Trinidad environmentalists investigate mystery death of hundreds of black vultures

 Environmental experts viewing dead birds at Chaguaramas in West Trinidad.

Read more: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/trinidad_tobago_news/678294.html#ixzz2PziA4MnYPORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Tuesday April 9, 2013 - The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) says it is unable to identify any environmental reasons why more than 100 black vultures (Coragyps atratus) died in West Trinidad on Monday.

The EMA said it is also working on the theory that the birds may have been feeding on the carcass of an animal which had been poisoned. 

“We can’t identify an environmental cause as such that they were exposed to. There were 150 birds, we estimated. There was nothing else in the vicinity. We have been liaising with the Poultry Surveillance Unit, which is part of the National Disease Centre, to see if it was a case of the avian flu,”  EMA chief executive officer Dr. Joth Singh told the Trinidad Guardian newspaper.

But he said preliminary tests had shown avian flu had not killed the birds. 

“That was not the cause and there is speculation that they may have been poisoned, that they were poisoned by an animal or carcass that they ate. We are trying to eliminate the causes and we have not found any chemical spills or seen any anywhere,” he said.

A member of the environmental activist group, Papa Bois Conservation, said the birds showed signs of poisoning with foam leaking out of their beaks and their talons curling up.

Stephen Broadbridge said the deaths follow the apparent release of poison into the Marianne River in Blanchiseusse, south east of here last week, killing a significant number of fishes.

Late last month, a number of dogs on the outskirts of the capital were found poisoned.

“This is criminal. If someone is found to be responsible, that person should face legal consequences, because the fact is that if the birds have been poisoned, then that poison can be introduced into our eco-system and end up getting back to humans.

“We are part of the food chain. And when you poison birds, they can fall anywhere, including the ocean, and be eaten by fish that we consume,” Broadbridge told reporters, adding that the apparent killing of the birds was also “terribly cruel” as most of the animals would have suffered for long periods before dying.

The dead birds were found in Chaguaramas and according to a statement issued by the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) investigations are being carried out to determine the cause.

“Following the sightings, the  Veterinary Public Health Unit of the Ministry of Health, the Poultry Surveillance Unit of the Ministry of Food Production, Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and Forestry Division were all alerted and samples of the carcasses have been taken for testing. We will advise later of the test results,” it said.

Read more: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/trinidad_tobago_news/678294.html#ixzz2Pzi5lVQt

Hubei patient suspected died of H7N9 official refused to do the detection

11:30 last night, where he died the death of Wuhan University People's Hospital, suffering from severe pneumonia Peter SH Wong Qi. Family members said Peter Wong Shiu-chi's disease symptoms, suspected infection of the H7N9 virus, but the hospital consultation, only experience concludes that has nothing to do with this, and refused to do a special test. Yesterday, Hubei Province Health Department official said the health department is investigating to verify the news will be announced immediately. Currently, Hubei Province, no H7N9 confirmed or suspected cases....The patients death of family members of suspected H7N9

The evening of April 8, Wuhan University People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hubei Province) severe Branch, a 85-year-old Peter Wong Shiu Qi is pronounced dead. Although the hospital that Peter Wong Shiu-chi's disease has nothing to do with the H7N9 sub Huang Chunwei but do not rule out this possibility.

Peter Wong Shiu Qi hospitalized for a total of eight days. Huangchun Wei introduced, the father long live Wuhan. In early March, his parents received Shanghai sojourn. March 25, his father sudden high fever, the Shanghai hospital diagnosed as pneumonia...

went live poultry market

For families of speculation, the People's Hospital of Wuhan University, saying, Peter Wong Shiu-chi's condition has nothing to do with H7N9. Huang Chunwei many misgivings: "My father is sick suddenly, he usually in good health, but also not too the cardiopulmonary aspects and any other disease."

