the study did not quantify the increased risk compared with non-vaccination, national studies showed the risk of developing narcolepsy after taking Pandemrix, which is produced by British drug company GlaxoSmithKline, was around one in 20,000 for children and adolescents.

Narcolepsy is a chronic nervous system disorder that causes excessive drowsiness, often causing people to fall asleep uncontrollably, and in more severe cases to suffer hallucinations or paralysing physical collapses called cataplexy.

In Finland, 79 children aged four to 19 developed narcolepsy after receiving the Pandemrix vaccine in 2009 and 2010, while in Sweden the number was close to 200, according to figures in the two countries.

Both countries recommended their populations, of around five and 10 million respectively, to take part in mass vaccinations during the swine flu scare. Pandemrix was the only vaccine used in both countries.

Meanwhile, a recent study in the medical journal The Lancet said that between five and 17 people in Finland aged 0-17 are estimated to have died as a direct result of the 2009-10 swine flu pandemic, while the same number for Sweden was nine to 31.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gvpKKmslwQNOXjgKLZV_jktLuzPQ?docId=CNG.22bd75739109921aecd025e841808edd.1a1

In the past year, the Finnish and Swedish governments have both agreed to provide financial compensation for the affected children after their own national research showed a link between the inoculation and narcolepsy.

Quang Tri: The risk of disease due to dispose of carcasses on the river

22:55:00 22/09/2012

Recently, avian flu has reappeared area city of Dong Ha, Quang Tri Province, many farmers have crumbled because of disease. But there is a fact that today, many families when animals die unconsciously buried but thrown into the river polluting the environment and cause the risk of disease spread ...  http://www.cand.com.vn/vi-VN/clips/2012/9/181263.cand

Zhanjiang bird flu yet spread to the Shenzhen market

2012-09-23 11:54:01 

　　Recently, Zhanjiang occurred duck H5N1 highly pathogenic avian flu incident caused a high degree of concern to the people of Shenzhen.Reporter learned yesterday from the city's largest poultry supply market - Nanshan agricultural grant, the normal supply of poultry in the market, yet by the impact of the epidemic. However, the person in charge of the market still remind the general public to the regular poultry premises, be sure to buy poultry and good family and personal precautions to avoid infection with avian influenza.

　　Reminded the public to avoid infection with avian influenza, the Nanshan poultry wholesale market administrator, should go to regular poultry premises to buy poultry, the elderly, children, the infirm, weak immune system personnel do not enter poultry premises. Especially members of the public in the purchase of live poultry, should try to avoid contact with their droppings, do not blow the tail of the chicken, after contact with poultry, wash your hands thoroughly.  http://city.sz.net.cn/city/2012-09/23/content_3019231.htm

Quang Ngai discovered and destroyed more than 100,000 birds

Quang Ngai published avian influenza H5N1

(VOV) - By this time, Quang Ngai discovered and destroyed more than 100,000 birds sick.

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Avian influenza occurred in 66 households in 39 villages in 27 communes in 6 districts of Quang Ngai. Before this movement, Quang Ngai has announced the H5N1 avian influenza in the whole province. To 20/9 there were 16 villages in 10 communes have 21 days no new outbreaks.

To actively prevent bird flu, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Quang Ngai province to direct the local veterinary forces and deploy deploy preventive measures prescribed; mobilize people not the poultry epidemic when selling; enhance movement control sale and slaughter of poultry in the province.

Provincial Department of Animal Health Quang Ngai has allocated 1 million doses, 7500 liter chemical ben-her-acid iodine for local vaccination and disinfection of the environment, control of the outbreak.    http://vov.vn/Xa-hoi/Quang-Ngai-cong-bo-dich-cum-gia-cam-H5N1/225930.vov 

Vietnam is warning you

New branch bird flu virus can be spread on a large scale 

23/09/2012, 06:20 (GMT +7)

Related news:

• »  Appearances avian influenza in Quang Binh 

Information from the Department of Animal Health (MARD) said the new influenza A/H5N1 virus group (group C, the branch 2.3.2.1 - is a group of highly virulent and can cause rapid death, dead waterfowl, from July in many provinces in the north and central provinces) tend to spread to the south. There are no vaccines appropriate to prevent bird flu by branching virus causes...

http://hanoimoi.com.vn/newsdetail/Doi-song/560122/virus-cum-gia-cam-nhanh-moi-co-the-lay-lan-tren-dien-rong.htm

