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Friday, April 5, 2013

Changhua the startling news of one thousand dead chickens home side of the road is the avian flu of unknown origin



Changhua the startling news of the thousand dead chickens were placed on the side of the road; nothing to do with the news for the schematic diagram (Figure / turn taken from the network)
Local center / Changhua reported
H7N9 outbreaks continue to spread, so people person Descendants, the morning of the 5th, people in Erlin, Changhua County, about 40 dead chickens were found on the open space, according to the West roadside agricultural land of the open space opposite a big hole inside discarded about thousand of dead chickens, causing near panic.
Changhua County Animal Epidemic Prevention Acting Director Xie said a U.S. county no outgoing avian flu, chicken farm has not received any notification, but this time found an unusually large number of dead chickens, will further investigate the source and cause of death of the dead chickens, people do not panic before the results of the investigation, which will send someone to the scene to conduct a comprehensive disinfection.

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://www.ettoday.net/news/20130405/188687.htm&usg=ALkJrhhq1FeRu_9XNhNcfqZmoncOuxL6Eg

Ministry of Agriculture, 19 copies of the H7N9 avian influenza positive samples detected again submitted sample from Shanghai


19 copies of the H7N9 avian influenza positive samples detected in 738 samples of Hong Beijing, April 5 message (quiet text) April 5, the Information Office of the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory censorship from Shanghai again 8 positive samples from Songjiang District of Shanghai Huai agricultural and sideline products wholesale market, where chickens were environmental samples; 3 copies from Minhang Jingchuang market, including chicken, environmental samples; eight from Minhang District, Phoenix Zhuang market, including chicken, 2 copies, 2 copies of pigeons environmental samples. Gene sequence analysis showed that all of the above isolates isolated from pigeons and April 4, H7N9 avian influenza virus strains are highly homologous.
  The Ministry of Agriculture has requested to close the relevant market in Shanghai, the immediate culling of all poultry within the market, the culling of birds, birds excrement contaminated feed, litter and sewage harmless treatment. Market environment, as well as the items have been in contact with birds, transportation tools, utensils thoroughly disinfected. Conducted a retrospective survey of all the H7N9 avian flu source of positive birds and strict disposal. At the same time, requiring further expand the scope of monitoring of the H7N9 avian flu virus, and earnestly implement various prevention and control measures.http://news.163.com/13/0405/21/8RNQDV5R00014JB5.html

No sign of sustained spread of H7N9 between humans-WHO



* WHO says China "very diligent" on disease surveillance (Adds detail, quotes, byline)
 
By Stephanie Nebehay
GENEVA, April 5 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization said on Friday there was no sign of sustained spread of a deadly new strain of bird flu among people in China, but it could not rule out that it was transmitted in a limited way similar to the H5N1 strain.
It was important to check on the health of 400 people who had been in close contact with the 14 confirmed cases of the H7N9 virus, and to nail down the source of infection in the animal or environmental world, the United Nations agency said.
"We have 14 cases in a large geographical area, we have no sign of any epidemiological linkage between the confirmed cases and we have no sign of sustained human-to-human transmission," WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl told a news briefing in Geneva.
"The 400 contacts are being followed up to see if any of them do have the virus, have had it from someone else," he said.
"There are reports of people or a person with fever, so this is obviously why it's so important to follow up with all contacts in order to know whether or not they do have the virus and/or from whom they contracted it."
Hartl added: "Remember even that if they are infected, you still need to try to find out if they contracted the virus from one another, or from a common environmental source."
Chinese authorities slaughtered over 20,000 birds on Friday at a poultry market in Shanghai as the death toll from the new strain of bird flu mounted to six, causing concern overseas and sparking a sell-off in airline shares in Europe and Hong Kong.
Other strains of bird flu, such as H5N1, have been circulating for years and can be transmitted from bird to bird, and bird to human, but not generally from human to human. So far, the lack of human-to-human transmission also appears to be a feature of the H7N9 strain.
"PIECES OF THE PUZZLE"
The 14 human cases of H7N9, in four eastern provinces including Shanghai, include a butcher and a seller of pork products in a market, Hartl said.
But for now, there was not a known common source of exposure for all the human infections, he said, adding: "That's one of the pieces of the puzzle which needs to be filled in."
Referring to more than 16,000 pig carcasses dumped in rivers around Shanghai, he said: "There are numerous investigations going on into various possible enviromental and animal sources but again, the pigs and especially the pigs dumped into the river have not shown at all to be connected with these cases."
Chinese authorities have been "very diligent" by stepping up disease surveillance and conducting retrospective testing of people who had respiratory illnesses of unknown origin, he said.
Since 2003, there have been 622 cases of H5N1 including 371 deaths, according to the WHO.
That bird flu virus spreads rarely between people but its 60 percent mortality rate is far higher than H1N1, known as swine flu. Swine flu sparked a pandemic in 2009/2010 and caused an estimated 200,000 deaths, roughly in line with seasonal flu that kills 250,000-500,000 a year.
"If you go back to a comparison with H5N1, out of 600 cases of H5N1, there were literally probably 5 instances where H5N1 was transmitted from one close contact to another, it was often between the original infected person and the care giver.
"So this is maybe what we might see here, but we don't know yet. Again, we are having to follow up the 400 contacts and see if there is any evidence of human-to-human transmission," Hartl said.
In 2003, Chinese authorities initially tried to cover up an epidemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed about a tenth of the 8,000 people it infected worldwide.
After the initial cases of SARS, almost all SARS cases were transmitted in hospitals, infecting health workers, Hartl said.
Referring to H7N9, he said: "It is really a severe illness but cases are being well handled and put into intensive care units. There doesn't seem to be any indication of infections in hospital so far. We are ensuring hospitals have instituted proper infection control and procedures for dealing with it." (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Mike Collett-White) http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/05/health-birdflu-who-idUSL5N0CS1C120130405

