H5N1 Returns To Laos After Five-Year Gap

Via Bernama, excerpt :

" Lao's health authorities said an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza virus has returned to the country after an absence of five years, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

The outbreak was reported on March 13 in Nator Nhay village, Xayabury province in the northwestern region bordering Thailand.

Veterinary authorities have sent an urgent notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health on the outbreak but the risk has now been eradicated.

Authorities said a total of 457 out of 5,142 poultry had been affected and destroyed."

Flu kills another Cambodian tot

Via The Standard :

" A two-year-old Cambodian girl has died of bird flu, the country's fourth known fatality - all children - from the virus this year.

The girl from southern Kampot province died on Friday, a day after she was admitted to hospital, officials said in a statement with the World Health Organization yesterday.

Tests confirmed she had the H5N1 virus, it said, adding that the girl had direct contact with dead chickens in a village where most of the poultry perished in recent weeks.

Health Minister Mam Bunheng urged parents to keep kids from birds as H5N1 "remains a serious threat to the health of all Cambodians and more so for children."

Cambodia reports two new bird flu cases, one dies

Via Xinhua :

" Two more new human cases of avian influenza H5N1 have been confirmed in Cambodia, and one of them, an 11-year-old boy died on Friday in Phnom Penh's Kantha Bopha Children Hospital, a hospital representative confirmed Monday.

"An 11-year-old boy from Kampong Chhnang province was admitted to the hospital last week and tested positive for H5N1 virus, " Dr. Denis Laurent, deputy director of Kantha Bopha Children Hospital, the kingdom's largest pediatric hospital, told Xinhua.

"The boy's condition was very serious when he arrived at our hospital and died on Friday," he said.

Another 8-year-old boy from Kandal province has also suffered from the virus last week, but his condition is stable and he is recovering, he said."

Avian flu strikes Vietnam's 22 provinces so far this year

Via Xinhua :

" Latest avian flu epidemic outbreaks were reported in Vietnam's central Khanh Hoa and southern Tra Vinh provinces, raising the total affected localities in Vietnam to 22 so far this year, according to the National Steering Committee on Avian Flu Control on Wednesday.

To date, more than 80,000 chickens have been culled, and two people died of the A/H5N1 virus infection, each in southern Binh Phuoc and Dong Thap provinces."

Nepal : Avian influenza strikes again‚ government sets off alarm

Via The Himalayan Times :

" The Directorate of Animal Health has urged owners of poultry farms to subject their birds to bird flu tests. The appeal came after bird flu surfaced in two poultry farms in Itahari. 

“We have urged owners of poultry farms to conduct H5N1 tests if a large number of chickens die in their farms,” informed Dr Vijay Kant Jha, chief of the directorate. 

Bird flu has made inroads into two poultry farms at Tengratoli of Itahari-7, Sunsari district. After confirming that birds at the two farms were carrying H1N5 viruses, technicians from the Livestock Office Biratnagar culled more than 2,000 chickens in the farms in coordination with security personnel last Thursday. Jha added, “We have started collecting samples from poultry farms located close to the affected areas."

11 Vietnam provinces report bird flu outbreaks

Via Thanh Nien News :

" Eleven provinces around the country have reported outbreaks of bird flu, the agriculture ministry said.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat, speaking at an online conference Tuesday, said that more than 23,000 fowls had died of the H5N1 strain of bird flu and 30,777 other infected birds had been culled.

The provinces are Nam Dinh and Lao Cai in the north, Quang Ngai, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, Kon Tum, and Dak Lak in the central region and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Long An, Tay Ninh, and Ca Mau in the south."

Cambodia reports 3rd bird flu case this year

Via Xinhua :

" A four-year-old boy from Cambodia's northeastern Kratie Province has been confirmed for H5N1 human avian influenza, becoming the 3rd case this year, said a joint statement by the World Health Organization and the Cambodian Health Ministry on Wednesday.

