Representative Ki :: :: The Animal Hospital is one of the darkling night of a poultry farm soil pumte phelaya bird - flu in poultry khamarira Kishoreganj suffering from cold. What is the reason etagulo chickens died, the farm also clear that he is not killing people. The khamaridera occurred between us.
Local sources said, Some poultry farm in the village of Kishoreganj caramariya Union headquarters, Maria Aftab Hatchery khamari by nearly 3 thousand oyaduda to the parent stock. The poultry farms in existence for a long time to start up. But do not let the chickens died of the Animal Hospital of poultry farms around the farm something. The chickens are sold in the local market and surrounding people. The area when they noticed khamaridera pranisampada daptarake inform the other.
She said the union obayadullaha khamari poultry, poultry Farm Hazi suddenly about a thousand chickens died of the illness is. The farm was a total of 3 thousand chickens. Aught I know, bird - flu in poultry in the manner of the killing. In addition to the sick poultry farm for sale outside of the bird - flu can spread to other farms. "
Some of the Poultry Farm Supervisors | Permalink said Shafiqul Islam, died in poultry farms in the LAN Aftab Hatchery was examined by a doctor of their own liokosisa avian disease is detected.
The poultry farm with all the ground has been pumte. Hen would have been sold out. Aftab Animal Hospital recommends that the government is not a farm.
NO BIRD CONTACT..NO,WAIT..POULTRY CONTACT.. yeah.. they touched some birds. They have yet to disclose where these birds are at, if any are dying, what strain the people have..
Guizhou avian flu patients with a history of contact with poultry
[20:08] 15/02/2013 Oriental interactive an informed Guizhou recently confirmed two human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza, are now recognized history of close contact with poultry, with 2 close contacts of patients, there are still 52 people undischarged medical observation.2 people this month, arrived in the hospital, confirmed human case of bird flu. The 21-year-old female patient in critical condition the day before rescue died, another 31-year-old male patient is still under treatment in. According to the survey, case history of close contact with poultry. As of now, Guizhou Province not then received new outbreaks have been reported and 110 people have had close contact with the two patients, 58 people have been lifted under medical observation, the remaining 52 continue to receive medical observer neither fever and other abnormal clinical manifestations. http://news.on.cc/cnt/china/20130215/bkn-20130215200829265-0215_00922_001.html
ESTABLISHING MORE DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS WOULD HELP IN REDUCING THE NUMBER OF LIVES LOST TO THE ILLNESS
BENIN, Nigeria (Xinhua) -- At least 100,000 Nigerians were killed by Lassa fever across the west African country in the last 44 years, an official said on Wednesday.
National Chairman of the Laboratory Council of Nigeria Dennis Agbonlahor said Lassa fever, which is an acute viral illness that occurs in west Africa, was first recorded in Nigeria when two missionary nurses died of its attack in 1969. Since then, he noted, the ravaging scourge of Lassa fever had claimed even more than 100, 000 lives in Nigeria till date.
This year, more than 11 persons had died from the illness in the new cases that were discovered in nine states across Nigeria, he said.
“There are only two Lassa fever diagnostic centers in the entire country and this is why we urge the government to establish such centers in different states across the six geopolitical zones of the nation,” Agbonlahor said at a public lecture organized by the College of Medical Sciences of the University of Benin in southern Nigeria’s Edo State.
According to him, establishing more diagnostic centers would help in reducing the number of lives lost to the illness, noting the only two existing diagnostic centers in Nigeria are currently situated at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and Lahor Research Laboratory and Medical Center, both in the southern state of Edo.
The medical official described Lassa fever as a viral disease that seriously affects the blood, liver and spleen. It is also similar to the fever caused by Ebola and Marburg viruses, he added.
“The virus is spread by multimammate rats, called M. natalensis. The rat is characterized by a hairless tail, and has between 14-16 breasts. The tail is as long as the length of its body,” Agbonlahor explained, noting the virus is contained in the urine and faeces of the rat and spreads to humans through direct contacts with contaminated materials and infected persons.
He also called for a sustained enlightenment campaign on Lassa fever in Nigeria, to ensure a drastic reduction in rodent-human contact and human-to-human transmission.
Apart from Nigeria, the Lassa fever is endemic in few other west African countries including Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and also in the Central Africa Republic.
Symptoms of the deadly fever include sore throat, vomiting, headache, malaise and muscle pains, among others.
In 2012, the Nigerian government set up a Lassa Fever Rapid Response Committee to investigate, prevent and control outbreaks of the disease after it killed scores of people in 12 states across the country.
