Need to actively prevent and combat A/H5N1 flu infect humans

Updated: Wednesday, 09/19/2012 | 5:46:43 PM

When exposed to sick birds requires protective measures such as wearing masks, goggles, gloves, protective clothing. (HBDT) - Avian influenza is complicated in Luong Son district. In particular, the epidemic broke out in 2 Hoa Son, Hop Hoa with over 1,000 birds culled. This is an acute infectious disease caused by a virus Type A/H5N1 highly pathogenic, killing up to 100% of infected poultry.

Worryingly from infected poultry, the virus can infect humans, causing high death rate. The last time two people in the provincesMalemortality due to the virus infection. tests of the authorities, the virulence of A/H5N1 flu vaccine this time different from the disease in 2006 occurred in Hoa Son.influenza virus had a number of changes to the immune response to vaccines is lower than before. Consequently, the prevention and control will be more difficult. Since this is a contagious disease and there is no specific treatment to the health sector need to take active measures to prevent and combat infectious to humans. Vu Quoc Hai, head of disease control (provincial preventive medicine centers) said: influenza virus A / H5N1 in poultry can infect humans through the respiratory tract by droplet viscosity saliva, respiratory secretions and avian digestive diseases. Or it may be due to the air people breathe in dust from poultry manure, dried secretions carrying the virus alive. Expression, people with A/H5N1 flu symptoms typical of influenza A with the sign of a headache, body aches; fever above 38 0 C, acute respiratory Long (runny nose, sneezing ), fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders. In addition to the above symptoms, influenza A/H5N1 changes rapidly with the expression of severe pneumonia (cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, cyanosis, heard ran lung) leading to respiratory failure, shock, infection infection and multiple organ failure at the same time together with lead to death.               Under these circumstances, the district preventive medicine centers Luong Son has sent a written request for the local implementation of measures to prevent the transmission of influenza A/H5N1 to humans. At the same time, implementation of communication in different forms such as on Radio TT-TH district, flyers, direct communication in the household. Perform monitorthose who have direct contact with infected poultry.  Medical staff regular basis to monitor and ask people to be monitored if there is an expression of cold, shortness of breath, to the right medical facility to be checked. Hoang Thi Or, Heads Hop Hoa commune health stations said: Bird flu outbreak in early September at the raising of the Royal family Van Duong, neighbors, spring grass with an estimated population of 400 children. Bird found dead, the family had informed the authorities and identified as infected with the A/H5N1 flu virus.  Veterinary Agency in collaboration with the health station staff conducted sprinkle lime powder, spray disinfection and destruction of the whole bird. Station staff also conducted disinfection his household Ocean homes and households around with a solution of chloramine B, assembly time and proceed directly to households communication measures to prevent transmission to humans . To prevent transmission to humans, Vu Quoc Hai, head of disease control (provincial preventive medicine centers) recommends: when people see sick birds must immediately notify the veterinary agencies, local authorities said to treatment measures. People should not be exposed, transport and slaughter and eat sick poultry. In the case of forced contact with sick birds should have protective measures such as wearing masks, goggles, gloves, protective clothing. Regular light gargle with salt water or antiseptic solution, exercise and eat well to improve health. When high fever related to ill poultry immediately to health authorities for timely treatment.  http://www.baohoabinh.com.vn/219/73670/Can_chu_dong_phong_chong_benh_cum_AH5N1_lay_sang_nguoi.htm

Yosemite officials staying on top of hantavirus

 Federal and state health officials investigating the hantavirus outbreak at Yosemite National Park say it could take several weeks to determine how nine visitors contracted the illness – three of whom died.

However, there’s some evidence the park’s population of deer mice, which carries hantavirus, has grown significantly. Park officials have been trapping and killing deer mice for the past few weeks.  They said that while the percentage of those testing positive hasn’t changed, there are simply more deer mice, which could translate into a greater risk of exposure for people.

Health officials are looking at Curry Village, the popular campsite where all but one of the cases originated. They found deer mice in the insulated walls of some tent cabins. Ninety-one cabins are now closed indefinitely.

Symptoms of hantavirus mimic the flu, and a patient who waits to seek treatment can go from bad to worse – fast.  Why some people got sick and others did not remains a mystery.