HK authorities existing 18 million Tamiflu enough

The authorities existing 18 million Tamiflu enough to cope with demand


specifically informed the Food and Health Bureau, Ko Wing Man, said there is no evidence to show that the resistance of the H7N9 avian flu drugs Tamiflu and other the mainland experts also 1-2 kinds of drugs on the H7N9. There are a total of 18 million doses of Tamiflu stock, I believe sufficient to meet. In addition, Ko Wing-man WHO yet on any region issued a travel alert, the Government has not plans to limit the entry of any person, or to restrict the public's departure to certain areas. http://news.on.cc/cnt/news/20130405/bkn-20130405175020194-0405_00822_001.html

Thai tourist not die of new bird flu: official


(04-05 16:00)

A 14-year-old Thai tourist died from severe pneumonia on Thursday morning in southwest China's Yunnan Province, but no H7N9 virus was detected, local health authorities said Friday.
The teenager with a 119-member tourist group arrived in Yunnan Province from Bangkok on March 23, Xinhua news agency reports.

He developed symptoms of a cough and runny nose en route from Shangri-La County to Lijiang City on March 26.
The boy was sent to a hospital in Lijiang on the morning of March 28 after he developed breathing difficulties and coughed up pink, frothy sputum.

He was transferred to the First People's Hospital of Kunming, capital city of Yunnan for treatment on Wednesday morning, but died in hospital after rescue efforts failed on Thursday morning.
According to the disease control and prevention departments of Yunnan, test results from the boy for H7N9 (a new strain of bird flu), H5N1 and H9N2 were negative.
Other members of the tourist group have returned back to Thailand except the boy's father. No other person from the group had symptoms of a cough or fever.
To date, Yunnan Province has had no reports of H7N9 infections
.
Meanwhile, 16 prefectures and cities across the province have been informed to strengthen the prevention of the H7N9 bird flu virus. All medical institutions are required to investigate pneumonia with unknown causes, and manage and offer treatment for those patients.
East China's Zhejiang Province on Friday morning reported another death from H7N9, bringing the death toll from the new strain to six in the country.
China has confirmed 14 H7N9 cases -- six in Shanghai, four in Jiangsu, three in Zhejiang and one in Anhui, in the first known human infections of the lesser-known strain. Of the cases, four have died in Shanghai and there have been two losses of life in Zhejiang. http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=34398
   