Bird flu virus found in Brandenburg duck fattening
Seelow (MON) in a broiler operation near Seelow (Märkisch Oderland) on Friday is a suspected case of bird flu occurred. The State Laboratory Berlin-Brandenburg pointed to an infection of ducks infected with influenza A virus. Depending on the aggressiveness of the virus, the protective measures taken, District Gernot Schmidt told the Märkische Oderzeitung. This includes the preparation for the culling of 14 000 animals and the establishment of a Sperrbezirks with observation area...
Guizhou recently diagnosed two cases of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza, are now recognized history of close contact with birds, 52 people are still in close contact with two patients not release medical observation.
Guizhou provincial government, the Office of Emergency Management, said this year on February 7 and 8, Guiyang two patients to the hospital, were diagnosed with unexplained cases of pneumonia and severe pneumonia complicated by respiratory distress syndrome, the 10th confirmed human infected with avian influenza. A 21-year-old female patient in critical condition in the 13th rescue died, another 31-year-old male patient is still in the emergency treatment. According to the survey, case history of close contact with poultry.
The Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK a National Hajj/Umrah specific organization has expressed it’s deep concerns about the risk of a new Sars-like virus known as the ‘Coronavirus’ that is posing a potential threat to Hajj/Umrah pilgrims.
Although this deadly Coronavirus which causes Pneumonia and kidney failure may occur due to contact with animals, the Health officials in UK believe that this respiratory illness has the ability to spread from person to person which is a great cause for concern. After returning from the performance of Umrah, a person is fighting for his life in a UK hospital after having contracted an infection from this virus. This incident raised an alarm when his son also caught the infection from him which shows evidence that the virus can spread from person to person. He is also receiving treatment in an isolation room at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. This is the third case detected in the UK.
The exact source of this deadly virus and how it is spread is unknown however, the most common theory is that it comes from animals and is closely related to a virus in bats.
Health experts from the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK have warned the pilgrims, specifically those who are suffering from chronic diseases that the communicable diseases can be transmitted through direct person-to-person contact with droplets of nasal or throat secretions of infected individuals. Close and prolonged contact (e.g. sneezing and coughing on someone or sharing an affected person’s used utensil) facilitates the spread of infection.
Pilgrims are strongly urged that the health risks are preventable and they should take all precautionary measures including getting the required vaccinations prior to leaving for the pilgrimage. http://www.go-makkah.com/english/news/001380/hajj-umrah-pilgrims-are-warned-of-new-deadly-sars-like-coronavirus.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
HAMBURG | Fri Feb 15, 2013 9:12am EST (Reuters) - German authorities said a case of H5N1 bird flu had been discovered during initial tests on a poultry farm in the eastern state of Brandenburg.
The case was discovered in a duck farm, which was carrying out its own tests, the Brandenburg state agriculture ministry said on Friday.
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 initial finding was confirmed by a state laboratory, and final tests are currently being carried out, the state ministry said.
This new coronavirus was first identified in September 2012 in a patient who died from a severe respiratory infection in June 2012. As of 12 February 2013 there have been 11 cases detected globally. However, this is a dynamic situation and more cases may be reported. For the latest case updates please see WHO [external link].
What are coronaviruses?
Human coronaviruses were first identified in the mid 1960s and are named for the crown-like projections on the surface of the virus. They are a group of viruses causing respiratory infections in humans and animals. There are 3 main sub-groupings of coronaviruses, known as alpha, beta and gamma.
What type of coronavirus is this?
This is a new subtype/strain of coronavirus, first identified in the Netherlands in 2012. The virus identified by the Health Protection Agency's virus reference laboratories at Colindale is genetically very similar to the strain identified in the Netherlands. The virus identified in the UK has now been fully sequenced and detailed analysis indicates that the nearest relatives are bat coronaviruses. Since only a handful of cases have been reported, there is limited information on clinical impact, transmission and severity at this stage.
What are the main symptoms?
The virus has 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. At this point it is not clear whether this is a typical presentation or whether it could be circulating more widely, but causing a milder illness, and only rarely causing severe illness.
What is the treatment?
There is insufficient information to make specific treatment recommendations. However, acute respiratory support for those with severe symptoms and who have been hospitalised is advised.
How do you catch this infection?
Coronaviruses are typically spread like other respiratory infections such as influenza.
How infectious is it?
Although transmission appears to be very limited, this is based on a very small number of confirmed cases. If it were very infectious, many more cases in other countries or among the people caring for cases would have been seen by now.