“The cases have been (visitors from) distinct cabins, different cabins, different families, and along with that, we know there are people that stay with case patients in tents – patients that didn’t get sick,” said Danielle Buttke, a veterinary epidemiologist for the National Park Service.

This is not the first hantavirus outbreak at Yosemite, but given the cluster of infections, it is the most serious. There are usually just a handful of cases each year in the United States, and it’s particularly worrisome because there is no cure or vaccine...

One-third of hantavirus cases are fatal, Dr. Charles Chiu, an infectious disease specialist with the University of California, San Francisco, told Fox News.

Epidemiologists studying hantavirus said all the attention on the Yosemite outbreak could help patie..

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/09/19/yosemite-officials-staying-on-top-hantavirus/

Virulent bird flu strain emerges

HA NOI (VNS)— A highly-virulent, newly-mutated bird flu H5N1 strain is feared to spreading from North Viet Nam to the South at a menacing pace, warned deputy head of Animal Health Department Pham Van Dong.

Speaking in Ha Noi yesterday, Dong, whose department comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the outbreak of this strain started in July and has so far attacked seven northern provinces plus the central province of Quang Ngai.

To prevent further spreading south, the ministry has ordered provinces to strengthen inspection and control activities.

In the meantime, live poultry due to be carried from North to South will not pass through the central provinces of Quang Ngai or Kon Tum until the outbreak is completely under control.

The ministry also asked local authorities to clamp down on illegal poultry imports and to tighten inspections of trans-border poultry loads destined for Viet Nam.

At the same time, vaccination and disinfection activities should be strengthened in affected areas.

Regarding the blue-ear disease, although there have been no new discovery, it is still wreaking havoc in the provinces of Dac Lac and Bac Can, but is currently under control in Cao Bang and Can Tho provinces. — VNS  http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/social-issues/230295/virulent-bird-flu-strain-emerges.html

97 Residents Suffer Wonosobo Bird Flu

19 September 2012 | 12:12 pm

0WONOSOBO, suaramerdeka.com - A total of 97 villagers Plobangan, District Selomerto Wonosobo bird flu on Wednesday (19/9). Residents attacked from three hamlets namely Hamlet Depok, Wonosobo, and Hamlet Plobangan Wetan

All the victims were examined by the medical team gradually local village health centers. Dozens of victims of that number are children of elementary school and the rest of the parents.

The village head Plobangan Ismail said cases of bird flu that hit some residents is the first time this has happened. He said more than 250 poultry breeds of chickens and ducks suddenly died suddenly in a week. "Handling is done every day. Village health centers we service open 24 hours," he said.

The team from the health department and animal husbandry department dispatched to the location. The case rose to the status of extraordinary occurrence (KLB) and all residents are asked to be aware of.  http://www.suaramerdeka.com/v1/index.php/read/news/2012/09/19/130345/97-Warga-Wonosobo-Terserang-Flu-Burung     Now they may just be pretending, but a bunch of birds died there and anybody with a cough is on Tamiflu and being checked. Don't quite know what to make of this outbreak.. will prolly be called reg flu, false alarm.. or hysteria..

Guangdong emergency deployment of the disease prevention and control of avian flu

  , 2012 09 19, 2010 22:39   Securities Times Online

　　Securities Times Online (www.stcn.com) 09 19 hearing

　　Guangdong Provincial Agriculture Office on the 19th the urgent deployment of avian flu and other major animal disease prevention and control of animal health supervision, to ensure that China's National Day, the eighteen major CPC to New Year's Day, the Spring Festival during major animal epidemic outbreak and major animal product quality and safety event.

　　According BEIJING reported, Zhanjiang, Guangdong has occurred along with the the duck H5N1 highly pathogenic avian flu, the incidence duck 14050 deaths 6300, followed by 67,500 deposit ducks were culled, together with the dead duck harmless. The epidemic has been effectively controlled.

　　Guangdong Provincial Department of Agriculture farms (households), livestock and poultry market, water network area and other key aspects of the epidemic investigation and carry out the differential diagnosis of an epidemic disease, timely....

