China-Avian Influenza
23 Dec 2009
Hong Kong S.A.R., Department of Health, press release [edited][ProMed]
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a case of influenza A (H9N2) infection -- a mild form of avian influenza -- involving a 35-month-old girl.
It was reported that a spokesman said that the girl, living in
Sha Tin, developed symptoms of cough, fever, and runny nose in late
November 2009. She was admitted to the hospital and was discharged on 11 Dec 2009. She has now recovered.

Cambodia-Avian Influenza situation
18 Dec 2009
WHO Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) disease outbreak news [edited] [ProMed]
The Ministry of Health of Cambodia has announced a new confirmed case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
The 57-year-old male, from Ponhea Kreak district, Kampong Cham province, developed symptoms on [11 Dec 2009]. The case was admitted to hospital on [16 Dec 2009], where he received treatment. He is in a stable condition.
Of the 9 cases confirmed to date in Cambodia, 7 have been fatal. This is the 1st diagnosed case in Cambodia during 2009.
Related stories
30 Dec 2009-Highly pathogenic avian influenza
OIE WAHID Disease Information 2009; 22(53) [edited][ProMed]

November

Viet Nam:Youth dies of H5N1
30 Nov 2009
Avian Flu Diary [edited][translated][ProMed]
Original: http://vnexpress.net/GL/Doi-song/2009/11/3BA162F1/
A patient, 23 years of age, resident of Sam Min city of Dien Bien, had eaten quantities of duck soup for about a week before he fell ill. His death is the 5th fatality this year [2009] as a consequence of avian
influenza H5N1 virus infection.
Related Stories
30 Nov 2009-Avian Influenza
Avian Flu Diary [edited][ProMed]
Ministry of Health, Viet Nam [in Vietnamese, trans. & summ. edited][ProMed]
The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has now confirmed that the deceased patient died as a result of avian influenza (H5N1) virus infection, and that the patient had consumed amounts of raw (uncooked) duck (blood) soup.
01 Dec 2009-Avian Influenza
Saigon Giai Phong (SGGP) Daily [edited][ProMed]

Thailandis free of bird flu: official
16 Nov 2009
Xinhua News Agency [edited][ProMed]
Thailand is now free of the avian influenza or bird flu, but precaution measures have been implemented to prevent [another] outbreak, an official was quoted as saying. Recently, Thailand's northern province of Nan [reported an] H5N1 virus outbreak.
Nan's livestock department collected some of the dead birds and sent them for analysis.

VietNam-Bird flu recurs in northern province of Viet Nam
02 Nov 2009
Bird flu has re-emerged in the northern province of Dien Bien in Viet Nam, according to a report from the Animal Health Department under Viet Nam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday [2 Nov 2009]. The bird flu broke out in 9 local farms from 21 to 23 Oct 2009, killing hundreds of poultry, said the report. Poultry samples tested by the provincial animal health agency showed positive for the H5N1 virus, it said.
Local animal health authorities have been implementing measures to curb the spread of the bird flu virus to nearby areas, including the culling of over 2200 remaining poultry, said the department.
Viet Nam has reported 5 human cases of bird flu infection so far this year [2009], 4 of which were fatal.
Related stories02 Nov 2009- Vietnamreports bird flu outbreak among poultryAFP [edited][FSNet]
04 Nov 2009-Bird flu recurs in Vietnam
Radio The Voice of Viet Nam (VOV) News [edited]
05 Nov 2009-OIE
OIE, WAHID (World Animal Health Information Database), weekly disease information 2009; 22(45) [edited][ProMed]

October

Viet Nam-Avian Influenza situation - WHO update 711 Oct 2009World Health Orgaisation (WHO) CSR, Disease Outbreak News [edited]The Ministry of Health has reported a new confirmed case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case has been confirmed at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE).The case is a man from Dien Bien Phu city, Dien Bien Province. He developed symptoms on 18 Nov 2009, was hospitalized and died on 28 Nov 2009.Of the 112 cases confirmed to date in Viet Nam, 57 have been fatal.

August

Indonesia-Bird flu suspect treated in Sanglah hospital, Bali
07 Aug 2009
Bird Flu Information Corner [edited][ProMed]
A 15-year-old female resident of Pulesari Kecamatan Tembuku, Bangli, was rushed to a hospital, on Wednesday evening [5 Aug 2009] after several chickens belonging to her family were found suddenly to have died. According to the information, the victim had contact with the dead chickens when burying them. She developed fever and flu symptoms after that. Worrying about the girl's condition, the patient's parent took her to the hospital.
On Thu 6 Aug 2009, the Health Service and Livestock Service officers of Bangli investigated the victim's surroundings and found positive H5N1 in the dead chickens using a rapid test. Subsequent to this finding, the Livestock Service culled all remaining chickens belonging to victim's family.

July

Indonesia-Girl hospitalized for suspected case of bird flu
31 Jul 2009
The Jakarta Post [edited][ProMed]
A 17-year-old girl was admitted Friday [31 Jul 2009] to the hospital in Makassar, South Sulawesi, with what is suspected to be an H5N1 infection. A hospital spokesman was quoted as saying the teenager displayed symptoms of avian flu, including fever, cough, nausea, and suffocation. She became sick after a number of chickens around her home suddenly died. A doctor who treated her said her temperature exceeded 39 deg C [102.2 deg F] for 3 days and that she displayed other symptoms of avian flu, Khalid said. The teenager is now receiving treatment in an isolation room, under the close watch of medical workers.
Head of the husbandry unit at the Makassar Agriculture and Maritime Agency said a government team had been assigned to conduct surveillance in the girl's neighborhood in the Sudiang subdistrict in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.

China-Avian Influenza
24 July 2009
OIE report [edited][ProMed]
Report type: Follow-up report No. 2 (Final report)
Start date: 01 Feb 2009
Date of 1st confirmation of the event:10 Feb 2009
Report date: 15 Jul 2009
Date submitted to OIE: 15 Jul 2009
Date event resolved: 03/05/2009
Reason for notification: Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence: December 2008
Manifestation of disease:Clinical disease
Causal agent: Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype: H5N1
Nature of diagnosis: Clinical, Laboratory (basic), Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to: the whole country
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection:Unknown or inconclusive
Control measures:
Measures applied
Stamping out
Quarantine
Movement control inside the country
Zoning
Vaccination in response to the outbreak (s)
Species: Birds
Total Vaccinated:350,000

China-China confirms 2nd human bird flu fatality since February 2009
July 15 2009
eGovMonitor, The Government of China report [edited][ProMed]
H5N1 bird flu claimed its 2nd human fatality in China this month [July 2009] when the Ministry of Health confirmed the death of a Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region man on Thursday. The 41-year-old man in Nanning City developed fever and headache symptoms on 12 Feb 2009 and died at 5 a.m. on 20 Feb 2009 after all rescue measures proved ineffectual. Tests of the man were H5N1 positive, said China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
On 18 Feb 2009, the Health Ministry confirmed a 22-year-old man in the central Hunan Province had tested positive for H5N1. He had died on 24
Jan 2009.

June

Indonesia-Authorities watchful after virus detected in 20 villages
26 Jun 2009
The Jakarta Post [edited][ProMed]
At least 20 villages in Purbalingga regency, Central Java, have been hit with cases of bird flu, forcing local authorities to remain alert to prevent it from infecting other areas, officials said Thursday [25 Jun 2009]. Purbalingga husbandry office head Hartono said the contagious disease had 1st been detected in the regency in January 2009.
More than 1000 infected chickens had been culled between January and May [2009] by local authorities, he said. Hartono said his office was collecting data and information on the spread of bird flu this month [June 2009].
To curb the virus from spreading further in Purbalingga, the local authorities have set up a special team to combat bird flu.
Purbalingga has also received 240,000 doses of vaccine from the World
Health Organization to help control the spread of bird flu.