2 to return to Taiwan people from mainland China bird flu symptoms of fever


 April 5, according to Taiwan's "Central News Agency" reports, two H7N9 affected areas from the mainland Shanghai, Jiangsu Province arrived in Taiwan between Taiwanese and mainland tourists, fever symptoms, Taiwan's health authorities have collected the specimen, the fastest 5 pm to clarify whether infected with H7N9.
Taiwan's Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control, Deputy Secretary Jih-Haw Chou 5th, Taiwan businessmen to return to Taiwan from Shanghai, unwell seek medical treatment, 4 to accept the specimen collection; mainland tourists is the 4th fever, from Jiangsu Province, the medical staff to be prudent. sake also collect specimens sent to CDC for virus testing.
Jih-Haw Chou said, 4 total fever screening six passengers, three Taiwanese and one mainland tourists severally as H1N1 influenza, bacterial infection, has been withheld to exclude H7N9 avian flu worries, the rest of the Taiwanese Business in Shanghai, Jiangsu Lu off inspection today (5th) afternoon there will be results. 
http://xm.ifeng.com/baoliao/detail_2013_04/05/686924_0.shtml

2013 04 05, 2011 18:57

Six people were killed over the 16 cases of H7N9


Six people were killed over the 16 cases of H7N9 avian influenza in China to respond actively to solve http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2013/04-05/4704658.shtml

Hong Kong emergency deployment to prevent the H7N9 avian influenza detection immigrants body temperature


2013 04 05

Voice of China "CNR News" reported, emergency deployment to guard against the H7N9 avian flu, temperature screening of immigrants, in particular, to remind tourists from Shanghai and Anhui, as the body feels uncomfortable with government officials as soon as possible.
  Currently, Hong Kong Border Crossing traffic is normal, not anything unusual. Immigration control points as early as a decade ago, has been installed infrared detection machines to detect body temperature of each entry of Hong Kong people, if unusual, for review upon request.
  The SAR government said that if the epidemic has changed, the SAR government does not rule out all incoming passengers will be asked to complete a health declaration form. The Hong Kong government to remind travelers from Shanghai and Anhui to return to Hong Kong, such as respiratory symptoms should wear a mask and seek medical attention, and to the medical report its external travel history. Health care workers should pay special attention to these two places may have been in contact with birds or poultry consultations travelers.
  Mainland of human infection with the H7N9 avian influenza, the urgent deployment of the relevant departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, to prevent the spread of the epidemic.
  Ko Wing-man, the Secretary of the Food and Health Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said yesterday that the most important is the good pass at the border, whether it is inbound travelers or the import of live poultry. In addition the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has sent a letter to all schools, reminding them of the child's personal and environmental hygiene. In terms of imports of live chickens in Hong Kong has been comprehensively strengthen monitoring It is understood that for live chickens in Hong Kong, mostly from the Pearl River Delta region, all registered for the Hong Kong chicken farm, if any for registered farms within 13 kilometers near epidemic will stop imports from that place. The HKSAR government will also step up spot checks, including imported chickens, local farms, wholesale and retail markets and the sale of birds. http://www.chinanews.com/jk/2013/04-05/4704555.shtml

Chinese authorities kill 20K birds as avian flu toll rises to 6- vid



By Jethro Mullen, CNN
updated 7:48 AM EDT, Fri April 5, 2013
Hong Kong (CNN) -- Chinese authorities have killed more than 20,000 birds from a live-poultry trading zone in Shanghai after an unusual strain of bird flu that has so far killed six people in the country was found in pigeons on sale in the city, state-run media Xinhua reported Friday.
Details of the slaughter of chickens, ducks, geese and pigeons come as the city prepares to temporarily close all its live poultry markets. It wasn't clear how long the market closures -- announced Friday on the Shanghai Municipal Government's microblog account -- would last.
By Friday morning, authorities in Shanghai had already closed the Huhai agricultural market, where the H7N9 avian flu virus had been found in pigeons, Xinhua reported. The virus had not previously been found in humans until a series of cases were reported in China this week.
The cull at the Shanghai poultry trading zone came as researchers in the United States said they had started work on developing a vaccine for H7N9.The Chinese Minister of Agriculture said Thursday an analysis showed a strong genetic overlap between the strain found in the Huhai market pigeons and the one detected in infected humans.
At the Huhai market, Shanghai authorities were disinfecting the area and objects that came into contact with the birds, Xinhau reported.
Officials are trying to track where the infected pigeons came from.
A growing number of cases
A 64-year-old man died Thursday night in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, the provincial health bureau said Friday. He died hours after doctors had confirmed he had been infected with the H7N9 virus, it said.
He is one of the 14 human cases of H7N9 reported so far -- all of them in the coastal area of eastern China. Authorities there began reporting the first cases on Sunday. Four of the deaths happened in Shanghai, the two others in Zhejiang.
The ages of those infected have ranged from a 4-year-old child, who was reported to be recovering, to an 83-year-old man.
No cases of human-to-human transmission of the H7N9 virus have been confirmed so far.
A person in Shanghai who developed flu symptoms after coming into close contact with a patient who died of the virus tested negative for H7N9, city auth... http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/05/world/asia/china-bird-flu/index.html