　　Guangdong over the agricultural sector is stepping up its investigation of an animal epidemic, and strengthen disease control and strengthen emergency duty to ensure that the animal disease prevention and control measures put in place. Did not receive any new outbreaks have been reported in Guangdong.  http://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/t/20120919/223913184435.shtml

DRC / Ebola: a suspected case reported in Kisangani

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

(Xinhua) - A suspected case of Ebola was reported in Kisangani, capital of Orientale province (north-eastern DRC), located approximately 600 kilometers from the city of Isiro, considered the epicenter of disease, announced Tuesday the medical director of the general hospital Isiro Dr. Bwengadi

"There is a suspected case of a 16 year old girl who was recorded last Friday. It fevers and nose bleeds. Samples were made and sent to Isiro," continued Dr. Bwengadi, adding that analysis results will be announced on September 19.

According to Dr. Bwengadi, we can not yet confirm that there is the Ebola outbreak in Kisangani, but steps are being taken to prevent the spread of this disease...

http://www.afriscoop.net/journal/spip.php?breve13527

Eastern Province: no Ebola in Kisangani, according to medical sources

http://radiookapi.net/actualite/2012/09/19/province-orientale-pas-de-fievre-debola-kisangani-selon-des-sources-medicales/

DRC: Ebola always strikes

By Martha Noelle Effoudou - 19/09/2012

The epidemic continues to spread in the north-east of the country, but the World Health Organization (WHO) reassures the disease will be curbed

Democratic Republic of Congo has been 32 deaths related to Ebola. This is the latest report published on Tuesday 18 September 2012 by the World Health Organization (WHO). At the beginning of September, a cumulative total of 72 cases of Ebola were recorded of which 14 cases were confirmed positive after laboratory analysis, 32 cases were probable and 26 suspected cases and 32 deaths were recorded.

 Also, there were 23 health workers as part of infected people, five of whom died, and 215 people who had contact with patients under supervision. For Dr. Léodégal Bazira, WHO Representative in Kinshasa today, the analysis of the situation shows that the epidemic appears curbed its epicenter in Isiro and that there were more new cases infection among health personnel .

 Now controls the infection begin to bear fruit. These measures must be strengthened and supported to the declaration of the end of the epidemic to prevent the spread of the epidemic , he adds. In a country that has already experienced eight episodes of Ebola, the last illness was recorded on September 14. It would be a premature baby born in the isolation center Isiro (main focus of the epidemic), a mother infected with Ebola virus. A rare case as Ebola and pregnancy are almost incompatible , noted after birth, the Minister of Health, Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi.

© rtbf.be
While waiting for my ladie is dammed virus continued to claim victims

It is mid-August that the state was declared an epidemic in the Eastern Province (northeast), however, the International Committee of fight against Ebola conducted a retrospective research dating back to May. WHO also indicates that active investigation is underway epidemiology to identify all possible chains of transmission of the disease and ensure that appropriate measures are taken immediately to stop transmission and stop the epidemic.

 If the Ministry of Health of the DRC, WHO, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC-Atlanta) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are working closely to fight against the disease, Ebola, it leaves little chance of survival to those who face. Identified for the first time in 1976, killing between 50 to 90% among the patients concerned. It triggers fever, internal bleeding, vomiting, and diarrhea.There is no treatment or vaccine to treat patients. Worse, the Ebola virus is highly contagious. Can be contracted by being in contact with bodies, by body fluids, or by contact with blood. 

Central Africa is that the virus makes regular appearances. Countries most affected by the disease are the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, Sudan, Gabon and Congo. Central Africa has been hit by at least fifteen outbreak since the virus first appeared. In July, the virus is also reappeared in Uganda, killing 17 people. http://www.journalducameroun.com/article.php?aid=12257

Eastern Province: no Ebola in Kisangani, according to medical sources

September 19, 2012 at 12:30

The medical director of the general hospital of Makiso in Kisangani, called Tuesday, September 18 population quiet Friday after the discovery of a suspected case of Ebola fever hemorrhage. A teenager with a high fever with bleeding from the nose was taken to the hospital. Dr. Dieudonné Baengandi says that it is probably not a case of Ebola hemorrhagic fever. However, he called the people to respect the rules of protection against this disease.

According to the medical director, the sample taken from the young 16 year old girl was sent to a specialized laboratory in Isiro and the result is expected to arrive Wednesday, September 20.

According to Dr. Baengandi, this case seemed suspect because the patient had previously consumed meat bat.

" We thought, as we are in the context of an epidemic, it is better to isolate the hospital time to investigate and find out if this is a case of Ebola haemorrhagic fever , "has he said.

The doctor says that the clinical, health status of the patient changes positively.

