As some of you know, I have been following the news from around the world on this subject closely.
Here is an update on the latest.
http://www.day.az/news/society/67985.htmlcomputer translation
AzerbaijanIn Fizuli area of the avian flu is not detected
Jan 13, 2007
A few days ago, the State Veterinary Service denied widespread reports of the deaths of poultry and birds in the village of Baku Bahmanla Fizuli district of Azerbaijan and the no man's land border with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
According to the vehicles of the press, however, in order to verify on the spot common information, the representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Doctor Kiani Gholan visited podvoriah some of the village, met with the residents. He also visited the neutral zone at the border.
The international organization remains convinced that widespread reports are baseless.
Egypt-possible humanhttp://www.algomhuria.net.eg/algomhuria/today/fpage/detail03.aspcomputer translation
Another report on Nora Saber Abdalmenji, the suspected case who has died in Al Fayyum -- and the second suspected case from the same governorate, Hanan Ramadan Mohammed, who has been hospitalized. From this report, it sounds like Hanan's husband *might* also be a sus case (not sure though).
Also, culling of birds in Al Qalyubia governorate....
Google-translated from Arabic:
Noura, "died of avian influenza in Fayyoum"
The slaughter of birds and villages slower Kfraljzar Bakuliobeh
Jan 15, 2007
Al-Nabi Shahat and Mohamed Gamal Qutb, very well: Nora Saber Abdalmenji 23-year - housewife from Atsa died avian influenza before being transferred to the hospital from the Fayoum Sadr Balomraneh -- were also detained Hanan Ramadan Mohammed 20-year - housewife from the village of Vidimin Bsenors General Hospital on suspicion of she was diagnosed with the disease and her husband Done Aweys, Mohamed Atwa-farms - a record which he said it mixing of birds.
Japan-poultry still not sure if h5n1 or another avian virushttp://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200701130158.htmlAvian flu likely in chicken deaths
01/13/2007
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
Miyazaki prefectural government workers use lime Friday to disinfect a poultry farm in Kiyotake, where avian flu is believed to have killed about 2,400 chickens.(Jun Kaneko/ The Asahi Shimbun)
KIYOTAKE, Miyazaki Prefecture--A highly virulent strain of avian flu is believed to have killed about 2,400 chickens at a poultry farm here, the agricultural ministry and the Miyazaki prefectural government said Friday.
On Friday, 1,650 chickens were confirmed dead, following 750 on Wednesday and Thursday at the farm in Kiyotake.
Officials are currently analyzing the virus, but the signs indicate that bird flu was the cause of the deaths.
Government officials are urging consumers to remain calm, saying that no humans have been infected by eating chicken meat or eggs tainted with the virus, the officials said. But those near the contaminated area are worried.
Thailand- Poultryhttp://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=globalNews&storyid=2007-01-15T075616Z_01_BKK229732_RTRUKOC_0_US-BIRDFLU-THAILAND.xml&src=rssThailand has first bird flu outbreak in 6 months
Mon Jan 15, 2007 7:56 AM GMT
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand has suffered its first outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu virus in six months, an Agriculture Ministry official said on Monday after a rash of outbreaks in Vietnam and four human deaths in Indonesia this year.
"The lab results confirmed that some ducks in the northern province of Phitsanulok have been infected with H5N1 bird flu virus," Livestock Department chief Pirom Srichan told Reuters.
"We have culled about 1,900 ducks in the area."
The last outbreak of the virus in poultry in Thailand was late July.
vietnam- poultryhttp://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-01/14/content_5605297.htm HANOI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Bird flu has killed 66 ducks in southern Tra Vinh province in the last few days, raising the total number of localities in Vietnam stricken by the disease to seven, Central Vietnam Television reported Sunday.
Specimens from the dead ducks in the province's My Tu district have been tested positive to bird flu virus strain H5N1, the television quoted the Department of Animal Health under the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as reporting. The outbreak has led to the forced culling of 134 ducks in the district.
Bird flu has hit 39 communes in 19 districts in the seven southern provinces of Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh and Soc Trang since early December 2006, the department said.
Bird flu outbreaks, starting in Vietnam in December 2003, have killed and led to the forced culling of dozens of millions of fowls in the country.
Nigeria-poultryhttp://www.playfuls.com/news_10_9013-Nigerian-Northern-State-Culls-21000-Birds-To-Contain-Avian-Flu.htmlOfficials of the Sokoto State Ministry of Agriculture in northern Nigeria said they had culled 21,000 birds from a poultry farm in the state Sunday to prevent the spread of avian flu.
