NSW: Hen Facility Quarantined Under Suspicion Of Avian Influenza

Photo Credit – FAO

UPDATED: I see Crof has picked up a story indicating Australia: Bird flu at chicken farm is H7 strain

 

# 6718

 

While H5N1 gets most of our attention, there are many varieties of avian influenza including H7s and H9s. Some are highly pathogenic (HPAI)  and produce high rates of morbidity and mortality in flocks – while others are of lower pathogenicity (LPAI).

 

The OIE requires their notification whenever an avian influenza of the H5 or H7 strains are identified, because these strains have a history of evolving from LPAI into HPAI strains.

 

We’ve seen many non-H5N1 outbreaks in local poultry operations in places like the UK, Mexico, and Canada. And while exceeding rare, we’ve seen sporadic human infection from these strains as well (see MMWR: Mild H7N3 Infections In Two Poultry Workers - Jalisco, Mexico).

 

If not quickly contained, these outbreaks can force the culling of tens of millions of bird and can inflict devastating economic losses.

 

Today authorities in Australia’s state of New South Wales are reporting a suspected outbreak of an as-yet unidentified avian influenza (not suspected to be H5N1) at a hen facility in the Lower Hunter region.

 

Details are a bit scant, but here is the official release  from the  NSW Department of Primary Industries.

 

Authorities respond to suspect NSW Avian Influenza case

15 Nov 2012

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has quarantined a layer hen facility in the Lower Hunter region following a suspect case of Avian Influenza.

 

"The suspected virus is definitely not the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain that has gained worldwide attention — nor is it closely related to that strain," NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Ian Roth said.

 

"Australia has previously had a small number of outbreaks of Avian Influenza viruses which were all quickly and successfully eradicated.

 

"The property has been placed under quarantine and initial tracing and surveillance is being undertaken to confirm that the virus hasn’t spread. We currently have no evidence to suggest it has.

 

"DPI’s First Response Team has been dispatched to monitor the locked-down property."

 

Dr Roth said the peak egg industry body Australian Egg Corporation has been advised and the property owners are co-operating with authorities.

 

"We are still waiting on final confirmation from CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory which is expected later this afternoon," Dr Roth said.

 

Dr Roth said people who notice sick or dead birds should contact their local veterinarian or call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline 1800 675 888.

 

For further information on avian influenza is available.

 

 

Beyond the question of the type of avian influenza at work here will come questions on how this virus was introduced into this flock.  

 

Although Australia has been largely spared from avian influenza outbreaks over the past decade, this is not the first incident reported in 2012.

 

In Janaury a duck farm in Victoria was depopulated due to a LPAI outbreak. Although the strain is not identified in the government press release below, according to the OIE REPORT it was an LPAI H5 strain.

 

Low Pathogenic Outbreak January 2012

6 June 2012

In January 2012 The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) quarantined a commercial duck farm in two locations north-west of Melbourne after birds there tested positive to Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (LPAI).

 

To prevent spread of the disease, and in accordance with the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994, the Minister of Agriculture declared Restricted and Control areas around the infected properties in which movement of birds and eggs was restricted.

 

Subsequently, the infected properties were depopulated and decontaminated and the results of surveillance have shown that LPAI is no longer present. On 5th June 2012 the Minister revoked the movement restrictions around the infected properties.

 

 

I’ll post an update to this blog when CSIRO releases their analysis of the strain.

»» Read More

Hong Kong Investigating Possible Coronavirus Case

 

Coronavirus – Credit CDC PHIL

 

UPDATED: Hong Kong Boy Tests Negative For Coronavirus

 

# 6614

 

My thanks to Crof who picked up an announcement from the Centre for Health Protection  today (see Hong Kong: Suspected coronavirus case investigated) indicating that Queen Mary Hospital is testing a 4-year old boy - recently arrived from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - for the novel coronavirus recently detected in two patients from the Middle East.

 

Right now, this is just a suspected case, and we must await test results before we can know the cause of this boy’s illness. 

 

Anyone who develops a respiratory illness within 10 days of visiting the Middle East is a prime candidate for testing, as we saw 10 days ago with five Danish Patients Negative For Coronavirus.