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Japan found that the the H7N9 genetic factor structure



[09:15] 2013/04/05
interact specifically informed the Japanese National Institute of Infectious Diseases, said the Chinese government has applied to the genetic data of the H7N9 avian influenza in Japan. Research refers to the H7N9 avian influenza virus is a mixture of three genetic factors, is a completely new type of virus, there is no effective drugs can be treated, and is waiting for China to provide a new virus samples to begin research and development of new vaccines. According to the instructions of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the Institute has developed a way to check for the H7N9 virus, people from China found disease as soon as possible after diagnosis to prevent the spread in Japan.http://news.on.cc/cnt/world/20130405/bkn-20130405091524156-0405_00902_001.html

Four-year-old children with mild symptoms to recovery



At 10:09 on April 5th, 2013  
  Patients with Jo, female, 67 years old, the people of Shanghai, retirement.
  Patients March 22, a sore throat, cough, sputum, fever, chills, symptoms, March 24 to Dongfang Hospital for treatment on March 25, 26, 27, for three consecutive days to Yan Chai Hospital for treatment, March 27 and go to the emergency department of Ruijin Hospital, admitted into the respiratory department the ICU, in critical condition. At 6:40 on April 2, Huangpu District CDC detection of influenza virus universal primer nucleic acid positive, Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control will soon specimen to CDC for further testing. In the afternoon of April 4, the Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control reports the results of laboratory testing for the H7N9 avian influenza virus nucleic acid positive. In accordance with the relevant requirements, the municipal clinical expert discussion of the cases, the diagnosis of the cases of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza confirmed cases. After preliminary investigation, the close contacts of the cases a total of three people with fever or respiratory symptoms, were not found until now.
  Patients Lee, male, 4 years old, the people of Shanghai, the kindergarten children.
  Children on March 31 fever 39 ℃, runny nose symptoms, go to the city and six hospitals Jinshan Branch on April 1 treatment. April 3, six hospitals Jinshan Branch of the children go to the pediatric hospital isolation and treatment of children generally in good condition, the body temperature of 36 ° C. In the evening of April 2, the Shanghai Center for Disease Control reports the results of laboratory tests for the H7N9 avian flu virus nucleic acid positive, about to the specimen to CDC for further testing to confirm. In accordance with the relevant requirements, the afternoon of April 4, the municipal clinical expert group of the cases discussed diagnosis of the cases of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza. After investigation, the close contacts of the cases a total of 18 people have a fever or respiratory symptoms were not found until now. http://news.sina.com.cn/o/2013-04-05/100926738764.shtml


Human cases as currently reported (2013-04-02).
Sequences released in Epiflu database on GISAID:

Shanghai H7N9 deceased Lee Hospital where, has not taken measures to completely isolated, and its related medical records have been archived, even internal staff can not view


.
According to Hong Kong and Taiwan news, the Zhejiang Provincial Health Department announced yesterday confirmed two cases of H7N9 avian influenza in Zhejiang province, where a patient death.
It is reported that the country is currently a total of nine confirmed cases of H7N9 avian influenza, distributed in four provinces, including four cases of Jiangsu, Anhui, Shanghai, Zhejiang, two cases, while three patients have died. Where the hospital revealed that, according to a healthcare worker in Shanghai, Shanghai H7N9 deceased Lee did not take measures completely isolated, and its related medical records have been sealed, with internal staff can not view.

