OIE: Iran Reports H5N1 In Ducks

 

 

 

# 5896

 

 

While surveillance of bird flu is notoriously limited in many parts of the world, reports out China, North Korea, and Iran have been particularly rare. 

 

The last `official’ report out of Iran was in February of 2008, involving free range chickens and no human infections have ever been reported.

 

Today the OIE was notified of two outbreaks of H5N1 in Iran among free-range ducks, resulting in the deaths of 345 birds, and the culling of an additional 2337 ducks.

 

OIE REPORT LINK

 

There’s not much in the way of detail beyond the fact that two outbreaks occurred in separate villages in Mazandaran Province, starting on September 15th.

 

Mazandaran Province was also the location of the 2008 outbreak.  The OIE map of the location of today’s outbreak is below.

 

 

 

This is an unresolved, and ongoing outbreak, and the following steps are reportedly being taken.

• Control of wildlife reservoirs
• Stamping out
• Quarantine
• Movement control inside the country
• Screening
• Zoning
• Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)

 

According to OIE procedures, weekly follow-up reports are expected.

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Iran: Closing Schools, 28 Deaths Reported

 

 

# 3949

 

 

Updated:  PressTV.Ir now reporting 33 Deaths. 

(hat tip Crof at Crofsblog)

 

From Chen Qi, the excellent daily newspaper-style blog on emerging infectious diseases out of the Netherlands, this report from Iran’s Press TV.

 

 

3,000 Iranians contract swine flu, 28 dead

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:18:24 GMT

 

An Iranian health official says 3,000 Iranian citizens have been infected with the A-H1N1 flu across the country as the virus's death toll reached 28.

“Closure of 70 schools in Tehran and many other schools around the country is alarming for authorities,” Majlis Health Commission spokesman told Mehr News Agency.

 

“Majlis Health Commission will meet the country's Health and Education ministers on Tuesday to discuss the latest state of the fatal virus spread in the country,” Mohammadreza Rezaei Kuchi said.

 

The country's health officials urge parents to keep a child with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and sore throat at home until the symptoms are gone.

 

“Apart from children and students, tourists, especially Hajj pilgrims, are also another group at serious risk of infection to A-H1N1 virus,” he added.

 

“Majlis will put extra focus on the matter,” continued Kuchi who is a representative form Jahrom.

 

Health officials stressed that adopting simple precautionary measures such as frequently washing hands, using a tissue to cover the mouth when coughing and sneezing, avoiding kissing and touching face and eyes can help contain the virus from spreading.

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