UNCLASSIFIED
Avian Influenza Daily Digest
October 20, 2008 14:00 GMT
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Article Summaries ...
Quid Novi
Hong Kong finds bird flu virus in crow
OIE: Germany LPAI Immediate Notification
Regional Reporting and Surveillance
Nigeria: FG Pays N132 Million to Bird Flu Victims
10/20/08 This Day--The Federal Government has paid N132 million as compensation to poultry farmers whose birds were killed by bird flu between 2006 and 2008 in Kano.
Regional Reporting and Surveillance
Bangladesh: Awareness and preparedness crucial to combat bird flu
10/17/08 Daily Star--Awareness and preparedness is crucial to tackle an outbreak of bird flu before next winter. The issue was underscored in a recent NGO network orientation workshop on avian influenza organised by CARE Bangladesh, says a press release.
Regional Reporting and Surveillance
Science and Technology
Magic bullet against bird flu
10/20/08 Times of India--A single vaccine can protect humans, chickens and even cats against deadly flu pandemics, including the dreaded bird flu that has caused havoc in large parts of Asia, including India. The vaccine also protects birds and mammals...
AI Research
Full Text of Articles follow ...
Regional Reporting and Surveillance
Nigeria: FG Pays N132 Million to Bird Flu Victims
10/20/08 This Day--The Federal Government has paid N132 million as compensation to poultry farmers whose birds were killed by bird flu between 2006 and 2008 in Kano.
Coordinator, Compensation and Live Bird Markets Development, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr Gidado Muhammad, said this in Kano, while presenting a cheque for N 4,104,900.00 as compensation to proprietor of Fagen Kawo Poultry Farm in Dawakin-Tofa Local Government area.
He said the farm was affected by highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus last July, but the outbreak was promptly contained and after satisfying all conditions required by the Kano State Veterinary Services, the owner was compensated.
According to a press release made available to THISDAY in Kano, by the state Communication Desk Officer, Avian Influenza Control Project (AICP), Mallam Surajo Ibrahim Gaya, 147 poultry farmers were paid N129, 101,480.00 between 2006 and 2007.
AI Research
Magic bullet against bird flu
10/20/08 Times of India--A single vaccine can protect humans, chickens and even cats against deadly flu pandemics, including the dreaded bird flu that has caused havoc in large parts of Asia, including India.
The vaccine also protects birds and mammals against different flu strains and can even be given to birds while they are still in their eggs, allowing the mass vaccination of wild birds.
The emergence of bird flu has posed a major challenge to scientists designing vaccines as it can infect a number of different animals, including birds, pets and people.
"The world is experiencing a pandemic of influenza in birds caused by an H5N1 virus. Although it has been restricted to Eurasia and some countries in Africa, there is a risk that this virus may spread worldwide," said Daniel Perez, professor at the University of Maryland.
"The H5N1 virus also has an unusual expanded host range: not only have birds and humans been infected but also cats, which are usually resistant to influenza. To prepare for a pandemic, it would be ideal to have a vaccine that could be used in multiple animal species," he added.
The study is scheduled to appear in the Journal of General Virology next month.
The researchers found that the central genes or 'backbone' of the H9N2 virus that infects guinea fowl can protect birds and mice against highly pathogenic strains of influenza.
10/20/08 Times of India--They modified the virus to make it less pathogenic and then used it to vaccinate mice. Three weeks after being vaccinated, the mice were infected with the potentially lethal H1N1 virus - the same virus that caused the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic.
All the vaccinated mice survived with no signs of disease. Vaccinated mice also survived infection with the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, again showing no signs of disease, according to a statement by the Society for General Microbiology.
"Our results show that the H9N2 backbone vaccine can be used to protect mice against two different, highly pathogenic strains of influenza. We chose genes from H9N2 influenza for the vaccine because the virus can infect many different animals, including chickens, mice and pigs," said Perez.
Quid Novi
Bird flu alert in Tripura By: PTI Date: 2008-10-20 Agartala : An alert has been sounded along the porous Indo-Bangla international border in Tripura following reports of bird flu in the neighbouring country, official sources said today. Sylhet, Srima
10/20/08 PTI--An alert has been sounded along the porous Indo-Bangla international border in Tripura following reports of bird flu in the neighbouring country, official sources said today.
Sylhet, Srimanagal and Habigunj districts of Bangladesh, bordering Khowai subdivision of West Tripura district and Kamalpur subdivision of Dhalai district, have recently been affected by avian influenza, the sources said.
Border Security Force (BSF) was keeping a close vigil along the 856 km-long border to prevent the entry of chicken and poultry in the border markets, the sources said.
The state government also alerted all the district administrations and was organising workshops with the employees on disease control, the sources said.
An assistant director of animal resource department, posted at Khowai subdivision, Samarendra Das, told reporters that a coordinated effort was needed to stop the spreading of disease.
Quid Novi
Hong Kong finds bird flu virus in crow
10/20/08 Reuters--A house crow found dead in a crowded district in Hong Kong last week has tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus, a government spokeswoman said on Monday.