Huang Chunwei suspect the father may be infected with avian flu, is not totally unfounded. "While living in Shanghai, the parents every day will go to the bazaars to buy food, live poultry trading in the market." Every three or five days, Peter SH Wong Qi couples will buy back in the market is to kill the chicken. If the H7N9 virus in the market, "he is entirely possible to come into contact with."..http://news.qq.com/a/20130410/000027.htm

The strain of the virus is sent to multiple research institutions

Beijing Times News China CDC news yesterday, people infected with H7N9 avian influenza virus strains sharing mechanism in accordance with the relevant requirements of the WHO Influenza Reference and Research Cooperation Center, China CDC started the first time, was first isolated of human infection with the H7N9 strain of the virus in the first time and the WHO laboratory shared. 　　Currently, these strains have been China CDC viral disease of the National Influenza Center Laboratory shipped to the other four of the World Health Organization influenza Participation ratio and research collaboration center, and transported to an animal influenza reference and research cooperation center, as well as in Hong Kong University and the British National Biological Products Inspection Institute. At the same time, in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Family Planning Commission, China CDC to China's Ministry of Agriculture, avian influenza reference laboratory, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Zoology, and pathogen provided by a strain of http://www.kaixian.tv/R1/n1748086c7.shtml

FRANCE- (H7N9) in China: recommendations for travelers

Avian influenza A (H7N9) in China: recommendations for travelers

Published on 04/09/2013 - Management of legal and administrative information (Prime Minister)

While the Chinese health authorities confirmed on 3 April 2013, nine human cases of avian influenza A (H7N9), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes a number of recommendations to the French presence in China.

Avian influenza is a viral disease animal (poultry, pigs) exceptionally transmissible from animals to humans. Standard hygiene measures are recommended to reduce the risk of transmission:

• avoided any direct contact with poultry, wild birds and pigs, including markets,
• avoid the consumption of raw or undercooked food, especially meat and eggs
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or with an alcohol-solute and systematically if there is contact with animals or eggs.

The World Health Organization said Monday, 8 April 2013, there is no evidence of human to human transmission of H7N9 strain of avian influenza in China. For its part, the Institute of Health Surveillance (INVS) considers that the risk of the virus spreading in Europe is low. Entry into the French territory of some patients from China can not be ruled out. Monitoring must be strengthened to seek influenza A (H7N9) in persons with clinical signs of severe acute respiratory infection. http://www.service-public.fr/actualites/002705.html?xtor=RSS-66&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

H7N9 death toll rises as 'family clusters' probed

2013-4-10

TWO more deaths from the H7N9 bird flu virus took China's toll from the new strain to nine yesterday. 

One was an 83-year-old man in Jiangsu Province who was admitted to hospital with a fever on March 20 and confirmed as having H7N9 on April 2, Xinhua news agency reported.

The other victim was a patient in Anhui Province. No further details have been released so far.

The strain has now infected 28 people, all of them in eastern China. They include another four infections confirmed yesterday, two in Shanghai and two in Zhejiang Province, one of whom was said to be dangerously ill.

The World Health Organization said yesterday that it was looking into two suspected "family clusters" of people in China who may be infected, potentially the first evidence of human-to-human spread.

The new virus is severe in most humans, leading to fears that if it becomes easily transmissible, it could cause a deadly influenza pandemic.

"At this point there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission," WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl told a news briefing in Geneva. "There are some suspected but not yet confirmed cases of perhaps very limited transmission between close family members. Those are still being investigated.
"In general, no matter what their exposure, this virus so far has produced overwhelmingly severe cases," he said.

Hartl said that the two suspected "clusters" were in Shanghai and Jiangsu. 

In each suspected cluster, a family member has been confirmed as being infected, he said.

"They are small family clusters. One is two people, and the other is three people. We just are trying to get good samples in one of the cases of the family cluster in order to be able to test those samples, and we are waiting on test results from the other cluster," he said.

The exact source of infection remains unknown, although samples have tested positive in some birds in poultry markets that remain the focus of investigations by China and the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.

"If it is confirmed, it means that it has passed between two people under the same roof," Hartl said. "And if it passes between two people under the same roof, it's either human-to-human transmission between two people who have constant and close contact or it could be virus from the same environmental source, so we don't know yet." 

The WHO has praised China for mobilizing resources nationwide to combat the strain by culling thousands of birds and monitoring hundreds of people close to those infected.

Chinese authorities have said there is no evidence of the H7N9 strain being transmitted between humans.

The bird flu outbreak has caused global concern. Airline shares have fallen in Europe and in Hong Kong over fears that the virus could be lead to an epidemic like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which emerged in China in 2002 and killed about 10 percent of the 8,000 people infected worldwide.

Health authorities initially tried to cover up the SARS outbreak.

"The Chinese ministry of health and family planning is working extremely openly and closely with us on this issue (H7N9)," Hartle told reporters yesterday. 