Vietnam-Avian Influenza
24 Jun 2009
Vietnam News [edited][ProMed]
Bird flu has resurfaced in the country on the northeastern border of Quang Ninh Province's Yen Hung District and infected more than 500 poultry.
An additional 1300 birds have been killed and disposed of to prevent the spread of the disease in accordance with the regulations on epidemic disease prevention, said Hoang Van Nam, head of the Veterinary Department.
Deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said the reason for the problem was the lack of disease prevention measures taken by some localities.
He directed the Veterinary Department to thoroughly handle the disease in Quang Ninh and to soon build a centre for quarantining poultry and cattle [see comment]. He also asked localities nationwide to concentrate on vaccinating duck flocks, as they were highly susceptible to the spread of the flu.

Indonesia-Avian Influenza, 11th death
21 Jun 2009
Bird Flu Information Corner [edited][ProMed]
The bird flu virus killed another victim in South Jakarta. A 5-year-old child. The child died early Friday [19 Jun 2009]. Since 2005 until now, avian influenza H5N1, or bird flu virus, has killed 11 [of] a total of 13 cases in South Jakarta.
The child was reported [to have] returned from his relatives in Sukabumi, West Java and then visited other relatives in Pejaten Barat [in] South Jakarta. During the stay in Sukabumi, numbers of chickens were reported [to have] suddenly died. After return from Pejaten Barat, the victim, the [younger] of 2 siblings, experienced high fever [during] the next day [Mon 8 Jun 2009], and received an antipyretic drug from a health worker.
After further examination at the hospital, the victim was then allowed to return home. Three days later, the child's condition worsened and was accompanied by breathing difficulty. The child was then rushed to the hospital again. Chest X-ray revealed liquid accumulation in the lungs, which suggested the illness was caused by bird flu infection. But the child passed away 4 hours after admission, or early on Friday.

China-Antibodies against H5 and H9 Avian Influenza among Poultry Workers in China
11 Jun 2009
New England Journal of Medicine, Correspondence, Vol. 360:2583-2584, No. 24 [edited][ProMed]
Human infection with the H5N1 or H9N2 avian influenza virus has been reported in the city of Guangzhou in southern China. To assess the risk of avian influenza virus infection among humans, a serologic surveillance study was conducted in Guangzhou. A total of 2191 healthy persons were recruited from 230 workplaces and 7 types of occupations from March 2007 through July 2008.
The prevalence of anti-H5 antibodies was 0.2 percent and the prevalence of anti-H9 antibodies was 4.5 percent. All anti-H5 positive persons were poultry retailers or wholesalers, but anti-H9 positive persons were identified in all study groups in this cohort. It has been reported that H5N1 and H9N2 viruses were co-circulating among poultry and humans in markets. Our results show that the positive rate of anti-H5 antibodies was much lower than that of anti-H9 antibodies among poultry retailers (0.8 percent versus. 15.5 percent, P greater than 0.001) and among wholesalers (0.8 percent versus 6.6 percent, P equal to 0.001).
This difference may be attributed to the wide use of H5 vaccine in poultry, whereas vaccination against H9 is not available. In addition, H9 avian influenza virus infection in poultry is usually asymptomatic and associated with virus shedding. Given that reassortant of H9N2 with other subtypes of avian influenza virus has been reported to occur in southern China, the study’s finding highlights the potential risk of H9 avian influenza virus to public health.
The anti-H9 positive rate was highest among poultry retailers (15.5 percent); this rate was significantly higher than the rate among the other 6 groups (P greater than or equal to 0.006). The significantly higher anti-H9 positive rate among poultry retailers than among other retailers in the same markets (15.5 percent versus 1.8 percent, P greater than 0.001) may be due to the direct contact of poultry retailers with live birds, particularly during the slaughter of poultry. It also suggests that transmission of H9 avian influenza virus in the markets was mainly through poultry-to-human but not human-to-human contact.
The anti-H9 positive rate was also significantly higher among poultry retailers than among wholesalers (15.5 percent versus 6.6 percent, P equal to 0.002). This difference may be attributed to the fact that retailers purchased different species of poultry from multiple wholesalers; thus, control of poultry-to-poultry transmission of avian influenza virus in markets with live poultry may be important to the prevention of avian influenza virus infection in humans.

China-Highly pathogenic avian influenza
04 Jun 2009
OIE WAHID (World Animal Health Information Database) Disease Information 2009; 22(23) [edited][ProMed]
Summary
Report type: Follow-up report No. 1
Start date08 May 2009
Date of first confirmation of the event17 May 2009
Report date04 Jun 2009
Date submitted to OIE04 Jun 2009
Reason for notification: Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrenceJune 2006
Manifestation of disease: Clinical disease
Causal agent: Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype: H5N1
Nature of diagnosis: Clinical, Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to a defined zone within the country
Related reports: Immediate notification (17 May 2009); Follow-up report No. 1 (04 Jun 2009)
New outbreaks
Outbreak 1Nanhai Prefecture, Nanhai Prefecture, QINGHAI
Date of start of the outbreak27 May 2009
Outbreak status: Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit:Not applicable
SpeciesBirds
Susceptible23 903
Cases0
Deaths0
Destroyed23903
Slaughtered0
SpeciesWild species
Deaths162
Affected population23,093 domestic birds were destroyed as a precaution to avoid avian influenza spread from wild birds to domestic birds.
Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks:1
SpeciesBirds
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection.Unknown or inconclusive

May

MongoliaHighly pathogenic avian influenza
28 May 2009
OIE, WAHID (World Animal Health Information Database), weekly disease information 2009; 22(22) [edited][ProMed]
Report type: immediate notification
Start date:22 May 2009
Date of first confirmation of the event: 25 May 2009
Report date: 28 May 2009
Date submitted to OIE:28 May 2009
Reason for notification: Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence: 5 Jun 2006
Manifestation of disease: clinical disease
Causal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype: H5
Nature of diagnosis: suspicion, clinical, laboratory (basic), necropsy
This event pertains to a defined zone within the country
Outbreak 1: Doitiin tsagaan Lake, Ugii-nuur soum, Arkhangai
Date of start of the outbreak: 22 May 2009
Outbreak status: continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: not applicable
Species:wild species
Deaths:9
Destroyed:1
Affected population:a migratory swan
Total outbreaks: 1
Species: wild species
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection:unknown or inconclusive

Mongolia-Outbreak of Avian Influenza among birds in Mongolia's Arkhangai Aimag
25 May 2009
People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency report [in Chinese, trans. & summ. Rappt.DS, edited] [ProMed]
Mongolia's Emergency Situations Agency announced today [25 May 2009] that, on 22 May, swans had died of unknown cause in Ogii Nuur Lake, in the Arkhangai Aimag. After analysis, the Mongolian National Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Center announced on [24 May 2009] that the swans died due to infection by H5N1 avian influenza. On 24 May [2009], the governor of Arkhangai Aimag ordered closure of the outbreak area.

China:Avian flu outbreak sends Tibetan county on alert
19 May 2009
China Daily, Xinhua News Agency [edited] [FSNet]
A Tibetan county in northwest China's Qinghai Province is culling poultry, disinfecting farms and banning outsiders from entering Tuesday, two days after an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu was confirmed among migratory birds.
Altogether 121 migratory birds were found dead near the Genggahai Lake of Gonghe County in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Hainan on May 8. They tested H5N1 positive at China's National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory on Sunday.
Gonghe County has confiscated 600 poultry and is disinfecting every farm to avoid infection, though no bird flu symptoms has been observed at any farm, a local government spokesman told Xinhua Tuesday.

China-Avian Influenza, wild birds
18 May 2009
Huanqiu.com [trans. Rapp.AH, edited]
On 17 May 2009, the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture announced that the National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory had confirmed avian influenza among migratory birds in Qinghai province. According to the briefing, the regional veterinary departments in Gahai found dead migratory birds on 8 May 2009. Specimens were collected and sent for testing. On 12 May 2009, the Qinghai Provincial Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center detected weak positive signals for highly pathogenic avian influenza. On 17 May 2009, the birds were confirmed to be infected with highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza by the National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory. As of yesterday [17 May 2009], 121 wild birds had died.
In response to the outbreak, access to the affected area was restricted for disinfection and culling of backyard poultry. All 121 dead wild birds and 600 culled poultry have been processed.
At present, there has been no disruption of life. No outbreak among poultry has been found in Qinghai province.