" We trust that this is probably not a case of Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Time to get results, we will confirm it or not , "he said.

Dr. Dieudonné Baengandi then urged people to take precautions to avoid contracting the disease, among others, avoiding eating fresh meat of wild animals and greet hand.

According to a new survey released Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ebola outbreak was 32 dead, including a woman who had just given birth. Baby, by cons have survived, according to the same source.

Speaking to AFP, Dr. Léodégal Bazira, WHO Representative in Kinshasa, said that "the analysis of the situation today shows that the epidemic seems dammed in its epicenter and that Isiro there were more new infections among health personnel.  http://radiookapi.net/actualite/2012/09/19/province-orientale-pas-de-fievre-debola-kisangani-selon-des-sources-medicales/

$ 1.75 million to strengthen the fight against Ebola in DRC

APA-Kinshasa (DR Congo) The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Fund for Children (UNICEF) received $ 1.75 million to strengthen the fight against the epidemic of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the Province prientale in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), said on Wednesday a source close to the WHO Kinshasa. This project targets approximately 700,000 beneficiaries and aims to support the efforts of the Congolese Government to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with the epidemic, according to a report to this effect.  According to the text, this support includes several components, including In particular, the active case search, communication and social mobilization, psychosocial care and logistical support. UNICEF, which handles the communication, social mobilization, and the psychosocial support logistical support, has already started some of its activities since September 10.According to WHO, 76 cases with 32 deaths have been recorded since the beginning of the epidemic.  Twenty health professionals also contracted the disease and five died. Isiro is the epicenter of the epidemic, while the city of Viadana, located 75 km southwest of Isiro is considered a secondary source.  With its contribution of $ 1 million, the Pooled Fund has provided 50 % of fundraising worth $ 2 million launched jointly by two UN agencies in early September. The $ 750 000 were granted by the Central Fund for (CERF). Ebola epidemic was officially declared on 17 August by the Government of the DRC  http://www.apanews.net/news/fr/article.php?id=183974

Ebola's Other Victims: Health Care Workers

The Ebola virus continues to strike people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since May, the World Health Organization has counted 72 confirmed, probable or suspected cases and 32 deaths.

As usual, a disproportionate share of those cases are health care workers — 23 of them, almost a third.

That's because, despite elaborate protective garb and other precautions, it's very hard for doctors, nurses and health aides to avoid virus-laden bodily fluids of Ebola patients or accidental needle sticks. That's especially true at the beginning of an outbreak, when Ebola symptoms might be mistaken for malaria or something else.

 

"The repeating story is always that here's incredible incidence among health care workers," says Peter Jahrling of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, an expert on Ebola and similarly lethal viruses. "It's usually the medical staff that bears the brunt of it."

Apart from the tragedy of caregiver deaths, this has a ripple effect that helps keep an outbreak going.

Dr. Armand Sprecher of Doctors Without Borders says that's because when health workers don moon suits and avoid all unnecessary contact with Ebola victims, that reinforces the community perception that the hospital is just the place people go to die.

"If you don't hang IV lines and do things that look medical, if you just put people in beds and walk around in protective gear and don't touch anybody, well, why would they want to come there?" Sprecher said in an interview with Shots from the Doctors Without Borders operations center in Brussels.

The perception is only fueled when people see health care workers die of Ebola in hospitals.

"We have a horrible time marketing our treatment unit because patients are not seeing a benefit to come in when we don't produce a lot of survivors," Sprecher says.

And if infected people stay away from hospitals, that just allows the virus to spread out in the community.

But the grim truth is doctors can't do anything for Ebola patients except give them fluids and other supportive care. What's needed, Sprecher says, is an effective treatment.

"If you had something in the refrigerator on standby, it might make it easier for the health care staff to engage with the patients," he says, "if they knew there was something that might help them in the event of something awful happening."

That might become possible. Fifty leading experts on Ebola and similar deadly viruses are gathering Wednesday and Thursday at the National Institutes of Health outside Washington, D.C., to assess several promising treatments for these diseases.

"This is really the first time we've ever all gotten together and addressed this problem," says Jahrling, who is running the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration has just granted so-called fast-track review to one company for two of its experimental drugs for Ebola and Marburg viruses.

Jahrling says this week's workshop will hash out what it would take to move one or more of the advanced treatments to the point where it could be tried in humans exposed to Ebola or its cousin Marburg virus.