With any new infection associated with severe illness, it is better to err on the side of caution. All infection control measures to prevent the spread of this virus are taken for any case with a confirmed diagnosis. This includes isolation of the patient, barrier nursing and ensuring that all staff wear the appropriate protective equipment.
Coronaviruses are fairly fragile, and outside of the body their survival time is only around 24 hours. They are easily destroyed by most detergents and cleaning agents.
Where has this infection come from?
At this stage the origin is unclear, but phylogenetic analysis suggests that the closest relatives are bat coronaviruses. New infections may occur as a result of a mutation (change) to an existing virus changing the way it is transmitted or the illness it causes.
Some new infections may appear when an organism circulating in the animal population are introduced to human beings (zoonoses). Certain infections may cause mild disease in an animal species but more severe illness in people (and vice versa).
Is there a vaccine for coronavirus?
No, a vaccine is not available.
Is there a laboratory test?
Yes. The main test for this particular coronavirus is a screening PCR test followed by a more specific confirmatory test. A number of laboratories in the UK can now carry out the screening test for this virus.
What should I do if I am planning to travel to the Middle East?
Given that there have only been a small number of confirmed cases worldwide, people planning to travel to the Middle East should continue with their plans. Travel advice will be kept under review if additional cases occur or when the patterns of transmission become clearer. For the latest travel advice please see the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) [external link].
If I visited the Middle East and have signs of a cold/fever should I be worried?
If the symptoms are mild then they are probably due to a common respiratory virus such as the common cold. However if the symptoms worsen and you become breathless you should contact your General Practitioner or NHS Direct mentioning which countries in the Middle East you have visited. Even with severe respiratory illness it is still most likely that the diagnosis will be one of the more common respiratory viruses, rather than this newly recognised coronavirus.
Is this similar to SARS?
SARS was also caused by a coronavirus but this is not SARS. Coronaviruses can cause a range of symptoms varying from mild symptoms such as the common cold to more serious respiratory illnesses.
... Dr Ghimire added that many poultry owners tend to conceal their dead chickens without informing the authorities. He said some owners had even been found to have sold dead chickens to pig farmers, thereby facilitating the transmission of the bird-flu virus to various other areas.
Meanwhile, Junga Bahadur BC, president of the Nepal Chicken Sellers’ Business Association, refuted the claims, saying they were baseless.
latest patient seemed to have got it from his father
The coronavirus conundrum: when to press the panic button
We have become very good at detecting risk, but it's impossible to know if this latest virus will be another Sars or disappear
Never mind that there have been a total of just three confirmed cases in the UK and 11 worldwide, half those infected have died and, as there is no vaccine, health officials are "worried". They are worried not least because we have been here before: in 2003, to be precise, when severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), also caused by a coronavirus, suddenly emerged from Guangdong, China, sparking an epidemic that resulted in 1,000 deaths worldwide and grounded planes from Hong Kong to Toronto.
On that occasion, civet cats – a popular delicacy in Chinese animal markets – were to blame; this time the animal reservoir is thought to be bats. But the truth is that no one knows for certain, least of all the scientists whose job it is to keep tabs on new pathogens and alert us to the threat before they can be reprimanded for not speaking up sooner.
And that's the dilemma: press the panic button too early and you risk being labelled a wolf-crier. Do it too often and when a real wolf comes along – albeit in the guise of a bird, cat or bat – no one will believe you.
For all the current fuss about the coronavirus, the pathogen that still keeps most scientists awake at night is H5N1 bird flu, a virus that first emerged in Hong Kong around the..
The three-year-old girl from Kampot province confirmed to have the year’s seventh case of bird flu in Cambodia died at Kantha Bopha hospital yesterday morning.
The girl had come in contact with poultry in her home village of Chrey Korng, where several chickens recently had died, before developing a fever and rash on February 3 and being admitted to Kantha Bopha after her condition worsened to include stomach pain and drowsiness, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health said yesterday.
“This is the highest we’ve seen in terms of monthly cases,” said Sonny Krishnan, communications officer for the WHO in Cambodia, noting that six had died from the virus in the past three weeks.
Treatment by tamiflu within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms ought to prevent bird-flu-related deaths, but Cambodia sees a high rate of fatalities because “most arrive in public health facilities already in an advanced stage of the disease”, said Krishnan.
Since H5N1 emerged a decade ago, Cambodia has seen 28 of the world’s 619 cases, and 25 deaths from the virus.
Most victims have been young girls.