The boy was confirmed positive for the virus last Friday after he had onset fever, running nose, vomiting, sore throat and cough, the statement said.

"The boy was admitted to Kratie Provincial Hospital on Thursday last week and Tamiflu was administered on the same day," it said. "The symptoms were mild and the boy is now in good condition."

The statement said the boy had direct exposure with dead and sick poultry six days before his illness."

Hong Kong bans import of poultry eggs from four Vietnam provinces

From Hong Kong's CHP :

" The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 18) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) that outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza were detected in villages in the provinces of Lao Cai, Long An, Phu Yen and Dak Lak in Vietnam, the import of salted duck eggs from the four provinces will be banned with immediate effect for the protection of Hong Kong's public and animal health.

A CFS spokesman said, "The import of poultry and poultry products from Vietnam has been banned since January 2004 to help prevent avian influenza. The import of poultry eggs (including fresh, salted and preserved eggs) from the country was also banned from September 2012 until early October last year when the suspension for the import of salted duck eggs was lifted subject to compliance with the agreed health certification."

Canada : H5N1 death of Alberta nurse may have been from illegal Chinese poultry market

Via Edmonton Sun, excerpt :

" An illegal poultry market may be to blame for the H5N1 death of an Alberta woman.

That's according to a letter to the editor to the Journal of Infection by Chinese researchers in Beijing.

The researchers drew parallels between the Jan. 8, 2014, case and a Jan. 6, 2009, case where a 19-year-old woman died after buying a duck from a wet market in Hebei Province.

No one has reported whether the woman who died in 2014 in fact came in contact with live poultry, wet markets or fresh poultry during her stay in Beijing.

While it is illegal in Beijing to sell and slaughter live poultry in the markets, illegal dealings persist."

Japan : Aichi man found to have H5N1 bird flu antibody

Via Japan Daily Press :

" Scientists from the Fujita Health University have discovered an antibody against the H5N1 bird flu virus in a man from Aichi Prefecture. Previously, it was believed that there was no human who had developed an antibody against the influenza virus, as this disease has never been detected in any persons in Japan.

One of the members of the research group and University President Yoshikazu Kurosawa explained that the man may have developed the ability to create the antibody because of past flu infections that he has had until he was 21 years old. When they gave the 60-year-old man a vaccination for the H1N1 influenza and then tested his blood a month later, they discovered that he had an antibody which is different from the one that fights the H1N1 virus. The VH1-69 antibody has the ability to block other virus including the H1N1 and H5N1. Scientists say that cells that have experienced past flu infections have developed this particular antibody.

Kurosawa said that other medical scientists have to conduct further studies on the man and find out if other people may have also developed the same antibody."

Vietnam : Poultry Infected With H5N1 In Mekong Delta Province

Via Bernama :

" Poultry flocks in Tan Phu Dong district in Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang have been found to be infected with H5N1 virus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

Ducks from four households in Tan Phu and Tan Thoi communes had earlier tested positive for H5N1 with 315 out of 557 infected birds having died of the virus.

The remaining ducks have been culled.

The province's veterinary sector has conducted inoculation on more than 12,000 fowls in 54 households in the two communes and decontaminated the area."

Cambodian toddler dies of bird flu, bringing cases to 23 so far this year

Via Xinhua :

" A two-year-old girl from northwestern Pursat province died late last month from the H5N1 virus, bringing the number of the cases to 23 so far this year, a joint statement by the World Health Organization and the Cambodian Health Ministry said Monday.

Only 11 cases out of this year's 23 cases survived, the statement said.

The little girl was confirmed positive for human H5N1 avian influenza after she was admitted to the Jayavarman VII Hospital in Siem Reap province on Oct. 25 with fever, running nose, lethargy, dyspnea, cough and breathing difficulties.

"The girl died on Oct. 26," the statement said.