"We are getting all the information that we need or ask for," he added.

Referring to work being done in WHO laboratories worldwide to identify the best vaccine for the virus, he said that "in terms of vaccine development, we are still in the phase where a suitable vaccine virus is being developed." 

However, Hartl said that would take "a matter of weeks not months." http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=528024&type=National

New avian flu detected in W Cape H7N1

New avian flu detected in W Cape

April 9 2013 at 06:49pm 

Cape Town - A new bird flu was detected on an ostrich farm near Oudtshoorn on Tuesday, Western Cape agriculture MEC Gerrit van Rensburg said.

“The tests indicated that the causative organism is a H7N1 virus. The pathogenicity of this virus is unknown as yet, but samples have been submitted to determine the type,” he said.

The source of the infection was also not yet known, but the department had started an “intensive epidemiological investigation”.

As a precautionary measure, he had prohibited all movement of ostriches and their products within a three kilometre radius of the outbreak farm.

All ostrich holdings in this zone were being quarantined, sampled and tested for the presence of the flu. The department's planned ostrich auction for Wednesday had also been postponed. The measures would remain in place until further notice.

Van Rensburg said the impact of this latest outbreak on the industry's export hopes would be clearer once the results of the follow-up test were known.

Ostrich producers were strongly recommended to limit the movement of their animals within the vicinity, and to report any sick or dead birds to the state veterinarian.

The Cape Argus reported on Tuesday that the industry had been hard hit by an export ban imposed on South African ostrich meat in April 2011, after an outbreak of avian flu.

To date, 50 percent of ostrich farmers had left the industry because of the export ban and subsequent job losses. There was also a new threat from thieves, who were plucking feathers from live birds at night.

The Western Cape government's research farm in Oudtshoorn was reportedly one of the main targets.

Researcher Stefan Engelbrecht told the newspaper it was first hit by feather thieves about a month ago, and then again recently.

About 70 birds were plucked and four were bludgeoned to death. - Sapa  http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/new-avian-flu-detected-in-w-cape-1.1497816?#.UWRSQpNwe5I

Hong Kong scholars new easier than SARS coronavirus infection of the respiratory tract

Hong Kong Newswire April 9

 University of Hong Kong released research scholars novel coronavirus may cause more severe lung damage than the SARS virus. They found that for the first time how the novel coronavirus cause lung disease, and why it spread to other organs; also found that interferon can inhibit virus replication in the lungs future treatment strategy of the new revelation.

　　HKU research team using human respiratory tract tissue cultivated in vitro, a relatively new type of coronavirus, SARS coronavirus and the causes of the common cold symptoms human coronavirus infection. Relevant outcomes recently published in the International Journal of Virology Virology Journal "(Journal of Virology).

　　The study shows that the new type of coronavirus replication in human speed faster than the SARS coronavirus. Novel coronavirus that can infect human lungs, patients with breathing difficulties, and hinder the recovery process in the lungs of patients after repair and infection.

　　Novel coronavirus infection in pulmonary vascular endothelial cells, the virus a chance to spread through the blood to the organs outside the respiratory tract, causing more severe lung damage than the SARS coronavirus in patients.

　　The study also found that, the novel coronavirus avoid damage lung interferon activation response of lung cells. Interferon system of human first line of defense against virus infection.Therefore, the study with interferon therapy, and pulmonary viral replication can be effectively suppressed. This treatment will help treatment programs for future clinical studies of human infection with the novel coronavirus important revelation.

　　Influenza Research Center of the University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine School of Public Health, Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases scholars led the study.

　　The novel coronavirus commonly known as "SARS", found that cases of human infection from the global total of 17 confirmed human cases, with 11 deaths, a number of patients from the Middle East since April 2012. Has new coronavirus spread of the virus and the disease mechanisms are not yet completely understood. (End)  http://www.hkcna.hk//content/2013/0409/186548.shtml

Bird flu found on S.Africa ostrich farm, no Chinese link seen

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 16:38 GMT

Source: Reuters // Reuters

CAPE TOWN, April 9 (Reuters) - An outbreak of bird flu has hit an ostrich farm in South Africa, but authorities said it was unlikely to pose a threat to humans, though additional tests were being carried out after another strain killed eight people in China.

The outbreak has prompted restrictions on the movement of the big birds and their products in the Western Cape province, the Western Cape ministry of agriculture said in a statement on Tuesday.

