H5N1

BC wildlife rescue centres say they're overrun with calls for birds sick with suspected avian flu

Via CBC News: B.C. wildlife rescue centres say they're overrun with calls for birds sick with suspected avian flu. Excerpt:

The provincial and federal governments advise people not to handle sick birds, as wildlife rehabilitation centres say they are seeing increased calls from the public who want to try and help the animals suspected of having avian influenza.  

"It's been exceptional in my almost 37 years of doing this," said Elizabeth Melnick, who for decades has worked to rehabilitate injured or orphaned animals at her centre in Abbotsford.  

She said her centre, which runs on donations, is unable to keep up with calls, and even people bringing her sick birds such as wild geese and crows they've observed in distress, mostly in the Fraser Valley where avian flu has been detected.  

"It's really taken a toll," she said. "It's not a good situation at all."  

Seven commercial poultry farms have been quarantined with avian flu since Nov. 16 in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, the same area where 17 million birds were culled in 2004 to prevent the flu's spread. 

Officials in the industry say, so far, there has not been farm-to-farm transmission, but wild birds are spreading the disease as they can easily access poultry farms in the Fraser Valley, which are close together.  

The first poultry infection in B.C. this year was confirmed in mid-April. There have now been 57 confirmed cases, with the majority discovered this fall as wild birds migrate.

Iceland as stepping stone for spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus between Europe and North America

Via Emerging Infectious Diseases: Iceland as Stepping Stone for Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus between Europe and North America. The abstract:

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) of hemagglutinin type H5 and clade 2.3.4.4b have widely spread within the northern hemisphere since 2020 and threaten wild bird populations, as well as poultry production. 

We present phylogeographic evidence that Iceland has been used as a stepping stone for HPAIV translocation from northern Europe to North America by infected but mobile wild birds. At least 2 independent incursions of HPAIV H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b assigned to 2 hemagglutinin clusters, B1 and B2, are documented for summer‒autumn 2021 and spring 2022. Spread of HPAIV H5N1 to and among colony-breeding pelagic avian species in Iceland is ongoing. 

Potentially devastating effects (i.e., local losses >25%) on these species caused by extended HPAIV circulation in space and time are being observed at several affected breeding sites throughout the North Atlantic.

H5N1 bird flu leads to BC turkey shortage

Via the North Shore News: Bird flu leads to B.C. turkey shortage. Excerpt:

Christmas dinner in British Columbia could look a little different this year as nearly two dozen farms across the province slaughter hundreds of thousands of birds in an attempt to contain the avian influenza virus.   

From the Interior, to the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has identified high-pathogenic strains (HPAI) of H5N1 — the most deadly variety of avian influenza or “bird flu”— in 42 B.C. flocks. As of Wednesday afternoon, 23 outbreaks were ongoing and 275,800 birds had been slaughtered in an effort to contain the pathogen.   

The culled birds include broiler chickens, ducks and laying hens, among other specialty birds. But the most heavily affected poultry has been turkey, says Amanda Brittain, chief information officer for the BC Poultry Association, the group that helps coordinate the province’s four poultry and egg marketing boards during emergencies. 

“The BC Turkey Marketing Board tells me that they’re looking to be 20 per cent short of how much they grow,” said Brittain. “Turkeys grow for 13 to 15 weeks, so there is no time to grow more before Christmas.”   

H5N1 has been identified at over 220 locations across Canada and led to the culling of 3.7 million birds since the start of the latest epidemic.   

The seven commercial Fraser Valley poultry farms hit with the virus since Nov. 16 have come under “intense disease pressure,” said B.C. Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham.  

From the wild to the farm  

The outbreaks in Chilliwack and Abbotsford come out of step with the seasonal migration of wild birds, which have been found to carry and pass on the virus to domestic flocks.   

"The virus this year is different than we've ever seen in the past and it is behaving differently in both wild birds and domestic birds," said Brittain.   

Scientists have isolated variants of the influenza virus in more than 100 wild bird species worldwide, from waterfowl like geese, swans, ducks and gulls to shoreline species like sandpipers, plovers and storks. Not all strains are deadly. In the same way that many humans pull through an annual bout of the flu, many strains of the avian varieties rarely cause more than the sniffles, lethargy or fever in birds.  

