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Friday, July 6, 2012

Avian influenza affects 29 farms in Jalisco #BIRDFLU


Mexico City. - At the moment there are registered 29 farms infected by the avian flu virus from a universe of 100 in the Los Altos de Jalisco, so said the president of the National Union of Poultry Farmers (A), Sergio Chavez Gonzalez



http://www.aztecanoticias.com.mx/notas/finanzas/120770/gripe-aviar-afecta-a-29-granjas-de-jalisco

Message from U.S. Embassy in Cambodia

EMERGENCY MESSAGES AND PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

“Mystery” Disease affecting kids


According to the Phnom Penh Post some sixty younger children have died from something that affects the brain and lungs, mainly in southern provinces. The exact cause has yet to be determined. Very early evidence suggests that it is not Dengue or pandemic flu. According to the article, Kantha Bopha hospital’s officials were also concerned about initial management of these very sick children, which may have contributed to so many deaths. The Cambodian Ministry of Health, international health organizations, and Kantha Bopha officials are conducting investigations to try to determine the cause.

Should I worry? No. The details are still very early. At this time there does not appear to be spread of this illness within households and none of the hospital staff who took care of the sick children have become sick.

What should I do if I have a young child? It is important to remember that most Western children have excellent immunization coverage. If your child gets a high fever and cough you should have them seen by a medical provider as you normally would.

Should I take other precautions? Simple measures like hand washing and yearly flu vaccination go a long way to reduce disease spread.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation. Our Centers for Disease Control and Naval Medical Research Unit experts are monitoring the situation closely.
We encourage you notify us of your presence in Cambodia by enrolling in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy is located at #1 Street 96, Phnom Penh, Cambodia and can be reached by calling 023-728-000, or by e-mailing ACSPhnomPenh@State.gov.

 http://cambodia.usembassy.gov/acs_di...ting_kids.html

Investigators probe mystery disease killing Cambodian children

Investigators probe mystery disease killing Cambodian children

By Madison Park, CNN
July 6, 2012
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • 62 dead out of 64 cases in mysterious disease in Cambodia, says doctor
  • Surrounding countries notified of disease; doctors on alert in Hong Kong
  • Children suffered swelling in their brain and died because lungs failed

Hong Kong (CNN) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) and Cambodian health officials are investigating why at least 61 children in the country have died mysteriously after suffering severe neurological and respiratory complications.
Dr. Beat Richner, of the Kantha Bopha Children's Hospitals who first alerted Cambodia's health authorities about the unknown disease said as of Friday, he knew of 64 cases, in which only two children have survived.
Countries surrounding Cambodia were informed of a deadly disease that killed dozens of children earlier this week, through the International Health Regulations event information system, which provides public health communications.
In Hong Kong, a major air hub in the region, health officials responded by alerting doctors to be watchful for patients returning from Cambodia who have respiratory symptoms. Travelers who have been to Cambodia were told to visit their doctors if they developed respiratory symptoms.
The unknown illness appears in children, according to the WHO and the Cambodian Ministry of Health.
The children who fell ill first experienced a high fever followed by respiratory problems. Some of them also had neurological symptoms that included convulsions, according to the WHO.

Richner said the patients suffered from encephalitis, which is the inflammation of the brain.
"They are hospitalized," he said. "They arrive in our hospital, in the last moments... they die because their lungs are destroyed."
They arrive in our hospital, in the last moments... they die because their lungs are destroyed.
Dr. Beat Richner, Kantha Bopha Children's Hospitals



When asked what he thought caused the deadly illness, he said: "I think our idea is an enterovirus or an intoxication of a drug," or a combination of both.
Richner added that the number of cases affected by the unknown disease is low -- 34 cases in June compared with the 75,000 sick children at Kantha Bopha's outpatient clinics and 16,000 hospitalized kids.
The majority of the cases came from the southern part of the country, but there haven't been signs of clustering, according to the WHO.
The young patients were brought to hospitals in the capital, Phnom Penh, and the northern tourist hub of Siem Reap -- the two biggest cities of Cambodia. The Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap reported one case of the mysterious illness as of Friday, according to an email received by CNN from Dr. Bill Housworth, executive director of the hospital.
"WHO supports the Ministry with the investigation and detailed analysis of each of these cases to find out the cause," wrote Dr. Pieter Van Maaren, a representative of WHO in Cambodia in an email Friday.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Health and quarantine fence and Acatic Tepatitlán in Los Altos

Health and quarantine fence and Acatic Tepatitlán in Los Altos

The Ministry of Agriculture has set up checkpoints on roads animal health near Tepatitlan, Jalisco. Photo: AFP

July 5, 2012Isaura Lopez / The West
Guadalajara, Jal. - Although the H7N3 avian influenza outbreak is controlled in poultry farms and Acatic Tepatitlán in Los Altos de Jalisco continues quarantine is prohibited entry and exit of laying hens live and derivatives except with certificate healing.
The call to the producers of the region to maintain vigilance and report quickly any symptoms in animals and maintain biosecurity measures in their production units.
Control is maintained at 40 and 60 miles of farms identified with virus, for surveillance work incorporated the Federal Preventive Police to prevent the movement of sick animals in the municipalities was set up a cordon sanitaire.
The National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA) argues that the virus is identified in laying hens and broiler production focused on poultry meat and eggs...http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldemexico/notas/n2606505.htm

Warning as disease kills Cambodia kids

Mary Ann Benitez and Phoebe Man
Friday, July 06, 2012

Travelers to Cambodia are being advised to take precautions as the World Health Organization and the country's health ministry race to identify a disease that has killed 61 children since April.