Tests samples from an ostrich farm near Oudtshoorn, the centre of South Africa's ostrich export industry, found the presence of the H7N1 virus, the ministry said.

Another strain, H7N9, has killed eight people in eastern China since it was confirmed in humans for the first time last month.

Marna Sinclair, a state vet in the Oudtshoorn area, said there had been previous incidents of H7N1 viruses in the region, but that none were found to be related to the current Chinese strain and no people have fallen ill.

"There is no real concern. We doubt it is a related virus but are conducting tests to make sure," she said.

Two years ago, South Africa culled 10,000 ostriches after an outbreak of another, less virulent form of bird flu halted ostrich-meat exports to the European Union. (Reporting by Wendell Roelf; Editing by Ed Stoddard and Jane Baird) http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/bird-flu-found-on-safrica-ostrich-farm-no-chinese-link-seen?

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

9 APRIL 2013 - As of 9 April 2013 (14:00 CET), the National Health and Family Planning Commission notified WHO of an additional three laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus.

The latest laboratory-confirmed cases include two patients from Jiangsu – an 85 -year-old man who became ill on 28 March 2013 and a 25-year-old pregnant woman who became ill on 30 March 2013. Both are in severe condition. The third patient is a 64-year-old man from Shanghai who became ill on 1 April 2013, and died on 7 April 2013.

To date, a total of 24 cases have been laboratory confirmed with influenza A(H7N9) virus in China, including seven deaths, 14 severe cases and three mild cases.

More than 600 close contacts of the confirmed cases are being closely monitored. In Jiangsu, investigation is ongoing into a contact of an earlier confirmed case who developed 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. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_04_09/en/index.html

Taiwan, China won't cooperate on H7N9 vaccine: official

CNA
April 10, 2013, 12:03 am TWNTAIPEI -- Taiwan will not work with China on the development of a vaccine against the H7N9 avian flu virus, but rather will try to do so on its own, Taiwan's Deputy Health Minister Lin Tzou-yien said yesterday.Taiwan's government has assembled a task force to work on an H7N9 vaccine and will convene a meeting with domestic manufacturers April 12 to discuss mass production of the vaccine, Lin said after a meeting of the Central Epidemic Command Center earlier in the day.

There will be no cooperation with China in the effort to develop and manufacture the vaccine, he said.

Taiwan has two options regarding the production of the vaccine, according to Lin. One option is to culture the virus strain for the vaccine on its own, and the other is to skip that step and get the H7N9 vaccine strain from the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, he said.

With the first option, it could take eight to 11 weeks to develop an H7N9 vaccine strain, Lin said.

But if Taiwan can obtain the vaccine strain directly from the United States or the WHO, the process will be quicker, Lin said.

After the vaccine strain turned over to manufacturers, it may take at least two months to produce it and another two months to complete testing, he said.

“From obtaining the vaccine strain to the production of the vaccine, it will take at the very least four months,” Lin said.

Chang Fang-yee, head the Centers of Disease Control and the command center, said the Department of Health has sent two epidemiologists to Shanghai to learn more about China's strategy in combating the H7N9 flu, but they might not be able to bring back virus cultures for vaccine purposes because of time constraints.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2013/04/10/375617/Taiwan-China.htm

Urgent search for flu source

..“We are going to be sitting with bated breath over the next month to find out what happens,” says Michael Osterholm, who heads the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy in Minneapolis. As Nature went to press, 24 human cases, including 8 deaths, had been reported in 11 cities, some a few hundred kilometres apart, in eastern China (see map). So many cases in such a short time over such a wide area — up from three cases in two cities a week ago — is “a very concerning situation”, says Osterholm...
http://www.nature.com/news/urgent-search-for-flu-source-1.12762

Australia Travel Notice

This Advice was last issued on Tuesday, 09 April 2013.   It contains new information under Health (Chinese authorities have confirmed cases in humans of strain (H7N9) avian influenza in eastern China). The overall level of the advice has not changed. We continue to advise Australians to exercise normal safety precautions in China.

H7N9 Avian influenza cases in 2013: On 31 March 2013, Chinese authorities confirmed cases in humans of (H7N9) avian influenza in eastern China. For more information see the World Health Organisation page.