High-pathogenic strains are different. When HPAIs enter a poultry farm, they often find the epidemiological equivalent of a refugee camp for birds, says Ronald Ydenberg, a professor of behavioural ecology and director of Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Wildlife Ecology.   

“There are thousands of birds there. They're all immunologically naive. They haven't had time to evolve any resistance. And there's a fresh batch every six weeks,” he told Glacier Media last spring. 

Vietnam: A likely case of human H5N1

Thanks to @bactiman63 for alerting me to this story. Via TuoTre.vn: A girl infected with influenza A (H5): The family used to slaughter sick poultry to eat. This is almost certainly H5N1, and the first Vietnamese case in a human since 2014. The Google translation: 

TTO - According to a family member of a 5-year-old girl (in Phu Tho) infected with influenza A (H5), about a week before the child was admitted to the hospital, the family had geese and chickens showing signs of illness to eat. After that, the patient appeared tired, yellow skin, yellow eyes, vomiting a lot.  

The baby is currently in a state of respiratory failure, diagnosed with acute liver failure, acute kidney failure, septic shock, multi-organ failure,  influenza A  (H5), being treated at the National Children's Hospital.  

According to a report on the morning of October 21 by the Phu Tho Center for Disease Control, the case of influenza A (H5) infection is a girl in Thanh Ba district, Phu Tho province. On 5-10 days, the baby coughs, has a fever, the family buys medicine to take it, but it doesn't help.  

On 7-10 days, the baby was tired, yellow skin, yellow eyes, vomiting a lot, the family took the patient to Thanh Ba District Health Center for examination and was diagnosed with acute liver failure, acute kidney failure of unknown cause, referred to hospital. Phu Tho Obstetrics and Children Hospital.  

Here the baby was also diagnosed with acute liver failure, acute renal failure of unknown cause. On 8-10 days, the patient was transferred to the National Children's Hospital. Two days later the baby was tested for influenza type A (H5). On October 17, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology confirmed that the baby was positive for influenza A virus (H5).  

Currently, the patient is in a state of respiratory failure, intubated with a diagnosis of acute liver failure, acute kidney failure, septic shock, multi-organ failure, influenza A (H5).

H5N1 bird flu kills close to a record number of poultry in the US

In the old days, we worried about H5N1 reaching the Americas. Now, without much fanfare, it's very much here. Via Reuters: Bird flu kills close to a record number of poultry in the U.S. Excerpt:

A near-record number of U.S. chickens and turkeys have died in this year's outbreak of avian flu, as a different form of the virus than farmers battled before has infected more wild birds that then transmit the disease, officials said.  

More than 47 million birds have died due to infections and cullings. This has spurred export bans, lowered egg and turkey production, and contributed to record prices of the staples ahead of the U.S. holiday season. The outbreak exacerbates economic pain for consumers grappling with soaring inflation.

In 2015, 50.5 million birds died in the deadliest U.S. outbreak, the nation's worst animal-health event to date.  

Farmers are fighting a subtype of the H5N1 strain of the virus that survived over the summer, when rising temperatures typically reduce avian flu, said Rosemary Sifford, chief veterinary officer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  

The same subtype, known as the goose/Guangdong lineage, is spreading in Europe, she said in an interview. Europe is already suffering its worst avian flu crisis, with nearly 50 million poultry culled.  

Officials are finding the subtype in a broader range of wild birds, such as ducks, than in the past and it seems to live in the birds longer, Sifford said. An elevated threat for infections may persist until summer 2023 as they migrate, she said.  

The United States is monitoring wild birds for avian flu in four migration paths known as flyways, up from two previously, and plans to do the same next year.

"This virus could be present in wild birds for the foreseeable future," Sifford said. "This one is certainly different."  

The outbreak has infected flocks in 42 states since February, twice as many as in 2015, USDA records show. Infections slowed over the summer this year but did not stop as they did in 2015.  

The tenacity of the virus surprised some producers, who have boosted cleaning and security in barns since the 2015 outbreak.  

"Unfortunately what we've done probably hasn't been enough to protect us from this high load of virus in the wild bird population," Sifford said.