http://news.guhantai.com/2013/0405/224427.shtml#ixzz2PYIPuXDW

Close detected H7N9 live bird markets

"Shanghai Close detected H7N9 live bird market" 
, according to the Shanghai Municipal Government Information Office official microblogging message, in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture and the municipal government, the Shanghai Municipal Agricultural Commission emergency deployment of H7N9 avian flu prevention and control measures: in accordance with the General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture on anti emergency notification requirements, control H7N9 avian flu virus spread to animals infected with the H7N9 avian influenza virus as an animal disease management, and immediately launched the emergency plan; immediately turn off the Songjiang District, Shanghai Huai agricultural and sideline products wholesale market live poultry trading culled trading region all birds; pause The detection of avian influenza virus Minhang Jingchuang vegetable market, Feng Chuang market trading of live poultry, and do a good job of on-site disinfection.

Shenzhen four cases of unexplained pneumonia are Type A H1N1


City investigation four cases of unexplained pneumonia

2013 04 05, 2010 08:32
Source: Shenzhen Daily
[Shenzhen Economic Daily News】 (Reporter correspondent Ma Zheng thinking Qishan) 16:00 As of yesterday, the city's Center for Disease Control have gone through all the four cases of unexplained pneumonia samples to determine the four cases are Type A H1N1 influenza, to exclude the H7N9 avian influenza possible. City CDC experts have warned the public during the holiday season because of the highly pathogenic H1N1 type A stream, the same should take precautions.
"The night of April 3, 2011 from 6:00 to 9:00 on the detection of two samples of unexplained pneumonia, 4 received new samples of unexplained pneumonia." Said Ren-Li Zhang, Director of the the City CDC microbial Laboratory, laboratories during the holiday season staff shifts, 24 hours standby check unexplained pneumonia samples, investigation of the H7N9 avian influenza. Once the city's hospitals report the the unexplained pneumonia censorship sample will be sent to the the City CDC microbial Laboratory for examination...

52-year-old died at the Shanghai Huashan Hospital, Shanghai man surnamed Yu, a total of 31 people with her close contacts, it is noteworthy that 1 fever, runny nose, itchy throat and other symptoms, the close contacts have been transferred to the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, isolation and treatment.
 The other two patients, respectively surnamed Cao (67 years old), surnamed Li (4 years old), are the people of Shanghai, the temporarily close contacts does not appear related symptoms. Said that there is no correlation between the six cases.
 Many people died in the H7N9 Shanghai hospitals and public awareness, than a few days ago greatly improved. Putuo District, Shanghai Tongji Hospital fever clinics, all patients and their families are wearing masks, without exception.http://paper.wenweipo.com/2013/04/05/YO1304050001.htm

CDC to prepare bird flu vaccine just in case



By Reuters staff
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Thursday it is monitoring a new strain of bird flu and plans to start preparing a vaccine just in case it is needed.
So far, the new strain of flu known as avian influenza A (H7N9) is only in China and has not yet been found to be capable of being transmitted from person to person.
The CDC said on its website it is following the situation closely and coordinating with domestic and international partners.  http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/04/17603189-cdc-to-prepare-bird-flu-vaccine-just-in-case?lite?ocid=twitter

White House tracking bird flu outbreak in China



By REUTERS
04/04/2013 22:18
WASHINGTON - The White House is keeping a close eye on the outbreak of a new strain of bird flu in China, a spokeswoman said on Thursday, noting that the US government is prepared to help world health authorities if needed.

There have been a total of 14 confirmed cases of the virus in China, a strain called H7N9, which has killed five people, four of them in the financial hub of Shanghai.

World health authorities are on alert. But there is no evidence so far that the flu is spreading from person to person, which would raise fears of a pandemic.

White House national security staff are monitoring the outbreak, said spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden.

"In coordination with the government's relevant experts, we are tracking the outbreak and preparing a response if one should be required," she said.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is examining the genetic sequencing of the virus and assessing its severity, the agency said on its website. The actions were "routine" whenever new strains of flu are detected, it said.