Vietnam-Bird flu hits another province of Vietnam(Hanoi)
14 May 2009
Chinaview [edited] [FSNet]
Another Southwestern province Dong Thap of Vietnam was confirmed of being hit by the bird flu, said a report from Vietnam's Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Thursday.
The bird flu broke out in a local farm on May 10, killing 49 out of a flock of 142 ducks, said the report.
Local animal health authorities had been implementing measures to curb the spread of the bird flu virus to nearby areas.
Currently, Vietnam reported three provinces hit by avian flu including two central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Quang Ngai and a newly-confirmed Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap, said the department.
Vietnam has reported five human cases of bird flu so far this year, four of them died.
Related Stories
15 May 2009-Bird flu hits another Vietnam province(Hanoi)
philstar [edited] [FSNet]
Another Mekong Delta province Vinh Long of Vietnam was confirmed of being hit by the bird flu, said a report of the Vietnam's Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development today.
The bird flu broke out on a local farm on Wednesday, killing 250 out of a flock of 1,100 ducks, said the report.
Duck samples tested by the provincial animal health bureau were positive for the H5N1 virus, said provincial health officials, cited by the local newspaper The Youth on Friday.
Local animal health authorities had been implementing measures to curb the spread of the bird flu virus to nearby areas, including the culling of the remaining ducks, said the department.
Currently, Vietnam reports four provinces hit by avian flu including two central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Quang Ngai and two Mekong Delta provinces of Dong Thap and the newly-confirmed Vinh Long, said the department.
Vietnam has reported five human cases of bird flu so far this year, and four of them died.

April

Viet Nam -Avian influenza55th fatality, WHO confirmed
8 Apr 2009
World Health Organization (WHO), EPR, Disease Outbreak News [edited] [Promed]
As of 8 Apr 2009, The Ministry of Health in Viet Nam has reported a new confirmed case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case has been confirmed at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE).
The case is a 3-year-old boy from Chau Thanh District, Dong Thap Province. He developed symptoms on 12 Mar 2009, was hospitalized on 13 Mar 2009, and died on 19 Mar 2009. Investigations into the source of infection indicated a history of close contact with sick and dead poultry prior to the onset of symptoms.
Of the 110 cases confirmed to date in Viet Nam, 55 have been fatal.

Japan –Avian influenza in raccoons
7 Apr 2009
The Yomiuri Shimbun [edited] [Promed]
10 wild raccoons have been found with signs of previous H5N1 bird flu infections, according to a joint study by Tokyo University and Yamaguchi University. It is reported that the it is the 1st time mammals in this country have been found with bird flu virus antibodies, which develop as a result of infection. Before the discovery, only birds had been found [here] with bird flu antibodies.
The research team, which presented a paper on its findings at a conference of the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science in Utsunomiya on Saturday [4 Apr 2009], warned that infected raccoons could introduce the virus into chicken farms and noted that countermeasures were needed. The story goes on by explaining that the researchers think the 10 raccoons likely were not infected by other raccoons, but by eating the carcasses of infected birds or inheriting the antibodies from a parent at birth.

March

Vietnam – Avian Influenza–5th case suspected
20 Mar 2009
Forbes.com [edited] [Promed]
Doctors suspect a patient hospitalised in Ho Chi Minh City from the southern province of Dong Thap may have bird flu. A 3-year-old boy from the same district in Dong Thap died from the H5N1 virus on Thu 19 Mar 2009.
Related stories
19 Mar 2009 –Death ofVietnamese boy from Southwestern province Dong Thap
China view, Xinhuanet News Agency [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that the 3-year old Vietnamese boy from Southwestern province Dong Thap of Viet Nam confirmed of being infected H5N1 virus died. The infected patient died this afternoon because of severe breathing difficulty caused by H5N1 virus tested by the hospital, said the doctor. According to this story, the boy had been taken to the Ho Chi Minh Hospital of Tropical Diseases on Monday [16 Mar 2009] with symptoms similar to bird flu patients. He contacted with ducks raised by nearby farms before developing bird flu symptoms, said his family member.
19 Mar 2009 –Avian Influenza suspected
The Times of India [edited] [Promed]

Japan-H7, quail, 3rd focus
11 Mar 2009
Xinhua News Agency [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, a 3rd Aichi prefecture farm has been tested positive for the H7 strain of bird flu virus, the Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry said Wednesday [11 Mar 2009]. It is reported that the government departments are trying to identify what N-subtype the virus belongs to, the ministry said in a press release. The 3rd case of avian flu virus was also found on a quail farm in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, where 2 weak-virulent H7N6 subtype of bird flu virus were identified since the end of February [2009]. The quail farm tested positive raises about 110,000 birds and has been quarantined for further investigation. The prefectural government has limited the outflow of egg products from 2 farms near the quail farm.
Related stories
2 Mar 2009–Bird flu discovered in Aichi identified as H7N6 strain
The Mainichi Daily News [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that the avian flu found in quails here [in Aichi] has been identified as the H7N6 strain, the 1st outbreak of the strain in Japan, local authorities said. The National Institute of Animal Health in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, identified the virus found in 2 quails at a farm in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, as the H7N6 strain. The institute will conduct investigations on the samples, officials said. The story goes on by explaining that the quail farm in Toyohashi decided to kill about 259,000 quails it was breeding and had put to death roughly 61 200 of them as of Sunday
2 Mar 2009-Bird flu virus detected on another farm in Japan
Xinhua News Agency [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, another Aichi Prefecture farm has been tested positive for a form of bird flu virus, the prefectural government said Monday [2 Mar 2009]. It is reported that the local government conducted the test on farms around a quail farm in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, where a weak-virulent H7N6 subtype of bird flu virus was detected last week, according to the Kyodo News.

China –Hong Kong bird tests positive for H5N1
6 Mar 2009
AFP via Google.com [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, Hong Kong authorities said Friday [6 Mar 2009] that a dead chicken found in the southern Chinese territory had tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus. The government said laboratory tests had confirmed that the chicken found floating in the sea off Hong Kong on 2 Mar 2009 carried the deadly strain. The statement said there were no poultry farms within 3 km (2 miles) of where the dead bird was found, but warned farmers to be on their guard against the disease.
Related stories
3 Mar 2009–Wild birds likely caused HK H5N1 outbreak: official
Agence France-Presse [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus at a Hong Kong farm last year [2008] which led to the slaughter of 90,000 chickens was likely spread by wild birds, an investigation found Thursday [5 Mar 2009]. It is reported that the December 2008 outbreak was the 1st to be discovered at a Hong Kong poultry farm in 6 years, and raised fears about the city's biosecurity measures or whether the deadly H5N1 virus had mutated. The head of the government's investigation team, said they could not be totally sure what had caused the outbreak. But he said the virus was "most likely to have been introduced to the farm by wild birds." The dust and dirt near the entrance of one of the 2 affected chicken sheds could have been contaminated by the droppings from infected wild birds, and then blown into the shed area by wind, he said.

February

Japan -H7 bird flu detected in Aichi
28 Feb 2009
The Japan Times [edited]
According to this story, the H7 bird flu virus has been detected at a quail farm in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, the prefectural government and the farm ministry said Friday [27 Feb 2009]. As the infected quails have not died, the virus "may be of attenuated virulence," the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry and the local government said, suggesting it is unlikely the infection will spread further.
Although it is rare for humans to catch the H7 virus, those who are in contact with the infected birds may show symptoms, such as in the respiratory system. The prefectural government detected the virus in February 2009 in 2 quails at the farm, which raises about 300 000 of the birds, during a regular inspection of 3 quail farms in the prefecture, when 10 birds were tested. The H7 virus had not been detected in Japan since 1925, according to the farm ministry.
Aichi Gov. Masaaki Kanda said there is no danger of infection by eating the eggs or the meat of the quail. The farm halted quail shipments Wednesday [25 Feb 2009] while authorities investigate the infection route, as well as sterilize the farm and kill the quails. The farm is located in one of the country's leading production centers for quail eggs. Transportation limits will be placed on 65 farms with more than 4.5 million quails and chickens, as well as their eggs and feed. "(The discovery of the H7 virus) will cause a lot of trouble for farmers, so I want to treat this problem seriously," said the senior vice minister at the farm ministry.