However, the WHO is yet to issue a global alert regarding the disease.
Some 150 Hong Kong tourists in five groups are currently in Phnom Penh and Ankor Wat, and about 500 more in 30 tour groups are set to leave for Cambodia, which is bordered by Thailand, Laos and Vietnam..

..Laboratory test results suggest that this syndrome is unlikely to be associated with avian influenza. It can be a mixture of known diseases which have been reported as one syndrome, or something new," said Joy Rivaca Caminade, technical officer (risk communications) of the WHO Regional Office for Western Pacific.
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=124110&sid=36947782&con_type=1

Control of avian influenza virus

the virus is contained in a perimeter of 40 to 60 kilometers.
the radius quarantine is guarded by federal police.   http://www.latarde.com.mx/index.php/panorama/1644-controlan-virus-de-gripe-aviar

INFLUENZA - MBDS REGION (04): MYANMAR (IRRAWADDY)



A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org

Date: Wed 27 Jun 2012
Source: 7Day News Journal [in Myanmar, trans. Mod.YMA, edited]
http://www.thithtoolwin.com/2012/06/blog-post_1643.html

In Maubin Town of Irrawaddy Region, about 20 students from Saint Rita catholic church had nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fever, and were admitted to the hospital. On 24 Jun 2012, a 16-year-old child got sick and the infection was transmitted overnight to other 17 children in the church. They were urgently admitted to hospital, according to a humanitarian worker to 7Day News.

A health care worker from Maubin said that most of the children had an influenza-like illness with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and fever. However the symptoms vary in each individual.

U Tun Myint, head of Maubin Township Hospital, said, "It is seasonal influenza. The children have fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. There is nothing to worry about. As the church is a boarding school, the transmission occurred very rapidly. Some children will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow [28 Jun 2012]. A total of 20 children were admitted in our hospital."

Among the 115 students in the catholic school, about 60 children are infected.

The school is closed for a week and entrance to the nearby areas is not allowed. Preventive and control measures have been implemented in the area, according to a resident from Maubin Township.

-- Communicated by: PRO/MBDS

[The influenza outbreak in Maubin Township has spread to 60 children in a short period. However, the type of influenza infection is not mentioned in the newswire above. Influenza surveillance should be maintained and the pandemic preparedness and response plans for pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 should be updated according to the seasonal trends of influenza infection. Recently, 41 suspected cases of pandemic H1N1 2009 infection were reported from a local hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand (see prior PRO/MBDS posting Influenza - MBDS region (03): Thailand (Nakhon Ratchasima), H1N1 20120623.1404).

For a map of Myanmar with administrative divisions, see http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/myanmar_map2.htm. A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Myanmar can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/2H4V. - Mod.YMA]  http://www.promedmail.org/direct.php?id=20120704.1518

Mystery disease kills Cambodian children

 06-07-2012

 The World Health Organisation and Cambodian officials are investigating an unknown disease that has killed more than 60 children. The Cambodian Ministry of Health said the disease starts with high fever followed by rapid deterioration of respiratory functions.

The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection in Hong Kong, Thomas Tsang, said they are in close contact with their Cambodian counterparts and the WHO. He said letters would be sent out to alert local doctors.

The Travel Industry Council is closely monitoring developments. Its executive director, Joseph Tung, said there are Hong Kong tour groups in Cambodia.

But, he said the affected area is a long way from popular tourist spots, and there does not appear to be a need at present to warn people to avoid Cambodia.  http://rthk.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20120706/news_20120706_56_853060.htm

Social Bats Pay a Price With New Fungal Disease: Study Determines Which Bats Are Headed for Extinction

 05-Jul-12 10:21AM A price with new fungal disease


The impact on bat populations of a deadly fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome may depend on how gregarious the bats are during hibernation.
Species that hibernate in dense clusters even as their populations get smaller will continue to transmit the disease at a high rate, dooming them to continued decline, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz. One gregarious species has surprised researchers, however, by changing its social behavior.

White-nose syndrome has decimated bat colonies throughout the northeast since it first appeared in New York state in 2006, and it continues to spread in the United States and Canada. In the new study, researchers analyzed population trends in six bat species in the northeast. They found that some bat populations are stabilizing at lower abundances, while others appear headed for extinction. The study, published July 3 in Ecology Letters, examined data from bat surveys between 1979 and 2010, covering a long period of population growth followed by dramatic declines caused by white-nose syndrome.

All six species were impacted by white-nose syndrome, but we have evidence that the populations of some species are beginning to stabilize, which is really good news," said Kate Langwig, a graduate student at UC Santa Cruz and first author of the paper. "This study gives us an..

