UK Resident Contracts 'Sars-Like' Virus

The Health Protection Agency confirms a UK resident has contracted a Sars-like coronavirus and is in intensive care in Manchester.

..A UK resident is in intensive care after contracting a potentially fatal Sars-like virus, health experts confirm.

The man, who is critically ill with breathing problems, has been isolated in a Manchester hospital while he receives treatment for "novel coronavirus".Half of the people known to have been infected with the bug so far have died.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) believes he picked up the lung virus while travelling to the Middle East and Pakistan.

It says the risk to people in the UK is "very low".

Professor John Watson, the agency's head of respiratory diseases, said: "The HPA is providing advice to healthcare workers to ensure the patient is being treated appropriately and that staff who are looking after the patient are protected.

"Contacts of the case are also being followed up to check on their health."

The man is being treated in the intensive care unit at Wythenshawe Hospital.

University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said in a statement: "Our staff already follow strict guidelines on treating patients with unknown illnesses and have been wearing personal protective equipment at all times since their initial contact.

"Visitors are being limited and they too will follow strict safety guidelines."http://news.sky.com/story/1050646/uk...ars-like-virus

New SARS-like virus infects British patient in 10th case globally

Mon Feb 11, 2013 9:22am EST
(Reuters) - A new virus from the same family as SARS that sparked a global alert last September has been found in a further patient in Britain, health officials said on Monday.

This latest case of infection with the new virus known as a coronavirus brings the total number of confirmed cases globally to 10, of which five have died.

The British patient, who had recently traveled to the Middle East and Pakistan, is receiving intensive care treatment in hospital in Manchester, northern England.

The new virus shares some of the symptoms of SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - a coronavirus which emerged in China in 2002 and killed about a tenth of the 8,000 people it infected worldwide. The symptoms include severe respiratory illness, fever, coughing and breathing difficulties.

The virus was identified when the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an international alert in September 2012 saying a virus previously unknown in humans had infected a Qatari man who had recently been in Saudi Arabia.

Britain's Health Protection Agency (HPA) said among the 10 laboratory confirmed cases to date, five had been in Saudi Arabia, with three deaths; two were in Jordan, where both patients died; two were in Britain, where both are receiving treatment; and one was in Germany in a patient from Qatar who had since been discharged from medical care.

The agency said in a statement on Monday it was providing advice to ensure the latest British patient was treated appropriately and healthcare staff were protected.

People who have had contact with the patient are also being tracked to check on their health.

"Our assessment is that the risk associated with novel coronavirus to the general UK population remains extremely low and the risk to travelers to the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding countries remains very low," the HPA said.

Coronaviruses are typically spread like other respiratory infections, such as flu, travelling in airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The WHO said in September that from its initial investigations, it appeared this virus did not spread easily from person to person.http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...91A0LA20130211

UK resident in intensive care after contracting potentially fatal SARS-like virus

By ANNA HODGEKISS

PUBLISHED: 09:38 EST, 11 February 2013

A UK resident is in intensive care after contracting a potentially fatal Sars-like virus. 

The unnamed patient, who has recently travelled to the Middle East and Pakistan, is being treated in a Manchester hospital after becoming infected with a new type of coronavirus, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said.

The latest case brings the total number of confirmed cases across the world to 10, the HPA added...

Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the HPA, said: 'The HPA is providing advice to healthcare workers to ensure the patient under investigation is being treated appropriately and that healthcare staff who are looking after the patient are protected. Contacts of the case are also being followed up to check on their health.

'Our assessment is that the risk associated with novel coronavirus to the general UK population remains extremely low and the risk to travellers to the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding countries remains very low.

'No travel restrictions are in place but people who develop severe respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath, within 10 days of returning from these countries should seek medical advice and mention which countries they have visited.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2276979/UK-resident-intensive-care-battling-potentially-fatal-SARS-like-virus.html#ixzz2KbPb54qP
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Second UK case of 'Sars-like' coronavirus identified

11 February 2013 Last updated at 09:08 ET

By Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online

A second case of a new respiratory illness similar to the deadly Sars virus has been identified in the UK.

The patient, who is receiving intensive care treatment in a Manchester hospital, had recently travelled to the Middle East and Pakistan.

Doctors insist the risk of the new coronavirus spreading to the general UK population is "extremely low" and the situation is being closely monitored.

The total number of confirmed cases globally now stands at 10.