Vietnam -Avian influenza situation- WHO update 4
27 Feb 2009
WHO Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) Disease Outbreak News [edited] [Promed]
The Ministry of Health in Viet Nam has announced the death of a previously confirmed case of H5N1 infection. The 32-year-old male from Kim Son district, Ninh Binh Province died on 25 Feb 2009.
Of the 109 cases confirmed to date in Viet Nam, 54 have been fatal.
Related stories
27 Feb 2009-Viet Namconfirms 2nd human bird flu death in 2009
China Daily, Xinhua News Agency report [edited [Promed]
According to this story, a 32-year-old man from Vietnamese northern Ninh Binh province, who had been tested positive to H5N1 virus, died of the virus [infection]. The patient died on Wednesday [25 Feb 2009] after 13 days of being treated at the National Institute of Infectious and Tropical Disease, the local newspaper Pioneer reported Friday [27 Feb 2009].
The patient was taken to hospital on 13 Feb 2009 with severe breathing difficulty. He had contact with fowls before developing bird flu symptoms. He is the 3rd bird flu patient in Viet Nam this year [2009] and the 2nd human case death as a result of H5N1 virus infection this year.
24 Feb 2009-Avian influenza situation
World Health Organisation (WHO), EPR, Disease Outbreak News [edited] [Promed]
The Ministry of Health in Viet Nam has announced the death of a previously confirmed case of H5N1 infection. The 23-year-old female from Dam Ha District, Quang Ninh Province died on 21 Feb 2009.
22 Feb 2009 –Avian Influenza
China View, Xinhua News Agency [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that Viet Nam confirmed that the 23 year old woman from northern Quang Ninh province who was confirmed of being infected with the H5N1 virus has died, a Viet Nam News Agency reported on Saturday [21 Feb 2009].
The patient had been taken to a local hospital with bird flu symptoms of high temperature and difficulty in breathing in late January [2009] after having sick fowl. The patient was then taken to the provincial hospital Quang Ninh of Viet Nam because her health condition became worse, with severe respiratory illness, and her internal organs and liver had deteriorated, said the provincial staff of doctors from Quang Ninh hospital. The woman died after 18 days of treatment with advanced respiratory tube, said provincial doctors.
Viet Nam has reported 3 human cases of bird flu so far this year [2009]. They are an 8 year old girl from northern Thanh Hoa province in early January 2009, a newly-confirmed man, and the first and recently deceased 23 year old woman from northern Quang Ninh province. The 8 year old girl has recovered after being treated on time. The newly-confirmed man is being treated at the National Institute for Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Hanoi, said officials from Viet Nam's Ministry of Health.
20 Feb 2009 –New bird flu case hits Khanh Hoa
Vietnam News Agency [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that the bird flu has emerged in central Khanh Hoa Province, raising the number of provinces hit by bird flu to 10, according to the animal health department. The unvaccinated ducks and fowls tested positive yesterday [19 Feb 2009] for the H5N1 virus in Khanh Hoa Province's Vinh Phuong Commune.
Officials are worried because 10 days ago, upon realizing that 3 fowls had died with virus symptoms, the 6-member family and their guests ate them all. Finally when 22 fowls had died he informed the department.
Yesterday, the locality decontaminated Vinh Phuong Commune and checked the health of people who had eaten the contaminated birds. The Khanh Hoa provincial People's Committee also asked other localities to strictly supervise livestock breeding farms to facilitate quick discovery of, and solutions to, epidemic outbreaks.
Bird flu has recently broken out in some Cuu Long delta provinces, primarily infecting flocks of free-range ducks, according to the region's animal health departments. Provinces with confirmed cases of bird flu include: Khanh Hoa, Thanh Hoa, Thai Nguyen, Ca Mau, Soc Trang, Nghe An, Hau Giang, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh and Quang Tri. Approximately 30,000 fowls have been culled.
18 Feb 2009 –Bird flu hits 9 of Viet Nam's provinces
Xinhua News Agency [edited] [Promed]
Bird flu is plaguing in 9 provinces in Vietnam with a newly-reported coastal province Khanh Hoa also finding the virus, according to the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Wednesday. In Khanh Hoa province of south central Vietnam, bird flu has killed 27 fowls raised at a local farm, said the department, Vietnam watchdog of bird flu. Samples of dead ducks found in the province tested positive to the 5N1 virus, said the department. So far this year, 9 provinces of Vietnam nationwide have been hit by avian flu, including 4 provinces in Mekong Delta, namely Ca Mau, Soc Trang, Hau Giang and Bac Lieu, 2 northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Quang Ninh, 2 central provinces of Nghe An and Quang Tri, and the newly-confirmed southern Khanh Hoa, said the department
18 Feb 2009 –Avian influenza situation in Viet Nam- WHO update 2
WHO Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) disease outbreak news [edited] [Promed]
Ministry of Health in Viet Nam has reported a new confirmed case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case has been confirmed at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE).The case is a 32-year old man from Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province. He developed symptoms on 5 Feb 2009 and was hospitalized on 13 Feb 2009. He is currently in a serious condition. The case is known to have had recent contact with sick poultry prior to the onset of his illness. Further investigations are currently underway. Control measures have been implemented and close contacts are being identified and monitored. Of the 109 cases confirmed to date in Viet Nam, 52 have been fatal.
17 Feb 2009 –Vietnam confirms 3rd human case of bird flu
People's Daily Online [edited] [Promed]
A 32-year-old man from Vietnamese northern Ninh Binh Province has been tested positive to the H5N1 virus, an official from the Vietnamese Ministry of Health (MOH) told Xinhua on Monday [17 Feb 2009]. The patient is the 3rd bird flu patient in Viet Nam this year, said the official with the Preventative Health Department under the MOH. He was taken to hospital on 13 Feb 2009 with severe breathing difficulty. He had contact with fowls before developing bird flu symptoms, said the official. The patient is currentlybeing treated at Viet Nam's National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.
So far, 7 provinces of Viet Nam nationwide have been hit by the avian flu, including 3 provinces in Mekong Delta, namely Ca Mau, Soc Trang and Hau Giang; 2 northern provinces of newly-confirmed Bac Ninh and Quang Ninh; and 2 central provinces of Nghe An and the newly-confirmed Quang Tri, said the Department of Animal Health of Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The re-emergence of bird flu has led to the culling of thousands of fowls in Viet Nam this year (2009). Bird flu is spreading wide in Viet Nam with complicated developments. The already-confirmed infected province of Soc Trang in the Mekong Delta has reported more local poultry farms struck by bird flu, said the Vietnam News Agency on Monday [17 Feb 2009].
Viet Nam has reported 3 human cases of bird flu so far this year. They are an 8-year-old girl from northern Thanh Hoa province in early January 2009, a 23-year-old woman from northern Quang Ninh province in early February. and the newly-confirmed case. The 23-year-old woman has shown slow recovery as she is still suffering severe respiratory illnesses, according to a recent state-run news program by the Vietnam Television Station. In 2008, bird flu killed 5 people in Vietnam.
11 Feb 2009 -Avian influenza situation- WHO update
World Health Organization (WHO), Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) disease outbreak news [edited] [Promed]
The Ministry of Health in Viet Nam has reported a new confirmed case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case has been confirmed at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE).
The case is a 23 year old woman from Dam Ha district, Quang Ninh province. She developed symptoms on 28 Jan 2009 and was hospitalized on 31 Jan 2009. She is currently in a serious condition and is known to have had recent contact with sick and dead poultry prior to the onset of her illness. Further investigations are currently underway. Control measures have been implemented and close contacts are being identified and monitored.
8 Feb 2009 –Avian Influenza
Thanhnien News [edited] [Promed]
A 23 year old woman is suspected of contracting the H5N1 strain of bird flu after suffering severe respiratory problems in northern Quang Ninh Province on Saturday [7 Feb 2009], health officials said. The woman of Quang Ninh Dam Ha District was admitted to the Quang Ninh General Hospital on Tuesday [3 Feb 2009] with high fever, low blood pressure, and severe respiratory problems, doctors said.But doctors reported they were unable to conclude whether she had been infected with the H5N1 virus. One test showed she carried it, but another was negative. Health experts were dispatched on Saturday [7 Feb 2009] to Quang Ninh to carry out further examinations. Work to disinfect Dam Ha District also began Saturday. Quang Ninh, where the world renowned Ha Long Bay is located, is about 150 km (93 miles) from Hanoi.
Before this latest case, an 8 year old girl in the northern province of Thanh Hoa who fell sick after eating duck and chicken raised on her family's farm was diagnosed with the bird flu. She has since recovered, but her 13 year old sister died in the hospital earlier without being tested for the virus before her burial, health officials said.
The Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau reported Saturday [7 Feb 2009] that bird flu has spread among 4 local communes, prompting the culling of 3250 birds to contain the epidemic. The Ca Mau government also asked agencies concerned to take further measures against the spread of the disease in the province.
The Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang began disinfection work Saturday [7 Feb 2009] after 700 birds were recently reported to have died of the flu.
The avian flu has thus far infected poultry in 4 provinces in the country: Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, and Soc Trang in the Mekong Delta region and Nghe.
7 Feb 2009 –Avianinfluenza in birds and humans
Agence France-Presse (AFP) [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, the H5N1 strain of bird flu has been reported in more localities across Viet Nam, raising fears of a possible epidemic, official and media reports said Friday [6 Feb 2009]. The latest outbreak occurred on a farm in Mekong delta's Ca Mau province, where 300 unvaccinated ducklings died of the virus, said the national animal health department. The Hanoi-based office in its earlier reports said avian influenza had been found in ducks in nearby Soc Trang province and Nghe An province in the country's central region. The state-run Thanh Nien newspaper said Friday [6 Feb 2009] that southern Bac Lieu has been added to the list of bird-flu hit provinces.
7 Feb 2009 –Viet Nam hasnew human bird flu case
Reuters UK [edited] [Promed]

