Recombination Creates Human Beta2c Coronavirus Sub-clades

Recombinomics Commentary 19:30
March 29, 2013

NAMRU-3 has released a full sequence (Jordan-N3) for nCoV from the first known fatality, a nurse (45F) in the Jordan SARS-like cluster linked to an ICU.  The sequence was most closely related to the sequence (EMC/2012) from the first confirmed case (60F), who was from Bisha, Saudi Arabia (KSA) and died in Jeddah.  In addition to these two full sequences, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in the UK had sequenced two additional cases, a Qatari (49M) who developed symptoms while performing Umrah in August 2012, and a UK resident who also developed symptoms while performing Umrah in January, 2013 (England1 and England2, respectively)..

The first three sequences defined a consensus sequence which had an identity of more than 99.9% with the two England sequences (21 differences + 6 base deletion and 26 differences, respectively).  In contrast, the EMC/2012 sequence had an identity of less than 99.8% due to 70 polymorphisms which were concentrated in the orf 1ab gene.  The Jordan-N3 sequence matched most of the orf 1ab polymorphisms, but had many additional unique polymorphisms.  The 79 polymorphism in Jordan-N3 included 39 that matched EMC/12, two that matched England1, and 38 that were unique.

The distribution of the 70 Jordan-N3 polymorphisms was far from random.  Between positions 3134 and 10982 (all of which are in orf 1ab) 24/26 Jordan-N3 polymorphisms match EMC/2012.  In contrast, none of the 17 polymorphisms between positions 20208 and 26457 match EMC/2012 (one matches England1).  This clustering signals evolution via homologous recombination.  This same clustering was seen for EMC/12, where 24/27 of the polymorphisms between 3134 and 10982 match Jordan-N3 while 18/20 polymorphisms between 13678 and 266223 are unique.

The matches in orf 1ab are markedly different that the polymorphisms in the S gene.  EMC/12 has only two polymorphisms, both of which areunique and synonymous.  Jordan-N3 has 7 polymorphisms in the S gene and all are unique (and 4 are non-synonymous).

The matches between  EMC/2012 and Jordan-N3 define a separate sub-clade that may be circulating in western KSA, and reports of mild nCoV in Jeddah raise concerns that this sub-clade may be linked to a large number of nCoV infections.  In contrast, England1 and England2 may signal a separate clade circulating in eastern KSA.  Partial sequences from the first case (45M) in Riyadh are identical to the consensus sequence and therefore not informative.  This is also true for one of the partial sequences from the Essen case (the second Qatari patient, 45M, who was treated in Essen, Germany).  The second partial sequence includes a polymorphism that matches the consensus for a position (29714) that has a shared change in EMC/2012 and Jordan-N3 (T29714A).

Thus, recombination has generated two distinct nCoV sub-clades, which may be circulating in geographically distinct regions in KSA. Release of full sequences from the Riyadh and Essen cases would help define these sub-clades, as would sequences from the mild cases in Jeddah.

Media Myth On Beta2c Coronavirus Transmission In HCWs

Recombinomics Commentary 22:45
March 29, 2013

Schaffner said the knowledge that it hasn't spread to health care workers is a comfort.

In Canada during the 2003 SARS outbreak, the virus was so readily transmitted that extra hospital staff were stationed outside SARS patients' rooms to make sure health care workers didn't enter without full protective gear. 

"That has not happened with these patients yet," he said. "It indicates that this is not a virus that is readily transmitted person-to-person."

The above comments on an ABC News report on the two most recent nCoV deaths (the index case, 60M, from the UK cluster and the first confirmed case, 73M, from the UAE) are a step beyond media myth.  The first two known nCoV cases were Jordan health care workers (HCWs) who died on April 19 and April 26, 2012.  Although lab confirmation was made retroactively (November, 2012), the confirmation was well in advance of the above interview, and claims that nCoV hasn’t spread to health care workers are demonstrably false.

The Jordan outbreak was centered in an ICU.  Local media reports described it as a SARS-like outbreak, and the similarities with SARS clusters involving HCWs in 2003 were clear. 

Jordan initially sent out samples to labs in France and Egypt to identify the etiological agents, which failed because testing was limited to known human agents.  However, after the novel coronavirus was identified in a fatal case hospitalized in Jeddah, and a Qatari who was transported to the UK by air ambulance, samples from Jordan were re-tested by NAMRU-3 (US Naval medical facility in Egypt), who confirmed nCoV in the two fatal cases, who were HCWs.