The state's Commissioner of Forestry and Animal Health, Dr Abdulkadir Junaidu, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa that the farm where traces of avian flu was found, Sarkin Gobir Adiya Farms, was located about 15 kilometres south-west of Sokoto city, the Sokoto state capital.
"As of now, both the 10,000 chickens, which were initially killed by the disease and the more than 11,000 others, which were not affected, have all been killed, burnt and buried," Junaidu said.
He said veterinary experts also disinfected and quarantined the farm.
He said a similar exercise was being carried out in some private residences in the nearby town of Kebbe Saturday, when news of outbreak in Sarkin Gobir Adiya Farms reached the ministry officials who confirmed the outbreak and fixed the day of culling for Sunday.
indonesia humancatshttp://asia.news.yahoo.com/070115/kyodo/d8mlj6o00.htmlMonday January 15, 3:54 PM
Indonesia scientist says 1/5th of stray cats carry bird flu virus
(Kyodo) _ About 100 of 500 stray cats surveyed in Indonesia were carrying the H5N1 bird flu virus, a local scientist said Monday.
C.A. Nidom, who first reported that bird flu had entered Indonesia in 2003 but was ignored by the government, told Kyodo News the finding was based on his research funded by the Ministry of National Education and conducted on Java Island and in Lampung Province of Sumatra Island from September to December last year.
"I will bring the results of my research to the Institute of Medical Science of the University of Tokyo next month for further tests," he said by telephone from Saudi Arabia.
"I'm worried that the virus will be more easily transmitted to humans because the body temperature of mammals like cats is similar to that of humans," he added.
humanhttp://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/13/asia/AS-GEN-Indonesia-Bird-Flu.phpJAKARTA, Jan 13 (Reuters) - "Two Indonesian women have died of bird flu, a health ministry official said on Saturday, taking the overall human death toll from the disease in the country to 61 amid a spike of new cases.
A 27-year-old woman from south Jakarta died after entering Persahabatan Hospital in the capital on Thursday for treatment, Muhammad Nadirin of the health ministry's bird flu information centre said. She died on Friday evening.
Asked whether the woman had been in contact with sick fowl, he said: "A week before she got sick, there had been dead chickens near her home."
The second death was of a 22-year-old woman from Tangerang west of Jakarta, who died in the early hours of Saturday, the official said.
Separately, an 18-year-old man being treated in hospital was confirmed to have bird flu after his mother died of the disease on Thursday, marking a cluster case, another official said.
The husband and son of the 37-year-old woman, from Serpong in west Java, were being treated for symptoms of bird flu at Persahabatan Hospital.
Joko Suyono, another official at the bird flu information centre, said that the son had tested positive for bird flu.
It was not clear whether he had been in contact with sick birds, the official said.
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Hospitals in indonesia are being filled with possible suspects.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/JAK145081.htmJakarta bird flu hospital overwhelmed with patients
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I think there is some panic in the population so many with reg flu are going in to be tested.
Here is a running list taken from indonesian papers from current events flu blog
http://www.curevents.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=40Underlined cases are those still in the hospital, and still considered active suspects.
Bold cases are confirmed.
H5N1 Suspects in RS Pershabatan, Jakarta.
