H5N1

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.

Indonesian COVID-19 deaths surpass, within weeks, 17 years of H5N1 bird flu fatalities

Via The Jakarta Post: Indonesian COVID-19 deaths surpass, within weeks, 17 years of bird flu fatalities.

The number of COVID-19 fatalities in Indonesia in the month since its first confirmed case has officially surpassed the country’s total avian influenza death toll over nearly two decades. 

On Thursday afternoon, Indonesia’s death toll reached 170 after the country recorded 13 new fatalities nationwide, Health Ministry disease control and prevention director general Achmad Yurianto said. 

The total number of nationwide infections has hit 1,790 with 113 new confirmed cases, Yurianto added, while those who had recovered from the disease had increased to 112. 

The 170 deaths from COVID-19 in Indonesia have now surpassed the 168 deaths caused by avian influenza recorded in the country between 2003 and 2020, according to World Health Organization data. The bird flu caused by the H5N1 virus – which was first detected in Indonesia in 2005 – infected a total of 200 people in the country.  

The numbers seem to support the conclusion that the global pandemic is spreading at a faster rate than the previous major outbreak in the archipelago. 

Indonesia's current COVID-19 mortality rate, 9.4 percent, is among the highest in the world.  

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo announced the country's first two confirmed COVID-19 cases on March 2. 

The provinces of Java now contain the majority of the country’s total infections, as combined cases from Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java totaled 1,519 as of Thursday. 

The capital remains the country’s hardest-hit location with a total of 897 positive cases and 90 fatalities to date.

China reports outbreak of H5N1 bird flu among chickens in Hunan province, close to coronavirus epicentre of Wuhan

China can't catch a break these days. Via the South China Morning Port: China reports outbreak of deadly bird flu among chickens in Hunan province, close to coronavirus epicentre of Wuhan.

China has reported an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 bird flu in Hunan province, which lies on the southern border of Hubei province, the epicentre of the rapidly spreading coronavirus. 

“The outbreak occurred in a farm in the Shuangqing district of Shaoyang city. The farm has 7,850 chickens, and 4,500 of the chickens have died from the contagion. Local authorities have culled 17,828 poultry after the outbreak,” a statement by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Saturday. 

The H5N1 avian flu virus, often called bird flu, causes severe respiratory disease in birds. and is contagious to humans. It is possible, but difficult, to transmit the infection from person to person, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). 

However, bird flu is deadly to humans who contract it, with a mortality rate of close 60 per cent in cases of the last 15 years. Bird flu is much deadlier to humans than either Sars (a 10 per cent mortality rate) or coronavirus (a 2 per cent mortality rate in the outbreak so far). 

No human victim of the Hunan H5N1 outbreak has been reported.

Avian influenza A viruses among occupationally exposed populations, China, 2014–2016

Via Emerging Infectious Diseases: Avian Influenza A Viruses among Occupationally Exposed Populations, China, 2014–2016. The abstract:

To determine the seroprevalence and seroconversion of avian influenza virus (AIV) antibodies in poultry workers, we conducted a seroepidemiologic study in 7 areas of China during December 2014–April 2016. We used viral isolation and reverse transcription PCR to detect AIVs in specimens from live poultry markets. 

We analyzed 2,124 serum samples obtained from 1,407 poultry workers by using hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization assays. We noted seroprevalence of AIV antibodies for subtypes H9N2, H7N9, H6N1, H5N1-SC29, H5N6, H5N1-SH199, and H6N6. In serum from participants with longitudinal samples, we noted seroconversion, with >4-fold rise in titers, for H9N2, H7N9, H6N1, H5N1-SC29, H6N6, H5N6, and H5N1-SH199 subtypes. We found no evidence of H10N8 subtype. 

The distribution of AIV antibodies provided evidence of asymptomatic infection. We found that AIV antibody prevalence in live poultry markets correlated with increased risk for H7N9 and H9N2 infection among poultry workers.

New discovery could spell end to seasonal flu

Via Deutsche Welle: New discovery could spell end to seasonal flu. Excerpt:

A potential breakthrough discovery of new antibodies could lead to a universal vaccine. If successful, it could protect against all types of deadly influenza viruses and even prevent pandemics, a study shows. 