One big challenge is to get the treatment — a vaccine, a cocktail of monoclonal antibodiesor an antisense RNA-based drug — to where it would be needed.

That's possible when the exposed person is a U.S. laboratory worker who has an accidental needle stick during a monkey experiment. But it's a different story when Ebola pops up in a remote corner of Africa and no one can be sure when someone got exposed.

Animal experiments suggest that the Ebola antidotes will need to be given within 24 to 48 hours of exposure to the virus, before symptoms appear.

Another hurdle: Officials in the affected country would have to be convinced that giving a drug never used before in people was a safe and ethical experiment.

"These are the kinds of things that are going to come out in our workshop discussion," Jahrling says, "whether you're going to treat one occupational exposure or a village."

The goal is to see if the groundwork can be laid for trying an experimental treatment for Ebola before the next outbreak — or the one after that.  http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/09/19/161375379/ebolas-unlikely-victims-health-care-workers?ft=1&f=1001

West Nile cases in US up 19 percent in latest week, CDC reports

Published September 19, 2012

The number of U.S. cases of West Nile virus rose by 19 percent in the latest week, slowing slightly from its earlier pace but still putting this year on track to be the worst outbreak since 2003, government figures showed on Wednesday.

So far this year, 3,142 cases have been reported to federal health officials as of September 18, up from 2,636 reported the week before, the Centers for Disease Contr

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/09/19/west-nile-cases-in-us-up-1-percent-in-latest-week-cdc-reports/?#ixzz26wFlcnag

Second person in Vermont dies of fatal brain infection spread by mosquitoes

Published September 19, 2012

• 
  AP

A second Vermonter has died from the eastern equine encephalitis, a rare and potentially fatal brain infection spread by mosquitoes, Health Department officials confirmed on Tuesday.

Scott Sgorbati, 49, of Sudbury, died within the last few days after fighting the virus for several weeks..

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/09/19/second-person-in-vermont-dies-fatal-brain-infection-spread-by-mosquitoes/?

Bird flu hits S China city

BEIJING, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The H5N1 avian flu virus has been detected in the city of Zhanjiang in south China's Guangdong province, experts confirmed on Tuesday.

The virus has infected 14,050 ducks and killed 6,300 of them since Sept. 11, when symptoms were first reported, a Ministry of Agriculture official said.

After the epidemic was confirmed, local authorities cordoned off an infected area in the city and killed all poultry in the area before starting to decontaminate it, the official said.

China is particularly prone to bird flu epidemics, as it has the world's largest poultry population and many rural farmers live in close proximity to their poultry.  http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-09/18/c_131858481.htm?

Ebola outbreak 'kills 32' in DR Congo since May

Published on 18 September 2012 - 10:49am

An outbreak of Ebola fever in the Democratic Republic of Congo may have claimed up to 32 lives since May, including that of a woman who had just given birth, the World Health Organisation said Tuesday.

By September 15, "a cumulative total of 72 cases was recorded, including 14 cases that were confirmed positive after laboratory analysis, 32 probable cases and 26 suspected cases, while 32 deaths were registered," the WHO announced in Kinshasa.

A baby born prematurely "in the isolation centre in Isiro (the epicentre of the epidemic in northeastern DR Congo) to a mother infected by the Ebola virus was still alive while his mother died on Saturday," the statement said.

In DR Congo, which has known eight outbreaks of the often fatal haemorraghic fever, it was the first time a pregnant woman had a child, because "Ebola and pregnancy are almost incompatible," Health Minister Felix Kabange Numbi said.

To date, there is no treatment nor vaccine for Ebola, which kills between 25 percent and 90 percent of patients depending on the strain of the virus. The disease is transmitted by direct contact with blood, faeces and sweat, by sexual contact, and by unprotected handling of contaminated corpses.

According to the WHO, 23 health workers were among the infected people. Five of them died, and 215 people who have been in contact with the sick are under surveillance. The most recent confirmed case of Ebola dates from Friday.

An epidemic was declared in mid-August in Orientale province, but the international committee for the fight against Ebola has carried out research and dated the outbreak back to May.

The ministry of health, the WHO, the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, and Doctors Without Borders (MSF - Medecins Sans Frontieres) are working in close collaboration to combat the outbreak.