"Investigations in her village found that two months before the girl's illness, poultry had suddenly died at her grandparent's house, and the child often stayed with her grandparent in this house," it said.

"Human and animal investigations are underway to determine if the girl had direct exposure or handled the dead chickens."

Little girl becomes 22nd bird flu victim in Cambodia in 2013

Via Xinhua :

" A six-year-old girl from northwestern Battambang province has been confirmed of having contracted the H5N1 virus, which brings the number of the cases to 22 so far this year, a joint statement by the World Health Organization and the Cambodian Health Ministry said Friday.

The little girl was confirmed positive for human H5N1 avian influenza last week after she was admitted to the Jayavarman VII Hospital in Siem Reap province with fever, cough, abdominal pain, running nose, sore throat and dyspnea.

"The girl has been treated with Tamiflu and now, her condition is stable," the statement said.

"Investigations in her village found that chickens and ducks had recently died in the girl's neighbors' houses and also in nearby villages," it said. "Human and animal investigations are underway to determine if the girl had direct exposure or handled the sick and dead birds."

Only 11 out of the 22 cases this year survived."

Cambodia reports 21st bird flu case in 2013

Via Xinhua :

" An eight-year-old girl from Cambodia's eastern Kampong Thom province has been confirmed for the H5N1 virus, bringing the number of the cases to 21 so far this year, a joint statement by the World Health Organization and the Cambodian Health Ministry said Tuesday.

The little girl was confirmed positive for human H5N1 avian influenza last week after she was admitted to the Jayavarman VII Hospital in Siem Reap province with fever, cough, vomiting and dyspnea, the statement said.

"The girl has been treated with Tamiflu and her condition is now stable," it said.

"Investigations revealed that the girl had come into direct contact with dead poultry when she helped prepare a meal from a chicken that had died earlier," it added.

Only 10 out of the 21 cases this year survived."

Cambodia : Two more H5N1 cases confirmed

Via The Phnom Penh Post :

" A 5-year-old girl from Takeo province and a 2-year-old girl from Kampot province – who has already died – mark the 19th and 20th confirmed cases of avian influenza this year, a hospital spokesman said.

“The 2-year-old from Kampot was in very serious condition when she arrived and died yesterday after only two days in hospital,” said Dr Denis Laurent, a spokesman for Kantha Bopha Hospital in Phnom Penh.

“We’re worried that many cases seem to be originating in Kampot,” Dr Laurent added.

More than half of the confirmed cases in Cambodia were children under 14 and by in large most victims of the disease have been young girls.

Already, nearly half of the total cases since the disease was first uncovered in Cambodia in 2004 have been found this year alone. Of 20 cases recorded this year, 13 have proven to be fatal.

The Ministry of Health is expected to issue a statement on the cases today."

Cambodia reports 18th human case of bird flu this year

Via Shanghai Daily :

"  A 15-month-old boy in the capital's Russei Keo district has been diagnosed with H5N1 virus, bringing the number of the cases to 18 so far this year, a joint statement by the World Health Organization and Cambodian Health Ministry said Wednesday.

The boy was confirmed positive for human H5N1 avian influenza last Friday after he was admitted to the Kantha Bopha Hospital with fever, cough, diarrhea, sneezing, lethargy and dyspnea, the statement said.

"The boy was treated with Tamiflu and he is in a stable condition," it said.

"Investigations are being carried out by the Ministry of Health in the boy's village in order to determine whether the child came into contact with sick or dead poultry," the statement said.

Only eight cases out of the 18 cases this year survived.

The latest death case was a 9-year-old boy from northwestern Battambang province, who died last month.

Avian influenza H5N1 remains a serious threat to the health of all Cambodians, Health Minister Mam Bunheng said."

Indonesia : Conditions Improved Patient Suspect Bird Flu

Machine translated article from Republika Online :

" The condition of the patient suspectbird flu, Nur Choiriyah Agustin (38 years) improved. But the patient is still in intensive care at Dr Sardjito.