H1N1 Avian influenza: The World Health Organization has previously confirmed human deaths from (H1N1) avian influenza in China. The Department of Health and Ageing advises Australians who reside in China for an extended period to consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine for treatment. Long term residents are at a greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time. You should seek medical advice before taking antiviral medicines. Australians intending to travel to China for shorter periods are at much lower risk of infection but should discuss the risk of avian influenza with their doctor as part of their routine pre-travel health checks.

If the avian influenza virus mutates to a form where efficient human-to-human transmission occurs, it may spread quickly and local authorities could move quickly to impose restrictions on travel. Australian travellers and long-term residents in China should be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being, including deciding when to leave an affected area and ensuring they have appropriate contingency plans in place. Australians in China should monitor the travel advice and bulletin for updated information and advice, and ensure that their travel documents, including passports and visas for any non-Australian family members, are up to date in case they need to depart at short notice. http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/China

  http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/China

Message for U.S. Citizens

04/09/2013

As the Chinese authorities continue to report new cases of a new strain of avian influenza (H7N9) in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, U.S. citizens in China are advised to stay informed with the latest medical guidance and practical information. To date, no human-to-human transmission has been reported and no link has been found between the laboratory-confirmed cases.  Individuals in close contact with the infected were tested and the results have all been negative. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is following this situation closely and coordinating with domestic and international partners in a number of areas, including gathering more information to make a knowledgeable public health risk assessment and developing a candidate vaccine virus. All of these actions are routine preparedness measures taken whenever a novel influenza virus is detected in humans.  Please visit CDC’s website at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ for the most up-to-date information.   

At this time, there is no recommendation to evacuate from or limit travel to/from China. There is also no recommendation for the general population to medicate preventively. 

How can I protect myself and my fa..  http://shanghai.usembassy-china.org.cn/040613.html

H7N9 avian influenza in China rose to 28 cases the parties continued to force the siege

April 9, Changfeng County, Anhui Province of human infection with the H7N9 avian influenza emergency drills, drill to take a combination of methods of scenario simulation and field exercises, simulation of the whole process of human infection of H7N9 avian flu disposal. China news agency issued Han Su original photo

China news agency, Beijing, April 9 (Reporters Ou Yang and Kai Yu) - Mainland China of human infection with the H7N9 avian influenza number of cases is on the rise. As of the reporters press time on the evening of 9, the Chinese mainland has reported 28 cases of H7N9 avian flu cases and nine deaths. New cases from Shanghai and Zhejiang.

Shanghai is the day of the new confirmed two cases of human infection with the H7N9 avian influenza. Patients are retirees over the age of 60, all male, both currently in stable condition being treated, and their close contacts have been implemented under medical observation, currently not abnormal....

http://news.ifeng.com/mainland/special/h7n9/content-3/detail_2013_04/09/24032695_0.shtml

Zhejiang new cases reported a more than 50-year-old female, is severe, the condition is still stable, as well as a more than 70-year-old man in critical condition.

National Health and Family Planning Commission: 28 cases of human infection with the H7N9 avian influenza have been confirmed nine deaths

Xinhua Beijing, April 9 (reporter Lvnuo Hu Hao) National Health and Family Planning Commission, announced on the evening of 9 April 17 to April 18, the national report new people infected with the H7N9 bird flu confirmed Case 4.Which, Zhejiang and Shanghai two cases. According to Jiangsu, Anhui report, the afternoon of April 9, confirmed cases of confirmed cases in Anhui Province in Nanjing, where Mr. Han and Jiangsu Province Shen, died by the rescue efforts.

　　Up to now, the country reported a total of 28 confirmed cases, of which nine people died. Cases located in Shanghai (13 cases, 5 died), Jiangsu (8 cases, 1 death), Anhui (2 cases, 1 death), Zhejiang (5 cases, 2 deaths) 4 provinces and 19 cities class area. Found no epidemiological link between the confirmed cases reported. All close contacts of the cases have been taken under medical observation measures and found no abnormalities. Cases in distributing state, not yet found that human-to-human transmission...

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://news.xinhuanet.com/2013-04/09/c_115327220.htm

Singapore issues advisory for travellers back from China's bird flu-affected provinces

Singapore's health ministry on Saturday issued an advisory for travellers returning from China's bird flu-hit provinces to look out for certain symptoms, though it fell short of advising against travelling to these provinces.

The ministry said that travellers who have gone to Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang should look out for symptoms of respiratory illness, such as fever and cough.