Bac Can- People raid the dump and sell confiscated chickens

Clarifying the "pirate bird" in Bac Kan Last updated at 13:47, Saturday, 9/22/2012 (GMT +7) Nhan Dan Online-Avian influenza H5N1 in Bac Can has been controlled, but these days, people like to sit on the "fire" by thousands of chickens, duck breed of unknown origin, while being destroyed scramble to raise in the community. This can be a source of spread of disease in the future. Bac Kan market management department, said on 18 - 9 Team management mobile market detection two automobile transport 15 thousand chickens, ducks like quarantine undocumented, unknown origin Cao consumption in the province. After doing the necessary procedures, market management department to coordinate with the authorities take some chickens culled in landfills Khuoi Password Hsuan Tung commune, Bac Kan town. However, when authorities transporting chickens to landfill Khuoi Password destroyed, there were some people with foam box, locked cage stood waiting. The more time people come to see, catching more winter.In the process of destruction, many cage fallen the escaped chicken out and cover a large jump start, scramble chaotic place. Village chiefs and village police said Khuoi Password, among chicken scramble, there are a lot of very strange, coming from the unknown. Many people after catching chicken wire cage, wheel, go where no one knows. Status scramble chickens, ducks like chaotic place to work full duty functions culled chicken has no control over the situation. After scramble chickens, ducks, many people bring to market, sell a million, and the rest brought home for large numbers, but how much detail is no authority in the Province grasp. Since this incident occurred, the people of Bac Can town and elsewhere very worried, because this is chicken, duck breed of unknown origin, can be a source of spread of disease in the future. A personnel management department Market Bac admitted: Chicken, duck breed of unknown origin must be destroyed, but inadvertent large amount of spread in the community is very dangerous. Find the number of birds now needle in a haystack. In Bac Kan, the H5N1 avian influenza recently occurred in the area of ​​Na Ri Cho Don district has been controlled, but has caused great damage to the State and farmers. Incident scramble chickens, ducks during the destruction had occurred to make urgent public, farmers worry as sitting on "fire" because the disease could break out, spread on a large scale . Through this show, some people have no sense of disease prevention, functional staff did not follow correct procedures in handling poultry origin. Opinion suggested that the authorities should persuade those who have bought, catch chickens in landfills Khuoi loss of self-destruction, or surrender for destruction; simultaneously need to closely monitor the disease to timely preventive measures; clarify staff responsibilities to this unfortunate incident. /.   http://www.nhandan.com.vn/cmlink/nhandandientu/thoisu/kinh-te/th-tr-ng/lam-r-v-c-p-ga-b-c-c-n-1.368743

New branch bird flu virus can be spread on a large scale

(VOV) - There is still no suitable vaccine for avian flu caused by this virus branch

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Groups of new influenza A/H5N1 virus in 2.3.2.1 branch (group C), was discovered in July so far, is highly virulent group, can cause rapid death, dead waterfowl, are at risk of spreading a large scale. According to information from the Department of Animal Health (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), the current branch of this virus has been detected in several provinces in the north and central provinces; same time tends to spread southward .

Department of Animal Health (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), said the new Group C virus entry into Vietnam and there is still no suitable vaccine for avian flu caused by this virus branch. Therefore, the risk of bird flu continue to arise in the near future is very high. According to Nguyen Xuan Binh, Director of Animal Health Region 6, Ho Chi Minh City, with the bird flu virus changes branch new 2.3.2.1 (Group C), if there are no measures to prevent the risk of transmission spread of avian influenza in the southern provinces is very high.

Implementation of the power of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to suspend the transportation of live poultry from the north to the south, veterinary Region 6 has directed the units to strengthen coordination with relevant departments to strengthen inspection the gateway to Ho Chi Minh City, reviewed the poultry trade market, especially the market warts bounded by the wards in the area.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Binh said: "In fact the new branch modified virus with highly pathogenic avian influenza risk spreads in the Mekong Delta and the South as in the current epidemic has spread to the central region. If the virus appears in the Mekong Delta, the risk of an outbreak in the south is very large. So the current solution is to halt and prevent the transport of live poultry from the North to the South, and to implement comprehensive and drastic measures ".   http://vov.vn/Xa-hoi/Virus-cum-gia-cam-nhanh-moi-co-the-lay-lan-tren-dien-rong/225843.vov

Outbreak of Ebola Isiro: people reluctant to get tested

The inhabitants of Isiro, in Eastern Province, more than 500 km from Kisangani, increasingly refuse to submit to the taking of blood samples of suspected contamination Ebola virus.Civil society expressed concern that the observed resistance including Bede, a town about ten kilometers from Isiro.