Here is the CHP announcement.  I’ll be away from my desk for a few hours this evening, so check with Crofsblog (who very often has the news first) as well as here for any updates.

 

 

Suspected case of severe respiratory disease associated with novel coronavirus under investigation

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health received a report from Ruttonjee Hospital (RH) today (October 7) of a suspected case of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus affecting a four-year-old boy who came from Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

 

The boy presented with fever, cough and vomiting today and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of RH. The boy has been transferred to Queen Mary Hospital for isolation. His current condition is stable.

 

Respiratory specimen has been taken from the patient and test result is pending.

 

The CHP's investigation revealed that the boy travelled with his father from KSA to Hong Kong on October 3. His father also had fever two days ago but has recovered.

 

"The CHP is also closely liaising with the Hospital Authority to monitor the situation," a CHP spokesman said.

 

The spokesman advised travellers who fall sick within 10 days after visiting from affected countries should put on a mask and seek medical advice immediately, as well as report their travel history to the doctor concerned.

Ends/Sunday, October 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 22:02

 

»» Read More

Watching Egypt

 

UPDATED 9/18/12:  Sharon Sanders on FluTrackers has posted a notice from Egypt’s Undersecretary of Health stating that these three cases have tested negative.

# 6558

 

 

Overnight a number of Arabic-Language news reports have emerged from Egypt indicating that three brothers (ages 19,16, 9) from the village of Manshiet Galal are being tested for suspected `bird flu’.

 

Sharon Sanders at FluTrackers started a thread last night, with several of these news reports, and Laidback Al has produced a handy map of the location.

 

 

Meanwhile Crof, at Crofsblog, has prevailed upon an Arabic-speaking friend to translate one of the news reports – that increases its readability considerably over machine translations - which you’ll find at Egypt: Suspected H5N1 in three brothers.

 

We haven’t heard much out of Egypt this year, with the last confirmed H5N1 infection reported in early June (see WHO: Egypt Announces New H5N1 Case) – making Egypt’s 10th case of 2012.

 

Given the ongoing political and social turmoil in the Middle-East, it isn’t entirely clear how diligent surveillance and reporting on disease outbreaks like H5N1 are right now.

 

For now, these three cases reported today are just suspected cases, and it is often the case that suspected cases prove to have some other illness.

 

I’ll provide an update when we learn more.

»» Read More

Watching Indonesia Again

 

 

# 5634

 

 

Thanks go to Ida at the Bird Flu Information Corner – a joint project of Kobe University in Japan and the Institute of Tropical Disease, Airlangga University, Indonesia – for this report from the Indonesian media on a family in West Sumatra suspected of H5N1 infection.

 

 

Agam, West Sumatera ::: A family treated of bird flu suspicion

Posted by Ida on June 17, 2011

Agam – A family, E (43 years old) and his children, Adi (14), Gilang Ramadhan (9) and Nuzuli (5.5), from Jorong Koto Panjang Nagari Kapau, Kecamatan Tilatang Kamang, Agam, suspected of contracting bird flu H5N1 after the family’s chickens had suddenly died since Friday last week. The family started to feel sick and to have high fever since Monday. A sample of dead chickens was tested positive bird flu infection.

 

The family has been referred to Adam Malik hospital in Bukittinggi for medical examination.

 

 

The original media report indicated that 7 chickens kept as family pets began to die about a week ago, and since then the family has experienced recurrent high fevers. 

 

There are a number of other illnesses common to Indonesia that could produce similar symptoms - including seasonal influenza and dengue fever – and so their diagnosis at this time is anything but certain.

 

Until we get laboratory confirmation, these are simply `suspected cases’.

 

Unfortunately, all too often, we never get a follow up on these cases that are reported in the media.

 

 

For several years the Indonesian MOH (Ministry of Health) has been slow to provide details about human cases and has refused to share viral samples with the World Health Organization.

 

Since former Minister of Health Supari was replaced by Dr. Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih in 2009, we’ve seen some subtle signs of greater transparency. And recently an agreement was reached on the sharing of viral samples (see WHO Announcement On Framework For Virus Sharing). 