They are advised to seek early medical attention if ill with such symptoms and inform doctors of their travel history. The ministry also advised travellers to the affected areas in China to remain vigilant, observe good personal hygiene, and try to avoid direct contact with poultry, birds or their droppings.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/asianet/130409/singapore-issues-advisory-travellers-back-chinas-bird-flu-affected-prov

Taiwan accumulated informed of 40 cases of H7N9 and 36 suspected cases to rule out infection

China Taiwan, April 9, according to Taiwan's "Central News Agency" reports, Taiwan Epidemic Command Center said today that ended at 17:00 today, the Taiwan accumulated informed of 40 cases of H7N9 suspected cases, in addition to the four cases to be tested, all the remaining cases excluded infection.

The statistics show that the suspected cases reported by hospitals accounted for 34 cases, 30 cases have ruled, patients are seasonal influenza or other viruses, bacterial infections caused by respiratory symptoms, by the airport informed that only six cases checked, is now fully rule out infection .

Epidemic Command Center with immediate effect and will be changed to update the daily 14:00, 5:00 H7N9 suspected cases test. http://news.cn.yahoo.com/ypen/20130409/1697171.html

Experts: H7N9 virus from birds to "jump" to the more contagious than H5N1

Canada homes iask.ca 2013-04-09 07:4

Virus, deputy director of Chinese Center for Disease Control, National Influenza Center director Shu Yuelong, said yesterday that the H7N9 virus will continue to variation, whether it will continue to develop in the human body, should be closely monitored in the future. H7N9 avian virus is still, "My understanding is that this virus from birds to" jump "to the process, overall, this virus should be easier than the H5N1 infected people." Shu Yuelong said.

Shu Yuelong, H5N1 is a highly pathogenic virus, and H7N9 low pathogenic virus to humans, but instead to bring greater prevention and control pressure. H5N1 in poultry in a higher incidence of the more easily found, and H7N9 concealment, the difficulty of monitoring and prevention and control.

Shu Yuelong said, according to the current situation, the various parts of the people infected with the virus of the H7N9 avian flu patients who, little change between strains, has not yet found the variation. So far, the virus is still avian-borne. iask.ca

Shu Yuelong, said yesterday that the shell of the H7N9 avian flu virus H7N9, but the interior is H9N2, belonging to an avian influenza virus, the variation of combinations of two or three of the avian influenza virus.

WHO proposed experts to China

He also stressed that the birds have a similar virus or highly homologous virus is very common, and is constantly changing. As to which direction to change, no one can guess. Pay close attention to the variability of the virus, is the focus of the prevention and control of the next step. Premed

WHO said, is premature at this stage to judge H7N9 fatality rate. In addition, the WHO is to send international experts to discuss and the mainland to China to assist in the investigation of a new avian influenza virus strain.

Financial new network quoted researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that the H7N9 virus may produce the Yangtze River Delta the livestock and Korean wild bird virus gene reassortment.

Expert: virus from China and South Korea birds

Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, researchers of the Chinese Academy of Sciences pathogenic financial new reporter yesterday, said the virus fragment reassortant results show the eight gene segments of the H7N9 virus, H7 fragment from the avian influenza virus isolated in Zhejiang ducks, virus in Zhejiang ducks up retrospective, homologous to the avian influenza virus isolated Korean wild birds; homology of the avian influenza virus isolated N9 fragment of wild birds in Korea. The remaining six gene fragments derived from the H9N2 avian virus.

According to the viral genome comparison and phylogenetic analysis, H9N2 avian influenza virus from a flock of Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and other places. Gene reassortment likely occurred in the Yangtze River Delta region. Process possibly via Korea of wild birds in the natural migration process, the ducks and the Yangtze River Delta region, flocks itself with the avian flu virus gene reassortment produce. 56.ca, Canada homes

Direct contact with birds or cases before infection

Taiwan Medical Association of the Infectious Diseases director, National Taiwan University, Department of Infectious Diseases Physician unusual feature, poultry immunization is not really a variety of avian influenza virus in poultry body for a long time, genetic recombination, and rare, violation of human ability has nothing to do with the virus, "the real virus the key that unlocks the human cell membrane H (hemagglutinin), either H7 or H9 does not have this ability, the only direct contact with birds or close contact with confirmed cases, and due to a large number of virus exposure and infection.