Although WHO failed to explain why nCoV was not confirmed in the surviving cluster members, an epidemiological team interview patients and family members and concluded that the symptomatic members of the cluster likely nCoV infected and were classified as probable case. 

Confirmation of nCoV in milder cases has been problematic and a surviving member of a Riyadh cluster was also classified as a probable case after he tested negative.  Three other family members tested positive, including the father (70M) and son (38M) who died.  However, WHO also noted that family contacts of the HCWS who were also symptomatic were also classified as probable cases whose infection was due to human to human transmission.

Moreover, NAMRU-3 has released a full sequence from samples collected from the nurse (45F) who was hospitalized (April 9) and died (April 19), and that sequence was most closely related to the case who died in Jeddah.  The clustered shared polymorphisms indicated that thetwo districts subclades arose via recombination.  The two more recent sequences (from the Qatari nation hospitalized in the UK and the UK index case) formed a second subclade.  

The presence of two human subclades, which are not closely related to any animal coronavirus, in cases with no animal contact, signal sustained nCoV transmission, WHO denials notwithstanding. http://www.recombinomics.com/News/03291302/nCoV_HCW_H2H_MM.html

NCoV: the new virus worries WHO

en years after the SARS threat of a new epidemic which has already claimed 11 victims in the Middle East: the virus NCoV would be able to pass from animals to humans and from human to human. The pathogen attacks multiple organs and quickly kills the cells. At the moment is not very contagious, but if they are afraid of the possible mutation. Prepared the first counter.

MARCH 29, 2013 by STEPHANIE AMATO in NEWS with 0 COMMENTS

Ten years have passed since the Sars has thrown into panic health authorities around the world and now faces the possibility of an epidemic even more dangerous than that generated by the atypical pneumonia.

This would be a coronavirus can easily infect different species, his name is NCoV and has already resulted in eleven deaths in the Middle East. The news was reported by the South China Morning Post, citing as source data from the University of Hong Kong.

The concern stems from the more aggressive of NCoV able to attack various organs and quickly destroy infected cells: the mortality caused by the virus is in fact very high and equal to56% of cases and SARS killed only 11% of those infected.

Researchers in Hong Kong revealed that the virus was first observed in bats, but do not know which is the country from which you started this threat. Has already resulted in casualties in the Arabian Peninsula and acts by attacking the liver, kidneys, intestines and the lower respiratory tract.

The pathogen is able to pass from animals to humans and can transmit the infection from man to man as evidenced by the fact that there have been two cases in one family.

Just the fact that involving the lower respiratory tract, and not the high, makes this little infectious virus, but scientists fear that NCoV may have a mutation and become capable of attacking the upper airway becoming in this way is extremely dangerous.

At present, the WHO estimates that there are already 17 infected. 
The level of care is very high, the Italian National Institute of Health has already prepared reagents to perform promptly any diagnosis. 
Fortunately, from the experience of SARS, which procured after 812 victims have originated in China, many things have changed.

With the introduction of strict regulation, in contrast to what happened then, the World Health Organization is contacted immediately when an outbreak begins, thus making possible an immediate task force to address the health threat . http://scienze.befan.it/ncov-il-nuovo-virus-che-preoccupa-loms/

The new coronavirus decade after comeback

2013-03-29 19:19:28

Ten years ago, the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) swept Hong Kong, and then spread to the world. "Infectious Diseases" published a recent study found that a new coronavirus SARS virus can infect human tissue types, quickly caused the death of these organizations. Sectors in Hong Kong to take preventive measures to protect against the new virus strikes.

Medical experts stressed that they do not know whether this new virus can produce the same as with the SARS virus, the ability to spread between people.The World Health Organization (WHO), this cautious attitude.

According to the New York Times reported, the World Health Organization announced in the 26th and, so far, 17 people have been infected by this new virus called coronavirus 11 people were killed, including a British man, he went to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Travel sick.

The World Health Organization requires member governments to report all new cases, but has not been urged to take any special measures. The organization said, "WHO does not recommend a special screening at ports of entry for this event is not recommended to take any travel or trade restrictions."