 

Hopeful signs.

 

Although we continue to see isolated human infections in Indonesia, Egypt, and around the world - for now H5N1 is primarily a threat to poultry.

 

The virus remains poorly adapted to human physiology, and despite ample opportunities to cause illness in humans, only causes rare, sporadic infections.

 

The concern, of course, is that over time that may change.  That the virus will mutate into a form that is easily acquired and passed on by humans.

»» Read More

More Indonesian Bird Flu Suspicions

 

# 5351

 

 

Despite only one confirmed human case of H5N1 from the Indonesian Ministry of Health for 2011, the local media continues to be filled with reports of suspected cases of bird flu infection.

 

Many (perhaps even most) are likely something other than bird flu, since there are a number of far more common respiratory viruses (ie. H1N1, H3N2, RSV) circulating in Indonesia, all of which can produce `bird-flu symptoms’.

 

But local authorities are reporting a great many poultry die-offs due to bird flu over the past month - and when humans in close proximity begin to develop flu-like symptoms - the only reasonable recourse is to consider them suspect cases and isolate them until proven otherwise.

 

While I don’t try to blog every report, the diligent newshounds on the Flu Forums (I tend to frequent FluTrackers and The Flu Wiki ), along with bloggers like Ida at BFIC, Arkanoid Legent, Crof, and Chen Qi are all much better at monitoring and tracking these cases.

 

Today, a pair of reports from Ida at the Bird Flu Information Corner - a joint project of Kobe University in Japan and the Institute of Tropical Disease, Airlangga University, Indonesia – on suspected cases in two different locations.

 

 

 

Indramayu, West Java ::: Family of 4 treated as bird flu suspects

Posted by Ida on March 3, 2011

Indramayu – Four residents of Kecamatan Bongas are under intensive treatment of bird flu suspicion in Indramayu regional hospital, West Java.

 

Patients are a family; two of them are children aged 6 and 7-year-old. Patients showed initial signs such as high fever, coughing and abdominal pain.

 

The signs appeared after dozens of chickens had died around their house. Rapid test to the dead chickens showed positive bird flu H5N1 infection. Indramayu hospital applied infectious disease standard protocol to the patients.

 

Source: Indonesia TV news, Metro TV News.

 

 

Padang, West Sumatera ::: Hospital treats two bird flu suspects

Posted by Ida on March 3, 2011

Padang – M Djamil hospital in Padang is treating two bird flu suspect patients. They were referred from public health centers, Gurun Lawas Padang and Alai.

 

Patient Rif (10-month-old), a resident of Parak Lawas, Kecamatan Nanggalo, developed high fever after chickens reared by a neighbor suddenly died. He was admitted to M Djamil hospital on 26 February 2011.

 

Patient Raf (6-year-old), a resident of Balai Baru, Kecamatan Kuranji, Kota Padang, developed high fever after his family’s chickens suddenly died.  He was admitted to M Djamil hospital on 2 March 2011.

Source: Indonesia local newspaper, NonBlok.

 

 

As the Indonesian Ministry of Health has a habit of waiting weeks (or longer) before commenting on the status of suspected cases, we may not learn the true cause of these illnesses for some time.

 

Despite the obvious concerns over human exposure to bird flu, the H5N1 virus remains primarily adapted to avian physiology. Humans have only rarely contracted the virus, usually after direct exposure to infected birds.

 

The concern, of course, is that over time the virus may adapt better to humans, and spark another pandemic.

 

So we remain at Pre-pandemic Phase III for H5N1 and and monitor reports such as these with considerable interest.

»» Read More

Japan: Another Poultry Farm Being Tested For Bird Flu

 

 

 

# 5256

 

 

Via Treyfish and Makoto on FluTrackers, we’ve multiple Japanese language media reports this morning regarding a poultry farm – this time in Kagoshima prefecture (near Izumi City where over-wintering Hooded Cranes died from the H5N1 virus last December) being tested for bird flu.