http://www.iask.ca/news/china/2013/0409/191833.html

Siu Lam Hospital, another male patient suspected has parainfluenza

Siu Lam Hospital, another male patient suspected dye parainfluenza

[18:32] 2013/04/09

Siu Lam the hospital sixty disease Weng appear respiratory symptoms. (Picture)

[On.cc Oriental interaction an informed Siu Lam Hospital patients recently infected with parainfluenza virus type a male severely mentally handicapped ward, a 62-year-old suffered from respiratory symptoms. Hospital for patients to carry out the necessary tests, the test results to be determined, the patient is being treated in isolation and in stable condition. The ward has been suspended new admissions and implementation limited visits arrangements.http://news.on.cc/cnt/news/20130409/bkn-20130409183212513-0409_00822_001.html

Taiwan's new suspected cases of H7N9 avian influenza has been isolated

2013 04 09, 2010 14:22

According to Taiwan's "United Daily News" reported, H7N9 avian flu heating, Taiwan's Taitung County, a 59-year-old Taiwanese 9th consecutive fever, Taitung hospital. The hospital to be prudent to require isolation, and collected specimens sent to the Taipei CDC inspection in the afternoon yesterday (8th). The Taitung County Health Bureau said today (9) morning, the test results will only be known after service of eight hours, is expected to announce the results in the afternoon two or three.

　　Chu Nien-feng, head of the hospital, said patients currently in stable condition, still fever. This man back to Taitung in the Qingming even false, he visited the mainland when the market two weeks ago after another fever, antipyretic before his return to Taiwan, so the clearance at the airport undetected illness.

    According to Taiwan's "Central News Agency" reports, Taiwan's Department of Health, Center for Disease Control (9) As of yesterday (8th), Earlier Taiwan reported 27 suspected cases, total exclusion of infection of H7N9 avian influenza. http://tw.people.com.cn//n/2013/0409/c14657-21071923.html

Fatal case with travel history to KSA tests negative for novel coronavirus

Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) received a report from Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) today (April 9) of a suspected case of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus.

According to the CHP's preliminary investigation, the 66-year-old man complained of headache, difficulty in breathing and chills yesterday (April 8). The man was found collapsed in a hotel room this morning. He was sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of PMH and died despite resuscitation.



Investigations revealed that the man was a tourist from Indonesia. He had travelled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between March 30 and April 8. He transited in Dubai and arrived in Hong Kong this morning and stayed in the hotel for subsequent departure to Indonesia this afternoon.

Preliminary laboratory test results today for the man's respiratory specimens were negative for Novel Coronavirus associated with Severe Respiratory Disease.

The DH has notified the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong about the case.



The case will be referred to the Coroner for investigation. 

"The CHP will continue its surveillance mechanism with public and private hospitals, practising doctors and the airport for any suspected cases of severe respiratory disease associated with novel coronavirus," a DH spokesman remarked.

"No human infection with this virus has been identified so far in Hong Kong," the spokesman stressed.

"We would like to reassure the public that the Government will be as transparent as possible in the dissemination of information on cases of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus. Whenever there is a suspected case, particularly involving patients with travel history to the Middle East and the affected areas, the CHP will release information to the public as soon as possible," the spokesman reiterated.

Travellers returning from novel coronavirus-affected countries with respiratory symptoms are advised to wear face masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors. http://7thspace.com/headlines/435603/fatal_case_with_travel_history_to_ksa_tests_negative_for_novel_coronavirus.html

Vietnam Confirms 1st H5N1 Bird Flu Death in a Year

Vietnam has confirmed its first human death from bird flu in more than a year, though it is not related to an outbreak of a new strain in China.

Health official Doan Tan Buu said Tuesday that a 4-year-old boy died of the H5N1 strain of bird flu on April 4 after being hospitalized in southern Dong Thap province.

Buu said the boy developed fever and other symptoms on March 23 after his family slaughtered a chicken bought in a village where tests later confirmed an outbreak among poultry.

Vietnam's last human bird flu death was reported in February last year.

Vietnam has not reported any trace of the H7N9 virus, a new bird flu strain that has killed seven in neighboring China since February.http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/vietnam-confirms-1st-h5n1-bird-flu-death-year-18911212#.UWQBwZNwe5I

HK official to discuss H7N9 at WTO meeting

(Xinhua)

19:13, April 09, 2013   

HONG KONG, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health Dr KoWing-man said Tuesday that he will discuss the H7N9 avian influenza virus at the WorldHealth Summit meeting in Singapore.