Laos -Highly pathogenic avian influenza
27 Feb 2009
OIE WAHID (World Animal Health Information Database) Disease Information 2009; 22(9) [edited] [Promed]
Summary
Report type:Immediate notification
Start date30 Jan 2009
Date of 1st confirmation of the event09 Feb 2009
Reason for notification: Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence29 Dec 2008
Manifestation of disease:Clinical disease
Causal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype: H5N1
Nature of diagnosis: Clinical, Laboratory (basic), Laboratory
(advanced), Necropsy
This event pertains to the whole country
New outbreaks
Outbreak 1Ban Meuang Khoua, Khoua, PHONGSALY
Date of start of the outbreak30 Jan 2009
Outbreak statusContinuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: Village
SpeciesBirds
Susceptible3314
Cases730
Deaths730
Destroyed2584
Slaughtered -
Affected population:Free-range village poultry. Poultry started to get sick and died since the end of January 2009 with a high mortality rate.
Summary of outbreaksTotal outbreaks: 1
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
Unknown or inconclusive
Illegal movement of animals
Epidemiological comments: The 1st onset of the cases occurred during Lunar new year celebration and as a result the outbreak might be associated with the movement of poultry and poultry products for the celebration.
Control measures
Measures applied
Stamping out
Quarantine
Movement control inside the country
Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
Dipping / Spraying
Vaccination prohibited
No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied
No other measures
Future Reporting
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.


Nepal –Fresh bird flu scare in Nepal after lull
20 Feb 2009
NewKerala.com [edited] [Promed]
Less than a fortnight [2 weeks] after Nepal's government said the situation was under control in eastern Nepal, where the first bird flu outbreak was reported last month [January 2009], fresh fears of another outbreak rose with another village in the same area close to the Indian border reporting poultry deaths.
"Bird flu has been detected in Sharanmati village in Jhapa district," said a spokesman at Nepal's Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry. The village lies close to Nepal's border with India's West Bengal state, about 40 km [24.8 miles] south west of the border town of Kakarbhitta, where the first outbreak was reported in mid-January 2009.
During the weekend, 150 chickens died in Sharanmati, leading to the government bringing samples to Kathmandu for examination. After the tests confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus, the samples were sent to London's Weybridge Laboratory for further tests. "They have just informed us that all the 7 samples tested positive," the spokeman said.
The government is sending a rapid action team to the village and setting up a control room. It is going to sound a high alert and declare emergency operations in and around the village. The culling of poultry will start afresh in the bird flu-hit tea district and surveillance on the border entries with India tightened.
The spokeman expressed fears that the ailing birds could have been smuggled from India for sale in Nepal. "India has bird flu outbreak in West Bengal, Sikkim and Assam states," he said. "The birds are likely to have been brought from there. They were hidden in a backyard." Dahal said that Kakarbhitta, where the first outbreak was reported, leading to the destruction of nearly 25,000 chickens and poultry products, had not reported any fresh signs of the disease. The disease has not been reported in humans in Nepal, the government said.

South Korea - LPNAI H5
18 Feb 2009
Xinhua News Agency[in Chinese, trans. Rappt.DS, edited] [Promed]
Korea's Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries onfirmed on 18 Feb 2009 that avian influenza recently occurred on 3 chicken farms in Korea's Suncheon and other parts of Jeollanam-do South Jeolla] Province. The Ministry said that tests carried out on blood samples taken from poultry on 3 chicken farms in Suncheon, Gokseong County, and Boseong County in Jeollanam-do Province confirmed that the avian influenza virus found on all 3 chicken farms is low pathogenic H5 subtype. total of 22,000 chickens on the 3 farms have been culled.

Chinadefends bird flu vaccination plan despite deaths
6 Feb 2009
Reuters [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that China's Ministry of Agriculture on Friday [6 Feb 2009] defended its bird flu vaccination program, stating there had been no outbreaks since last June [2008] despite a number of human cases, some fatal, this year. Human cases and the appearance of dead wild birds in Hong Kong have caused some experts and media reports to question whether the virus is widespread but undetected in China. A total of 5 people died of bird flu in China in January [2009], in regions far removed from each other and in which there were no reported cases of bird flu in birds. In addition, 3 others have become ill, of which 2 have recovered, a toddler infected in Hunan and a young man in Guizhou. Apart from the discovery of a case during routine sampling in eastern China's Jiangsu province in December [2008], Chinese testing has not detected any bird flu since June [2008].The Ministry of Agriculture said in a report on its Web site that the strain found in Jiangsu was a variant, requiring the modification of the vaccine program in the surrounding provinces of Zhejiang, Shanghai, Anhui and Shandong.