Phl warned of unknown respiratory disease in Cambodia

By Sheila Crisostomo July 06, 2012 12:00
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines and neighboring countries have been warned of an “unknown respiratory disease” that has killed 61 children in Cambodia..
..The WHO said the neighboring countries of Cambodia “have already been officially informed through a posting made through the International Health Regulations (IHR) event information system.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=824581&publicationSubCategoryId=63

Hong Kong closes bird market over H5N1 virus

Hat tip Tetano
HONG KONG — Hong Kong on Thursday closed a popular tourist spot where hundreds of caged birds are on display after the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus was detected at one of the stalls.
The agriculture, fisheries and conservation department said it was closing the Yuen Po Street bird market in the city's bustling Mongkok district for 21 days. There are about 70 bird stalls in the market.
The move came after the virus was found in a swab sample collected from a cage holding an oriental magpie robin during a routine avian influenza surveillance operation.
All the stall's birds would be killed, the department said in a statement.
A spokeswoman told AFP they were still investigating the cause of the virus as the bird itself was not infected... http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jdoaJ2YAbzQ821h49g0CDSbZGTyQ?docId=CNG.051f804d4677263cca8ea52a406c33d6.431

Iraq bans import of birds and eggs from 18 countries

 Thursday, July 5, 2012 15:09

 Baghdad - the way
Iraq decided to prevent the import of birds and eggs from 18 countries in order to preserve the environment from bird flu.
An official source said on Thursday that the government ban, which included both types of eggs hatching and table and live birds of prey and the decorations.
He added that the countries covered by the ban are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India and Hong Kong, Laos, Mainmar, Egypt, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, South Africa, Indonesia, Nepal, Australia and Sri Lanka.

  http://www.assabeel.net/%D9%85%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA/misc/96998-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%8A%D8%AD%D8%B8%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B6-%D9%85%D9%86-18-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9.html

2.7 million birds infected with #AH7N3 virus


Tepatitlán, Jal. Two weeks after being detected, the AH7N3 avian influenza virus has infected 2.7 million birds killed in farm Tepatitlán 987.701 and Acatic, which so far has focused the outbreak.
The National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA) confirmed that the number of farms affected by avian flu is 24, out of 129 sampled within a radius of 40 kilometers, the region's poultry Los Altos, where other producing 10 ships were subjected to the virus.
Based on the National Emergency Animal Health has analyzed the SENASICA 14.4 million birds, of which there are 2.7 million affected, so it keeps a tight control around the quarantined area, including the presence of elements Federal Preventive Police (PFP) in checkpoints to prevent movement of sick animals, meat, eggs, offal and poultry.
SUFFICIENT SUPPLY
The head of the agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, Enrique Sánchez Cruz, reiterated that it guaranteed the supply of chicken and eggs for domestic consumption.
Mexico is a country that has about 500 million birds as a whole, of these, about 200 million are in position.
Jalisco has 90 million laying hens and identified the problem area has a population of between 8 and 10 million laying hens "he said.
He said the virus has been detected only in laying hens and broiler or chicken production and reiterated that "there is no shortage of eggs or meat."
REQUESTS OPEN BORDERS SAGARPACruz Sanchez said that the closure of borders Jalisco poultry products is not justified,0 so SAGARPA asked governors across the country and their respective secretaries of Agricultural Development does not restrict the movement of pasteurized egg, dehydrated and processed product poultry, since they are subject to thermal processes that eliminate the virus.
He said that in the eight points are in operation monitoring and control, so that the products leaving poultry farms, both domestically and for export, are suitable and safe for consumption, the official said. He said the proof is the resumption of exports to Japan industrialized egg is produced in Los Altos.
The federal official made a new tour of the affected area, checkpoints and surveillance as well as regional diagnostic laboratories for emerging diseases, located in the municipalities of El Salto and Zapotlanejo, and the mobile unit for animal diagnosis.
SALES DOWN
However, the health crisis and the increase in the price of a kilo of whole chicken egg and caused a drop in wholesale trade sales of 15% and 25% to retailers, reported Alfredo Neme Martinez, director for Latin Union Global Wholesale Markets.
He said that the reported increase in food was 25% in just one week. Required the Ministry of Economy and the Federal Consumer verification instrument operating supply centers, public markets and convenience stores.
NOT BEEN ABLE TO IMPORTVACCINE WILL BE READY BY THE END OF MONTH
Guadalajara, Jal. It will be the end of July when the Mexican government has the first batch of vaccines against avian influenza virus H7N3 subtype produced in the country, said Hugo Fragoso Sanchez, general manager of Animal Health National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA).
After clarifying that the import process of biological products in Asian countries has not been possible because "there is no vaccine available," because there are active outbreaks in Pakistan and Italy, the official said that the main strategy to immunize poultry population the country is the production of the vaccine in labs set up in Mexico.
We have a Mexican national laboratory that has the ability to produce the vaccine does not occur in a week or two ... A vaccine production may exceed three months. "
He added that after completing the respective tests in August may have 80 million doses in the country, but in principle, the production will be limited.
We believe having an initial production, a first batch of 2 million doses. "
HIGH COSTAlthough he declined to mention how much it cost to produce the biological, the official said that a vaccine of birds between 15 and 25 cents each dose and at this time is required to immunize at least 30 million birds that make up the flock in the area under review . What would an estimated 900 to 1,500 million pesos, whereas two doses per animal, but in laying hens are usually applied to three.
This vaccine will be applied in regions close to the affected area to prevent the problem out there, "said Fragoso.. http://eleconomista.com.mx/estados/2012/07/04/suman-27-millones-las-aves-infectadas-virus-ah7n3

Indonesia- 8 yr old dies from #Birdflu #h5n1

HAT TIP  Gert van der Hoek
Ministry of Health Confirms A Karawang Citizen Dies from Bird Flu
Thursday, July 5, 2012


JAKARTA - : Directorate General of Disease Control and Environmental Health (P2PL) Ministry of Health to confirm the death of the girl residents Karawang district, West Java, KK (8) is due to bird flu (H5N1).