The death toll is five - three patients treated in Saudi Arabia and two treated in Jordan.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses ranging from the common cold to the Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus, spread through droplets of body fluids produced by sneezing and coughing.

In 2002 an outbreak of Sars killed about 800 people after the virus spread to more than 30 countries around the world.

The new coronavirus was first identified in September 2012 in a patient in Saudi Arabia who has since died.

Soon after, officials identified another case - this time in the UK. The 49-year-old man in question had been transferred to St Thomas' hospital in London by air ambulance from Qatar.

Five months on, a second UK case has been found.

Prof John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the Health Protection Agency (HPA), said: "The HPA is providing advice to healthcare workers to ensure the patient under investigation is being treated appropriately and that healthcare staff who are looking after the patient are protected. Contacts of the case are also being followed up to check on their health."

No travel restrictions are in place.

But Prof Watson said people who developed severe respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath, within 10 days of returning from the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding regions should seek medical advice and mention the countries they have visited.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21410190?

Case of novel coronavirus identified in the UK

11 February 2013

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) can confirm the diagnosis of a further case of novel coronavirus infection in a UK resident, who had recently travelled to the Middle East and Pakistan. The patient is receiving intensive care treatment in a Manchester hospital. This latest case brings the total number of confirmed cases globally to 10, of which two have been diagnosed in the UK.

Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the HPA, said: "The HPA is providing advice to healthcare workers to ensure the patient under investigation is being treated appropriately and that healthcare staff who are looking after the patient are protected. Contacts of the case are also being followed up to check on their health.

“Our assessment is that the risk associated with novel coronavirus to the general UK population remains extremely low and the risk to travellers to the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding countries remains very low. No travel restrictions are in place but people who develop severe respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath, within ten days of returning from these countries should seek medical advice and mention which countries they have visited.

“Since the first case of novel coronavirus was diagnosed in the UK in September 2012, the HPA has maintained increased vigilance for illness caused by this virus, working closely with national and international authorities including the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). We have also produced updated guidance for health professionals in the UK on the investigation and management of possible cases.”

Professor Maria Zambon, director of reference microbiology services at the HPA, said: “A battery of laboratory tests have been developed by the HPA to test for coronavirus infection when cases of severe respiratory illness are identified, which are not explained by other infectious causes. These tests, which detect the presence of virus in the body, are available for use by selected frontline HPA laboratories.

“In mid-November the HPA published the full genome sequence from the first UK patient, enabling scientists around the world to understand more about the diversity of this virus. This will help with efforts to determine the origin of the virus and develop strategies for treatment and prevention.”

Coronaviruses are causes of the common cold but can also include more severe illness, such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). This new coronavirus was first identified in September 2012 in a patient who died from a severe respiratory infection in June 2012. The virus has so far only been identified in a small number of cases of acute, serious respiratory illness who presented with fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Laboratory confirmed cases to date: 10

• Saudi Arabia: 5 (3 deaths)
• Jordan: 2 (2 deaths)
• UK: 2 (1 patient from Qatar – receiving treatment, 1 patient from UK – receiving treatment)
• Germany: 1 (patient from Qatar – discharged) http://www.hpa.org.uk/NewsCentre/NationalPressReleases/2013PressReleases/130211statementonlatestcoronaviruspatient/

ATTACK AI: AI virus in Sragen Potentially Contagious to Humans

February 11, 2013

 - Center for Veterinary (BBVet) Wates expressed avian influenza (AI / AI) which attacked thousands of ducks in Sragen fall into the category of influenza virus type A. Virus stretcher can cause illness in humans and many other animal species.

It was mentioned by staff Pathology BBVet, Budi Waluyo Priyono, after an infected duck carcass sampling of AI virus in Hamlet Karangjati, Pelemgadung Village, District Karangmalang, Monday (11/02/2013). He suggested that farmers and residents wary of AI virus transmission to humans.

"Ducks or other birds are dying should not be slaughtered and then consumed. The process of slaughtering AI risk of transmitting the virus. When caring for ducks, farmers should wear a mask or footwear. After caring, hands and feet should be washed with soap, "he told reporters.

He continued, since the beginning of the year until the case of the death of thousands of ducks in Sragen, there are no reports of suspect bird flu in Central Java. Meanwhile, to break the chain of distribution of AI virus in Sragen, BBVet suggest vaccination of ducks infected. Ensure all owned by breeder ducks infected with AI virus, are now infected with the virus. However, vaccination can only be done after all itikbenar completely healed.