 Immunologist Ali Ellebedy was working on a study analyzing the immune response to flu infection in humans. During his research, he spotted a new type of powerful antibody in a blood sample from a patient infected with human influenza virus.   

Ellebedy then sent samples of the antibody to Florian Krammer — a microbiologist who proved the effectiveness of the antibodies by testing them against extensive samples of virus proteins dating back to the 1970s. These proteins, called neuraminidase, enable the virus to spread through the human body. 

The study, which was jointly conducted by Scripps Research, Washington University's School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Icahn School of Medicine in New York, was published in the October 25 issue of Science.  

Future vaccine could survive antiviral resistance  

Krammer told DW that the beauty of this new antibody, called 10G1, is that it binds to the parts of the virus that never change. This means that even if new strains of influenza viruses are detected, a potential vaccine containing new antibodies would still be effective. 

Moreover, the antibody has a powerful potential to attack both A and B subtypes of influenza viruses, making it an even better candidate for a universal vaccine that would combat human, swine, and bird strains, as well as other rarer strains of lethal flu viruses.

H5N1, H5N6 bird flu hits Vietnamese province

Via English.news.cn, a Xinhua report: Bird flu hits Vietnamese province.

HO CHI MINH CITY, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's southern Ben Tre province has seen the first outbreak of A/H5N6 bird flu which has led to the culling of 1,000 chickens. 

The outbreak was spotted in Mo Cay Nam district, and then tests confirmed that the flock of fowls raised by a household were infected with the bird flu virus, Vietnam News Agency on Sunday quoted the provincial Department of Livestock and Animal Health as saying. 

Relevant local agencies have culled the chickens, disinfected surrounding areas and intensified vaccination among fowls in the province. 

In late July, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that outbreaks of A/H5N6 and A/H5N1 bird flu had been reported in 13 communes of 11 localities from the start of 2019, leading to the culling of more than 23,000 poultry. 

The bird flu is forecast to widely spread in the remaining months of this year due to changing weather and surging poultry transportation ahead of the lunar new year holiday. 

Vietnam first detected bird flu virus strain of A/H5N1 in December 2003 on both humans and fowls. More than 45 million poultry in Vietnam were culled between 2003 and 2006. Since then, hundreds of thousands of fowls have been killed each year.  

In the 2004-2014 period, 127 people in Vietnam were infected with H5N1, including 64 fatalities, according to the ministry. The country has detected no new human cases of H5N1 infection since 2014.

H5N1 bird flu hits another Vietnamese locality

Via Xinhua: Bird flu hits another Vietnamese locality.

Vietnam's southern Can Tho city has seen the first outbreak of A/H5N1 bird flu which has led to the culling of 1,500 chickens, Vietnam News Agency reported on Wednesday.  

The outbreak was spotted in Binh Thuy district with 955 chickens raised by a household dying. Tests confirmed that the flock of fowls were infected with the bird flu virus, forcing relevant local agencies to cull another 545 chickens.  

Notably, the chickens were vaccinated against H5N1 in June, the agency quoted the municipal Department of Livestock and Animal Health as reporting.

In late July, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that outbreaks of A/H5N6 and A/H5N1 bird flu had been reported in 13 communes of 11 localities from the start of 2019, leading to the culling of more than 23,000 poultry. 

The bird flu is forecast to widely spread in the remaining months of this year due to changing weather and surging poultry transportation in time ahead of the lunar new year holiday. 

Vietnam first detected bird flu virus strain of A/H5N1 in December 2003 on both humans and fowls. More than 45 million poultry in Vietnam were culled between 2003 and 2006. Since then, hundreds of thousands of fowls have been killed each year.  

In the 2004-2014 period, 127 people in Vietnam were infected with H5N1, including 64 fatalities, according to the ministry. The country has detected no new human cases of H5N1 infection since 2014.

Vietnamese southern province hit by bird flu, over 10,000 chickens culled

Via Xinhua: Vietnamese southern province hit by bird flu, over 10,000 chickens culled. It's almost nostalgic to blog an item like this:

HO CHI MINH CITY, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's southern Ba Ria Vung Tau province has seen first outbreaks of A/H5N6 bird flu which have led to the culling of 10,500 chickens, local media reported on Tuesday.  

The outbreaks were spotted in two communes in Xuyen Moc district on July 31 and Aug. 1, and then tests confirmed that some chickens were infected with the bird flu virus, Vietnam News Agency quoted the provincial Department of Livestock and Animal Health as reporting.  