Although there has so far been in East Asia has not one is diagnosed infected people, Hong Kong has started to take preventive measures. The Hong Kong government has begun to notice and training hospitals, clinics and staff at the airport, to identify possible cases. Expand the range of medical research.

Senior officials of the SAR Government in a large-scale exercise was held on the 27th, simulation if an infected person to arrive at the airport, the spread of this new virus in Hong Kong, the government will be how to manage for the isolation and treatment of patients and staff. Hong Kong Department of Health said, to remain vigilant and continue to cooperate closely with the WHO and other health agencies overseas, to monitor the latest developments of new infectious diseases.

Head of the Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, Yuen Kwok-yung (Yuen Kwok-yung), said, "At the moment, for obvious historical reasons, I think that the Hong Kong government to adopt the most stringent border controls against this new virus may become."

Yuen Kwok-yung their Hong Kong colleagues, discovered in 2003, played a key role in the SARS virus and its genetic similarity be traced back to an infection of the virus in wild bat research.

Now, researchers at the University of Hong Kong in the Middle East, said more and more worried about this new virus. This virus, like SARS is a coronavirus.The virus is named novel coronavirus EMC.

One of the discoverers of the SARS virus, the director of the Research Center of the University of Hong Kong influenza, Peiris (Malik Peiris) 26, warned, SARS virus in the world infected with 8445 people, of which 790 people were killed, although the virus disappeared a year later, but In the past two centuries, the other two coronavirus from animals spread transferred to spread in the human body has become endemic infectious diseases. Everyone is very worried about this new virus, because it seems to be more deadly, has caused the death of more than half of the patients in the confirmed cases.

The new virus can infect cells from a variety of animals, including monkeys, rabbits and pigs. This makes the new virus more opportunities to evolve greater infectious.

For 16 years, the H5N1 avian influenza virus occasionally spread from birds to humans and leads to death, but it has not evolved the ability to spread between people continued sporadic. However, SARS virus after some sporadic infection in southern China in late 2002, only months seems to have evolved the ability to spread from person to person.

Yuen Kwok-yung said, As for this new virus, "we face may be the case in 2002, that would be very, very bad, but it might be a situation similar to the H5N1."

http://big5.soundofhope.org/node/323351

Man tests negative for coronavirus

March 30, 2013

A 55-year-old man in United Christian Hospital has tested negative for novel coronavirus associated with severe respiratory disease, the Department of Health said today.
 
The man, with chronic illness, travelled with his wife to Italy from March 18 to 26. He fell ill on March 28 and was admitted to hospital for isolation and treatment yesterday.
 
He is stable. His wife has no symptoms.
 
The department stressed that no human infection with this virus has been identified so far in Hong Kong.

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/categories/health/html/2013/03/20130330_145904.shtml

Treyfish continues to closely monitor the situation

‘More dangerous than SARS’: Scientists warn of deadly new coronavirus

http://rt.com/news/new-deadly-coronavirus-middle-east-970/

Novel coronavirus lab studies hint at wide tissue susceptibility

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/other/sars/news/mar2713corona.html

 Health: epidemiological situation in Qatar reassuring
http://www.alarab.qa/details.php?issueId=1934&artid=236498

CDC Issues Travel Notice Because Of Novel Coronavirus In The Middle East And United Kingdom

In light of the latest report of novel coronaviris (nCoV) from the World Health Organization and the Robert Koch Institute in Germany yesterday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an updated travel notice for people traveling abroad, specifically mentioning the United Kingdom and the Arabian Peninsula,according to the CDC notice March 27.
http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/cdc-issues-travel-notice-because-of-novel-coronavirus-in-the-middle-east-and-united-kingdom-93768/

://www.dubaichronicle.com/2013/03/29/how-dangerous-is-the-new-coronavirus/

Govt vows to keep transparency on info of SARS-like virus
(03-27 15:39)  http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=34046&icid=a&d_str=

, DHA monitoring coronavirus situation
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/inside.asp?xfile=/data/nationgeneral/2013/March/nationgeneral_March548.xml&section=nationgeneral

You should see a healthcare provider if you develop a fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, within 10 days after traveling from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula*
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/in-the-news/coronavirus-saudi-arabia-qatar.htm

WHO continues to closely monitor the situation
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_03_26/en/index.html