"AI virus vaccine specifically ducks are still being studied and can only be distributed approximately one to two months. In the meantime, farmers should be routinely sprayed disinfectant on cages of ducks and area duck sekitarnya.Peneguhan status cause of death is still awaiting the results of laboratory tests, "added Waluyo.

Monday afternoon, the death of ducks in the village Pelemgadung increases. According to the Head of Animal Observation Penyalit, Wiratri Umi, a total of 50 ducks died since Monday morning until Monday afternoon. The duck is wholly Sariman, resident citizens of RT 006, Hamlet Karangjati. http://www.soloposfm.com/2013/02/serangan-ai-virus-ai-di-sragen-berpotensi-menular-ke-manusia/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Discussion Meeting on Further Animal Health Assistance in Cambodia

Discussion Meeting on Further Animal Health Assistance in Cambodia

AKP Phnom Penh, February 11, 2013 –

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister, H.E. Chan Sarun, on Feb. 8 met with senior officials from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to discuss their cooperation.

Key officials from the organization are Mr. Ronello Abila, Sub-regional Representative for South East Asia and Mr. Karanvir Kukreja, Project Officer.

The two counterparts have very good cooperation, according to H.E. Chan Sarun, for instance, a joint effort to address Cambodia’s first bird flu outbreak in 2004 and other on-going collaboration.

The minister encouraged OIE to continue its provision of various signification vaccinations, technical assistance and capacity building.

Cambodia resumed its membership in the World Organization for Animal Health in 2000 after leaving it in 1973. The role of OIE increases dramatically, especially as the world is facing new deadly cases of animal diseases that can be transmitted to human beings.

By Mom Chan Dara Soleil   http://www.akp.gov.kh/?p=30667

Spread of bird flu hard to contain, say officials

• 
• 

Last Updated on 11 February 2013

By Justine Drennan and Mom Kunthear

A vendor ties chickens together by their feet on the side of a street in Kandal province. Photograph: Heng Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post

Following the death of a five-year-old girl from Takeo province last Thursday – Cambodia’s fifth death from bird flu in the new year – health representatives have noted the limits of the government’s ability to control the outbreak.

Circulation of poultry through unofficial means and owners’ unwillingness to risk losing their poultry by reporting sick birds were two impediments to stopping the spread of the disease, said Sonny Krishnan, communications officer for WHO Cambodia, and Dr Philippe Buchy, head of the virology unit at the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge.

Although both Cambodia and Vietnam have tightened the monitoring of poultry due to Cambodia’s recent H5N1 cases, authorities have little power to prevent the movement of free-range ducks from village to village, or even between the two countries, the health representatives said.  

“The border is so long,” said Buchy. “Especially if the border is in the middle of rice fields, birds can easily cross.”

Compounding authorities’ inability to inspect all poultry in transit – including those carried casually on motorcycles – was the fact that “there’s no incentive to report poultry deaths”, Krishnan said.

Reports of sick poultry ought to prompt people to take precautions, he said, but instead, poultry owners often begin taking sick and dead birds seriously only after humans start dying from the virus.

Unlike their counterparts in Takeo’s neighbouring Snao commune, the home of one of January’s victims, officials in Prey Lvea, where the latest victim died,  would not require the killing and burning of poultry until they had received further orders from Phnom Penh, commune chief Yon Korn said.

But Krishnan said that due to lack of compensation policy, ordering the slaughter of poultry was a local-level decision.

 http://www.phnompenhpost.com/2013021161291/National/spread-of-bird-flu-hard-to-contain-say-officials.html

Bird flu detected in Jhapa, Nepal

2013-02-11 4:57 PM'
: Bird flu has been confirmed on fowls at a farm of a farmer at Anarmani VDC-1 in Jhapa district.

A test carried out at the Central Livestock Lab, Kathmandu, confirmed the bird flu on the fowls of the farm of Bhim Mukhiya as some 200 fowls started to die from the past few days.

According to Chief at the District Livestock Office, Dr. Dilip Sapkota, the report sent from the Lab on Sunday proved the bird flu.