© ANP/AFP http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/ebola-outbreak-kills-32-dr-congo-may?

Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo – update

18 SEPTEMBER 2012 - As of 15 September 2012, 46 cases (14 laboratory confirmed, 32 probable) with Ebola haemorrhagic fever (EHF) have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Of these 19 have been fatal (6 confirmed, 13 probable).

The cases reported are from two health zones of Isiro and Viadana in Haut-Uélé district in Province Orientale. Additionally, 26 suspected cases have been reported and are being investigated.

The MoH continues to work with partners to control the outbreak. Active epidemiological investigation is being done to identify all possible chains of transmission of the illness, and ensure that appropriate measures are immediately taken to interrupt the transmission, and stop the outbreak.

A National Task Force convened by the MoH is working with partners including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), US Agency for International Development (USAID), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and WHO, to control the outbreak.

WHO and the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) are providing support by deploying experts to the field to work with partners in the areas of coordination, infection prevention and control (IPC), surveillance, epidemiology, public information and social mobilization, anthropological analysis and logistics for outbreak response.

With respect to this event, WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to the DRC.

http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_09_18/en/index.html

The epidemic of Ebola have been 32 deaths in the DRC

The epidemic of Ebola epidemic in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), would have up to 32 deaths, according to a new survey released Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO).

September 15, "a cumulative total of 72 cases (Ebola) were recorded of which 14 cases were confirmed positive after laboratory analysis, 32 cases were probable and 26 suspected cases and 32 deaths were recorded," at was learned from the WHO Kinshasa.

A premature baby born "in the isolation center Isiro (main focus of the epidemic) a mother infected with Ebola virus was still alive while his mother died on Saturday," the source said.

In the DRC, which has experienced eight episodes of Ebola, it was the first time that a pregnant woman infected with the virus gave birth, because "Ebola and pregnancy are almost incompatible," stressed after birth, the Minister of Health, Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi.

According to the WHO, 23 health workers were among those infected, five died and 215 people who had contact with patients are under surveillance. She noted that the most recent case of Ebola was confirmed back to Friday.

The status of an epidemic was declared in mid-August in Eastern Province (northeast), but the International Committee of fight against Ebola conducted a retrospective research dating back to May. Balance at September 13: 31 deaths, 9 laboratory confirmed as due to Ebola.

The Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Center for Disease Control (CDC-Atlanta) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are working closely to fight against the disease.

"An investigation of Epidemiology active is underway to identify all possible chains of transmission of the disease and ensure that appropriate measures are taken immediately to stop transmission and stop the epidemic," said a statement from the WHO in Geneva on Tuesday.

To date, there is no treatment or vaccine against Ebola, which kills between 25 and 90% of patients, according to WHO. The disease is transmitted by direct contact with blood, bodily fluids (sweat, feces ...), by sex and by the mishandling of corpses contaminated.  http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=fr&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slateafrique.com%2F91997%2Febola-alerte-rouge-en-ouganda

Zhanjiang, Guangdong outbreak of avian flu have been culled 67,500 poultry

Source: Xinhuanet   2012-09-18 20:34 entering Forum

　　Original title: The occurrence of an outbreak of bird flu in Zhanjiang, Guangdong

　　Xinhua, Beijing, September 18 (quiet) from poultry H5N1 subtype highly pathogenic avian flu in 18, according to the Information Office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province Economic and Technological Development Zone.

　　On September 11, in Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province Economic and Technological Development Zone, East Town, part of farmers reared duck suspected bird flu symptoms, incidence duck 14050 death 6300. September 18, the National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory confirmed H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian flu.

　　After the outbreak, the local regulatory requirements in accordance with the relevant contingency plans and prevention technology, adhere to the law to prevent and control scientific prevention and control, really good job in the work of the epidemic disposal, tight blockade affected areas, the source elimination and monitoring of the investigation and to strengthen disinfection of 67,500 poultry All of culling and safe disposal.  http://news.gscn.com.cn/system/2012/09/18/010162466.shtml

Taos lecture focuses on microscopic terrors

am, Sun Sep 16, 2012.

Ariana Krama | 0 comments

To concoct believable fiction, disaster novelist Wil Mara finds experts who possess real world knowledge of hard science, which, mixed with his imagination, can add up to some frightening scenarios. In his latest book, “Gemini Virus,” Mara consulted with virologist and Taos resident Dr. Martinez (Marty) J. Hewlett on a story about the outbreak of a deadly disease and its consequences.