Director General Tjandra Yoga Aditama P2PL in Jakarta, Thursday ( 5/7), said the new cases of H5N1 have been confirmed by the Center for Basic Biomedical and Health Technology, Balitbangkes, Ministry of Health.
http://www.mediaindonesia.com/read/2012/07/05/331091/293/14/Kemenkes-Pastikan-Seorang-Warga-Karawang-Meninggal-akibat-Flu-Burung

HAT TIP Ronan Kelly

Indonesian Girl, 8, Dies of Bird Flu in Jakarta Hospital: Health Ministry
July 05, 2012


An eight-year-old girl from Karawang, West Java, died after catching the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

The girl, identified as “K.K,” lived near the Karawang market. She often walked past the market's live stock and bird pens on her way to school.

On June 12, K.K. carried a clutch of freshly killed chickens home from the market with her father, said Tjandra Yoga Aditama, director general of disease control and environmental health at the Health Ministry.

She became ill six days later on a trip to Singapore. A doctor there diagnosed the girl with laryngitis, Tjandra said.
...
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/...inistry/528789

Int'l infectious diseases expert to lead Duke-NUS programme

 05 July 2012
SINGAPORE: An international infectious diseases expert will lead a signature programme of the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore...

Professor Wang Linfa was appointed as director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) research programme from July 1.
It said Prof Wang is a renowned expert on identifying new and emerging diseases of bat origin.

He's a Science Leader for the Office of the Chief Executive and Senior Principal Research Scientist in CSIRO Livestock Industries' Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, Australia.

At CSIRO, he led a project team of more than 20 staff who study new and emerging viruses that affect both humans and animals.

..He is especially noted for his work on bat-borne viruses that have the potential to impact human and animal health.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1211775/1/.html

Cambodia Outbreak Is Unlikely to Be Influenza

Hat tip Tetano
By JAMES HOOKWAY

International health officials investigating the outbreak of an unidentified disease in Cambodia that has killed more than 60 children since early April say it is unlikely to be a form of influenza, but they still face a long struggle to identify the precise nature of the illness.

Describing the initial finding as "positive," World Health Organization physician and public-health specialist Nima Asgari said the mystery illness "doesn't look like any kind of influenza."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303684004577508372906028072.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

The experts said the fatal strange disease of children in Cambodia may be mixed disease

 2012-07-05 2050)
Nima Asgari, public health experts of the World Health Organization in Cambodia, the Xinhua News Agency reporter that fatal abnormal Cambodian children may be mixed illness of several known diseases, including viral diseases, bacterial diseases, the specific cause is still under investigation.

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://realtime.zaobao.com.sg/2012/07/jg120705_061.shtml&usg=ALkJrhgsnxDDgQxD-CUwaf9oIuXJAY_dsQ

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Continued health fence in the area of Jalisco Tepatitlan

4 picsContinúa el cerco sanitario en la zona de Tepatitlan Jalisco. Foto Rosendo Khan.Continued health fence in the area of Jalisco Tepatitlan
http://www.fotojalisco.net/foto.asp?id_foto=18662

Another 800 thousand birds with influenza in Jalisco


Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality reported that the number of birds affected increased from 1.7 to 2.5 million, will prepare influenza virus vaccine.

 
July 4, 2012 by David Patiño Torres National Section
 
Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA), an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, reported that the number of birds affected by avian flu outbreak in Mexico increased from 1.7 to 2.5 million, of which almost one million died or were culled.
SENASICA infromó The device also applies to health farms and backyards of Jalisco for the study and processing of 14.4 million birds in order to tackle the outbreak of avian influenza virus type A, subtype H7N3, which does not affect humans
, according to authorities.
"We reviewed 129 poultry farms and has been confirmed, until the evening of Tuesday, July 3, the presence of exotic virus in 24 farms, ten more were negative and the rest is followed by laboratory diagnosis," said SENASICA .
Fragoso Hugo Sanchez, head of the agency, said that it has issued the import permit of a suitable vaccine to control the outbreak and Mexican scientists conduct tests to develop other national production.
For vaccines produced in Mexico will have the support of private laboratories, and according to Fragoso Sanchez, all vaccine against avian influenza virus will be ready by August, when it is expected the production of at least 80 million doses.
In this regard, said the vaccine will meet all safety standards recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health, will be tested for efficacy and protective capacity, and its no harm to birds, as it will be applied in regions near the affected area to prevent the virus from leaving the area.