"The CDC stands ready to assist the World Health Organization and China's Ministry of Health as needed," Hayden said.  
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=308720&R=R101&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Another bird flu death as virus spreads to Zhejiang


Another bird flu death as virus spreads to Zhejiang

Death in Zhejiang takes total of H7N9 victims to three, with Hong Kong considering reintroduction of health declarations for inbound travellersThe H7N9 bird flu virus has spread to another province in the Yangtze River Delta, with Zhejiang health officials announcing two human cases yesterday, one of them fatal.
The national health commission said the source of infection remained unknown, but listed poultry workers or people who had been in contact with poultry a week before the emergence of symptoms as a high-risk group.
Hong Kong's government is considering the reintroduction of health declaration requirements for inbound travellers.
Video: The new strain of bird flu will spread across and beyond China unless the poultry source is identified and interventions taken quickly, a microbiologist warns.
A 37-year-old chef in Taicang, Jiangsu, fell ill on March 7 and went to Hangzhou, Zhejiang's provincial capital, for treatment on March 18.
He died in Xiaoshan Hospital on March 27.
A 67-year-old Hangzhou man was admitted to a hospital in the city on March 25 for a cough and a fever and was transferred to another hospital on Tuesday in a critical condition. He tested positive for the H7N9 virus yesterday.
"So far no epidemiological connection has been found between the two cases," Zhejiang's health department said.
Those who had been in close contact with the two patients were being monitored.
The new cases took the total to nine, including three deaths.
The six patients - four in Jiangsu, one in Anhui and one in Zhejiang - are all in a critical condition.
A diagnosis and treatment guideline issued yesterday by the National Health and Family Planning Commission said the source of transmission was unclear, but was probably from contact with discharges or faeces of poultry carrying the virus.
The guideline said no concrete evidence of human-tohuman transmission had been found and the high-risk group "are mainly people engaged in poultry farming, sales, slaughtering or processing or having contact with poultry".
Dr Zhong Nanshan, director of the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, said they were sporadic cases and not a cluster outbreak or epidemic. "It is quite different from what happened 10 years ago during the Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic," Zhong told the Beijing Times.
"The first and second cases of Sars were highly contagious and family members were infected.
"But the H7N9 flu has not shown any contagion, even though the confirmed cases are all very serious and the cause is not clear."
Gregory Hartl, spokesman for the World Health Organisation's influenza and epidemics division, said that as there was no evidence so far of human-tohuman transmission, "we're a long way away from thinking about a pandemic".
But he said lack of knowledge about the mode of transmission of the H7N9 virus had posed difficulties in controlling the disease.
In Hong Kong, Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man said there was no need yet to raise the city's pandemic response level, but the reintroduction of visitor health declaration forms was being considered.
Sampling of live chickens supplied to Hong Kong and at chicken farms has been stepped up, but tests are being carried out only for the H5 and H9 viruses.
In Taiwan, the health department designated the H7N9 virus a notifiable disease yesterday.

Shanghai City zoo, parks on alert for bird flu


City zoo, parks on alert for bird flu
By Hu Min   |   NEWSPAPER EDITION
2013-4-4  00:50

THE Shanghai Zoo is stepping up monitoring and sterilization of areas where birds live following a number of human infections of a lesser-known strain of bird flu in the country, the zoo operator said yesterday.

"We are enhancing patrols and sterilization in and near the swan lake, bird enclosures and gardens, and we will conduct immediate analyses if birds are found dead inside the zoo," said Bai Jiaming, a zoo official.

Zoo officials said yesterday no birds had died in the zoo since deaths linked to H7N9 avian influenza occurred in Shanghai in March, Bai said. 

The zoo's birds are given vaccines for other strains of bird flu on a regular basis, officials said. There are no vaccines for the H7N9 strains.

As of yesterday, the zoo's annual bird watching event scheduled in late April had not been canceled, Bai said. 

The zoo is reporting to health authorities on a daily basis, and said it is on alert. Bai said, however, that it is difficult to closely monitor the health of wild birds that fly from elsewhere.

Yesterday's good weather attracted dozens of people to the zoo. Some were observing swans and ducks at the swan lake.

"I think it is safe if we just have a look from far away and do not get close to the swans or touch them. I'm more afraid of people coughing in public areas such as Metro stations," said a local mother, Yu Li, who took her two-year-old daughter to the zoo yesterday. 

Some residents, however, weren't as confident.

"I will not go to zoos and will decrease my visits to wet markets until detailed information is released, such as the origin of the flu virus," said a Shanghai resident surnamed Shen.