Swabs taken by a Ministry of Health rapid response team showed no signs of the virus among others in the girl’s village, Krishnan said, adding that samples would be taken again in two weeks.
PADANG, METRO- Darali (73), a farmer from Padangpariaman suspected of having the H5N1 virus (avian influenza) or more commonly known as bird flu turned out to be not infected with the virus. Of laboratory inspection results in the negative and said Darali only affected by the virus.
Chief Medical Officer (PHO) Sumbar Rosnini Savitri when contacted by reporters on Wednesday (13/2) during the call, the patient suspect bird flu has been hospitalized since a few days ago on the third floor isolation Medicine Dr M Djamil Padang has improved his condition. In addition, the results of the laboratory did show negative.
"At this time, the victim suspect bird flu was getting better and maybe in the next few days had been allowed to go home," said Rosnini.
Added, to see the condition of the Darali, West Sumatra Health Office will be fielded to Dr M Djamil Padang specifically to monitor the progression of the patient's health. Then, a new future can be ascertained whether the patient can go home or not.
Previously, Darali suspected of having bird flu after some birds that surround her home in Korong Patokan, Nagari Sunua, Sabaris Nan Subdistrict, Regency Padangpariaman died suddenly. Coupled with a high fever Darali after the incident.
Dozens Of Dead Birds Suddenly In Sidawa [Bali] Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Bangli (Metrobali.com) - People in Banjar Tingkat Batu, Jehem, Metra, and Banjar village Yangapi Sidawa, Tamanbali, Bangli fidgety with the death of poultry type chicken suddenly.For fear that caused the death of the bird is the bird flu virus, the local residents to the Department Livestock report it Bangli.
Some Wayan Darmada, residents Sidawa said poultry deaths have occurred since a few days ago. Sudden death of chickens impressed. No less anxious, are citizens of Banjar Tingkat Batu and Banjar Metra, Tembuku. Because, in the two series is also identified sudden death of chickens. "We fear that strikes us is the chicken bird flu virus, so we reported to the department and Perikana nearby farms," said Wayan Merta, local residents, Wednesday (13/2).
Citizen unrest is quite reasonable. Because, in a number of villages in Bangli, has contracted the bird flu virus. One is in Selat Nyuan, Susut and Metra. After doing check rapid test, the clerk stated that poultry ducks that died when H1 N1 [sic] virus.
While Head of Livestock and Fisheries Bangli Ir. AA. Ngurah Shamba as confirmed confirmed the reports of chickens sudden death in a number of the village. "We did get a report like that," said the former Kadisdik Bangli it.
Further figures Puri Kanginan Bangli it, it has lowered the duty to follow up reports of residents. Where, officer down doing disinfected and do rapid test. "Rapid test result of negative results. Hence, we do not do calling forth [culling?], could just do spraying it, "Shamba said, when contacted claimed was in Banjar Sidawa to follow up reports of residents.
It is said, since some food then it is already on alert to combat bird flu chain entered Bangli, by alerting the monitoring post. In addition, it also calls on citizens to be careful in mobilizing poultry. Because the season today, many diseases that can affect birds, including bird flu. http://metrobali.com/2013/02/13/puluhan-unggas-mati-mendadak-di-sidawa/ HATTIP DBG
They want to test them urgently to see if they have caught the new coronavirus – and prevent them passing it on to yet more people.
Six NHS staff were today being closely monitored for signs of symptoms after they had “close” contact with one of the patients.
The Health Protection Agency today revealed a Birmingham patient being treated for the strain is related to a Brit fighting for life in Manchester.
The Birmingham patient is the world’s 11th person to be diagnosed with the new strain, which has killed five people.
It is the third UK case but the first time it has passed between humans.
The first here was a 49-year-old man not from the UK.
He was flown by air ambulance from Qatar to St Thomas’ Hospital, London, in September and is still seriously ill.
The second, a middle-aged man who recently visited the Middle East and Pakistan, is isolated in intensive care at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.
He is thought to have passed the bug to a relative, who has not been abroad recently.
That relative, who has an existing medical condition which makes sufferers more susceptible to respiratory infections, arrived at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, on Saturday night. Nurses caring for all three are wearing protective masks, goggles, aprons and gloves.
Prof John Watson, HPA head of respiratory diseases, said: “This infection of someone with no Middle East travel history suggests UK person-to-person transmission.”
The NHS Trust that runs Queen Elizabeth Hospital said: “Our patient had no direct contact with any other patient.
"The person is stable and the isolation room is cleaned daily with detergent.”