http://www.sexenio.com.mx/articulo.php?id=16838

Joint WHO and Cambodia Statement PDF

http://www.wpro.who.int/cambodiadisease_english.pdf

Mexico-Vaccines against avian flu not until late July #BIRDFLU

Vaccines against avian flu until late JulyJuly 4, 2012



El Salto, Jalisco. - The first batch of two million doses of vaccine made in Mexico to prevent avian influenza will tentatively later this July, said Director of Animal Health SENASICA Hugo Sanchez Fragoso.
At a news conference, said that Mexico will produce, with the support of private laboratories, the whole virus vaccine for avian influenza is required by August, when production is expected at least 80 million doses.
He stated that the vaccine produced will comply with all safety standards recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health, will be tested for efficacy and protective capacity and not harm the birds, as it will be applied in regions close to the affected area to keep the virus out of there.
The director of the National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA), said the Mexican vaccine production is one of the three options you have to combat this health challenge facing the country.
He added that there is a national laboratory that has the ability to produce the vaccine, but that takes time because the epidemic was first detected and began working in the biological to combat it.
He said another possibility considered is to bring a vaccine made and ready to apply, "but it is available anytime, anywhere and when you need it" because it is exotic disease has only been introduced in some countries world.
He said that no active outbreaks of bird flu in Pakistan and Italy, but you can not bring the vaccine because their production is compromised.He said that was available in some countries being located with an import permit to bring it to Mexico, but you have to develop a series of tests to determine whether it is safe and whether it protects, plus it's available at most three million dose.
He added that the third option in which you work is coordinated with research scientists at the Department of Agriculture United States, which has a world reference laboratory for avian influenza.

http://conexiontotal.mx/2012/07/04/vacunas-contra-gripe-aviar-hasta-finales-de-julio/

Mexican government detects more birds with bird flu

: add 2.5 million
July 4, 2012

The number of birds affected by an outbreak of bird flu in western Mexico went from 1.7 to 2.5 million, of which nearly a million died or were destroyed, according to a government report released Wednesday.
..
Meanwhile, in Guatemala, Deputy Agriculture Minister Mario Marcucci announced that redoubled vigilance along its border with Mexico to prevent the virus from entering the Central American country.
0http://noticias.terra.com.pe/gobierno-mexicano-detecta-mas-aves-con-gripe-aviar-suman-25-millones,b0f3519190458310VgnVCM3000009acceb0aRCRD.html

THAILAND-Ministry warns against bird flu

THAILAND-Ministry warns against bird flu

 

The Public Health Ministry yesterday instructed health officials nationwide to keep an eye out for birdflu infections among humans.

This move follows a report that more than 150,000 chickens in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang were culled due to an outbreak of bird flu.
Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said members of the public should report to health volunteers or livestock officials immediately if they find any suspicious deaths among birds in their area.
Disease Control Department's deputy director Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingchareon said symptoms that a bird might be infected include diarrhoea, bluish purple cockscomb, a loss of appetite, softshelled eggs and a drop in egg production.  http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Ministry-warns-against-bird-flu-30185512.html

Undiagnosed illness in Cambodia

The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia has notified WHO of an outbreak of an undiagnosed illness which has affected 62 children, of which 61 have died since April 2012.


The majority of cases were from the southern part of the country, and were hospitalised in a children's hospital in Phnom Penh. The symptoms observed are high fever, followed by respiratory and/or neurologic symptoms with rapid deterioration of respiratory functions.

WHO is working with the Ministry and other partners to investigate the outbreak, to identify the cause and source of the illness. Assistance is being provided in the area of field epidemiology and active case finding.

http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_07_04/en/index.html

60 children killed in Cambodia by mystery disease

Hat tip Ronan Kelly

60 children killed in Cambodia by mystery disease

Wednesday, 04 July 2012
Bridget Di Certo and Chhay Channyda
Phnom Penh Post


120704_01a
A small child is treated at Kantha Bopha hospital in Phnom Penh. 60 children have died from a new and unidentified disease, while only two of the 62 admitted to the hopsital have survived. Photograph: Hong Minea/Phnom Penh Post
An unknown deadly illness has appeared in Cambodia, killing at least 60 children in the past three months, health officials said yesterday.

Of the 62 children admitted to the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospitals with similar symptoms of severe fever and respiratory and neurological destruction, only two were able to be saved, hospital founder Dr Beat Richner said yesterday.

In a letter from Richner to Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng sent on June 20 and obtained by the Post yesterday, the Swiss doctor raised the urgency of the issue and told the minister such a disease had not been seen in the past 20 years in Cambodia.

“They [the children] are suffering from an Encephalitis and in the last 6 hours they develop a most severe pneumonia," he wrote. “The X Ray and CT are showing that the alveolus [pockets in the lung for oxygen exchange] are destroyed within hours before passing away.”

All the children who died, died within 24 hours of being hospitalised in what Richner called a “dramatic evolution” of the lung-destroying disease.

At the time of the letter, 47 children had died. In the 13 days following, there have been a further 13 deaths at the Kantha Bopha hospitals.

World Health Organization public health specialist Nima Asgari yesterday confirmed the international organisation had teamed this week with the Ministry of Health to investigate the mysterious and fatal affliction.

“It is very early to find the cause. We are still trying to gather data,” Asgari said, adding it was unlikely the disease was related to dengue or the re-appearance of Chikungunya in the Kingdom.