Both Hewlett and Mara will address public health concerns while also separating fact from fiction related to pandemic viruses, during a talk they are planning as part of the Taos Fall Lecture Series.

Their presentation will take place Wednesday (Sept. 19), 6:30 p.m., at the Taos Community Auditorium, 145 Paseo del Pueblo Norte. Admission is free and the public is invited.

The series is presented jointly by the University of New Mexico-Taos and Southern Methodist University-in-Taos.

The plot of “The Gemini Virus” follows an extremely contagious virus that kills within four days. In an interview, Mara confirmed that “all of the diseases and their symptoms mentioned in the book were culled from real diseases. That said, some of the more horrific that I used as models include HIV-AIDS (in advanced forms), smallpox, ebola, Hong Kong flu, and Lassa Fever.”

As advanced as our public health defenses have become, Mara says we don’t necessarily have the means to curtail the effects of a p...

http://www.taosnews.com/entertainment/article_be15f64a-0002-11e2-a621-001a4bcf887a.html

AVIAN INFLUENZA (49): MEXICO (JA) HIGH PATH H7N3, POULTRY

[1]

Date: 13 Sep 2012
Source: The Poultry Site [edited]
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/poultrynews/26794/mexican-bird-flu-outbreak=
-cost-industry-8615-million-pesos


Mexican Bird Flu Outbreak Cost Industry 8615 Million Pesos
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Mexico - Latest analysis from the Mexican Poultry Association (UNA) says that damage to the poultry industry from the recent bird flu outbreak has cost over 8615 million pesos - around US$860 million. Over 22.3 million birds have been officially slaughtered and 7,688 jobs lost.

President of UNA, Crivelli Jaime Espinoza said that the cost to the industry came from decreased egg production, a fall in income and subsequently a loss in jobs. The study was conducted on behalf of UNA by the Associate Economics Group and is entitled: Ecomonic and Production Impacts of Avian Influenza in Los Altos in Jalisco. The outbreak not only affected the poultry industry, but also the whole country, as egg prices rocketed.

Mr Espinoza said the industry must now work together with the authorities, as was done during the outbreak, to compensate as soon as possible those who have suffered.  The Mexican poultry industry is working hard to keep egg production up to guarantee supply, and beginning to repopulate flocks. Mr Espinoza has said that the government's support is crucial in helping the Mexican poultry industry recover to previous production levels.
--
Communicated by:
Mike Nunn 

[2]
Date: 12 Sep 2012
Source: Hispanically Speaking News [edited]
http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/notitas-de-noticias/details/mexic=
o-continues-to-kill-birds-hoping-to-curtail-spread-of-flu/18465/


Mexico Continues to Kill Birds Hoping to Curtail Spread of Flu
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Mexico's poultry farmers slaughtered 22.3 million birds between June and August to contain an outbreak of avian flu, and they immunized 140 million other birds [poultry], the National Food Health, Safety and Quality Service, or Senasica, said.

The final tally of birds destroyed to prevent the spread of the AH7N3 avian influenza virus has been completed, the Senasica said. The avian flu outbreak started in June [2012] at poultry farms in the Los Altos region of the western state of Jalisco. No new avian flu cases have been reported in the past 3 weeks and affected farms are being restocked with "flocks of between 4.5-5 million birds each month,"  Senasica director Enrique Sanchez said.

The restocking of farms is expected to boost egg production to an average of 2700 tons daily, with output rising gradually as new hens are added, Sanchez said. Bird populations should be back to the pre-emergency level by November [2012], the Senasica director said.

A total of 22.3 million birds were destroyed between 19 June and 31 Aug 2012 of which 10.9 million were certified for slaughter by Senasica, while the rest were killed before health officials were notified of the flu outbreak, Sanchez said.  "Some others were eliminated in a preventive manner by poultry farmers near where the outbreak started to prevent infections on their farms', the Senasica director said. The largest losses of birds occurred at farms in the city of Tepatitlan, with 13.6 million, and in San Juan de los Lagos, where 8.3 million birds were lost," Sanchez said.