The management office at People's Square said no symptoms of bird flu had been found among pigeons at the square.

An official surnamed Fu said over 600 pigeons are given a vaccine for other bird flu strains at birth and once a year.

http://mobile.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=527643
Century Park officials said about 950 pigeons just received vaccines in March, and daily cleaning and disinfection are being conducted.

203 students hospitalized in Sichuan Province initially diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis


203 students hospitalized in Sichuan Province
Source:  |  ONLINE EDITION
2013-4-4  16:11

A total of 203 primary school students in southwest China's Sichuan Province have been hospitalized with fevers, vomiting and diarrhea, the local government said Thursday.
The first pupil of the Central Primary School in Yingjie Township, Ziyang City, was admitted to the township hospital in Yingjie at 7 a.m. Wednesday after falling ill, according to the city's publicity authorities. 
The hospital had received a total of 203 students exhibiting similar symptoms by 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Fifty of them are being treated in the township hospital, while 153 others have been transferred to three hospitals in Yanjiang District, Ziyang City.
They were initially diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis, according to doctors. All of them are in stable condition. http://mobile.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=527662
An investigation into the widespread sickness is ongoing.

suspension of poultry sales at two markets in the city's Minhang District - Jingchuan and Fengzhuang -


The agriculture commission also ordered thorough disinfection and suspension of poultry sales at two markets in the city's Minhang District - Jingchuan and Fengzhuang - where a similar H7 flu virus had been detected, and stricter monitoring of poultry trading areas. http://mobile.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=527687

Michael Osterholm on the Bird Flu in China




Michael Osterholm on the Bird Flu in China



here



2 Bird Flu Cases Hidden Before Official Release  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaciIGi7xkI

German Researchers to Probe Camel Link to New Coronavirus



on 4 April 2013,
On 26 March, a 73-year-old man from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, died at the Klinikum Schwabing, a hospital in Munich. He was the 11th known fatality related to infection with the novel coronavirus (nCoV), a pathogen that was first reported in September 2012 and isattracting substantial interest from researchers. Overall, officials have reported 17 cases of nCoV infection.
Clemens Wendtner, a professor of medicine and assistant medical director at the University of Cologne, is a physician at the Munich hospital.ScienceInsider asked Wendtner how the case was handled and why he thinks the patient may have been infected by one of his racing camels. Questions and answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Q: Why did the patient seek treatment in Germany and why did he come to the Klinikum Schwabing?
C.W.: We are one of seven reference centers for infectious diseases in Germany; the Klinikum Schwabing has a unit for highly contagious patients, and one of the first SARS patients was treated here in 2003. This particular patient was treated in Munich for multiple myeloma, which had been diagnosed in 2009. He flew into Germany on a frequent basis to get chemotherapy and even stem cell transplantation at a private center.
While in Abu Dhabi, his condition deteriorated, and his treating hematologist here in Munich asked to fly him in to get a closer look; the family also wanted him to be transferred. At this point we only knew he had some pulmonary problems, but we were not aware of any coronavirus testing; this was not done in the United Arab Emirates.
Q: When did you suspect he might have the virus?
C.W.: When we examined his condition and saw his medication list; he had even started on [the influenza drug] Tamiflu, but his condition didn't improve. So we said: "Maybe it's a good idea to check for the coronavirus." So we did a bronchoalveolar lavage, [a procedure to sample fluid from the lungs,] and sent the material to Christian Drosten's lab at the University of Bonn; this is the German reference lab for the new coronavirus. The results came back on 23 March. At this point, the patient's medical condition was quite bad.  http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2013/04/german-researchers-to-probe-came.html

Human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus in China - WHO update