The United Nations agency said in a June 30 report that the clinical signs of those afflicted with the disease “appear unusual,” with patients suffering from fever and a rapid deterioration of respiratory functions, although platelet counts, liver and renal functions were found normal.

Ministry of Health officials, including minister and deputy director of the Communicable Disease Control Department Ly Sovann, referred all questions to department director Sok Touch, who could not be reached for comment yesterday.

A hotline official at the Communicable Disease Control Department said two teams from the Health Ministry had visited Takeo and Kampong Cham provinces yesterday to investigate other cases of the unknown disease.

“It has happened in 14 provinces across the country,” the official said. “We have not found the cause of this disease yet, but they [patients] have severe respiratory problems,” he said, adding that a third team would go to the Kantha Bopha hospitals on Thursday.

Takeo provincial hospital deputy director Te Vantha said he had joined a meeting with Ministry of Health and Kantha Bopha officials on June 29 to discuss the situation.

Kantha Bopha has informed us about the rapid development of a disease that can kill children within 24 hours, so we must be careful,” Vantha said. “This unknown disease happens to children mostly under the age of 5 years and the symptoms are fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.”

He said that in Takeo, there were two known cases of children dying from the unknown lung-destroying disease in June.

Speaking from the Kantha Bopha hospital in Siem Reap, where there have been two deaths, Richner said his team had been unable to definitively determine a cause yet but worried it may be the result of what he termed “wrong treatment”.

“All these children had encephalitis [acute inflammation of the brain] and were hospitalised and treated at private clinics before coming to us," he said. “I worry that a wrong treatment and drug intoxication at some private clinics has destroyed the lungs leading to a pneumonia we cannot treat.”

He added that his hospitals had been receiving a high number of encephalitis cases.  http://camwatchblogs.blogspot.com/2012/07/60-children-killed-in-cambodia-by.html

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Colima Closes border with Jalisco bird flu

Colima | Monday July 02

The Colima government prohibits the entry of birds was detected after an outbreak of H7N3 avian influenza in two municipalities of Jalisco


The state government, through its Ministry of Rural Development and the State Committee for Livestock Promotion and Protection, announced the closure of its border with the state of Jalisco to keep out commercial poultry, chicken fat, chicken manure and chicken manure , "by the risk that through these products can carry the avian influenza virus."

The Ministry of Rural Development, said that the measure was taken after it was detected in the neighboring state of Jalisco an outbreak of H7N3 bird flu detected in municipalities and Tepatitlán Acatic.

Reported that the National Agrifood Health and Quality (SENASICA) activated the national emergency device of animal health in the region of "Los Altos de Jalisco", so in Colima is strictly prohibited the entry of birds for slaughter, chick for fattening, chicken manure and chicken manure from Jalisco.

Similarly, reported that Colima is free of this disease, which was recognized by the SENASICA and continuously observed by avian health campaigns conducted by the assistant animal health agency of the State Committee for the Promotion Animal Protection and Colima.

In the case of birds entering the state, Colima reported that supplies chicken to sacrifice and immediate consumption of Nayarit state, so it is prohibited the entry of live poultry from the entities of Jalisco and Michoacan, "because have lower animal health status Colima, this in relation to avian diseases such as salmonella, avian influenza and Newcastle disease. "

Furthermore, it has a strict control of the income of birds, their products and by-products through control of the mobilization of Colima products entering the main road through the seven booths phytozoosanitary established in the state, which monitor to prevent pests entering and diseases of quarantine...


http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/856982.html

Mexico declares bird flu emergency

 03 July 2012 0651 hrs

MEXICO CITY: The Mexican government declared a national animal health emergency on Monday in the face of an aggressive bird flu epidemic that has infected nearly 1.7 million poultry.

More than half the infected birds have died or been culled, the agriculture ministry said of an epidemic that was confirmed on Friday by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

"We have activated a national animal health emergency... with the goal of diagnosing, preventing, controlling and eradicating the Type A, sub-type H7N3 bird flu virus," the min..



..H7N3, has occasionally caused human disease in various parts of the world, according to the UN, but has not shown itself to be easily transmittable between humans.  http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1211303/1/.html

Saturday, June 30, 2012

It grows in Colima vigilance against bird flu

It grows in Colima vigilance against bird flu
 
The Health Ministry steps up monitoring in the stateColima (30/JUN/2012.) - First report of bird flu in farms in the state of Jalisco, Colima adjoining, for the detection of virus Type "A" H7N3, the Ministry of Health and Welfare reported that state intensified the State System of Epidemiological Surveillance and monitor units seven Influenza (flu) is in the entity, to perform the detection of probable or suspected cases of this disease.
The head of the agency, Agustín Lara Esqueda said that normally, this flu is not transmitted to humans and who are at low risk of infection are people who are in direct contact with sick birds.
As is made for seasonal influenza, state Health Department said the state also has the early diagnosis of State Public Health Laboratory and has enough medication for the treatment of this condition (oseltamivir).
He said the report will be watching that issue the animal health authorities and veterinary responsible for carrying out the actions of prevention and control of diseases in animals, as the implementation of the surveillance cordon phytozoosanitary performing at the entrances to the state .
He also mentioned that avian influenza is a disease that is present in chickens, pheasants, turkeys, chickens Guinnea, ducks and turkeys, among other birds, according to federal authorities of the Ministry of Health and the World Animal Health said the virus does not affect humans.
Thus, by following the national guidelines issued by the Undersecretary of Prevention and Health Promotion in case they were to report human cases, even if minimal risk is for people who come into contact with sick birds.
In this sense, farm owners should be coordinated with the animal health authorities and report if they have respiratory problems among their workers, so they are sent to medical services.
To prevent transmission of this disease, it is suggested to people who are in contact with birds cover nose and mouth and wash your hands, since the aforementioned virus is transmitted by respiratory or through contamination of bird droppings. 
http://www.informador.com.mx/mexico/2012/386663/6/crece-en-colima-la-vigilancia-contra-gripe-aviar.htm