The appearance of the virus in Hong Kong, more active in the cooler months between October and March, is closely watched as it may indicate the level of activity of the virus in mainland China, which has a poultry population of 13 billion.
The virus is endemic in poultry in parts of Asia but experts fear it will mutate into a form that is easily passed from human to human, sparking a pandemic which could kill millions of people.
"House crows are common in Hong Kong. We have no idea if it came from elsewhere, how it was infected," the spokeswoman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.
The crow was found dead in a public refuse bin on Wednesday.
Since 2003, the virus has infected 387 people in 15 countries, killing 245, according to latest statistics from the World Health Organisation.
Regional Reporting and Surveillance
Bangladesh: Awareness and preparedness crucial to combat bird flu
10/17/08 Daily Star--Awareness and preparedness is crucial to tackle an outbreak of bird flu before next winter. The issue was underscored in a recent NGO network orientation workshop on avian influenza organised by CARE Bangladesh, says a press release.
Keynote Papers were presented by Dr Abdul Baqi, Project Director, Strengthening of Support Service for Combating Avian Influenza in Bangladesh, Department of Livestock, Dr Abul Kalam, National Consultant of Avian Influenza, Food and Agriculture Organisation and Avian Influenza Coordinator of Care Bangladesh, Dr Quazi Md Emdadul Huque.
Dr Baki depicted the present situation of bird flu and pointed out that Bangladesh faced enormous economic losses in the poultry industry in the previous year due to the out break of bird flu.
The bird flu outbreak has also been occurred on September 29 this year at Noagaon district which is a major concern for us. In order to response this crisis, he urged to create mass awareness and take preparation to combat any out break before starting the winter season as the virus of avian influenza (H5N1) spread rapidly in winter.
Dr. Abul Kalam emphasised to work together for avian influenza collaborate with government including the staff and workers of department of livestock, health, administration, police, NGOs, civil society, community based organisations, community leaders, politicians, local elected representatives to implement the national avian and human pandemic influenza preparedness and response plan (2006-2008). He insisted on informing the concern government officials immediately for any outbreak of bird flu. He assured that ensuring the multi-sectoral response we can be able to tackle any crisis of bird flu in the country.
The speakers mentioned that the contribution of poultry industry to the national production can be damaged due to the outbreak of bird flu. Because more than five millions of people are involved with this industry and the owners and workers may be affected. Moreover, the health of children and mother may also be affected as this sector provides a lot of nutrition for them which have a long run negative impact for the country.
Migratory birds are considered to be one of the major biological vectors by which the disease travels across and between continents. About 244 species of migratory birds visit Bangladesh during the winter season (October to March), of which approximately 21 species may carry the HPAI/H5N1 virus.
CARE Bangladesh in collaboration with Academy for Educational Development (AED) have taken a project "Civil Society Organisations Network Initiatives for Avian Influenza (bird flu)? to build NGO capacity through information sharing, training and facilitating partnerships with the relevant departments in the government of Bangladesh.
Quid Novi
OIE: Germany LPAI Immediate Notification
Low pathogenic avian influenza (poultry),
Germany
Information received on 17/10/2008 from Mr Werner Zwingmann, Ministerialdirigent, "Leiter der Unterabteilung Tiergesundheit und Lebensmittelhygiene", Bundesministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz (BMELV) , Bonn, Germany
Summary
Report type Immediate notification
Start date 02/10/2008
Date of first confirmation of the event 09/10/2008
Report date 17/10/2008
Date submitted to OIE 17/10/2008
Reason for notification First occurrence of a listed disease
Causal agent Low pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype H5N3
Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to a defined zone within the country
New outbreaks
Outbreak 1 (14365A080001) Zoo Leipzig , Leipzig, Stadt, SACHSEN
Date of start of the outbreak 02/10/2008
Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit Not applicable
Affected animals
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Birds 248 4 0 4 0
Affected population 1 goose and 3 ducks affected in a zoo.
Outbreak 2 (14365A080002) Leipzig - Stadtgut Mölkau, Leipzig, SACHSEN
Date of start of the outbreak 09/10/2008
Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit Farm
Affected animals
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Birds 106 106 0 106 0
Affected population A holding with no trading activity concerning live poultry. The neuraminidase has not yet been identified.
Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 2
Total animals affected
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Birds 354 110 0 110 0
Outbreak statistics
Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds 31.07% 0.00% 0.00% 31.07%
* Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
* Unknown or inconclusive
Epidemiological comments Vaccination is forbidden for poultry, it is only allowed for zoo birds.
Control measures
Measures applied
* Control of wildlife reservoirs
* Movement control inside the country
* Screening
* Zoning
* Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
* Modified stamping out
* Vaccination prohibited
* No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied
* No other measures
Diagnostic test results
Laboratory name and type Friedrich-Loeffler Institute (National laboratory)
Tests and results
Species Test Test date Result
Birds real-time PCR 09/10/2008 Positive
Future Reporting
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.
Map of outbreak locations