Human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus in China - update

 4 April 2013 – On 4 April 2013 (14:00 CET), the Chinese health authorities notified WHO of an additional four laboratory-confirmed cases, including three deaths, due to human infection with influenza A(H7N9).
The three fatal cases, all men, are a 38-year-old with illness onset on 7 March 2013 from Zhejiang , a 64-year-old with illness onset on 29 March from Zhejiang, and a 48-year-old with illness onset on 28 March from Shanghai.
The fourth patient is a 67-year-old man with illness onset on 25 March 2013 from Zhejiang He is in critical condition.
There is no link between the laboratory-confirmed cases. To date, the total number of confirmed cases of human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus in China is 11, including 5 deaths. More than 400 close contacts of the confirmed cases are being closely monitored. Thus far, none of them have developed any symptoms of illness.
The Chinese government is actively investigating this event and has heightened disease surveillance. Retrospective testing of recently reported cases with severe respiratory infection may uncover additional cases that were previously unrecognized. An inter-government task force has been formally established, with the National Health and Family Planning Commission leading the coordination along with the Ministry of Agriculture and other key ministries. The animal health sector has intensified investigations into the possible sources and reservoirs of the virus.
WHO is in contact with national authorities and is following the event closely. The WHO-coordinated international response is also focusing on work with WHO Collaborating Centres for Reference and Research on Influenza and other partners to ensure that information is available and that materials are developed for diagnosis and treatment and vaccine development. No vaccine is currently available for this subtype of the influenza virus. Preliminary test results provided by the WHO Collaborating Centre in China suggest that the virus is susceptible to the neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir).
At this time there is no evidence of ongoing human-to-human transmission.
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.

HATTIP  Giuseppe Michieli 

World experts debate case for new bird flu vaccine





LONDON (Reuters) - Experts from around the world are in daily talks about the threat posed by a deadly new strain of bird flu in China, including discussions on if and when to start making a vaccine.
Any decision to mass-produce vaccines against H7N9 flu will not be taken lightly, since it will mean sacrificing production of seasonal shots. And scientists warn it will take months to get any finished bird flu vaccine to the market.
But the groundwork is being laid.
The virus has been shared with World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating centers in Atlanta, Beijing, London, Melbourne and Tokyo, and these groups are analyzing samples to identify the best candidate to be used for the manufacture of vaccine - if it becomes necessary.
It is still a big "if", even assuming the continued spread of the new disease, which has killed five of the 14 people that it has infected in China.
"It is an incredibly difficult decision because once you make it you have to change from making seasonal flu vaccines and go to making a vaccine for this virus," said Jeremy Farrar, a leading expert on infectious diseases and director of Oxford University's research unit in Vietnam.
That could mean shortages of vaccine against the normal seasonal flu which, while not serious for most people, still costs thousands of lives.
Sanofi Pasteur, the world's largest flu vaccine manufacturer, said it was in continuous contact with the WHO through the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), but it was too soon to know the significance of the Chinese cases.
Other leading flu vaccine makers include GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis.
Preliminary test results suggest the new flu strain responds to treatment with Roche's drug Tamiflu and GSK's Relenza, according to the WHO.
MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN?
There is no evidence yet of person-to-person transmission of H7N9 flu, and scientists do not yet know how what the strain's potential is to develop into a human pandemic. Wendy Barclay, a flu virologist at Imperial College London, said one major argument against moving too soon would be financial.
"There is a possibility now that flu researchers will all rush to work on H7N9 and grants will be awarded for intensive research to develop vaccines ... and that could be pouring money down a drain because it could be that the barriers for this virus are high enough that we don't need to worry about it."
She said scientists should first be focused on getting "the practical biology and the sequence analysis" before they decide to move on.
Since the H1N1 swine flu pandemic of 2009, in which drugmakers took six months to develop and distribute effective vaccines, manufacturers have been stepping up efforts to produce shots faster to deal with the rapid spread of disease.
It remains a lengthy process, however.
"There is presently no technology that can quickly and cost-effectively mass-manufacture vaccine," said Anton Middelberg, a flu vaccine researcher at the University of Queensland.
"Although the WHO is sending materials for vaccine development to China, it is unlikely that vaccine will be produced quickly enough to impact this outbreak."
Still, the flu vaccine community is not starting completely from scratch.
A degree of preparedness already exists because the last WHO vaccine strain selection meeting in February had already decided to consider the broad H7 virus category as a pandemic candidate.
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control said vaccine candidate strains had also been developed as a response to previous H7 human cases in Europe and North America.
"These candidate strains may not efficiently cross protect against the novel A(H7N9) strain, but the fact that they are moving towards development does indicate a degree of preparedness globally," the ECDC said. http://news.yahoo.com/world-experts-debate-case-bird-flu-vaccine-162046536--finance.html