13th gene identified in 1918 pandemic virus


Date: Thu 28 Jun 2012
Source: University of Edinburgh Press Release [edited]
http://www.ed.ac.uk/news/all-news/flu-280612

Discovery sheds light on flu infections
--------------------------------
Scientists have discovered a new gene in influenza virus that helps the virus control the body's response to infection. Although this control is exerted by the virus, surprisingly it reduces the impact of the infection. The findings will help researchers better understand how flu can cause severe infections, as well as inform research into new treatments.

Just finding this gene in the first place is important, but the find is even more significant because of the role it seems to play in the body's response to flu. Researchers found when the virus gene -- called PA-X -- was active, mice infected with flu subsequently recovered. When the PA-X gene did not work properly, the immune system was found to overreact. This made the infection worse, and did not help destroy the virus any quicker.

The study looked at how the gene affected the behaviour of "Spanish flu", a virulent strain of influenza that caused a pandemic in 1918. It was carried out by the Universities of Cambridge, Cork, Edinburgh and Utah, the Institute of Systems Biology in Seattle and the United States National Institutes of Health. Scientists discovered the PA-X gene some 30 years after the flu genome was first decoded. The researchers, whose study is published online in the journal Science [see below], found the hidden gene by analysing patterns of changes in the genetic information of thousands of different flu strains.

The flu virus has a very, very small genome - just 12 genes. Professor Paul Digard, of The Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh said: "Just finding a new gene is a pretty significant change to our understanding of this virus. Dr Andrew Firth, of the University of Cambridge, said: "The flu virus has a very, very small genome - just 12 genes. Finding a new gene makes a pretty significant change to our understanding of this virus."

The research was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Medical Research Council, the U. S. National Institutes of Health, Science Foundation Ireland, and the Wellcome Trust.
http://www.promedmail.org/?p=2400:1000:4020501424682213:::::

Friday, June 29, 2012

Mexico detects 1.7 million birds affected by avian flu outbreak

Organización Editorial Mexicana
June 29, 2012

AFP

Mexico. - Mexico has identified 1.7 million birds infected with the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian flu now affecting 10 farms in the state of Jalisco, which have been isolated, said Friday the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, fisheries and Food (SAGARPA).

"The medical device applied in farms and backyards includes a flock of 6 million 120 thousand 500 birds, which was detected 1 million 700 thousand affected," the agency said in a statement, adding that the animals had 870 000 died from the disease or were slaughtered.

The ministry announced that it had activated a national emergency device in the region of Jalisco called Los Altos, where the farms affected by the virus, subtype H7N3.

In this device have been checked 111 farms and 15 domestic manufacturing facilities and had detected the virus in 10 of the farms.

Mexico said it has already reported the situation to the international animal health organizations, including United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FA0), which indicated that the outbreak was highly pathogenic.

The measures outlined in the statement, have been taken to protect poultry production in the area, Jalisco is the largest egg producer in Mexico, as the "H7N3 influenza virus does not pose a risk to the consumption of poultry ".http://www.oem.com.mx/laprensa/notas/n2599428.htm

1.7 million dead birds affected by avian flu in Mexico

A 870 000 and 1.7 million dead birds affected by avian flu in Mexico

Bird flu has killed about 870,000 birds, sick or killed, a dozen farms in Jalisco (western Mexico), Mexican authorities confirmed Friday that found that there are 1.7 million birds affected.
"The number of birds that have died from disease or depopulated as a control and eradication are 870,000, until today," he said in a statement the National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA), which did not specify the number of animals slaughtered.
The body under the Ministry of Agriculture reported that 1.7 million have been detected in birds affected, about 6,120,500 were reviewed in the medical device implemented in recent days in the Los Altos de Jalisco.
Last Thursday, the agency announced the presence of the H7N3 strain of avian influenza viruses in animals from three farms in the municipalities of Tepatitlán and Acatic that were quarantined as a control measure.
The SENASICA stated that launched the National Emergency Animal Health, which have reviewed 111 large poultry farms, of which 10 were with the virus, 7 more than in the first review.
He confirmed that next week could get the vaccine to Mexico will be imported from Asia to "protect the birds from the disease and prevent mortality."
He said the H7N3 avian influenza virus poses no risk to the consumption of poultry products and that the control and eradication measures implemented are intended to protect the production of that area.
The Organization of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had already reported Friday that about 200,000 birds have died directly in Mexico by the disease while another 600,000 have had to be culled to control the outbreak.
The agency called on the authorities in Mexico to act to prevent the spread of the disease, considered "highly pathogenic".
According to FAO, in Mexico there had been so far the presence of the H7N3 subtype.
The last outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza occurred in 1994, affected 11 states and was the subtype H5N2. Since then the disease remains controlled, said the international organization.  http://www.unionradio.net/ActualidadUR/nota/visornota.aspx?id=114808&tpCont=1&idSec=2