NO MESSAGES FOR U.S. CITIZENS

http://riyadh.usembassy.gov/amcitmessages.html

Found the polio virus in sewage بمدينتين Backstanatin

Islamabad, 16 Jumada first 1434 AH March 28, 2013, SPA found WHO polio virus in sewage in the cities of Peshawar and Quetta the Pakistani. channel quoted ((Geo News)) Pakistani sources WHO, the organization conducted during March ongoing tests on samples of wastewater obtained from thirteen City Pakistani. added that the results of tests carried out in laboratories Organization revealed a generation dangerous polio virus in sewage in the cities of Peshawar and Quetta, while not found in samples obtained from other cities including Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Lahore.

Epidemiological situation in Qatar reassuring

The Supreme Council of Health to the epidemiological situation in the State of Qatar reassuring at the moment, and that was to operationalize all the recommendations of the World Health Organization, which includes tools to monitor the disease and laboratory diagnosis, isolation and screening contacts. added Council that works closely with the World Health Organization and a number of international partners in public health better understand and work to make epidemiological studies and scientific pattern emerging from the virus Coruna. Council noted that to date, WHO declared registration injuring 17 confirmed cases from several countries, had been diagnosed clinically, died including 11 case. As was recently announced deaths of a elderly who were receiving treatment in Germany - a UAE national, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) -.

Sultan bin Zayed condoles the death of Mohammed Balloaa Khaili ..

2013-03-27 19:04:32 Sultan bin Zayed / consolation. Abu Dhabi on March 27 / WAM / HH Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of His Highness the Head of State and condolences on the death of the late Mohammed Bin Balloaa bin Afassan Khaili during the visit by His Highness this afternoon to the tent that erected in the area of safe and met the sons of the deceased Khalifa and Balloaa, and Mansour, and Mubarak Mohammed bin Balloaa bin Afassan Khaili expressed their sincere condolences and sympathy in grief calamity fluidly God Almighty to bestow His mercy and eternal peace, and that inspires them patience and fortitude. also accepted condolences from Prince Said Balhbab Khaili and Mohammed bin Hmdsh Khaili and a number of people deceased and his family. participated Prince during his time in front crowds of mourners who came to offer condolences and pray for mercy on the deceased, said qualities offices, and his kindness. across sons of the deceased, his family and أصهارة and Onspaah sincere thanks and great appreciation His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of His Highness the Head of State, on this humanitarian gesture that showed sincerity of his feelings, and his eagerness to post his brothers and his sons citizens sorrows and أتراحهم, wishing for his longevity and good health. was the body of the late Mohammed Balloaa bin Afassan Khaili arrived From Germany to Al Ain Airport this morning, where a large gathering of citizens and residents prayers for his soul pure in a mosque objector .. Progress Sheikh Diab bin Zayed bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Zayed bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, HE Lieutenant General Hamad bin Suhail Al Khaili.  http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocAnews&cid=1290003916378&pagename=WAM%2FWAM_A_Layout&parent=Collection&parentid=1135099399933

H5N1 sickens Egyptian woman

Date: Mon 25 Mar 2013
Source: CIDRAP News [edited]
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/mar2513scan1.html


H5N1 sickens Egyptian woman
---------------------------
A 40-year-old Egyptian woman from Menofia governorate who became ill after contact with sick poultry tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza, according to a Thu 21 Mar 2013 report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). She got sick on 3 Mar 2013 a few days after close contact with sick and dead backyard ducks and chickens. If the World Health Organization (WHO) confirms the case, the woman's illness will be counted as Egypt's 171st case, of whom 61 have been fatal. 

The tests were conducted at Egypt's Central Public Health Laboratories. News of her illness appeared in the FAO's monthly Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) highly pathogenic avian flu situation update. Egypt has had only one other H5N1 case this year, a fatal one.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[So far in 2013 (as of 12 Mar 2013) there have been 12 confirmed human cases of avian A/(H5N1) virus infection, 11 of which have had fatal outcome. 9 of the cases were recorded in Cambodia, 2 in China, and one in Egypt prior to the current case. Globally, since the 1st case in 2003, there have been 622 confirmed human cases of avian influenza A/(H5N1) virus infection with 371 fatalities (for a breakdown, see: http://www.who.int/influenza/human_animal_interface/EN_GIP_20130312CumulativeNumberH5N1cases.pdf). - Mod.CP