This town residents fear losing all goods, goods that the patient died from hemorrhage of Ebola are totally burned. They demand to be compensated before.

Commissions social mobilization and psychosocial fight against this disease undertake to intensify raids on land to raise public awareness.  http://radiookapi.net/en-bref/2012/09/21/epidemie-debola-isiro-les-habitants-reticents-se-soumettre-au-depistage/

Bac Kan has 5,000 infected chickens

According to the Department of Animal Health, last week, animal disease, poultry has leveled off. In only five provinces: Ha Tinh, Ninh Binh, Quang Ngai, Peace and reserves the bird flu and the blue ear disease in four provinces: Dac Lac, Cao Bang, Bac Can and Can Tho.

Avian influenza in Bac Kan has 5,000 infected chickens. So far the outbreak in three communes in Cho Don district has 21 days no more poultry infected with disease, illness death, the provincial Department of Animal Health Monitoring, evaluation and agree to the province announced the end of service. Same time, the province also supports 35 thousand VND / chicken flu to be destroyed.  

http://www.nhandan.com.vn/cmlink/nhandandientu/thoisu/doi-song/i-s-ng-tin-chung/m-a-l-n-l-c-xoay-gay-thi-t-h-i-t-i-nhi-u-a-ph-ng-1.368643

Wonosobo people just have the flu.. Dr says

Poultry Bird Flu Positive Flourishing

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 08:37 ADMINISTRATOR

One of the villagers burn center Plobangan District Selomerto meningggal chicken carcasses suddenly due to bird flu. (Photo: Sumali)

e-Limassol - Since last week died suddenly poultry cases continue to occur in the Village District Plobangan Selomerto.Even until yesterday (19/9) number of birds that died suddenly reached 290 tails. Laboratory test results of this mass poultry deaths due to bird flu or avian influenza (AI).

According Mahuri Ahmad, 45, a resident Plobangan chicken farmer claim to about two days ago 30 chickens died suddenly peliharaanya simultaneously. He claimed the chicken then throw it into the pond behind the house. After his dead birds suddenly exposed to a number of people were also the same case.

"Dead birds is not only mine, but my neighbors are also experiencing the same thing," he said.

The village head Plobangan Ismail said the villagers initially dozens of birds died suddenly from 9 September and until Wednesday (19/9) total dead birds had reached 290 tails. The details, in the hamlet of Wonosobo there are 43 heads and 247 tails in Plobangan Wetan.

"People know this case is a symptom of bird flu since the last week," he said.

Head of Animal Health and Husbandry Department of Fish and Fisheries Wonosobo, drh.Sutomo said that the sudden death of poultry and the mass in the Village District Plobangan Selomerto started since 11 September. until the next day amounted to 112 dead birds. After laboratory tests confirmed the death was due gejela chicken bird flu.

"We've done lab tests and confirmed the death of poultry due to bird flu," he said.

After that, he said, the number of poultry include chicken and ducks that died continues to grow. Until yesterday amounted to 290 birds. To attempt to suppress the spread of bird flu virus, it had conducted spraying at home and residential areas.

"Spraying once we have done and we will continue to monitor, because the number of birds that died continues to grow," he said.

Head of District Health Office Wonosobo dr. Okie Hapsoro said, the detection of bird flu cases it had lowered the medical team to do counseling and checks directly to the citizens. In addition, immediate treatment is also carried out to 70 residents gelaja plobangan with regular flu without fever.

"There is no serious symptoms of bird flu affected. The results of our medical team people just have the flu, "he says.

Even so, further Okie, health officials revealed to the village every day Plobangan to do counseling and direct examination. This is to anticipate the people infected with bird flu.

"To this day there has been no positive victims of bird flu. Transmission only among birds, "he concluded.  http://e-wonosobo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2553:unggas-positif-flu-burung-terus-bertambah&catid=101:seputar-wonosobo&Itemid=493   

  So which is it? flu ,fever and coughing.. or without fever? Here is the magic words " no positive victims" and there will not be, because they are all on tamiflu and wont be actually tested till they can be tested negative.. and they clean up all those h5n1 positive birds..