The coronavirus family ranges from colds to Sars – severe acute respiratory syndrome.
They are spread by coughs and sneezes but this strain differs from previous ones identified in humans.
Sars symptoms include fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.
A 2002 global outbreak killed about 800 victims before it was halted.
The World Health Organisation is trying to find the new strain’s source, with bats the leading theory.
Virus has no vaccine
THE new Sars-like virus has sparked pneumonia in some patients and can also cause kidney failure, the World Health Organisation has said.
Coronaviruses are usually caught from people coughing, sneezing or just talking but it is not known exactly how the latest bug is transmitted.
There is no available vaccine or specific treatment for sufferers. Coronaviruses are fragile and can survive outside the body for only 24 hours. They can be killed using detergents and cleaning agents.
Of the five people diagnosed in Saudi Arabia since the new strain emerged there last year, three have died. Two patients in Jordan have both died.
In light of this human-to-human transmission of the NCoV within the family cluster, ECDC is now updating its risk assessment, previously published on 7 December 2012.
Onset Age (yrs) Sex Probable place of infection Date reported Source Outcome 1 April 2012 45 F Jordan** 30/11/2012 WHO/IHR Dead 2 April 2012 25 M Jordan** 30/11/2012 WHO/IHR Dead 3 13/06/2012 60 M KSA* 20/09/2012 KSA/Promed Dead 4 03/09/2012 49 M Qatar/KSA*** 22/09/2012 HPA/WHO Alive 5 NK NK NK KSA 04/11/2012 KSA/Promed/SMJ Alive 6 12/10/2012 45 M Qatar**** 23/11/2012 RKI/WHO Alive 7 NK NK M KSA* 19/11/2012-23/11/2012 KSA/Promed/WHO Alive 8 28/10/2012 NK M KSA* 23/11/2012 WHO Dead 9 Oct 2012 NK M KSA* 28/11/2012 WHO Dead 10 26/1/2013 60 M Pakistan/KSA 8/11/2013 EWRS Alive/Hospitalised 11 6/2/2013 NK M United Kingdom* 12/02/13 HPA Alive/Hospitalised
* Part of family cluster ** Healthcare worker and part of outbreak linked to hospital *** Patient transferred to UK **** Patient transferred to Germany NK: not known
The above comment and list of novel beta coronavirus confirmed cases are from the latest ECDC update. The prior report claimed that human transmission was unlikely because of an absence of confirmed mild cases, which somehow indicated that the source of infection was animal or environmental. However, as seen in the above list, 7 of the 11 confirmed cases were from the three cited clusters (linkage to an ICU in Jordan, a familial cluster in Saudi Arabia, or a familial cluster in the UK. Even prior to the latest case, the two earlier clusters included 5 of the 10 confirmed cases as well as a number of milder cases which WHO classified as “probable” because of failures to confirm the presence of the novel coronavirus.
However, above list has glaring omissions with regard to disease onset dates, as well as the linkage between the above confirmed cases and symptomatic milder cases, which were not confirmed. These symptomatic contacts were cited as probable cases by WHO indicating that the epidemiological data suggested that there were milder cases which were not confirmed due to testing limitations.
The largest group of probable cases was in the Jordan ICU cluster, which included the first two cases on the above list. WHO has not been transparent on the age, gender, or disease onset dates for these cases.. Since the ECDC has published “risk assessments” they should have access to the IHR reports, which should include disease onset dates.
The Jordan Ministry of Health initially denied that the death of the second health care work (25M intern) was unrelated to the first death (40F nurse), the second cases, but after these cases were confirmed he acknowledged that the deaths were 7 days apart (April 19 and 26, respectively). The week gap in the dates of death suggests the disease onset dates were similarly gapped, which is more consistent with human to human transmission than a common environmental source. Moreover, one of the symptomatic cases was the son of the nurse and most of the symptomatic co-workers were hospitalized. The failure to confirm any of the surviving cluster members suggests that the assay’s ability to identify mild cases is suspect.
Similarly, WHO has withheld disease onset dates for the familial cluster in Riyadh (cases 7-9). However media reports indicated the two fatal cases were father and son, with the father being 70 years of age. Moreover, the dates of death were four days apart, which also supports human to human transmission. Similarly, WHO failed to confirm the presence of one of the symptomatic family members, who was also classified as a probable case, raising additional concerns for the lab testing.
Thus, the ECDC earlier position had little support, and mild cases are likely widespread but undetected due to a limited testing protocol, as well as heavily biased testing which targets severe cases.