A team comprising eight members including specialist doctor destroyed the remaining 30 fowls, carried out cleanliness of the coop and sprayed medicines this morning, said Sapkota.   http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Bird+flu+detected+in+Jhapa&NewsID=365566

Taiwan CDC strengthen monitoring for H5N1

Mainland critical cases of H5N1 influenza CDC strengthen monitoring

2013/02/11 17:48


Outgoing diagnosed two cases of H5N1 influenza, the Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control in Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, mainland China, in addition to understanding the overall situation continued close monitoring has asked belongs accredited to the international airport and port staff, effective immediately, to strengthen the airport travelers fever and Birds contact history surveys, inbound travelers from the Chinese mainland have flu-like symptoms and Birds history of exposure to quarantine officers will adopt a specimen for examination, and self-health management 10 days...

http://news.cts.com.tw/nownews/general/201302/201302111193415.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Hundreds of crows die in Vadakkal mysteriously

ALAPPUZHA: The death of crows in large numbers in Vadakkal area created panic among the public on Sunday.

There were rumours of bird flu, which were doing the rounds in the town.

Firoz Ahammed, a resident near Alappuzha beachsaid hundreds of crows died and the local residents were curious to know the reason for the deaths.

However, the officials of animal husbandry department, who visited the spot after they were alerted by the local residents said poisoning was suspected to be the reason behind the deaths.

"We have taken the bodies of the crows for testing. We will also conduct post mortem of the bird and subject it to further tests if necessary. The exact reason for the death can be ascertained only after the results of the tests are available,'' the official said.

The district forest department staff also visited the area.

"Fish were being dried in the open in these areas and crows had been feeding on these fish. So, it is suspected that the people have poisoned the fishes to eliminate the crows and put an end to their menace. However, only post mortem and further tests on the bodies of the crows could bring out the exact reason of the deaths,'' said an official of the animal husbandry department.

"However, some local residents alleged that family members of a house in the nearby area treated their waste produced in the house with some chemicals and left it in the open. This might have killed the crows. Two dogs were also killed,'' said another official.  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Hundreds-of-crows-die-in-Vadakkal-mysteriously/articleshow/18440000.cms

Chinese flu plus two

      AFP -. Xinhua News Agency reported catching a flu cases in Beijing for a second. Two patients had serious very
       
       patient, a 21-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man has suffered from Feb 2 and 3, respectively, both for check-ups yesterday (10 W. . K.) and found a virus. H5N1.        "They had a very serious condition. Emergency medical treatment, "Xinhua News Agency reported catching. Statement by the Ministry of Public Health        for the city of Beijing is China's second city. The reported cases of bird flu infection. The first event of the week. Alien workers age of 19 in Beijing. Who died in January. York. Ago.       now authorities have detained a close contact with the virus and to follow up the next week. By now, no one fell sick        in the report also stated that the flu in Beijing between the two. Not have contact with animals such as birds before the condition       , according to the World Health Organization, or Huron indicated that the virus H5N1. Have wreaked havoc around the world and 365 in the year since the massive explosion. In 2546.        Basically, this outbreak of bird flu to humans by direct contact.       With a population of poultry birds in the world. And poultry in rural China. Closer to the people.
       http://manager.co.th/China/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9560000017540

China Travel Alert: China Confirmed with Two Cases of Human Bird Flu

February 11, 2013 1:42 PM EST

Australians who have travel plans to China are advised to take precautionary measures as the country's health ministry announced two people have been inflicted with the contagious H5N1 bird flu virus. http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/433579/20130211/australians-who-travel-plans-china-advised-take.htm#.URjO8KXpe5I

Over 6‚000 chickens culled as bird flu hits ninth farm

KATHMANDU: Team from the Department of Livestock Service have culled 6,060 chickens and destroyed 950 kg of poultry feed at a farm in Manamaiju-1, Nepaltar of Kathmandu on Monday after the bird flu was confirmed.

THT ONLINE/FILE PHOTO

Animal health workers dumping bird flu-infected chickens in Bhaktapur on Monday.

Bird flu was detected in the private poultry farm of local Subarna Basnet, informed Dr Narayan Ghimire, the spokesperson at the Directorate of Animal Health talking to THT Online. The surveillance team is working at its fullest to find the bird flu virus H5N1 in the valley and other regions, he added.

This is the ninth incident of bird flu in the Kathmandu Valley.

Earlier, numerous numbers of chickens and poultry feed were destroyed at the farm in Nayapati VDC of Kathmandu on Sunday after bird flu was confirmed.