China –Dead goose and dead ducks found in in Hong Kong last week were confirmed to be H5N1 positive
5 Feb 2009
Xinhua [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that a spokesman for Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation department (AFCD) said Wednesday [4 Feb 2009] that the dead goose and dead ducks found in Sha Lo Wan, Lantau Island in Hong Kong last week were confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of laboratory tests. AFCD staff collected the carcasses of a goose and a duck on 29 Jan 009 at a beach near Sha Lo Wan football pitch. Another dead duck was found on 31 Jan 2009 at the same location.
The spokesman said that 2 more dead chickens were collected on the coast opposite Yeung Hau Temple in Tai O, Lantau on Wednesday [4 Feb 009], adding that preliminary tests for the H5 virus are being arranged.The spokesman said a ban on backyard poultry has been in force since 2006. Unauthorized keeping of 5 kinds of poultry -- chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or quails -- is an offense with a maximum fine of 50,000 HK dollars [USD 6450]. Repeat offenders are subject to a maximum fine of 100,000 HK dollars [USD 12,900].
4 Feb 2009 –Spected case of H5 avian influenza
Nation, Thailand [edited] [Promed]
1 Feb 2009 –AvianInfluenza (Hong Kong) H5 suspected
News Release - Hong Kong's Information Services [edited] [Promed]
Preliminary tests on a dead goose and 2 dead ducks found in Sha Lo Wan, Lantau Island [Hong Kong] have indicated a suspected case of H5 avian influenza, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department says. More tests are being conducted.The carcasses of a goose and duck were collected on 29 Jan 2009 on a beach near Sha Lo Wan football pitch. Today, department staff collected another dead duck at the same location. There are no poultry farms within 3 km of the area.This morning [1 Feb 2009], department staff inspected the beach and the nearby villages of Sha Lo Wan Tsuen and Sha Lo Wan San Tsuen. There was no evidence of any backyard poultry being kept there.The department is looking into why the carcasses were found at the beach, including whether they had been washed ashore or dumped.The Centre for Health Protection contacted 6 members of the public who reported the incident and 12 staff involved in the operation of collecting dead birds. 17 of them are asymptomatic and have been put under medical surveillance.The 26-year-old driver who had participated in collecting the dead birds on 29 Jan 2009 has developed fever and symptoms of upper respiratory infection since 27 Jan 2009. As he developed symptoms 2 days before the operation, the chance of him being infected with avian flu is low. However, as a precautionary measure, he has been admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital for observation and further investigation.

China -Avian influenza situation- WHO update 4
2 Feb 2009
World Health Organization (WHO) Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) disease outbreak news [edited] [Promed]
The Ministry of Health in China has announced a new confirmed human case of H5N1 infection. The case is a 21-year-old female from Xupu County, Hunan province. She had onset of symptoms on 23 Jan 2009 and remains in hospital in a clinically stable condition. Investigations into the source of her infection indicate possible exposure to sick and dead poultry.
Of the 38 cases confirmed to date in China, 25 have been fatal.

January

China -Avian influenza situation in China–General Reports
27 Jan 2009
World Health Organisation (WHO), EPR, Disease Outbreak News [edited] [Promed]
The Ministry of Health in China has announced 3 new confirmed human cases of H5N1 infection. The first, a 31-year-old female from Urumqi, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, had onset of symptoms on 10 Jan 2009. She received treatment in hospital but died on 23 Jan 2009. Investigations into the possible source of her infection indicate recent visits to a live poultry market. The local authorities are currently conducting epidemiological investigations and close contacts are being monitored. To date, no clinical symptoms have been reported among the contacts. The 2nd case is a 29-year-old male from Guiyang city, Guizhou. He had onset of symptoms on 15 Jan 2009 and remains in a critical condition. Investigations into the source of his infection indicate possible exposure at poultry market. The 3rd case is an 18-year-old male from Beiliu City, Guangxi Province. He had onset of symptoms on 19 Jan 2009 and died on 26 Jan 2009. Investigations into the source of his infection indicate a recent history of exposure to sick and dead poultry. Close contacts of the case are being monitored and to date all remain well.
Related stories
21 Jan 2009–China's top health official orders stronger measures to prevent the spread of bird flu
Associated Press report [edited] [Promed]
China's top health official on Tuesday [20 Jan 2009] ordered stronger measures to prevent the spread of bird flu, as the country announced its 3rd fatality from the H5N1 [avian influenza] virus in a month. The World Health Organization, meanwhile, said the cases were a "perfectly normal occurrence" during colder months. The Chinese Health Minister said health departments across the nation need to pay "great attention" to stepping up efforts to stop the disease before it sickens more people, especially at the peak of the Lunar New Year travel rush, when tens of millions of people were making their way home to rural areas. "It is the high season for human cases of bird flu. There is a severe need for the prevention of more cases," the Health Minister said in a conference call to ministry officials. He said health officials need to be made fully aware of the risk and harm associated with bird flu, increase monitoring, strengthen clinical diagnoses and treatment, and report outbreaks in a timely manner. Until this month [January 2009], no new human infections had been reported in China since February 2007 [This should read 2008. - Mod.Promed]. The WHO's Asia spokesman, said the latest cases were a "perfectly predictable event. The virus always starts to get active this time of year," he said. According to the WHO, bird flu has killed 249 people worldwide since 2003. The tally does not include Tuesday's [20 Jan 2009] death in China, where a total of 34 infections have been reported.
21 Jan 2009–Avian Influenza in China
CIDRAP News [edited] [Promed]
China's recent spike in human H5N1 avian influenza cases appears to lack the hallmark of nearby poultry outbreaks, a development that some public health officials worry could signal asymptomatic infections in birds. Veterinary experts, however, suggest the pattern could point to surveillance gaps or the consequences of routine vaccination. China has reported 4 human cases so far this year [2009], 3 of them fatal.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) reports:
- The 16-year-old boy [treated in] Hunan province who died yesterday [20 Jan 2009] had been exposed to sick and dead poultry [in Guizhou province].
- Investigators found that a 19-year-old girl from Beijing who died on 5 Jan 2009 had contact with poultry before she got sick, but they did not say whether the birds were ill.
- Authorities are still investigating the virus source in the other 2 cases, a 2-year-old girl from Shanxi province who is in critical condition and a 27-year-old woman from Shandong province who died on 17 Jan 2009. The country's agriculture ministry said on 18 Jan 2009, after the 2-year-old's infection was confirmed, that no H5N1 outbreaks have been detected in Shanxi or Hunan provinces.
The Hong Kong's secretary for food and health, has called on China to release more epidemiologic information on the recent human infections and said that an apparent lack of poultry outbreak reports against the backdrop of human cases raises questions about a possible change in the virus or that asymptomatic H5N1-infected chickens might be contributing to the spread of the virus. Chinese officials have said they have found no evidence that the virus has mutated to allow easier human-to-human transmission, according to media reports.
This isn't the first time that health officials have voiced their suspicions about asymptomatic poultry infections in China. In 2006, the director of the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, suggested that 2 victims might have caught the virus from chickens that were carrying it asymptomatically.
Avian influenza experts say the size and nature of China's poultry population creates a difficult surveillance task.
A senior animal health officer for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) told CIDRAP News that China has roughly 4.6 billion chickens, 700 million ducks, and 300 million geese that are distributed somewhat unevenly throughout the country. He said the ducks gravitate toward the double-crop rice growing areas in southern and southeastern China, which are thought to be the main risk areas because the H5N1 virus keeps circulating in ducks. Geese head toward single-crop rice growing areas in the less rainy northeastern and extreme western part of China, he added. Meanwhile, he said chickens are kept everywhere people live, particularly in urban areas and coastal ports. This expert links the low level of poultry outbreak reports to China's poultry vaccination policy. "The entire national flock is kept under a rigid vaccination blanket amounting to 11 billion applications per annum," he said. He said he doubts that H5N1 in China is evolving toward a low- pathogenic virus. "Vaccination creates a rather sparse geospatial mosaic of susceptibles, which may even enhance the pathogenicity level," he said, adding that evidence from Viet Nam, where most Chinese viruses spread to, suggests that the virulence increased between 2002 and 2007 when measured by infecting and gauging shedding in young mallards.
A senior technical adviser in the FAO's Beijing office, told CIDRAP News that Chinese officials obtain a lot of samples from farms and live bird markets each year to monitor asymptomatic H5N1 infections among the birds. "Regularly, they find the virus but do not detect any outbreak in the surrounding areas," he said. However, a combination of factors makes detecting the virus difficult, this adviser said. Several strains of the virus are circulating in China, and ducks can excrete the virus without showing symptoms or only exhibiting mild ones. In addition, suboptimal vaccination can mask the symptoms without stopping viral shedding. More intensive surveillance and monitoring efforts are needed in China to detect new outbreaks and identify viral circulation that is going unnoticed, the technical adviser said, "to avoid a situation where humans serve as sentinels and reveal infection in birds. The concern is, therefore, that the current surveillance is unable to provide a complete picture of the [high-pathogenic avian influenza] epidemiological situation in domestic birds and should be strengthened and improved in order to meet the challenge we are currently facing," he said.
Three Chinese government ministries yesterday [20 Jan 2009] issued a joint order for local health, agriculture, and commerce offices to work together to improve surveillance and management of the country's live poultry markets, Xinhua, China's state news agency, reported today [21 Jan 2009]. The government urged local offices to close live poultry markets in urban areas, if possible, or disinfect the markets daily if they can't be shuttered. The offices were also ordered to conduct daily surveillance and reporting and collaborate when they detect the H5N1 virus.
An expert from Australia's Asia-Pacific Veterinary Information Services and a consultant to the FAO, said though humans are once again acting as sentinels for infections in poultry, so far there is no evidence to support asymptomatic disease as the reason for absence of reported poultry outbreaks in China. The issue of less severe infections in vaccinated poultry is creating negative sentiments about the measure this expert said, but he added that China has maintained a close match between the circulating strains and the vaccine antigen, which greatly diminishes the viral load in poultry. " This expert said also he's not surprised that some poultry infections go undetected, given the size and make-up of China's poultry population, along with the modified appearance of the disease in vaccinated poultry. He suspects, though, that under-reporting of the disease might be one factor that keeps the number of outbreak reports low. Farmers who raise poultry for their livelihood have little incentive to report the disease. A seasonal surge in poultry and human H5N1 cases in the winter isn't unexpected, he said.
19 Jan 2009-Avian Influenza– WHO update
World Health Organization (WHO), EPR, Disease Outbreak News [edited] [Promed]
As of Mon 19 Jan 2009, the Ministry of Health in China has reported 3 new cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
The first case is a 27-year-old female from Jinan City, Shandong Province. She developed symptoms on 5 Jan 2009, was hospitalized, and died on 17 Jan 2009. The source of her infection is presently under investigation.
The 2nd case is a 2-year-old female from Luliang City, Shanxi Province. She developed symptoms on 7 Jan 2009, was hospitalized, and is in a critical condition. The source of her infection is presently under investigation.
The 3rd case is a 16-year-old male from Huaihua City, Hunan Province. He developed symptoms on 8 Jan 2009, was hospitalized on 16 Jan 2009, and is in a critical condition. The case had exposure to sick and dead poultry.
All 3 cases were confirmed by the national laboratory. All contacts have been placed under medical observation and remain healthy to date.
Of the 34 cases confirmed to date in China, 22 have been fatal.