Epidemiological update: additional confirmed cases of novel coronavirus including sixth case diagnosed in Europe

27 Mar 2013

ECDC Since the ECDC epidemiological update of 22 February 2013, four new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection have been reported worldwide, totalling 17 cases and including eleven deaths. Three of the four recent cases have been reported by the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia to WHO on: 6 March 2013: a 69 year old male, with no recent history of travel or contact with a confirmed case, hospitalised on 10 February 2013 and who died on 19 February [1]. 12 March 2013: a 39 year old male reported to have developed symptoms on 24 February and who died on 2 March while hospitalised. Potential exposures are under investigation [2]. 23 March 2013: a patient with mild symptoms diagnosed with nCoV infection and hospitalised, who has since recovered. The mode and source of transmission has not been identified, but the case is known to be a contact of the above case reported on 12 March [3]. The fourth case was reported on 25 March by Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany, and is the second imported case to be reported in this EU Member State. The patient, a 73 year old male with underlying clinical conditions, had been hospitalised in United Arab Emirates and transferred to a hospital in Germany for specific clinical care where subsequent diagnosis of nCoV infection was confirmed. Despite intensive care treatment the patient died on 26 March [4]. Contact tracing and investigations are underway by German public health authorities. Since the start of reporting, six cases have been diagnosed and cared for in Europe (Table 1). Three cases (2 in Germany and 1 in UK) came to Europe as part of transfer for care from countries in the Arabian Peninsula where they acquired their infection.  A fourth case became unwell while in the Arabian Peninsula, but may have acquired his infection in either Pakistan or the Arabian Peninsula, before travelling to the UK. Extensive contact tracing has been undertaken around the first two UK cases and first German case, by respective national public health authorities [5-7]. To date, this has revealed two cases occurring though human-to-human transmission in the UK. Testing of other persons as recommended by WHO and ECDC has not revealed additional cases [5-9]. Though the number of nCoV infections has increased this last month, most reported cases continue to be associated with the Arabian Peninsula, where contact tracing and epidemiological investigations by Public Health Authorities continue in order to identify the possible source of infection. The ECDC update of the rapid risk assessment for the EU provided on 19 February and its recommendations remain valid [10]. ECDC has published today a Public Health Development highlighting recent updated surveillance and clinical guidance from WHO and providing ECDC advice in their application by EU Member States [11,12]. References: 1. WHO. Novel coronavirus infection – update 6 March 2013 http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_03_06/en/index.html 2. WHO. Novel coronavirus infection – update 12 March 2013http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_03_12/en/index.html   3. WHO. Novel coronavirus infection – update 23 March 2013  http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_03_23/en/index.html# 4. RKI. Aktualisierung der Risikoeinschätzung des RKI zu Erkrankungsfällen durch das neuartige Coronavirus (hCoV-EMC) 26 March 2013http://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/C/Corona/Risikoeinschaetzung.html   5. Health Protection Agency (HPA) UK - Investigation and public health management of possible cases of severe acute respiratory illness associated with a novel virus. February  version 19/02/2013. http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1317136270914 6. Pebody RG, Chand MA, Thomas HL, Green HK, Boddington NL, Carvalho C et al. The United Kingdom public health response to an imported laboratory confirmed case of a novel coronavirus in September 2012. Euro Surveill. 2012;17(40):pii=20292. Available at:http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=20292 7. Buchholz U, Müller MA, Nitsche A, Sanewski A, Wevering N, Bauer-Balci T, Bonin F, Drosten C, Schweiger B, Wolff T, Muth D, Meyer B, Buda S, Krause G, Schaade L, Haas W. Contact investigation of a case of human novel coronavirus infection treated in a German hospital, October-November 2012. Euro Surveill. 2013;18(8):pii=20406. Available online: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=20406 8. Palm D, Pereyaslov D, Vaz J, Broberg E, Zeller H, Gross D, Brown CS, Struelens MJ, on behalf of the Joint ECDC-WHO Regional Office for Europe Novel Coronavirus Laboratory Survey participants; ECDC National Microbiology Focal Points, WHO European Region EuroFlu Network and European Network for Diagnostics of "Imported" Viral Diseases (ENIVD). Laboratory capability for molecular detection and confirmation of novel coronavirus in Europe, November 2012. Euro Surveill. 2012;17(49):pii=20335. Available online: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=20335 9. Health Protection Agency  Novel coronavirus 20 March 2013 in HPA Weekly National Influenza Report. Summary of UK surveillance of influenza and other seasonal respiratory illnesses 21 March 2013 – Week 12 report (up to week 11 data)http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1317138449850 10. ECDC Risk Assessment severe respiratory disease associated with a novel coronavirus 19 February 2013 11. ECDC Public Health Development on Updated guidance on novel coronavirus by WHO  12. WHO Interim surveillance recommendations for human infection with novel coronavirus - 18 March 2013 http://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/InterimRevisedSurveillanceRecommendations_nCoVinfection_18Mar13.pdf http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/press/news/Lists/News/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=32e43ee8-e230-4424-a783-85742124029a&ID=873