Poultry Bird Flu Attack, Citizens Health Check

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Danar Widiyanto | Wednesday, September 19, 2012 | 19:52 PM | 

Illustration. Photo: Doc

inShare

WONOSOBO (KRjogja.com) - As many as 97 people in three hamlets in Plobangan, District Selomerto, Wonosobo who suffer from the symptoms of bird flu health check at the village health post (PKD), Wednesday (19/9). Inspection carried out after the discovery of hundreds of birds, either chicken, duck, and stuck belonging to several residents who died suddenly. "In recent days a lot of birds that died suddenly. Then a lot of people are suffering from the flu, with fever, heat, and coughing. Residents immediately went to the PKD, "said Ismail told KRjogja.com Plobangan Kadesh on the sidelines culling, Wednesday (19/9). Upon Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (Disnakan) Wonosobo ensure that hundreds of birds died suddenly the bird flu positive, further Ismail, it immediately commit genocide against hundreds of other birds. It also carried out spraying desinvektan in poultry cages.  http://krjogja.com/read/143685/flu-burung-serang-unggas-warga-periksa-kesehatan.kr

Lang Son steps up patrols against poultry smuggling

Lang Son steps up patrols against poultry smuggling

HA NOI - The border guard forces have increased patrols to catch smugglers bringing uncertified poultry from China to Viet Nam.

Patrols have been stepped up since July in the northern border province of Lang Son in a bid to curb outbreaks of bird flu, said chief of the Tan Thanh border post, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Pham Quoc Huy.

Six units are responsible for the patrols and work on curbing outbreaks, including the border guard, customs, police, market management forces and commune and town authorities.

Huy said that poultry smugglers prefer to transport small amounts of goods, as it's easier to avoid detection.

The districts of Van Lang, Cao Loc and Loc Binh are hot spots for smuggling, he said, with Loc Binh seeing greatest levels of smuggling thanks to its remote terrain.

"Therefore border guard forces in the district have to work around the clock," he said.

"Poultry and poultry products are often smuggled into the province by vans and motorbikes at night. It's hard for us to clamp down on this illegal trade."

Provincial authorities have also directed the agricultural sector, People's Committees of communes, towns, and especially People's Committees of border communes, to raise people's awareness of bird flu while implementing prevention measures against the disease.

According to provincial reports, forces in the province since July have caught over 30 smugglers and seized around 12,000 chickens and ducks, and over 500kg of pig organs http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/social-issues/230372/lang-son-steps-up-patrols-against-poultry-smuggling.html

Prevent the risk of spreading avian influenza virus new group 
 
Since July, the bird flu outbreak has appeared a new group of influenza A/H5N1 virus in the 2.3.2.1 branch (group C), highly virulent Quick and lethal, dead waterfowl.

Check the transport of live poultry. (Photo: Dinh Hue / VNA)

Branch of this virus is found in many localities north to Quang Ngai and tend to spread to the South. According to the Department of Animal Health (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), the virus can new entry into Vietnam. Currently there is no suitable vaccine for avian flu caused by this branch 2.3.2.1. Therefore, the risk of outbreak continues in the future is very high... 

http://www.voh.com.vn/News/NewsDetail.aspx?id=51369

Three Villages in Wonosobo Bird Flu Outbreak

Hattip Shiloh
Written by Sinaga

Thursday, 20 September 2012 03:02

Dozens of patients experienced primary school children and the rest of the parents. Residents attacked from three hamlets namely Hamlet Depok, Wonosobo, and Hamlet Plobangan Wetan.

All the victims were examined by the medical team gradually local village clinic, Wednesday (20/9).

Plobangan village chief Ismail said the case of bird flu that hit a number of its citizens is the first time.

He explained that in the past week, more than 250 poultry breeds of chickens and ducks suddenly died suddenly.

The team from the health department and animal husbandry department dispatched to the location. The case rose to the status of extraordinary occurrence (KLB) and all residents are asked to be aware of.

"Handling is done every day. Village health center open 24-hour service, "said Ismail.
http://hariansemarang.net/index.php/jawa-tengah/3-lintas-jateng/779-tiga-desa-di-wonosobo-klb-flu-burung.html

Hundreds of Poultry in Wonosobo Sudden Death

 Plobangan Hundreds of poultry in the village, District Selomerto, Wonosobo regency, Central Java, over the past few days found dead suddenly on Wednesday. Birds such as chickens, ducks, and wild duck belonging to several residents who died suddenly were allegedly infected with the bird flu virus.