1)
Randi/ Ramli/ RN (14M) -- died 1/10, 1/5 reconciled to Persahabatan Hospital, in Tangerang Public Hospital from 1/1-5. WHO confirmed H5N1. {from Rawa Lele village, Kalideres, Jakarta West}
2-6) Mulyani, Alfian, Neighbor #1-3 -- sent home 1/11
7)
Ria/Riyah/Dyah (37/38 F) – died 1/11, 1/8 reconciled to Persahabatan Hospital from Tangerang Public Hospital, where she'd been since 1/6. Symptom onset 1/1, WHO confirmed H5N1. {from Pondokjagung, Tangerang, Banten}
8) Yayan/Yusuf/Yusup, Ria's Husband (42/45 M) -- 1/11 in Persahabatan Hospital, initial tests NEGATIVE, symptom onset 1/8 {Ria’s husband}
9)
Arif, Ria's Son (18M) -- 1/11 in Persahabatan Hospital, symptom onset 1/10(9), WHO confirmed H5N1, {Ria’s son}
10)
Ani Afriani (22) – died 1/13, 1/11 in Persahabatan Hospital, reconciled from RS Husada Human Tangerang since ~1/4, symptom onset 1/3, WHO confirmed, {from Warung Mangga, Tangerang}
11)
Zulfa (27/22 F) – died 1/12, 1/11 in Persahabatan Hospital, reconciled from Clinic Jakarta Medical, Mampang, since 1/9, WHO confirmed, symptom onset 1/6,{from Kebayorah Baru, South Jakarta—was a
Physics teacher in Goddess’s Sortika Sr. High school}
12-13) Ardiansyah, Nurjamal – sent home 1/15. {in group of 8 who ate sick chicken}
14-17) Muhammad Fikri, Hamdani/HA, Damah Sri Fatimah, Munta/Mufta/EM -- sent to RS Cibitung, tests negative but still have fever {in group of 8 who ate sick chicken}
18) Dewi {5) – 1/14 in Persahabatan Hospital, symptom onset 1/12, {relative/neighbor of Ariansyah – ate the sick chicken}
19) Karmila (17M) -- 1/15 in Persahabatan Hospital, reconciled from RSUD Bekasi, {relative/neighbor of Ariansyah – ate the sick chicken}
H5N1 Suspects in RSPI Sulianti Saroso
1) Yesemenderita (16) – 1/14 in RSPI Sulianti Saroso, reconciled from RS Azra, symptom onset ~1/11 {from Bantarjai District, Bogor Sundistrict N, Bogor City}
2) patient #2 -- 1/14 in RSPI Sulianti Saroso {from Bogor – no space in Persahabatan Hospital}
3) ”P” – 1/15 in in RSPI Sulianti Saroso {works as butcher at poultry farm)
4) ”K” – 1/15 in in RSPI Sulianti Saroso {works as butcher at poultry farm)
5) ”A” (10) -- 1/15 in in RSPI Sulianti Saroso
H5N1 Suspects in RSHS Bandung, West Java
1) ”NY S” (23F) – 12/19 in RSHS Bandung, {from Kp. Rancabogo, Tambakan Village}
2) ”NY Po” (35) – 12/24 in RSHS Bandung, {from Kp. Cangkuang, Cindung, Kp. Gkalong}
3) Hendra Rizki Saputra (3F) – 12/30 in RSHS Bandung, {from Curug Nyandung Village, Wates District, Subdistrict Bandung Kidul}
4) Dedah (33F) – 1/11 in RSHS Bandung, initial tests (-), {from Panenjoan village, Cicalengka, Bandung}
5) Rian, son of Dedah (14M) -- 1/11 in RSHS Bandung, initial tests (-), {child of Dedah}
6) Astri, daughter of Dedah (8 month F) -- 1/11 in RSHS Bandung, initial tests (-), {child of Dedah}
7) ”JY” (55M) -- 1/11 in RSHS Bandung, stated “no bird flu” based on clinical presentation, {from Plered Subdistrict, Prwakarta Regency}
8) Juana (53) – 1/12 in RSHS Bandung, reconciled from RSUD Purwakarta
9) Surya Akbar Ilahi (8) -- 1/13 in RSHS Bandung, reconciled from Sumedag Public Hospital, {from Jatinangor, Sumedang, West Java}
10) Iis Sugiyarti (18) – 1/14 in RSHS Bandung, symptom onset 1/13 {from Cimantar Village, Sindangkerta, Cililin, Bandung Regency – “class student of 3 senior high schools”}
11) ”S” (2) – 1/14 RSHS Bandung {from Cililin}
12) ”D” (26) -- 1/14 RSHS Bandung {from Soreang}
H5N1 Suspects in RSU Abdul Moeloek, Banda Lampung
1) Praise Astriana -- initial test results (-)
2) Silvi Augustin – 1/13 in RSU Abdul Moeloek
3) Siti Istigamah (30F) – no longer considered AI suspect, kidney disorder?