Relevant local agencies have culled 10,500 chickens raised by two households in the two communes, disinfected surrounding areas and intensified vaccination among fowls in the district.  

In late July, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that the outbreaks of A/H5N6 and A/H5N1 bird flu had been reported in 13 communes of 11 localities from the start of 2019, leading to the culling of more than 23,000 poultry.  

The bird flu is forecast to widely spread in the remaining months of this year due to changing weather and surging poultry transportation in time ahead of the lunar new year holiday. 

Vietnam first detected bird flu virus strain of A/H5N1 in December 2003 on both humans and fowls. More than 45 million poultry in Vietnam were culled between 2003 and 2006. Since then, hundreds of thousands of fowls have been killed each year.  

In the 2004-2014 period, 127 people in Vietnam were infected with H5N1, including 64 fatalities, according to the ministry. The country has detected no new human cases of H5N1 infection since 2014.

Vietnam reports H5N1, H5N6 bird flu outbreaks in 11 localities

Via Xinhua: Vietnam reports bird flu outbreaks in 11 localities.

The outbreaks of A/H5N1 and A/H5N6 bird flu, which are transmittable to humans, have been reported in 13 communes of 11 Vietnamese localities from the start of 2019, Vietnam News Agency reported on Friday. 

More than 23,000 fowl have been culled so far this year, the agency reported quoting the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.  

The bird flu is forecast to widely spread in the remaining months of this year due to changing weather and surging poultry transportation in time ahead of the lunar new year holiday. 

Cities and provinces across Vietnam have been instructed to devise plans and mobilize forces to prevent the disease, spray chemicals in high-risk areas and keep a close watch on the growth of their poultry populations.  

Vietnam first detected bird flu virus strain of A/H5N1 in December 2003 in both humans and poultry. Several new strains of the virus, such as A/H7N9, A/H5N2 and A/H5N8, could enter the country through transportation, business and consumption of smuggled poultry products of unclear origins, the agency reported. 

More than 45 million poultry in Vietnam were culled between 2003 and 2006. Since then, hundreds of thousands of fowls have been killed each year.  

In the 2004-2014 period, 127 people in Vietnam were infected with H5N1, including 64 fatalities, according to the ministry. The country has detected no new human cases of H5N1 infection since 2014. 

Early this year, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc unveiled a national plan on bird flu prevention and control for the 2019-2025 period. The plan seeks to prevent and control bird flu outbreaks and help form disease-free poultry farming zones and chains.  

Authorized forces are requested to control outbreaks through early detection and a swift dealing with infected hotbeds to prevent them from spreading.  

The plan also tasks them with preventing new and dangerous flu strains from entering or spreading in Vietnam, while vaccinating at least 80 percent of poultry, the agency reported.

Nepal: Lab report gives reprieve to people who came in contact with man who died of H5N1 bird flu virus

Via The Kathmandu Post: Lab report gives reprieve to people who came in contact with man who died of bird flu virus. Excerpt:

Test results of all specimens collected from the people who came in contact with a man who died of H5N1 virus (bird flu) have returned negative, according to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.  

The division said the World Health Organization had informed the office of the test results. 

 The division had collected 179 samples, from those who came in close contact with the deceased.  

Of the 179 samples, 172 were taken from hospital staff—doctors, nurses, lab technicians, cleaning staff—who were involved in the treatment of the patient. The remaining seven samples were from the family members of the deceased. 

“They have informed us that all samples have tested negative for H5N1,” Dr Bibek Kumar Lal told the Post. 

Among the samples, 42 were sent for tests at UN health body’s Collaborating Centre for Influenza in Japan. The same laboratory had confirmed the virus for the cause of death of the 21-year-old man from Kavrepalanchok district. 

 The man, who had been residing in a rented room in Bhaktapur, had died of bird flu virus on March 29, while he was undergoing treatment for influenza like illness in a Kathmandu-based hospital.  

Following confirmation that the deadly virus was responsible for the death of a patient, a 35-member rapid response team comprising experts from the WHO regional Office in Delhi, WHO Nepal country office, WHO South East Asia Region, Food and Agriculture of the United Nations, UNICEF, World Food Programme was formed to carry out epidemiological surveillance.