Plobangan village chief, Ismail, on Thursday (20/09/2012), said, after finding dozens of dead birds suddenly are many people suffering from the flu with fever, and cough. Residents immediately went to the nearest health center.

"Data while there are 97 residents in the village Plobangan who suffer from symptoms of bird flu and have it checked at the village health post (PKD)," he said.

Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (Disnakan) Wonosobo immediately took to the field to make sure the situation. As a result, hundreds of birds died suddenly the bird flu and should be immediately destroyed. In addition, continued Ismail, performed well throughout the spraying desinvektan poultry cages..

http://regional.kompas.com/read/2012/09/20/11441450/Ratusan.Unggas.di.Wonosobo.Mati.Mendadak

Oregon plague victim loses fingers and toes

PORTLAND, Ore. — An Oregon man who nearly died from the plague in June has now lost his withered fingers and toes to the disease known as the Black Death.

Doctors amputated the blackened extremities of Paul “Steve” Gaylord in an operation that lasted 2 1/2 hours Monday at the St. Charles Medical Center in Bend.

The 60-year-old Prineville man told The Oregonian (http://is.gd/eOaxzB ) the surgery was a success but painful.

Surgeons removed his fingers to his palms, leaving half of his left thumb and less of his right one. They also cut off his toes and the top part of his right foot.

“I’m very happy to be alive,” http://www.nrtoday.com/news/2597059-113/family-gaylord-fingers-plague?

5 dead sheep found bleeding in mouth

These sheep are in Pakistan bought from Australia

September 19, 2012 - Updated 2349 PKT

 KARACHI: Five sheep have been found dead with blood dripping out of their mouths at a compound near a private farm in District Malir, Geo News reported Wednesday.

According to a doctor at Sindh Livestock Department, the exact nature of the disease that the dead sheep suffered from would be ascertained in investigation. "However, it appears from the way these sheep bled from their mouth that they were sick," he added.

Meanwhile, a report had been received earlier which alleged that an attempt was made to hide the sheep imported from Australia. A government team, on an intelligence report, raided a compound near a private farm in Malir District and discovered the sheep kept hidden at the facility.

An Assistant Commissioner and a Mukhtarkar were part of the team that conducted the raid.

According to Deputy Commissioner Malir, Qazi Jan Muhammad around 3000 sheep were hidden away by the importer at a compound which had been sealed after recovering the sheep. http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-68395-5-dead-sheep-found-bleeding-in-mouth?

Need to actively prevent and combat A/H5N1 flu infect humans

Updated: Wednesday, 09/19/2012 | 5:46:43 PM

When exposed to sick birds requires protective measures such as wearing masks, goggles, gloves, protective clothing. (HBDT) - Avian influenza is complicated in Luong Son district. In particular, the epidemic broke out in 2 Hoa Son, Hop Hoa with over 1,000 birds culled. This is an acute infectious disease caused by a virus Type A/H5N1 highly pathogenic, killing up to 100% of infected poultry.