Speaking to the media before attending the regional summit, Dr Ko said the virus isnow on the agenda, as regional health ministers are concerned about the situation inHong Kong.

He said attendees may discuss the latest updates and how to strengthen the WorldHealth Organization's role in dealing with the virus, adding that he has prepared a document to share with them. http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90785/8200900.html?

National confirmed 28 cases of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza deaths

Published: 2013-04-09 19:40 Source: China National Radio of:

---

　　Hong Beijing, April 9 learned today from the Health Department of Jiangsu Province, the province one cases of human infection with confirmed cases of the H7N9 avian flu afternoon died after death.

　　Patients Shen, male, 83 years old, Suzhou Wujiang District. Disease, on March 20 for medical treatment at a hospital in Suzhou. April 2 confirmed human infection of H7N9 avian influenza. Provincial expert group has organized a consultation, guiding clinical treatment. On the afternoon of April 9, died after rescue invalid.

　　As of 17:00 today, the Shanghai new confirmed cases of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza.Patients Lin, male, 62 years old, the people of Shanghai, retirees; patients Wang, male, 77 years old, the people of Shanghai, retirees. Two in stable condition and being treated in a total of 10 close contacts have been implemented under medical observation, were not present abnormal. There were confirmed cases of 13 cases.

　　Zhejiang Provincial Health Department Bulletin, April 9 as of April 9, 2011, 4:00 PM EDT, Zhejiang add two cases of human infection with the H7N9 avian influenza. Patients Jiamou, female, 51 years old, retired, who lives in Huzhou City. Now to a hospital for treatment. Patients Shentu a male, 79 years old, retired, who lives in Hangzhou. Now to a hospital for treatment. Currently, Gumou case severe, the disease is still smooth; Shentu a case of critically ill.

　　Up to now, the country confirmed infection of H7N9 avian flu to 28 people, eight people were killed. Which 13 cases (5 deaths), Jiangsu 8 cases (deaths), Zhejiang 5 cases (2 deaths), two cases in Anhui. http://news.nfdaily.cn/content/2013-04/09/content_66667904.htm

H7N9 E627K Raises Pandemic Concerns

Recombinomics Commentary 09:30
April 8, 2013

The release of full sets of sequences by The Harbin Veterinary Institutehas allowed for comparisons with the four human sequences.  Although these sequences are closely related, the PB2 E627K in all human sequences was absent from all three avian sequence.

The earliest human sequence, A/Shanghai/1/2013, was the most diverse, and did not have H7 Q226L a key receptor binding domain.  Q226L was in the next two human sequences, A/Shanghai/2/2013 and A/Anhui/1/2013.  This position evolved further to L226I in A/Hangzhou/1/2013, signaling human adaptation.
The three avian H7N0 sequences   from a pigeon, (A/Pigeon/Shanghai/S1069/2013), chicken (A/Chicken/Shanghai/S1053/2013), and environment (A/Environment/Shanghai/S1088/2013) are from recent samples.  They were congenic  with the human sequences and did not have E627K. 

This difference is significant, since E627K produces temperature dependent differences in polymerase activity.  Avian sequences typically have an E at position 627 which produces optimal activity at 40 C, the body temperature of a bird, while E627K produces optimal activity at 33 C

Prior to the H7N9 outbreak there have been only one reported death due to bird flu, which was a veterinarian infected with H7N7 during the 2003 outbreak in the Netherlands, which had E627K.  Thus, the presence of E627K in the first three cases, which were severe or fatal, and the expectation of E627K in the most recent human sequence, which was also from a fatal case, raises serious pandemic concerns.

Key markers identified in H5N1 transmission experiments.  Theabolishment of the glycosylation of position 158, was already present, while the more recent human cases also had H7 Q226L and all had PB2 E627K.

Moreover, all sequences have D225G and M230I.  D225G is in all H5N1 sequences and was also linked to severe H1N1pdm09 cases, as well as a subset of 1918 cases.  M230I is present in human seasonal flu (H3N2 and influenza B) raising additional transmission concerns.
 
Thus, the presence of E627K in all human H7N9 reported to date, and its absent in the avian sequences, significantly increases pandemic concerns.