"Until now we have not received the results of blood samples that we have sent to Jakarta (red. Agency for Health Research and Development Ministry of Health). Yesterday (red. Sunday, 1/9) we send the samples again," said Chairman Tim Penangulangan Bird Flu dr Sumardi, SpPD (K) to Republika , Monday (2/9).

He said he had sent samples to the Health Ministry twice to ascertain whether the patient is exposed to bird flu or not. Samples are sent in the form of lung fluid and blood.

Meanwhile, Head of Prevention and Control of Health Department of Health Problems DIY Daryanto Chadorie also said it has not received the results of the examination of blood samples of patients suspect bird flu, which is still being treated at Dr Sardjito.

"Until now I have not received the results of Jakarta (red. Ministry of Health)," said Daryanto told Reuters on Monday (2/9). 

As reported in Reuters , Monday (2/9), the patient suspect bird flu is a research Center for Social and Economic Policy Studies at Bogor."

Thailand : Border offices go on H5N1 virus alert

Via Bangkok Post :

" Public Health Minister Pradit Sintawanarong has ordered public health offices in seven provinces along the Thai-Cambodian border to monitor the possible spread of the H5N1 virus.

The seven provinces are Trat, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani.

Dr Pradit said it is possible the virus could spread to the border after reports of avian flu cases in Cambodia.

He said the H5N1 virus was most active during the rainy season and in cool and humid weather.

Dr Pradit said this virus was especially contagious as it could be passed from person to person, and he warned that children and the elderly are especially vulnerable. 

He said in severe cases, the virus can prove fatal, as victims can die from pneumonia and respiratory failure."

Vietnam : Tien Giang destroyed 26,000 quail H5N1

Machine translated article from Saigon Times :

" Over the past month, Tien Giang province have destroyed more than 26,000 quails for H5N1 infection.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) 2-7 So far, a number of farmers in Tien Giang quail infected with H5N1, the disease quail and destroyed more than 26,000 children and risk spread to poultry is very high.

On that basis, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has written to send the agencies should take measures to prevent, test quail farms, avoid H5N1 avian flu outbreaks strong.

Under current regulations, if a certain localities were found to have bird flu, the poultry farming and destruction in the region that have been vaccinated. However, at present there is no specific vaccine for the quail.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Binh, Director of the Regional Animal Health 6, Department of Animal Health, Animal Health Agency is proposing the 6 DAH for H5N1 vaccine testing injection of chickens, ducks, quail. Time to find a vaccine trial with high immunity for quail, according to Binh took about 2 months to have results."

Indonesia : Boy in Bekasi Suspected Bird Flu Death

Machine translated article via Post Kota News, not a perfect translation but you get the basic info of the case :

" Children bodyguard Mayor of Bekasi, suspected of having the H5N1 virus (bird flu), died on Wednesday (19/6). Boy 2,5 years residents Housing BTN Masnaga, Village Jakamulya, District of Bekasi Selatan, Bekasi.

RBP's initials boy, died at Friendship Hospital around 08:00, "The victim, a doctor said Friendship Hospital, Jakarta, was sentenced positive for bird flu," said the victim's uncle, Tri Wahyono

According to him, the early symptoms of the disease casualties occurred on Saturday (15/6) when the body of the couple's son and Emmy Respati Seno Putro Diah Susanti, fever and shortness of breath. "The family took him to the hospital.

From the analysis of medical Hermina Prosperity, the victim's body indicated the bird flu, so refer to the Friendship Hospital in Jakarta, Wednesday (19/6). "On Friendship Hospital, the victim was diraw.

According to him, parties family has been agreed in order that the bodies of victims not interred at the funeral home because of considerations of her illness.

Meanwhile, Dr. Anne, Chief Medical Officer of Bekasi, when contacted Pos Kota said it was exploring the possibility of the occurrence of bird flu."