Worryingly from infected poultry, the virus can infect humans, causing high death rate. The last time two people in the provincesMalemortality due to the virus infection. tests of the authorities, the virulence of A/H5N1 flu vaccine this time different from the disease in 2006 occurred in Hoa Son.influenza virus had a number of changes to the immune response to vaccines is lower than before. Consequently, the prevention and control will be more difficult. Since this is a contagious disease and there is no specific treatment to the health sector need to take active measures to prevent and combat infectious to humans. Vu Quoc Hai, head of disease control (provincial preventive medicine centers) said: influenza virus A / H5N1 in poultry can infect humans through the respiratory tract by droplet viscosity saliva, respiratory secretions and avian digestive diseases. Or it may be due to the air people breathe in dust from poultry manure, dried secretions carrying the virus alive. Expression, people with A/H5N1 flu symptoms typical of influenza A with the sign of a headache, body aches; fever above 38 0 C, acute respiratory Long (runny nose, sneezing ), fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders. In addition to the above symptoms, influenza A/H5N1 changes rapidly with the expression of severe pneumonia (cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, cyanosis, heard ran lung) leading to respiratory failure, shock, infection infection and multiple organ failure at the same time together with lead to death.               Under these circumstances, the district preventive medicine centers Luong Son has sent a written request for the local implementation of measures to prevent the transmission of influenza A/H5N1 to humans. At the same time, implementation of communication in different forms such as on Radio TT-TH district, flyers, direct communication in the household. Perform monitorthose who have direct contact with infected poultry.  Medical staff regular basis to monitor and ask people to be monitored if there is an expression of cold, shortness of breath, to the right medical facility to be checked. Hoang Thi Or, Heads Hop Hoa commune health stations said: Bird flu outbreak in early September at the raising of the Royal family Van Duong, neighbors, spring grass with an estimated population of 400 children. Bird found dead, the family had informed the authorities and identified as infected with the A/H5N1 flu virus.  Veterinary Agency in collaboration with the health station staff conducted sprinkle lime powder, spray disinfection and destruction of the whole bird. Station staff also conducted disinfection his household Ocean homes and households around with a solution of chloramine B, assembly time and proceed directly to households communication measures to prevent transmission to humans . To prevent transmission to humans, Vu Quoc Hai, head of disease control (provincial preventive medicine centers) recommends: when people see sick birds must immediately notify the veterinary agencies, local authorities said to treatment measures. People should not be exposed, transport and slaughter and eat sick poultry. In the case of forced contact with sick birds should have protective measures such as wearing masks, goggles, gloves, protective clothing. Regular light gargle with salt water or antiseptic solution, exercise and eat well to improve health. When high fever related to ill poultry immediately to health authorities for timely treatment.  http://www.baohoabinh.com.vn/219/73670/Can_chu_dong_phong_chong_benh_cum_AH5N1_lay_sang_nguoi.htm

Yosemite officials staying on top of hantavirus

 Federal and state health officials investigating the hantavirus outbreak at Yosemite National Park say it could take several weeks to determine how nine visitors contracted the illness – three of whom died.

However, there’s some evidence the park’s population of deer mice, which carries hantavirus, has grown significantly. Park officials have been trapping and killing deer mice for the past few weeks.  They said that while the percentage of those testing positive hasn’t changed, there are simply more deer mice, which could translate into a greater risk of exposure for people.

Health officials are looking at Curry Village, the popular campsite where all but one of the cases originated. They found deer mice in the insulated walls of some tent cabins. Ninety-one cabins are now closed indefinitely.

Symptoms of hantavirus mimic the flu, and a patient who waits to seek treatment can go from bad to worse – fast.  Why some people got sick and others did not remains a mystery.

“The cases have been (visitors from) distinct cabins, different cabins, different families, and along with that, we know there are people that stay with case patients in tents – patients that didn’t get sick,” said Danielle Buttke, a veterinary epidemiologist for the National Park Service.

This is not the first hantavirus outbreak at Yosemite, but given the cluster of infections, it is the most serious. There are usually just a handful of cases each year in the United States, and it’s particularly worrisome because there is no cure or vaccine...

One-third of hantavirus cases are fatal, Dr. Charles Chiu, an infectious disease specialist with the University of California, San Francisco, told Fox News.

Epidemiologists studying hantavirus said all the attention on the Yosemite outbreak could help patie..

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/09/19/yosemite-officials-staying-on-top-hantavirus/

Virulent bird flu strain emerges

HA NOI (VNS)— A highly-virulent, newly-mutated bird flu H5N1 strain is feared to spreading from North Viet Nam to the South at a menacing pace, warned deputy head of Animal Health Department Pham Van Dong.

Speaking in Ha Noi yesterday, Dong, whose department comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the outbreak of this strain started in July and has so far attacked seven northern provinces plus the central province of Quang Ngai.

To prevent further spreading south, the ministry has ordered provinces to strengthen inspection and control activities.

In the meantime, live poultry due to be carried from North to South will not pass through the central provinces of Quang Ngai or Kon Tum until the outbreak is completely under control.

The ministry also asked local authorities to clamp down on illegal poultry imports and to tighten inspections of trans-border poultry loads destined for Viet Nam.

At the same time, vaccination and disinfection activities should be strengthened in affected areas.

Regarding the blue-ear disease, although there have been no new discovery, it is still wreaking havoc in the provinces of Dac Lac and Bac Can, but is currently under control in Cao Bang and Can Tho provinces. — VNS  http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/social-issues/230295/virulent-bird-flu-strain-emerges.html