 

For earlier reports from this region, see Japan: 5 Hooded Cranes Test Positive For H5N1 and Japan’s Bird Flu Dilemma.

 

Rapid tests, and the number of recent poultry deaths on this medium sized farm, suggest bird flu.  But the results of full viral testing won’t be known for several hours.

 

Most recent suspected outbreak near Izumi City.

 

Kagoshima prefecture, in addition to hosting a major wild bird preserve, is a major poultry producing region.  An outbreak here could have a serious impact on the industry.

 

If a positive result is returned, this will make the 3rd poultry farm in a week, and the 4th poultry farm in three months, to test positive for the virus in Japan.

 

In the meantime, you can follow preliminary reports as they come in on this FluTrackers Thread.

»» Read More

Korea: 2nd Farm Investigated For Bird Flu

 

 

# 5189

 

 

Yesterday we saw a report of suspected bird flu at a duck farm in Cheonan (see South Korea Investigating Cheonan Duck Farm).  Overnight, we’ve several media reports regarding suspected avian flu at a second farm, this time in Iksan, North Jeolla Province.

 

Test results on both of these farms are awaited.

 

Iksan is more than 100 km south of Cheonan, and is in the heart of Korea’s poultry processing region.

 

The past month has seen several H5N1 detections among wild birds and domesticated poultry in both Japan & Korea (Aprox. locations shown below).

 

 

 

This report comes from Xinhau News.

 

 

S. Korea reports suspected case of bird flu

SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A suspected case of bird flu has been reported from a chicken farm in a southeastern region of the country, raising concerns over a fresh outbreak of bird flu amid South Korea's struggle with the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said Thursday.

 

The ministry said a chicken farm in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, reported a suspected case of bird flu late Wednesday. Another suspected case was reported from a duck farm in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province.

 

Health officials are testing samples from both farms, the ministry said.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

Additional media reports  (hat tips Shiloh, Arkanoid Legent, Dutchy on this FluTrackers thread) suggest that culling may have begun on at least one farm.

»» Read More

South Korea Investigating Cheonan Duck Farm

 

 

# 5187

 

 

After three detections of the H5N1 bird flu virus in wild and/or migratory birds this month (see South Korea Finds 2 H5N1 Infected Owls and Korea: Bird Flu Discovered In Teal Ducks), it comes as little surprise that Korean Agriculture authorities are now investigating a duck farm where some of the birds there are showing signs suggestive of avian flu.

 

First the AFP report, appearing on Terra Daily, then some background.

 

S.Korea reports suspected bird flu case

by Staff Writers
Seoul (AFP) Dec 29, 2010

A South Korean duck farm has reported a suspected case of bird flu, the agriculture ministry said Wednesday.

 

A quarantine zone has been declared around a farm in Cheonan, about 90 kilometres (54 miles) south of Seoul, where ducks showed symptoms of avian influenza, the ministry said.

(Continue . . .)

 

Testing is underway, and we should know in a day or so if this is, indeed, H5N1.

 

South Korea has seen three previous major outbreaks of avian influenza in their poultry population.  The first in the winter of 2003-2004, and then a second time in 2006.

The largest, and most costly outbreak occurred in April of 2008, which resulted in the culling of more than 8 million birds.  You can read some of the coverage of that outbreak in these blogs:

 

Korea: Cat Death Attributed To Bird Flu

South Korea Investigating New Outbreak

S. Korea Finds 2 More Suspected Outbreaks

 

At the same time as these Korean outbreaks in 2008, Japan reported the discovery of the H5N1 virus in four swans in Akita Prefecture (see Japan Confirms Swans Infected With H5N1).

 

Similarly, this month Japan and Korea are once again both reporting multiple instances of H5N1 in wild and/or migratory birds.  I’ve plotted the general locations on the map below.

 

All of which has agricultural interests in Japan and Korea on high alert, in hopes of avoiding another widespread outbreak like was seen two years ago.

»» Read More

Watching Egypt Again

 

 

# 5124

 

 

On Sunday (see Egypt Reports Bird Flu Fatality) we saw a terse report from KUNA announcing Egypt’s 113th H5N1 infection, and 37th fatality.  