China - HunanProvince Confirms Human Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
31 Jan 2009
China News Network [translated by DS, edited] [Promed]
According to China's Ministry of Health, the Hunan Province Bureau of Health reported on Sat 31 Jan 2009 that a human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza had been confirmed in the province. The patient's condition is now basically stable and symptoms are improving. She is being actively treated. The patient is a 21-year-old female. She is a farmer who resides in Xupu County of Hunan Province. On 23 Jan 2009 she fell ill in Xupu County. On 29 Jan 2009, the Hunan CDC ran tests on samples taken from the patient. The results were positive for avian influenza H5 virus RNA. On 30 Jan 2009, China CDC ran confirmatory tests on samples taken from the patient. The results were positive for avian influenza H5N1 virus RNA. Epidemiological investigations found that the patient had contact with diseased poultry carcasses prior to her illness.

China –An 18-year-old man died from bird flu- 5th death-Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
26 Jan 2009
China View, Xinhua News Agency [edited] [Promed]
An 18-year-old man died from bird flu on Monday [26 Jan 2009] in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the 5th human death from the H5N1 virus in China this year [2009]. According to a press release posted on the website of the Ministry of Health, the man fell ill on 19 Jan 2009 in Beiliu City, Guangxi. He was transferred to Yulin Municipal Red Cross Hospital on 24 Jan 2009. He died on Monday [26 Jan 2009]. The young man tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, according to the test result on Monday [26 Jan 2009] from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The ministry said it had reported the case to the World Health Organization and informed the health authorities of China's Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

China –6th human case of bird flu to be reported in China- Guizhou
25 Jan 2009
Reuters AlertNet [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that a man in the southwestern Chinese province of Guizhou has been infected with bird flu and is in a critical condition in hospital. It is the 6th human case of bird flu to be reported in China this year [2009]. The Chinese Health Ministry said on its website <http://www.moh.gov.cn> that the latest victim was a 29-year-old man who fell sick on 15 Jan 2009. In recent weeks, 4 people have died of bird flu in China. The story goes on by explaining that even before the latest case, Chinese health officials had been urging extra vigilance this month [January 2009], when the winter weather was suspected of having helped the virus spread.
Related stories
25 Jan 2009 –6th case of avian influenza in China in just 3 weeks
Channelnewsasia.com, Agence France-Presse (AFP) [edited] [Promed]
A 29-year-old man has been infected with bird flu in the 6th case in China in just 3 weeks, state media said Sunday [25 Jan 2009], sparking fears of an outbreak as the nation celebrates the Lunar New Year. It is reported that the patient fell ill on 15 Jan 2009 in the southwestern province of Guizhou. He tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus on Sunday [25 Jan 2009], and was still in a critical condition, the report said. The patient is the 6th person to have become infected with bird flu in 3 weeks. According to this story, Guizhou province has launched an emergency response against the disease, and those who have come into close contact with the patient are under medical observation, though none have fallen ill so far, the Xinhua News Agency said.

China -Another death from bird flu reported- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
24 Jan 2009
China View, Xinhua News Agency [edited] [Promed]
A 31-year-old woman has died of bird flu in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, becoming the 4th death from the disease in the country so far this year [2009], the local health department said Saturday [24 Jan 2009]. The woman, a resident in the regional capital Urumqi, died at 4:40 a.m. Friday [23 Jan 2009]. She had been to a poultry market before she fell ill on [10 Jan 2009], said the deputy director of the regional health department. She was confirmed to have been infected with the H5N1 strain of avian influenza by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Saturday [24 Jan 2009]. Before the death in Xinjiang, 3 others have died of bird flu and another has been infected in the country so far this year [2009].
Related Stories
24 Jan 2009–China reports 4th bird flu death in 2009
Associated Press report [edited] [Promed]
24 Jan 2009-China records its 4th bird flu death this year
CNN.com Health [edited] [Promed]

China –Avian Influenza- Guizhou province
19 January 2009
Xinhua News Agency [Chinese, trans. Rapp.DS, edited] [Promed]
On the afternoon of 16 Jan 2009, Huaihua City No. 1 People's Hospital admitted a transfer patient from Guizhou Province. The preliminary diagnosis was pneumonia of unknown origin, suspected avian influenza. The patient is 16 years old, a male student. He is a resident of Qiandongnanzhou in Guizhou Province. The patient fell ill on 8 Jan 2009 in Guizhou. Because his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to Huaihua in Hunan Province for treatment on 16 Jan 2009. After receiving a report, the provincial health bureau and provincial CDC [Centre for Disease Control and Prevention] quickly sent experts to Huaihua to provide guidance on treatment and prevention work. Provincial CDC tests were positive for H5N1 avian influenza RNA. On 19 Jan 2009, China CDC ran confirmatory tests which were positive for H5N1 avian influenza RNA. Epidemiological investigations found that the patient had contact with diseased poultry carcasses prior to falling ill.
Related stories
24 Jan 2009–16-year-old male from Huaihua City died on 20 Jan 2009.
World Health Organization (WHO), EPR, Disease Outbreak News [edited] [Promed]
As of 24 Jan 2009, The Ministry of Health in China has announced the death of a previously confirmed case of H5N1 infection. The 16-year-old male from Huaihua City, Hunan Province died on 20 Jan 2009.