And also, 2,390 chickens from the farm of Kishor Tandukar at Jitpurfhedi VDC were culled and 100 kg chicken feed was destroyed on Friday and Saturday. http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Over+6%E2%80%9A000+chickens+culled+as++bird+flu+hits+ninth+farm+&NewsID=365539  

Another bird flu case in capital

KATHMANDU, Feb 11:Another bird flu case has been confirmed in a poultry farm in Balaju on Monday, a third such case in three days in Kathmandu.

A total of 6,060 chickens were culled and 950 kgs of chicken feed destroyed in the farm owned by Subarna Basnet at Napaltar of Manamaiju VDC-1 after the virus was detected in the farm, said senior veterinarian Narayam Prasad Ghimire at the Directorate of Animal Health. 

Altogether, 7,500 chickens were in the farm. A DoAH team is disinfecting the farm, which will continue till this evening, Ghimire said. This is also a sixth case of bird flu in one and a half months and, overall, a ninth case, in Kathmandu.  http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=49770

Guiyang diagnosed suffering from avian Harbour alert

Currently critically ill Guizhou Guiyang City, yesterday confirmed two patients infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza prior to the onset of the patients without a clear the birds contact history, currently critically ill. The health department called on people from all parts, if any fever or flu-like symptoms to go to the hospital. Hong Kong's Department of Health said it would keep in close contact with the health sector, in order to understand the details of the case, and will be vigilant, developments continue to maintain stringent port health measures.

Guizhou Provincial Health Department, said that

 the patients were a 31,-year-old man and a 

21 year old woman and the second person living

 in Guiyang.Handsome female patient surnamed 

month disease,

 subsequent exacerbations, was rushed to the Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital intensive care

 unit treatment, and yesterday confirmed human avian

 influenza virus H5N1 nucleic acid positive. Tsai, 

male patients at the onset 

of the 3rd of this month, since the purchase of

 the drugs did not improve after taking the 8th

 of this month, was sent to the Second People's

 Hospital of Guiyang therapy, also confirmed 

yesterday.

After the Guizhou Provincial Party Committee,

 the provincial government has taken the appropriate prevention and control measures, and all are in 

close contact with 

patients who are under observation, has not yet found medical observation officer abnormal clinical manifestations.

The local health department appealed, 

once people found dead poultry birds 

should be promptly reported to the authorities.

Guiyang last month on the 19th, 

avian influenza infection in male patients admitted

, provided that the sicker, 

where he died after the rescue. http://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/news/20130211/00176_030.html

no apparent contact with birds

They were 21-year-old woman and 31-year-old man, without a clear history of bird contact prior to the onset, nor found epidemiological association between them.

The HKU infection and Director of the Centre for Infectious Diseases, Ho Pak-leung said, past Mainland approaching Spring Festival, all occurred in sporadic cases of avian flu, while patients with no apparent contact with birds are infected, probably because of the environment they live in, someone nearby backyard poultry, patient contact disease had contaminated the environment, because the two are not working together as well as from the same family, the disease pathway still needs further investigation. http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/exp..._55_901600.htm

Two infected with bird flu in southwest China

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 15:23 GMT

/ Reuters

BEIJING, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Two people in southwest China have tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus and are critically ill, state news agency Xinhua said on Sunday, citing the Chinese health ministry.

A 21-year-old woman and 31-year-old man in Guiyang had tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus on Sunday after developing symptoms on Feb. 2 and Feb. 3 respectively, Xinhua cited health authorities as saying.

"They are in critical condition and medical workers are carrying out emergency treatment," the health ministry was quoted as saying. "No epidemiological connections have been found between the two cases."

Millions of Chinese are currently travelling in crowded buses and trains across the country to celebrate the Lunar New Year, raising the risk of the spread of infectious diseases.

People who had close contact with the patients are under medical observation but none have fallen ill, the news agency said.

The pair did not have contact with fowls before they fell ill, Xinhua said. In most cases, victims had direct contact with infected birds, mostly chickens. The virus is especially abundant in the faeces and respiratory secretions of affected birds.

The H5N1 virus mainly affects birds, but occasionally jumps to people. Experts fear it may mutate into a form that could spread easily among humans who have no natural immunity against it.