 

The patient was identified as a 30 year-old woman from the `western province’ which probably refers to Al-Gharbiyah (h/t Laidback Al).

 

Today newshounds on FluTrackers are following another report, this time of a 30 year-old male from Al Daqahliyah, that has reportedly died from the H5N1 virus.

 

We’ve only one Arabic news article at this time, and since Al-Gharbiyah and Al Daquahliyah are adjacent to each other, and both cases are listed as 30 years old, there is always the possibility that these cases are one-in-the-same.

 

Still, there are enough differences in these reports (including location, gender, and date of death) to make one suspect these may be two separate cases.

 

The report (h/t Twall) comes from Youm7, a normally reliable Arabic news source. The story references 5 others – presumably contacts of the fatal case – who are being tested for the virus.

 

The case of the death of bird flu in Dakahlia and suspected in 5 others

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - 16:17

Dakahlia - Sheriff El-Deeb

At the citizen Amr Maghazi (30 years) was killed yesterday evening, al-Sadr hospital in Zagazig wounds sustained bird flu virus.

Maghazi was dead center of immersion Daqhlieh, has been detained as soon as the symptoms of the disease.

 

Have been detained in 5 cases of suspected bird flu patients in hospitals after the emergence of Dakahlia introduce the virus to them, where they detained two of the city infected with the virus Talkha, in addition to a state hospital and other Belkas Bhmyat Mansoura and the status of the village of Cbrahor.

 

Samples were taken from cases infected with HIV Bmshat of the throat, and sent to central laboratories to make sure of being infected with the virus or not.

(Continue . .. )

 

You can follow additional reports on this case on this thread from FluTrackers.  When we get something a little more definitive, I’ll report back here.

»» Read More

Indonesian Toddler Suspected Bird Flu

 

 

# 5105

 

We’ve another media report of a suspected H5N1 infection in Indonesia, this time of a 19 month old toddler from Padang, West Sumatra.

 

Indefatigable newshound Dutchy has started this thread on FluTrackers, with this machine translation of a news report from Kompas.

 

Unforeseen Bird Flu Treated in Padang

Correspondent Report KOMPAS Ingki Rinaldi

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 |

PADANG, KOMPAS.com - A toddler with initials NEL on Wednesday (01/12/2010) treated at room Suspect Bird Flu (Avian Influenza / AI) Dr. M. Djamil, the city of Padang, West Sumatra.

 

19-month-old toddler was rushed to the hospital since Tuesday (30/11).

 

Laila (37), the biological mother of NEL said she brought his youngest daughter to the hospital on the initiative of her husband.

 

One of the doctors who are members of Team AI Dr. M. Djamil city of Padang, Dr. Yaniv Sp. A Fitry Finny said, Nel allegedly infected with AI disease.

 

Finny added, in addition to being treated in the living suspect, NEL was also given a dose of oseltamivir and take a sample of fluid mucus from the throat and sent to the Laboratory of the Ministry of Health to look at the fit /compatibility.

Kompas

 

Reports such as this one are fairly common in Indonesia, particularly between late fall and spring.  Unfortunately, we often never hear any follow up to these stories.

 

Indonesian officials have worked to `manage’ the bird flu story for several years now, typically parceling out brief press releases every few months, providing little more than an update of the number infected or killed.

 

It is likely that a lot of these suspected cases we hear about are false alarms.

 

There are, after all, a good many other illnesses that can cause similar symptoms (including seasonal flu, pneumonia, malaria, and dengue) – particularly in the first few days of infection.

 

So newshounds and bloggers dutifully hunt for, translate, and post these stories even though they know we may never hear how a lot of them turn out. 

 

Of course, if we do hear something.  The newshounds will be all over it.

»» Read More

Watching Indonesia Again

 

 

 

# 5081

 

 

Arkanoid Legent has a translated report overnight from Metro Balikpapan News, indicating that two siblings are currently under observation with bird flu-like symptoms at RSKD hospital in Balikpapan.