FBI Gets Case of Missing Virus at Texas Biolab

By SYDNEY LUPKIN (@slupkin)

March 26, 2013

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has referred to the FBI the case of the laboratory where one of five vials of a deadly Venezuelan virus went missing, an official from the CDC told ABCNews.com.

"CDC reported the incident to the FBI and we understand that the FBI will initiate an investigation concerning the reported incident," Dr. Rob Weyant, director of the CDC's Division of Select Agents and Toxins, told ABCNews.com in an email. "Since the investigation is just underway, the agency will not comment further regarding details of this incident."

The FBI would not confirm it was investigating the incident at theGalveston National Laboratory.

"The FBI does not confirm nor deny the existence of investigations" as a matter of policy, said Shauna A. Dunlap, a media coordinator for the FBI Houston Division.

A lab spokesman said he did not think the FBI was investigating, but rather that the FBI was monitoring the lab's ongoing investigation.

The CDC can make a referral to the FBI if it finds "possible violations involving criminal negligence or a suspicious activity or person to the FBI for further investigation," according to 2007 congressional testimony from Dr. Richard Besser, who directed the CDC's Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response at the time. He is now ABC News' chief health and medical editor... http://abcnews.go.com/Health/fbi-case-missing-guanarito-virus-texas-biolab/story?id=18817744#.UVLiuhxwe8A

Schmallenberg virus: arrival in Scotland confirmed

27 March 2013 Last updated at 07:43 ET

The cases are the first to be confirmed in cattle bred and raised in Scotland

Continue reading the main story

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The first evidence of cases of the Schmallenberg virus (SBV) among livestock bred and raised in Scotland has been confirmed.

Eight cows on the Barony Campus of Scotland's Rural College in Dumfries and Galloway have tested positive for SBV antibodies.

It indicates exposure to the virus at some time last year.

No deformed calves have yet been born to the 160-strong herd on the farm north of Dumfries.

Last year a ram from Shropshire was confirmed with the virus after being transported to Orkney.

The animals involved in the latest incident were homebred and no animals had been added to the herd from outside Scotland.

The virus - which can cause abortions and birth defects in animals - was first detected in southern England in January 2012.

Although a small number of animals that had recently moved into Scotland have previously tested positive for SBV antibodies, this is the first evidence that suggests exposure to infected midges in Scotland.

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

While the results were unexpected they will now help us plan our breeding programme and consider vaccination when it becomes available later this year”

Colin MasonSAC Consulting

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Since Schmallenberg was first detected in the south of England we have watched it spread slowly northwards.

"Confirmation of its arrival in Scotland is, therefore, no surprise but is nonetheless disappointing and undoubtedly a headache which farmers could do without at the moment.

"Following that confirmation, farmers should continue to exercise vigilance, particularly when moving animals onto their farm and should consider testing breeding stock for the SBV antibody."

He said current evidence suggested infection with SBV had a "relatively low impact" but it was known it could cause problems in pregnant animals.

Brian Hosie, of SAC Consulting veterinary services, said any farmers encountering foetal abnormalities, stillbirths or newborns showing signs of nervous disease should contact their vet or SAC.

"Do not assume these are cases of Schmallenberg virus infection as other diseases can cause birth defects in lambs and calves and it is important to know which you are dealing with," he said.

A Schmallenberg surveillance scheme is about to start in Scotland.