Flesh-eating bacteria patient to leave Georgia hospital

The Georgia graduate student who just weeks ago was fighting for her life after contracting a rare flesh-eating bacterial infection will be released from the hospital on Monday to continue her recovery at a rehabilitation center, her father said on Friday.
Aimee Copeland, 24, has undergone amputations of her left leg at the hip, both hands and her remaining foot after being diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, a bacterial infection that can destroy muscles, skin and tissue...
http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-rt-us-usa-georgia-infectionbre85s1c5-20120629,0,3154271.story

Mexico Emergency bird flu: FAO #BIRDFLU #H7N3

Call to take preventive actions in other regions and thus help prevent further spread of the problem
MEXICO CITY. - The FAO called on the authorities in Mexico to act to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, subtype H7N3, detected in three commercial poultry farms in Jalisco.
So far they have killed about 200 000 birds and 600 000 others have had to be sacrificed, said in a statement the regional office of the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), based in Santiago de Chile.
"In this context FAO calls on the authorities in Mexico to make all possible efforts in this emergency to contain the outbreaks confirmed and take preventive actions in other regions and thus help prevent further spread of problem, "the statement said.
According to the international body, Mexico and the device has enabled national animal health emergency and has informed the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) that is conducting an epidemiological investigation.
The objective is to determine the magnitude of the problem and the likely source of infection, to establish measures contraepidémicas enabling rapid elimination of the disease.
The three poultry farms, the statement said, are in the municipalities of Tepatitlán and Acatic in the state of Jalisco, known as the largest producer of eggs in Mexico.
According to FAO, in Mexico there had been so far the presence of this subtype of influenza, H7N3.
The last outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza occurred in 1994, affected eleven states and was the subtype H5N2. Since then the disease remains controlled, the agency said.
The birds showed clinical Sinology acute and death, between 32 and 94 weeks of age.
The H7N3 subtype of influenza is very aggressive in poultry, FAO adviertió.
In 1963 affected turkeys in the United Kingdom, in the early 90's came to Australia where he killed hundreds of chickens and in 2002 an outbreak in poultry farms in San Antonio, Chile, affecting more than 500 000 birds at a cost of $ 31 million.
Also featured twice in Canada: in 2004 in British Columbia, where forced to sacrifice 17 million birds, and in 2007 in Saskatchewan, where a staff of affected players.

Quarantined in Mexico at least 150 farms on suspicion of avian influenza


Ponen en cuarentena en México al menos a 150 granjas por presunta presencia de influenza aviar


150 egg production farms are under quarantine in Jalisco, in western Mexico, where they were detected the first cases of avian influenza AH7N3 called, which is not contagious to humans, health officials said.
"In order to diagnose, prevent, control and eradicate the virus" is "activated the National Emergency Animal Health, which encompasses home, review of farms in the region where the first cases of influenza AH7N3" , said in a statement the National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality.

He explained that through a series of tests confirmed the presence of avian influenza type A, subtype H7N3, in poultry farms and municipalities Tepatitlán Acatic in Jalisco (West), which does not affect humans but only to birds.
The health measures provide for the control of the movement of affected birds, poultry meat and offal to avoid being moved to regions without the presence of the virus.http://www.ntn24.com/noticias/ponen-en-cuarentena-en-mexico-054241

Poultry farms under surveillance


  Authorities agro Thailand or Vietnam will bring the first Western vacunas
June 29, 2012


  Guadalajara, Jalisco. - To counteract the effects of avian influenza H7N3 in poultry type of the Los Altos de Jalisco, authorities agribusiness in Thailand or Vietnam will bring the first vaccines to counter the damage, is expected to arrive in biological during the week.

For now, the National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA) kept under surveillance poultry farms in that area to prevent the virus from spreading, as well as conduct research to identify its origin.

The biological be paid by the Poultry its own procurement and distribution will be through the National Union of Poultry Farmers and state. Currently some farms remain under quarantine, but nowhere was banned the transportation of birds.  http://www.oem.com.mx/eloccidental/notas/n2598999.htm

Mexico denies human risk in H7N3 Outbreak

Deny human risk

The Health Ministry Jalisco (SSJ), eliminated risks to human health from avian flu cases registered in Tepatitlan and Acatic.

Jose Antonio Munoz Serrano, head of the SJS, said the H7N3 influenza virus poses no risk from consumption of poultry meat or eggs, because the National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA) applied as a health fence on the farm where the first cases were detected.

"There zoonoses (possibility of transmission from animals to humans), this type is A H7N3 influenza is a flu that lies entirely in animals, and talking animals, only attacks birds.

"It is particularly limited to these animals, can not catch either or pigs or cattle, then it is a whole new animal health issue," said the official.  http://noticias.terra.com.mx/mexico/estados/jalisco/influenza-aviar-mata-a-200-mil-pollos-en-jalisco,212fd7e67f238310VgnVCM4000009bcceb0aRCRD.html