Latest Avian / Bird Flu News
Friday, May 17, 2013
Outbreak with a Novel Avian Influenza A(H7N9) virus in China - Scenarios and Triggers for Assessing Risks and Planning Responses in the EU, May 2013EU - As part of the risk assessment and strategic planning related to the emergence of avian influenza A(H7N9) in China, Schenk and colleagues at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has considered two major scenarios.
The current situation is the one of a zoonotic epidemic (Scenario A) in which the virus might be transmitted sporadically to humans in close contact with an animal reservoir. The second scenario is the movement towards efficient human to human transmission (a pandemic Scenario B).
The authors identified epidemiological events within the different scenarios that would trigger a new risk assessment and a review of the response activities to implement in the European Union (EU).
They also identified the surveillance activities needed to detect these events.
EurosurveillanceThe current situation is the one of a zoonotic epidemic (Scenario A) in which the virus might be transmitted sporadically to humans in close contact with an animal reservoir. The second scenario is the movement towards efficient human to human transmission (a pandemic Scenario B).
The authors identified epidemiological events within the different scenarios that would trigger a new risk assessment and a review of the response activities to implement in the European Union (EU).
They also identified the surveillance activities needed to detect these events.
Surveillance of Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus Infection in Humans and Detection of the First Imported Human Case in Taiwan, 3 April to 10 May 2013TAIWAN - According to Y.C. Lo and colleagues at the Centers for Disease Control in Taipei, on 3 April 2013, suspected and confirmed cases of influenza A(H7N9) virus infection became notifiable in the primary care sector in Taiwan, and detection of the virus became part of the surveillance of severe community-acquired pneumonia.
On 24 April, the first imported case, reported through both surveillance systems, was confirmed in a man returning from China by sequencing from endotracheal aspirates after two negative throat swabs. Three of 139 contacts were ill and tested influenza A(H7N9)-negative.
EurosurveillanceOn 24 April, the first imported case, reported through both surveillance systems, was confirmed in a man returning from China by sequencing from endotracheal aspirates after two negative throat swabs. Three of 139 contacts were ill and tested influenza A(H7N9)-negative.
Human H7N9 Cases Linked to Poultry or Live MarketsCHINA - Researchers have established a clear link between 12 cases of human cases of influenza A(H7N9) and direct exposure to poultry or live poultry markets in Huzhou city.
ThePoultrySite News DeskWednesday, May 15, 2013
Bird Flu in Pokhara NEPAL - Hundreds of diseased fowls were culled in Kaski’s Lekhnath Kalikachowk, following confirmation of bird flu in the area, on Tuesday. About 555 chickens and 40 kg chicken-feed were destroyed at a poultry farm owned by Basant Shrestha, said Dr Bansi Sharma, director, Regional Livestock Directorate. On Monday, the lab test confirmed bird flu in the dead fowls sent by the poultry farm seven days ago. Shrestha’s farm will be put under surveillance for three months. Dr Sharma said the farm owner will be compensated.
The Himalayan
Vietnam Province Says Bird Flu Epidemic is Over VIET NAM - Authorities in the south central province of Ninh Thuan have declared that the bird flu outbreak which took place among swiftlets raised for profitable nests at a local farm is over.
ThanhNien News.com H7N9 Bird Flu Kills One in Central ChinaCHINA - The H7N9 bird flu has killed one person in central China's Hunan Province, local health authorities said Wednesday.
China.org.cnTuesday, May 14, 2013
Bird Flu Expert Working on Vaccine that Protects against Multiple StrainsUS — As the bird flu outbreak in China worsens, a Purdue University expert is working on vaccines that offer broader protection against multiple strains of the virus.
Suresh Mittal, a professor of comparative pathobiology in Purdue's College of Veterinary Medicine, has developed a new vaccination method that incorporates genes from multiple strains of the virus and creates protection that could persist through different mutations, he said.
University of PurdueSuresh Mittal, a professor of comparative pathobiology in Purdue's College of Veterinary Medicine, has developed a new vaccination method that incorporates genes from multiple strains of the virus and creates protection that could persist through different mutations, he said.
North Korean Duck Farm Hit by H5N1 Avian InfluenzaNORTH KOREA – A new outbreak of the H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus has been confirmed at a duck production unit in P’yongyang-Si, resulting in the deaths of more than 164,000 ducks.
ThePoultrySite News Desk OIE Reports H5N1 HPAI Outbreak in TibetCHINA - The Chinese veterinary authorities have reported an outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in a village flock of chickens and geese in Tibet.
ThePoultrySite News Desk Egg and Broiler Prices to Bounce Back from Bird FluCHINA – Fewer cases of H7N9 bird flu through May and the announcement of a government subsidy boost will bring a dramatic increase in market fortunes over mid-summer, Chinese economists have predicted.
ThePoultrySite News Desk Chinese Scientists Uncover Origins of Novel H7N9 Influenza VirusCHINA - Bird flu viruses in live poultry markets are the source of viruses causing human infections of influenza A(H7N9), according to Chinese scientists, who recommend strong measures to prevent a pandemic.
ThePoultrySite News DeskMonday, May 13, 2013
China Steps up H7N9 Flu MonitoringCHINA - China's local health organs have been instructed to step up flu monitoring as part of the country's efforts to fight H7N9 flu, according to a government document issued on Friday (10 May).
China Daily Shanghai Terminates Contingency for Bird FluCHINA - Considering that no new H7N9 birdflu virus infections have been reported in the city for 20 consecutive days, the Shanghai municipal government announced the termination of Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan (Level III), according to a circular released on the municipal government's official website on Friday.