Vaccination considered

They are identifying dairy farms that would be willing to take part in the testing of bulk milk to help flag up any spread of the virus across the country.

Colin Mason, of SAC Consulting in Dumfries, said: "These new results arose from testing we chose to do as part of other routine sampling at Barony.

"While the results were unexpected they will now help us plan our breeding programme and consider vaccination when it becomes available later this year.

"That's exactly what we hope any findings of the proposed screening programme will help others with."

SBV causes fever, diarrhoea and loss of milk production in adult cattle, although the animals do recover.

The disease, first identified on German and Dutch farms, is not thought to pose a risk to humans.

It spread via midges throughout parts of Europe and southern England.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-21954418

Came the killer virus of a camel?

HATTIP TO CATBIRD

Munich - The Infected with a novel coronavirus in the Schwabing Hospital has died.Now it is checked whether he has been infected with a camel.

For the first time a person dies in Germany at the death Virus: The infected with the novel coronavirus in the Schwabing Hospital did not make it. The 73-year-old from the United Arab Emirates died Monday night after a circulatory shock . "Due to the advanced stage infection and septic disease, the prognosis for the patient was unfortunately very unfavorable, so that his maximum intensive care could not be saved," laments Professor Clemens Wendtner, infectious diseases chief physician in Schwabing.

Now the case can advance research. The man - possibly a sheik - have visited shortly before his camel-herd disease he could have been infected at one of its racing camels, explains Prof. Wendtner. The talks with the family of the deceased would have arisen. Also one of the animals had fallen ill. The camel in turn could have the virus from a bat. The Arabs had fallen ill in early March and last Tuesday was flown by private jet from Abu Dhabi to Munich for treatment. Now, the body will be transferred promptly to his homeland.

A risk of infection for the population did not pass loud city. The patient lay on the isolation that some 50 members and contact persons would continue to be monitored.So far there are no abnormalities, according to health department.

With the Munich dead, the number of victims of the pathogen : So far, the 17 infections are known to have died eleven patients. Last week, according to British media reports, a 60-year-old from Birmingham has died, which seemed to have overcome the coronavirus. The man had been infected in the Middle East and at home probably infected his 38-year-old son, who died before his father.

Munich as a medical mecca

The illness of the 73-year-old Arab is a particularly stark case of medical tourism : Already hovering in mortal danger, he was flown by private jet to treat - attached to the ventilator. He was several times on the Isar for treatment because the family probably just promised here is a chance of recovery.

So the thousands to see every year: The five hospitals welcomed the Municipal Hospital in the past year about 1500 patients mainly from Arab countries and from Russia. Most wanted in Bogenhausen Schwabing or under the knife - and paid the treatment itself Most interventions were the chief physicians in the fields of orthopedics, plastic surgery and reconstruction, neurosurgery, gastroenterology and diabetes. That has already gone off in the 90s because of the reputation of the physician, hospital spokesman says Matthias Winter. "The potential is still great."

Somewhat smaller, the figures are at the University Hospital: In Grosshadern and in the city there were in 2011 just 1225 patients. "The number is far lower than you might think," said hospital spokesman Philip Kressirer. On the right of the Isar River are consistently steady around 300 Arab patients per year. The number of patients treated staionär from Russia had recently risen to 500 a year, says hospital spokeswoman Eva Schuster.

On the international patients, the clinics have long set-with websites, brochures, advertising. On the right of the Isar Clinic there is even a patient off at Lufthansa. http://www.tz-online.de/aktuelles/muenchen/kam-killervirus-von-einem-kamel-schwabing-patient-verstorben-tz-2822100.html

Gujarat HC pulls up state govt on swine flu: why not declare it an epidemic

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the state government over the prevalence of swine flu in the state and asked why it did not declare the disease "an epidemic".

The court also termed the state government's report on steps being taken to handle the disease as "an eyewash".

After lashing out at the state government, the court directed the Commissioner of Health to file a detailed affidavit on a variety of issues related to the disease and medical emergency situation in the state by April 9, when further hearing is scheduled.

The court presided over by Justice Anant Dave had, in the last hearing, asked the state government to submit a detailed report related to the disease while acting on certain bail petitions by some undertrial prisoners who had sought bail to attend to their relatives suffering from diseases like swine flu, malaria and dengue.