China –Avian Influenza in Shandong province
19 Jan 2009
Chinanews.com [Chinese, trans. by submitter, edited] [Promed]
A 27-year-old female who lives in Jinan City, Shandong Province became ill on 5 Jan 2009 and was later admitted to hospital because of her worsening condition. Despite treatment, she died on 17 Jan 2009. On 17 Jan 2009, Shandong Centers for Disease Control took a respiratory specimen from the patient for testing and found evidence of H5N1 [avian influenza virus infection] by PCR. Re-testing by the China CDC [Centre for Disease Control and Prevention] also found H5N1 [avian influenza virus] by PCR.
Related stories
24 Jan 2009 –Shandong bird flu victim had no contact with live poultry
China view, Xinhua News Agency [edited] [Promed]
A bird flu victim in China's eastern Shandong Province was not exposed to live poultry and was only known to have eaten chicken, said the Shandong Provincial Health Bureau on Thursday [22 Jan 2009]. The 27-year-old woman, whose name was not revealed, died of the bird flu virus last Saturday [17 Jan 2009] in Jinan, Shandong.
24 Jan 2009–East China province ends emergency response to bird flu
China view, Xinhua News Agency [edited] [Promed]
East China's Shandong Province on Saturday [24 Jan 2009] ended the emergency response to bird flu, a week after a woman died of the virus. All the 157 people who had close contact with the woman have been discharged from medical observation as of 7:30 a.m. Saturday. No one was found to be infected, said a senior official of the provincial health department. The 27-year-old woman, who lived in Jinan, the provincial capital, fell ill on 5 Jan 2009 and went to hospital when her condition worsened. Her death was the 2nd bird flu-related death in China this year. The province launched the emergency response after the woman died on 17 Jan 2009. There has been no report of human or animal infections of bird flu since then. Shandong is taking measures to prevent and control the virus. It has banned the raising of poultry in urban areas and protected water areas. Medical workers in the province have put more than 400,000 people under surveillance during the emergency response. There have been 31 856 cases of respiratory disease in Jinan since this patient's death and 586 people are suffering from [seasonal] influenza in the Huaiyin District where she lived.

China–Avian Influenza– A 2-year-old girl has been confirmed to be infected with bird flu in north China's Shanxi Province
17 Jan 2009
Trend News Agency [edited] [Promed] A 2 year old girl has been confirmed to be infected with bird flu in north China's Shanxi Province, a provincial government official said Saturday [17 Jan 2009]. The girl was found ill on 7 Jan 2009 in the central Hunan Province. The patient was in critical condition, according to an official. According to the test result of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the girl tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. The people who had close contact with the patient are under medical observation. No one has been found ill so far, Xinhua [News Agency] reported.
Related stories
17 Jan 2009-A 2 year old girl has been confirmed to be infected with bird flu
News Maps, Reuters report [edited] [Promed]
17 Jan 2009 –Human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza
Xinhua News Agency [Chinese, edited] [Promed]

Vietnam –New human case
06 Jan 2009
China View, Xinhua News Agency [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, an 8-year-old Vietnamese girl from the country's northern Thanh Hoa Province has been infected with bird flu and hospitalized]. It is reported that the girl ate chicken before being hospitalized, the official told Xinhua. Specimens from poultry raised in Dien Chung town, where the girl is from, have recently tested positive for bird flu virus, the official added. The girl is now being treated at the Viet Nam National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, and she is in a stable condition, said the official. The story goes on by explaining that about 7800 poultry have been culled in Dien Chung Town to prevent further spread of the disease, said the official. This is the first human case reported in the country this year [2009]. Vietnamese health officials warned last month [December 2008] that the country faced risks of bird flu reoccurrence and human infection of the disease due to the cool temperatures.
Related stories
7 Jan 2009 –Avian Influenza
World Health Organization (WHO), EPR, Disease Outbreak News [edited] [Promed]
The Ministry of Health in Viet Nam has reported a new confirmed case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case has been confirmed at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE). The case is an 8-year-old girl from Dien Trung commune, Ba Thuoc district, Thanh Hoa province. She developed symptoms on 27 Dec 2008 and was hospitalized on 2 Jan 2009. She is currently in a stable condition. The case is known to have had recent contact with sick and dead poultry prior to the onset of her illness. Further investigations are currently underway. Control measures have been implemented, and close contacts are being identified and monitored. Of the 107 cases confirmed to date in Viet Nam, 52 have been fatal
8 Jan 2009-Another case
Reuters UK News [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, the sister of Viet Nam's first confirmed bird flu patient of the year [2009] died with similar symptoms last week, and the director of the hospital where she was treated said she probably also had avian flu. It is reported that earlier this week, Vietnamese authorities said the 13-year-old girl's younger sister was in hospital with an H5N1 virus infection. Both girls had eaten duck and chicken raised on the family farm. The 13-year-old developed a high fever and severe cough on 25 Dec 2008 and died in the district hospital on 2 Jan 2009. After her 8-year-old sister was confirmed to be infected with H5N1, about 50 children with flu symptoms were brought in by nervous parents in the area, but tests for avian influenza were negative on all of them, she said.

Hong Kong – Avian Influenza –Wild birds likely cause of avian flu outbreak
06 Jan 2009
The Standard, Hong Kong [edited] [Promed]
A recent bird flu outbreak was likely caused by droppings from migrating wild birds rather than from smuggled ones, experts believe. A government-appointed committee has completed its initial investigation into the deaths of 200 chickens in a Yuen Long farm early last month [December 2008], which led to a cull of 100 000 birds and a 21-day ban on the sale of fresh fowl. The report will be submitted to the Food and Health Bureau this week. According to a source, the report studied several possible factors behind the contamination but concluded there was no evidence linking it to smuggling activities. It was more likely caused by contaminated feces dropped by migrating birds inside the farm or nearby area, the report said. It may have stuck onto a worker's garment and was carried into the farm, it said. Veterinarians and experts of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) who visited the farm found room for improvement in some of the biosecurity measures already in place.
They made 10 suggestions to prevent another outbreak.
Another source said biosecurity and vaccines are the 2 most important things farms need to control in order to prevent bird flu outbreaks. The source said it was questionable whether all chickens on the farm were vaccinated, but that trying to identify the real cause of the infection was challenging since much of the evidence had been lost during the cull.

China-Beijing bird flu patient dies
06 Jan 2009
Radio Netherlands Worldwide, International News [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, a 19-year-old woman has died of bird flu in the Chinese capital Beijing. It is the first time in almost a year that someone in China has died after being infected with the H5N1 strain of avian influenza [virus], which is dangerous to humans.
The woman was admitted to hospital on 24 Dec 2008, and Chinese media report she had bought a duck at a market outside Beijing. She is thought to have become unwell after slaughtering the bird.
The bird flu virus is passed on via direct contact with infected birds or their droppings. Experts fear the virus could mutate into a strain transmitted from human to human. Since the H5N1 strain surfaced in Asia in 2003, about 250 people have died as a result of bird flu.
Related stories
06 Jan 2009– NoAvian Influenza Appears Near Residence of Deceased
Beijing Agricultural Bureau [translated from Chinese and abbreviated by Dan Silver, edited] [Promed]
It is reported that the health agencies report a human case of avian influenza in Beijing's Chaoyang district. On 5 Jan 2009 after receiving a report from the Municipal Health Bureau, Beijing veterinary agencies carried out strict inspection in the area surrounding the patient's residence. The inspection found that there is no poultry raised at the patient's residence or within a 10-km [6.2-mile] area. An epidemiological investigation of Chaoyang, Tongzhou, Miyun and other districts found no abnormal circumstances among poultry. A national immunization investigation in December 2008 showed that Beijing's avian influenza immunization density was 100 percent. In 2008, Beijing took a total of 41,641 surveillance samples for avian influenza and all were negative.
7 Jan 2009–Avian Influenza
World Health Organization (WHO), EPR, Disease Outbreak News [edited] [Promed]
The Ministry of Health in China has reported a new case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case is a 19-year old female from Chaoyang District, Beijing. She developed symptoms on 24 Dec 2008, was hospitalized, and died on 5 Jan 2009. The case was confirmed by the national laboratory. The case had contact with poultry prior to her illness. All contacts have been placed under medical observation. All remain healthy to date. Of the 31 cases confirmed to date in China, 21 have been fatal.




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