4) Sodri (16) -- 1/13 in RSU Abdul Moeloek {related to Siti}
5) Desi (2) -- 1/13 in RSU Abdul Moeloek {related to Siti}
H5N1 Suspects in Muhammad Husin Palembang, Sumatra
1) Hannisa (5F) – 1/14 in Muhammad Husin Palembang {from Plaju, Palembang}
2) Bayu Apriansyah (8F) – 1/14 in Muhammad Husin Palembang {from East Lower Subdistrict}
3) Andi (9 months F) -- 1/14 in Muhammad Husin
4) M. Riski (4M) -- 1/14 in Muhammad Husin, symptom onset 1/11 {from Palembang, father is chicken breeder}
So you can see there are a lot of people being admitted. More were admitted with symptoms today.
cluster?http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/JAK152398.htmTwo Indonesian women die of bird flu, cluster feared
13 Jan 2007 05:32:54 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Telly Nathalia
JAKARTA, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Two Indonesian women have died of bird flu, a health ministry official said on Saturday, taking the overall human death toll from the disease in the country to 61 amid a spike of new cases.
A 27-year-old woman from south Jakarta died after entering Persahabatan Hospital in the capital on Thursday for treatment, Muhammad Nadirin of the health ministry's bird flu information centre said. She died on Friday evening.
Asked whether the woman had been in contact with sick fowl, he said: "A week before she got sick, there had been dead chickens near her home."
The second death was of a 22-year-old woman from Tangerang west of Jakarta, who died in the early hours of Saturday, the official said.
Separately, an 18-year-old man being treated in hospital was confirmed to have bird flu after his mother died of the disease on Thursday, marking a cluster case, another official said.
The husband and son of the 37-year-old woman, from Serpong in west Java, were being treated for symptoms of bird flu at Persahabatan Hospital.
Joko Suyono, another official at the bird flu information centre, said that the son had tested positive for bird flu.
It was not clear whether he had been in contact with sick birds, the official said.
europehttp://www.ft.com/cms/s/e9f79c66-a3f9-11db-bec4-0000779e2340.htmEurope warned over resurgence of bird flu
By John Aglionby in Jakarta
Published: January 14 2007 18:21 | Last updated: January 14 2007 18:21
The deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza is making a seasonal resurgence in Asia and could easily spread to Europe again this year, the World Health Organisation warned on Sunday.
The alarm follows four human deaths in Indonesia in the last five days, the first human case in China for six months (though the infected man has since recovered) and new poultry outbreaks in Vietnam – despite a huge campaign against it – and northern Nigeria.
“We are convinced that we’re in a repeat of last year and the year before when the virus began to get very active again
and spread from Asia into the Middle East and beyond,” said Peter Cordingley, the WHO spokesman for the western Pacific region
Ireland
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0115/breaking77.htm
Govt publishes flu pandemic plan
Ciara O'Brien
The Department of Health has published its National Pandemic Influenza Plan, outlining what measures will be taken should there be a worldwide flu epidemic.
The report includes a dedicated hotline, reorganising health services to ensure necessary staff are available and the use of antiviral drugs. According to Prof William Hall, chair of the Pandemic Influenza Expert group, Ireland has stockpiled enough anti-viral drugs to treat almost half the country's population.
US
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/01/15/bird.flu.usa.reut/index.html
BALTIMORE, Maryland (Reuters) -- A bird flu pandemic remains a threat that the U.S. health care system must take seriously despite less frequent media coverage and the absence so far of human cases in the United States, experts warned.
John Bartlett, an infectious disease expert at John Hopkins University, said the decentralized U.S. health system will make it more difficult to get ready for a possible human pandemic of H5N1 avian virus -- or anything else.
He disagreed with the suggestion that the bird flu threat has been overstated by the media.
"The number of cases in 2006 was more than it was in 2005, which is more than it was in 2004 ... so it continues to go up in people," he said in an interview.
"And it continues to be just as lethal as it was in the beginning," Bartlett said at a conference aimed at helping U.S. hospital administrators prepare for a pandemic.
The virus mainly affects birds but the deaths of two Indonesian women last week brought the worldwide death toll among people from the virus to 159, out of a total of 256 infected since 2003.
"It's there to stay in birds, which means it is just waiting for the opportunity to make the mutation," Bartlett said.
snip
Thomas Inglesby of the Center for Biosecurity at the University of Pittsburgh told the panel "the time line has already begun to slip a little bit" on the U.S. goal for 2011 of having enough vaccine for the entire population within six months of the identification of a pandemic influenza virus.
Hospitals "have to plan that there'll be no vaccine," he said, urging administrators to start "speaking collectively about the need for a much more ambitious and aggressive vaccine strategy."
Just a very small sampling of the news from the first two weeks of january
But the number of poultry and human cases always increase in the winter.
Keeping watch.
Mojorabbit