State health officials investigate a detection of H5N1 influenza virus in a human in Colorado

Thanks to Krutika Kuppalli for tweeting the link to this news release from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: State health officials investigate a detection of H5 influenza virus in a human in Colorado. Excerpt:

April 28, 2022—The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has been monitoring and testing people exposed to poultry and wild birds infected with avian flu (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, HPAI), also known as H5N1 flu. Earlier this week, a test revealed the presence of the influenza A (H5) virus in a single nasal specimen from a person who was working on a farm with infected poultry. CDC confirmed the result on April 27, 2022. Repeat testing on the person was negative for influenza. Because the person was in close contact with infected poultry, the virus may have been present in the person’s nose without causing infection.   

The adult male, who is younger than 40, is largely asymptomatic, reporting only fatigue. He is now isolating and receiving the influenza antiviral drug oseltamivir (tamiflu) per CDC guidance. Scientists believe that the risk to people is low as H5 flu viruses spread among wild birds and poultry. They do not normally infect humans nor spread from person to person. There are currently no known cases of this H5 flu virus spreading among people. There are no other confirmed human cases in Colorado or the United States at this time.   

This positive result is due to direct exposure to infected poultry at a commercial farm in Montrose County. The person, who is an inmate at a state correctional facility in Delta County, was working with poultry as part of a pre-release employment program where participants have the opportunity to work for private employers and be paid a prevailing wage. The affected flock has been euthanized and disposed of under the guidance of the USDA and CDA. All members of the response team, including other inmate workers, were provided personal protective equipment while working on the farm.  

“We want to reassure Coloradans that the risk to them is low,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “I am grateful for the seamless collaboration between CDC, Department of Corrections, Department of Agriculture, and CDPHE, as we continue to monitor this virus and protect all Coloradans.”  

While human infections of the H5 viruses are rare, direct exposure to infected birds increases that risk. Infected birds shed flu viruses in their saliva, mucous, and feces. Public health officials in the United Kingdom confirmed H5N1 virus in January 2022 in a person who was asymptomatic and had direct contact with infected birds. 

H5N1 avian flu discovered in birds around St. John's, Environment Canada says

Thanks to Mike Coston for alerting me to this development. Via CBC News: Avian flu discovered in birds around St. John's, Environment Canada says. Excerpt:

Environment Canada says a highly pathogenic avian influenza first identified on a farm on the Avalon Peninsula has been found in birds around the St. John's area.  

In a statement from the City of St. John's on Friday, officials said Environment Canada had confirmed the influenza, known as H5N1 and often called bird flu, has been found in wild birds in areas like Bowring Park, Quidi Vidi Lake and other areas frequented by flocks of birds.  

"Like our human flu, it has variants that we refer to as highly pathogenic, meaning that they cause illness and death in birds that get infected with them," said Ian Jones, a biology professor at Memorial University.  

The city has asked residents not to feed, touch or handle wild birds, including ducks, pigeons and gulls.  

Cases of H5N1 were first identified on the island around mid-December on an exhibition farm on the island, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and a report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). 

Jones said the flu circulates naturally in birds, with higher case numbers in Europe signalling a higher risk for North American poultry flocks this year. The disease is often found in birds such as chickens, turkeys, quails, and guinea fowl, as well as pet and wild birds.  

Jones suspects the flu could have come from Europe in recent months, as some species of geese not usually seen in North America have been found in the province following an October windstorm.  

"It was a major system filling almost the entire North Atlantic, producing very strong winds from northern Europe straight across and then down to Newfoundland, including the Avalon Peninsula. Migrating waterfowl, especially geese from Europe, were caught up in this," he said.  

"Birdwatchers have observed in eastern Canada an unprecedented number of barnacle geese and pink-footed geese, two European geese species that don't normally occur here."  

Jones said the risk of humans getting the disease is low and it would involve dealing with the insides of infected animals. The biggest risk, Jones said, comes in agriculture and the poultry industry.  

The exhibition farm where the disease was first identified doesn't produce birds for sale, the agency said, adding it won't have an effect on poultry trade. The farm was under quarantine, which included a 10-kilometre zone with movement control measures and enhanced biosecurity to limit the potential spread of the disease.  

According to the OIE, 419 birds were identified to be carrying the flu. Of those, 360 died, while 59 had to be euthanized.

Ivory Coast confirms H5N1 avian flu outbreak

Not only Ebola, but H5N1 as well. Via Reuters: Ivory coast confirms H5N1 avian flu outbreak. Excerpt:

ABIDJAN, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast has identified an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu near the commercial capital Abidjan and has taken steps to curb its spread, the livestock ministry said in a statement. 