The measures taken to control the spread of AH7N3 helped prevent larger losses and irreparable damage to Mexico's poultry industry, the Senasica director said. Health officials are now working to restock the poultry farms affected by the outbreak, as well as to restore supplies of poultry products on the market. A total of 12 343 health certificates have been issued so far to help speed the flow of poultry products to consumers.

The government also authorized the importation of 2000 tons of eggs from the USA and is working to import eggs from Costa Rica, Chile and Colombia. The avian influenza epidemic produced total losses of some $350 million, officials said recently.

The AH7N3 avian influenza virus does not pose a danger to people consuming [poultry] meat or eggs. Mexico, according to National Poultry Producers Association figures, produces nearly 2.5 million tons of eggs and 1.2 million tons of meat annually.

Note: More details on this outbreak and the response to it are available in the August issue of EMPRES Watch (see: http://www.fao.org/docrep/016/an395e/an395e.pdf).
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Ebola toll rises, health system on its knees

Ebola toll rises, health system on its knees

Report

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Missionary International Service News Agency

Since the start of the month the death toll of the Ebola outbreak in the north-east has climbed from 15 to 31, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, defining the situation “serious”. Fadela Chaib, a spokeswoman for the Geneva-based agency, stressed that “it is unusual that the first person to be infected was a health worker”. The areas affected by the outbreak are Isiro and Viadana (70km apart), in the Eastern Province (north-east).

“It was said that the epidemic has reached its maximum peak, but that the people must remain vigilant since the declining phase hasn’t begun yet and the virus cannot be considered under control. The infected were brought to the General Hospital of Isiro, and from fear residents are avoiding the area”, said local MISNA missionary sources.

There is no specific treatment for Ebola, a virus that appeared the first time in 1976 in Zaire at the time and cyclically reappears in various Central African nations, including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. The most deadly outbreak was in 2000 that left 225 dead. Ebola, which causes a hemorrhagic fever and has a death rate of up to 90%, is transmitted through direct contact with infected people, in particular at funerals.

The WHO and UN have launched an international appeal for $2-million “to join in the fight against this epidemic, which if not controlled quickly, is a public health emergency that can quickly be global”, said Dr. Léodegal Bazira, WHO representative in the DR-Congo. Funds should help “the government to organize this struggle to provide means to fight this. It is a struggle that many countries, not only the DR-Congo cannot undertake alone”, he added.

“Congo’s health sector has for decades been left to its own demise, with the result of an increasing critical degradation. There is a lack of political will, incapacity of the State and lack of funds that have led to a two track health system”, denounces a civil society source of the Eastern Province. “Because current, today’s problem is Ebola, but how many people have died in silence from cholera, malaria, malnutrition and diarrhea, all easily treatable”, added the source, who prefers to remain anonymous.

There is a lack of health facilities in the former Belgian colony, especially in the small towns and remote villages, but also medical supplies, drugs and doctors. The private structures and those run by the church work better, but often at prohibitive costs for the majority of the people.

“There is wide corruption in the sector: given to the high demand and low offer, there are those who speculate on health. Then there are the few lucky enough to have health insurance and seek treatment abroad”, explained the Congolese activist. A difficult situation that is rendered more critical by insecurity or armed conflicts. “The multiple conflicts in the East, with thousands of displaced seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, complicate the situation of the health sector further and render humanitarian interventions more complicated”, stressed workers of the MSF (Doctors Without Borders). “Those who manage to reach a refugee camp and receive treatment from the WHO, Red Cross or MSF are lucky: the medical assistance is significantly better than that in the villages they fled from”, concluded a missionary source from Isiro.  http://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/ebola-toll-rises-health-system-its-knees

This mosquito yellow spreads panic in Algiers, a mosquito of an unknown species

In the Algerian capital, nearly 500 people had to be hospitalized after a new mosquito attacks come out of nowhere. The alert is initiated.

Moutique big scares, by sunfox via Flickr CC.Rouiba industrial zone on the outskirts of Algiers. Hundreds of companies are domiciled off.

The 6,000 workers in the area have decided not to go to work. But this is not a wildcat strike in Algeria or political protest organized.

It is a mosquito of an unknown species, which has already sent nearly 500 workers at the hospital .

The alert is launched Algiers. The..  http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=fr&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://www.slateafrique.com/94485/algerie-un-moustique-jaune-seme-la-panique-alger&usg=ALkJrhgB5arRsajITcpiwjrtdCPw-VLOmA