China Daily OIE Reports LPAI H7N9 Virus at Fujian MarketCHINA - The Chinese veterinary authorities have reported finding the low pathogenic avian influenza (H7N9) virus in one environmental sample of 686 at a market in Fujian.
ThePoultrySite News DeskFriday, May 10, 2013
DA Bans German Poultry Products PHILIPPINES - The Department of Agriculture has temporarily suspended the importation of poultry and other poultry products from Germany because of reported avian-influenza outbreak.
The Manila Times.net
Bird Flu in China Hits McDonald's ResultsGLOBAL - McDonald's Corporation reports comparable sales in April 0.6 per cent below the same month in 2012 with a 2.9 per cent fall in Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA), which the company attributed to the impact of bird flu, especially in China.
ThePoultrySite News DeskThursday, May 09, 2013
Human Infection with Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus – Update 8 May 2013CHINA - As of 8 May 2013 (11:00 CET), the National Health and Family Planning Commission, China notified WHO of an additional laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.
The patient is a 79-year-old woman from Jiangxi province who became ill on 3 May 2013. Additionally, a patient earlier reported has died.
To date, a total of 131 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus including 32 deaths have been reported to WHO.
WHOThe patient is a 79-year-old woman from Jiangxi province who became ill on 3 May 2013. Additionally, a patient earlier reported has died.
To date, a total of 131 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus including 32 deaths have been reported to WHO.
Scientists Seeking Better H5N9 Flu VaccinesUK - Work is underway at The Pirbright Institute to produce vaccines against influenza A(H7N9) that can be grown more quickly and provide a much broader range and more long-lasting protection than is presently achievable.
ThePoultrySite News Desk H5N1 Bird Flu Could Be Controlled by DisinfectionVIET NAM - The implementation of thorough, daily disinfection of the market environment as well as of traders’ vehicles and equipment in only a small number of hubs can disconnect the network dramatically, preventing the spread of influenza A(H5N1), according to a new study. This would allow live bird markets to re-open without risking viral spread.
ThePoultrySite News Desk
Five New High-Path Bird Flu Outbreaks ReportedMEXICO - Five new outbreaks of H7N3 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have affected almost 900,000 birds across three states.
ThePoultrySite News Desk
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Avian Influenza
(aka bird flu, avian flu) is caused by a type of influenza virus that is hosted by birds, but may infect several species of mammals. It was first identified in Italy in the early 1900s and is now known to exist worldwide. A strain of the H5N1-type of avian influenza virus that emerged in 1997 has been identified as the most likely source of a future influenza pandemic. Strains of avian influenza virus may infect various types of animals, including birds, pigs, horses, seals, whales and humans. However, wild fowl act as natural asymptomatic carriers, spreading it to more susceptible domestic stocks. Avian influenza virus spreads in the air and in manure and there is no evidence that the virus can survive in well cooked meat.
Diagnosis
How to Recognise Avian InfluenzaWhat to look for
- Ruffled feathers
- Soft-shelled eggs
- Depression and droopiness
- Sudden drop in egg production
- Loss of appetite
- Cyanosis (purplish-blue coloring) of wattles and comb
- Edema and swelling of head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
- Green diarrhoea
- Blood-tinged discharge from nostrils
- Incoordination, including loss of ability to walk and stand
- Pin-point hemorrhages (most easily seen on the feet and shanks)
- Respiratory distress
- Increased death losses in a flock
- Sudden death
- Nasal discharges
Poultry Vaccination
Poultry Vaccination as a strategy for controlling AI in commercial birds
Outbreaks of avian influenza in the poultry industry cause devastating economic losses and is generally controlled through extensive culling of infected birds. Alternative strategies also use vaccination as a supplementary control measure during avian influenza outbreaks.
. Advantages of Vaccination- Vaccination reduces susceptibility to infection.
- A higher dose of virus is necessary to infect the vaccinated birds.
- Vaccinated birds shed less virus.
- Decreased contamination of the environment.
- Decreased risk of human infection - Used strategically vaccination compliments a stamping out strategy by slowing/stopping the spread of the virus
- Vaccination as Part of an Avian Influenza Control Strategy
- VECTORMUNE® HVT AIV
- www.avian-influenza.com
Biosecurity
Avian Influenza (Fowl Plague) is a potentially devastating disease, predominantly of chickens and turkeys, although the virus can also affect game birds (pheasants, partridge and quail), ratites (ostrich and emu), psittacine and passerine birds.
Avian Influenza is caused by an orthomyxovirus, or influenza virus and can survive for considerable lengths of time outside of the host and birds are infected through contact with other birds, mechanical vectors such as vehicles and equipment and personnel travelling between farms, markets and abattoirs.
Precautionary requirements include cleaning and disinfection of premises and the establishment of a Biosecurity barrier to help prevent spread of disease is essential.
For more information on biosecurity see the links below
Useful Links
- Efficacy of rHVT-AI Vector Vaccine in Broilers with Passive Immunity Against Challenge with Two Antigenically Divergent Egyptian Clade 2.2.1 HPAI H5N1 Strains
- Efficacy of a Recombinant HVT-H5 Vaccine Against Challenge with Two Genetically Divergent Indonesian HPAI H5N1 Strains
- OIE - HPAI Situation Reports
- Avian Influenza WHO information
- Avian Influenza CDC information
- Bird flu timelines Recombinetics
- About Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
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