On Tuesday, the state government counsel presented the report before the court and apprised it about the instructions being given to the government hospitals and health centres.

The court, however, was unimpressed. "Instructions do not work. There are no qualified doctors in your CHCs (Community Health Centres). Even for X-ray, patients have to go outside," the court said.

The court said there were norms of cleanliness and hygiene in government hospitals but expressed doubts about how many hospitals were following the same.

Apprising the court about various provisions at government hospitals, the state government's counsel said they were having rain-basera facilities in major centres for accommodation of relatives of the patients...

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/-/1093943/?

Emirati man dies in of coronavirus infection in Germany

Emirati man dies in of coronavirus infection in Germany

Mar 26, 2013 - 11:27 -

Abu Dhabi, 26 March 2013 (WAM) - A 66 years old UAE national man died in Germany while being hospitalised for cancer treatment (level 4). The man was infected by novel coronavirus (NcoV) confirmed the German Health Authorities.

The Health Authority in Abu Dhabi confirmed that it's coordinating with the Ministry of Health and other authorities in the country and has taken the necessary measures as per the international standards and recommendations by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The Authority confirmed that there are no suspected cases of coronavirus in the Emirate up to date.

The Ministry of Health also confirmed that there are no suspected cases in the UAE up to date.

The Ministry and the Authority stated that the WHO first issued an international alert in September 2012. Up to date the WHO confirmed 16 coronavirus cases globally.

The WHO confirmed that the virus is not a concern for public health at the moment, and that the current situation does not require to ban travel to any country in the world or screenings on different ports and do not impose any restrictions on trade.

The WHO is working with international experts and countries where cases have been reported to assess the situation and review recommendations for surveillance and monitoring and asked all national authorities to promptly assess and notify the WHO of any new NCoV cases within 24 hours.

The Ministry and the Health Authority were sadden by the loss of the UAE National and sent condolences to his family. http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1290003898100&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews

New diseases: Are we safe?

26.03.2013

The reaction of the World Health Organization to the case of nCoV (Novel Coronavirus Infection) is tellingly similar to the reaction of the WHO to the new strain of Influenza A H1N1 in 2009 - an emulation of the three Sanzaru monkeys covering their eyes, ears and mouths. Do nothing and hope it spreads...

From SARS to SARI. Novel Coronavirus Infection, or nCoV is far less widespread than the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which swept across 37 countries from November 2002 to July 2003 causing 775 deaths in 8,273 cases (a fatality rate of 9.6%). However, Novel Coronavirus Infection, causing Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) has killed nine of the confirmed 16 cases, a fatality rate of 56%.

And as usual, only laboratory tested cases count, meaning that the real prevalence and fatality rate could be far higher, as was the case with the Influenza A H1N1 pandemic in 2009, whose official statistics were a relatively low fatality rate of 0.01 to 0.03% (Influenza usually has a fatality rate of lower than 0.03%) or 294,500 deaths. However, there are claims that up to 579,000 people could have died from A H1N1, as many cases in Africa and South-East Asia (where else?) went unreported.

And while the WHO "continues to closely monitor the situation" (split infinitive), it "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".

 Practically a copy-paste of the official position during the A H1N1 pandemic. It is the verborrea of those who spend millions doing nothing.And as was the case with A H1N1, as is the case with practically all outbreaks and Pandemics of disease, what does the WHO do with nCoV? It "encourages all Member States (MS) to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns", while it is "currently working with international experts and countries where cases have been reported to assess the situation and review recommendations for surveillance and monitoring".

In four words, sit back, do nothing, or in a four-letter word, zero. And this is the approach of those who are supposed to be protecting us even though the WHO itself admits that "there is insufficient information available to allow a conclusive assessment of the mode and source of transmission". Bullshit! There is telling evidence which points towards a strong possibility of human-to-human transmission on nCoV.

The three apes sanbiki no saru, from Japanese mythology, are called Mizaru (who covers the eyes and can see no evil); Kikazaru (covering his ears, can hear no evil) and Iwazaru(covers his mouth, can speak no evil). Doing nothing, these monkeys hope that a disease will simply go away? Or spread, so that the pharmaceutical giants can make millions?

Is that the idea? If it isn't, it seems like it.  http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/26-03-2013/124160-new_diseases-0/