The latest cluster has a large disease onset time gap in two well separate locations, providing the most compelling data on human to human transmission.
13 FEBRUARY 2013 -The United Kingdom (UK) has informed WHO of another confirmed case of infection with the novel coronavirus (NCoV). The patient is a UK resident and a relative of the case announced on 11 February 2013.
The latest confirmed case does not have any recent travel history outside the UK and is currently hospitalized in an intensive care unit. It is understood that this patient has pre-existing medical conditions that may have increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Confirmed NCoV in a person without recent travel history indicates that infection was acquired in the UK. To date, evidence of person-to-person transmission has been limited. Although this case is suggestive of person-to-person transmission, on the basis of current evidence, the risk of sustained person-to-person transmission appears to be very low.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is following up on all close contacts (family and healthcare workers) who may have been exposed to either of these two new confirmed cases.
As of 13 February 2013, a total of 11 confirmed cases of human infection with NCoV have been notified to WHO, with no change in the number of fatalities i.e., five deaths since April 2012.
Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all Member States to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns. Testing for the new coronavirus should be considered in patients with unexplained pneumonias, or in patients with unexplained severe, progressive or complicated respiratory illness not responding to treatment.
Any clusters of SARI or SARI in healthcare workers should be thoroughly investigated, regardless of where in the world they occur.
New cases and clusters of the NCoV should be reported promptly both to national health authorities and to WHO.
WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does it recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied.
More Media Myths On Beta Coronavirus Transmission Recombinomics Commentary 16:00 February 13, 2013
A novel coronavirus has been diagnosed in a third person in the UK,providing the first evidence that it can be passed between people.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has confirmed that a third UK resident has been confirmed with the respiratory disease and is receiving intensive care treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Unlike the other two cases, the third patient has no history of recent travel and so did not pick up the infection overseas.
The above comment, claiming that the latest novel beta coronavirus infection provides “the first evidence that it can pass between people” is demonstrably false. The latest case is the 11th confirmed case, and creates the third cluster.
The first cluster was confirmed late, but was clearly the largest involving probable and confirmed cases. The outbreak was among people (largely health care workers) linked to an ICU in Jordan. The two fatal cases were lab confirmed and the 1 week time gap between the death of the nurse (45F) and the intern (25M) strongly signaled human to human transmission, as did the infection of the nurse’s son. Although the non-fatal cases were not lab confirmed, all but one was hospitalized and a WHO epidemiological analysis concluded that most if not all of the symptomatic cases were “probable” cases. The largest cluster of confirmed cases was a familial outbreak in Riyadh. Like the cluster in Jordan, WHO has withheld the disease onset days for the symptomatic family members, but media reports indicated the two fatal cases were father and son (father was 70 years old) and they died 4 days apart, once again supporting human transmission within the cluster. Both fatal cases were confirmed, as was the novel coronavirus in one of the symptomatic surviving family members. The fourth symptomatic family member tested negative, but again WHO classified the case as probable, based on symptoms and disease onset date. The recent cluster in the UK limits unfounded speculation in the media suggesting that the human cases are linked to contaminated fruit or ground water, or other animals, including camels! There was little scientific basis for any the above because an extensive survey of animals, including bats in Europe, Africa, and Asia, failed to identify any coronavirus that was more than 91% identical to the sequences from the human cases, which were all at least 99.5% identical to each other (in contrast to SARS-CoV where bat sequences had a 98% identity with human sequences).
Familial Beta Coronavirus Cluster In The UK Recombinomics Commentary 16:00 February 13, 2013
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) can confirm a further case of novel coronavirus infection in a family member of the case announced on Monday 11 February. The patient, who is a UK resident, does not have any recent travel history and is currently receiving intensive care treatment at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
The above comments confirm a familial beta coronavirus cluster in the UK. The index case (60M) developed symptoms in Saudi Arabia prior his return to the UK, supporting human to human transmission to the latest confirmed case. The index case was co-infected with H1N1pdm09. Details on the collection date for the sample positive for H1N1pdm09 has not been released, which is also true for the sequence of the influenza virus.
The HPA announcement and associated media reports have been silent on testing of the latest case for H1N1pdm09. However, the infection of a relative in the UK eliminates most of the unfounded speculation that the cases and clusters of novel coronavirus infections involve an environment or animal source.
The latest case forms the third cluster, and raises the number of the confirmed cases that are contacts of other confirmed cases to 7 (out of 11).
Details on influenza testing of the latest case, as well as release of the H1N1pdm09 sequence, from the index case, would be useful.
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