The H5N1 virus has infected more than 600 people since it was first detected in Hong Kong in 1997 and is usually fatal. (Reporting by Koh Gui Qing; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)  http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/two-infected-with-bird-flu-in-southwest-china?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Guizhou Provincial Health Department informed of two cases of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza

Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China www.moh.gov.cn 
　　
　　Guizhou Provincial Health Department Bulletin, February 10 Guiyang confirmed two cases of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases, has not yet found the epidemiological association between the two cases.

　　The first cases on handsome a woman, 21 years old, now living Guiyang. February 2, 2013, the onset, sicker, and transferred to the intensive care unit for treatment of Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, the morning of February 10, the Chinese Center for Disease Control review of its respiratory specimens detected, confirmed human avian influenza virus H5N1 nucleic acid positive virus isolation work in progress.

Second case Cai, male, 31 years old, and now live in Guiyang. February 3, 2013, the onset, since the purchase of the drug administration is still in the doldrums, 8 am to Guiyang City Second People's Hospital for treatment and later transferred to a hospital intensive care unit for treatment, the afternoon of February 10, Guizhou Province CDC review of detection of their respiratory specimens confirmed positive for human avian influenza virus H5N1 nucleic acid. 

Currently, the two cases were in critical condition, being active treatment. Epidemiological investigations have not yet found the existence of a clear history of poultry contact prior to the onset of the two cases. ..
http://www.moh.gov.cn/wsb/pyqxx/2013...4bc3d58f.shtml

Notification of two human cases of H5N1 in Guizhou

**************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health received notification from the Ministry of Health (MoH) today (February 10) concerning two confirmed human cases of influenza A (H5N1) in Guizhou.

A CHP spokesman said the patients were a 21-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man living in Guizhou. They are now in critical condition. Both patients did not report obvious exposure history to poultry before the onset of symptoms. There is no epidemiological link between these two cases.

Laboratory tests on the patients' specimen by the Mainland health authorities yielded a positive result for H5N1.

The CHP is maintaining close liaison with the MoH to obtain more information on the case. "We will heighten our vigilance and continue to maintain stringent port health measures in connection with this development," the spokesman said.

The spokesman reminded members of the public to remain vigilant against avian influenza infection and to observe the following measures:

* Avoid direct contact with poultry and birds or their droppings; if contacts have been made, they should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water;

* Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating;

* Wash hands frequently;

* Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with tissue and put it into covered dustbins;

* Avoid crowded places and contact with sick people with fever;

* Wear a mask when you have respiratory symptoms or need to take care of patients with fever;

* When you have fever and influenza-like illnesses during a trip or when coming back to Hong Kong, you should consult doctors promptly and reveal your travel history.

For further information on avian influenza, please visit the CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk).:tiphat:http:...medium=twitter

Guizhou diagnosed two highly pathogenic avian influenza

[20:54] 2013/02/10

[On.cc Oriental Interactive Bulletin] of Guizhou Province, today confirmed two of the highly pathogenic avian influenza of Guizhou Provincial Health Department news that two cases for 1 male and 1 female, living in Guiyang City, are at the beginning of the month with incidence After epidemiological investigations, the authorities have not yet found the two cases before the onset of a clear history of the poultry at contact, while two the INFECTED serious CONDition being treated.

http://news.on.cc/cnt/china/20130210...00922_001.html

Guizhou two men with avian flu situation critical

Guizhou two men dye avian flu situation critical (20:58)

Guizhou today confirmed that two people infected with the highly pathogenicavian influenzaCases, two in critical condition, undergoing emergency for treatment.

The disease is a man and a woman, living in Guiyang, both at the beginning of the month incidence. Ministry of Health and Guizhou Province expert group determined that the two cases of confirmed cases of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Epidemiological investigation has not found that there is a clear history of poultry contact in the two cases before the onset of the two in critical condition and undergoing treatment.

After the outbreak, the Guizhou provincial government attaches great importance to the appropriate prevention and control measures have been taken in accordance with the relevant plans and programs, and all close contacts were under medical observation. As of now, has not yet found abnormal clinical manifestations of medical observers.

Human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza is an acute respiratory infections, mainly caused by the influenza A H5N1 virus. The majority of patients with high fever and pneumonia, acute onset, rapid progression and high mortality. Currently, bird flu from poultry to humans, yet found sustained human-to-human transmission, preventable, controllable, and curable. http://inews.mingpao.com/htm/Inews/20130210/ca72058c.htm