Testing confirmed the presence of the virus after a large number of poultry started dying in the Grand Bassam commune on July 20, the ministry said on Wednesday. 

Movement of poultry has been limited within the Grand Bassam area, which is about 42 kilometres (26 miles) outside Abidjan, the statement said. Poultry imports from other infected countries have been suspended. 

Birds have been culled in the vicinity of the outbreak, the statement said, without saying how many. 

Ivory Coast, which last declared avian flu outbreaks in 2006 and 2015, is the latest of several West African nations to declare H5N1 outbreaks.

India's first H5N1 case and fatality

Thanks to Giuseppe Michielli for alerting me to this NDTV report. Bird Flu: Delhi's AIIMS Reports First Bird Flu Death This Year, Haryana Boy, 11. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first ever H5N1 fatality in India, and the first human case. Fifteen years ago, H5N1 was popping up in Bangladesh and Pakistan, but India escaped. Excerpt:

New Delhi: A 11-year-old boy from Haryana who died today at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) was infected with the H5N1 virus, which is also called 'avian influenza' or 'bird flu'. This is believed to be the first case of H5N1 among humans in India, and the first bird flu death this year. 

A report from Pune's National Institute of Virology confirmed the infection. 

Sources told news agency PTI his samples tested negative for COVID-19 (testing for which is now routine at hospitals) but was positive for influenza and H5N1 was confirmed by by the NIV. 

Staff who came in contact with the boy, identified as Susheel and admitted July 2 with pneumonia and leukemia, have been asked to self-monitor for symptoms and report in case of a possible infection. 

A team from the National Centre for Disease Control has been sent to Susheel's village in Haryana to check for more H5N1 cases and carry out contact tracing. 

Earlier this year thousands of wild birds were found dead and tens of thousands of poultry were culled after a massive wave of bird flu cases swept several states, including Haryana. 

Several of the infections, however, were from a different strain of the virus - H5N8 - which experts say is less dangerous to humans. 

Nevertheless, by January-end the centre sounded an alert as it confirmed bird flu among poultry in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh, as well as Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, UP and Punjab. 

Over 50,000 birds were killed in Punjab, Maharashtra and Kerala each as precaution, with thousands more killed in other states.

I can't find any comment or news release on the sites of AIIMS or NIV (Pune). I'll keep looking. Here is the WHO tally of H5N1 cases:

EpiCore: Avian influenza (A/H5N1)--Prey Veng, Cambodia

EpiCore, I've recently learned, is a volunteer epidemic-intelligence group that checks reports of outbreaks in different parts of the world. Here's their latest, from March 29: Epicore: Avian influenza (A/H5N1)--Prey Veng, Cambodia.

Media quoting national health authorities have recently confirmed that the mass bird deaths reported in mid-March in Tuolporn Taley Boeung Sne protected area (Ba Phnom district, Prey Veng province) were due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (A/H5N1). Response activities have been implemented and the community has been asked to keep the environment around their homes clean and to report unusual deaths of poultry, as the virus could be transmitted to domestic animals as well. 

An RFI was sent to EpiCore members to get any update about this officially confirmed and ongoing event, in particular details on the investigation and if there is any report of similar events, in the surrounding, in poultry or wild birds. 

The EpiCore network has added details about the ongoing response activities in the country. Currently the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Health are closely following the situation and collaborating through a common Technical Working Group on Zoonotic diseases. A joint field investigation is ongoing, and information collected from the two sectors is regularly shared. So far there have been no other unusual events reported in births in the area and the import/export within a 3 km radius has been suspended by the animal health authorities that are monitoring the bordering areas as well. In addition, community members and vets have already isolated and destroyed almost 2,000 bird carcasses since the first report. 

From a human health side, as of today there has been no report of any suspected cases in the surrounding areas. The early detection of potential cases is based on direct reports through the MOH hotline phone service (115) of exposed people in the area presenting ILI/SARI signs, with immediate lab testing of samples collected to rule out A(H5N1). In addition, routine sentinel surveillance activities for ILI and SARI are regularly ongoing in the country. More information is available in Khmer on the MOH website (cdcmoh.gov.kh). 

The RFI has been supported with useful details that have provided an update about the current situation. In case of more information provided in the coming days/weeks this summary will be updated.