Indonesia : Two Brothers Suspected Bird Flu Suspect

Translated report from Metro Balikpapan :
" Isolated in RSKD, DKK Still Perform Inspection

BALIKPAPAN : Spread of the H5N1 virus or bird flu (avian influenza) is not only in poultry. After a few citizens who allegedly suspected H5N1 declared negative, according to latest information there were two other residents who allegedly infected with the deadly virus after the revocation status of human bird flu alert. "There are two suspected suspect bird flu, now they are more isolated in RSKD," said Chief Medical Officer of the City (DKK) Balikpapan drg Dyah Muryani Hj.

(Continue . . . )

 

 
Over the past several months there have been multiple outbreaks of H5N1 in poultry in the Balikpapan region of East Kalimantan, Indonesia. 

 

A number of suspected human infections have been isolated in the local hospital (see Ongoing Bird Flu Reports Out Of Indonesia), but so far, none of these have been announced to have tested positive for the virus.

 

There are, admittedly, a great many illnesses common to Indonesia that can mimic bird flu. Testing for the H5N1 virus is time consuming, and must be repeated before being accepted at accurate.

 

So we tend to see a lot of suspect cases put in isolation pending laboratory confirmation, many of whom turn out not to test positive for the virus.

 

Indonesia continues to lead the world in the number of confirmed H5N1 cases, and so this abundance of caution is understandable.

 

Edit: In my wanderings I noticed Treyfish also had this story on FluTrackers early last evening.

»» Read More

Another Bird Flu Suspect In Indonesia

 

(See update at bottom)

# 5026

 

 

We’ve still no word on the laboratory results on the 5 year-old that died last week (see Indonesia: Suspected Bird Flu Fatality) at M Djamil hospital in West Sumatera, although doctors suspected that H5N1 might have been the cause.

 

Today, another story – this time from Tangerang, Indonesia (in the past a bird flu hotspot, located a few kilometers west of the capital Jakarta)– of an 8-year-old being treated for possible avian influenza. 

 

The article states that the child has been sick for a week, is receiving antivirals (Tamiflu), and his condition is not improving. Lab results are awaited, so this remains only a suspected case.

 

There is also, according to this report, no history of contact with sick or dead birds.

 

 

 

This from The Jakarta Post.

 

Tangerang hospital treats possible avian flu patient

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 11/02/2010 6:14 PM | Jakarta

 

An 8-year-old boy from Cipadu Jaya in Tangerang who was suspected of having contracted the avian flu virus was being treated at Tangerang General Hospital, on Tuesday.

“His condition is getting worse, but we are still waiting for test results,” Tangerang General Hospital disease control chief Dr. Ati Pramudji said Tuesday, as reported by tempointeraktif.com.

(Continue . . . )

 

UPDATE:

 

Literally within a few minutes of making this post, I discovered that  Dutchy  at FluTrackers had 3 more (machine translated) articles from the Indonesian Press on this story.

 

You can find these and future reports on this FluTrackers Thread.

 

In addition to the child’s treatment, family members and neighbors are being provided with prophylactic antivirals.

»» Read More

Lampung: 3 Suspect Bird Flu Cases Hospitalized

 

 

 

# 5005

 

 

 

 

Considering the time of year, bird flu related reports out of Indonesia the past few months are running unusually high.  

 

Whether this is due to more aggressive local reporting, a less restrictive information environment under Indonesia’s new Minister of Health, or represents an actual increase in bird flu activity is hard to gauge.

 

In any event, the good news is that while a fair number of people have been hospitalized over the past month under suspicion of bird flu infection – none have been reported to have tested positive for the virus.

 

The last two confirmed H5N1 infections of we are aware of occurred in August and early September (see Indonesian MOH Confirms 2 Bird Flu Fatalities).

 

Last night Sharon Sanders, Editor of FluTrackers started a thread on 3 Indonesian children hospitalized in Bandar Lampung, suspected of bird flu.

 

We’ve a couple of local media reports overnight, machine translated, courtesy of Pathfinder and dbg (the 2nd one by dbg also appears on the Flu Wiki Indonesian Thread).

 

Both indicate that 3 children (initials T (8 ), D (9), and N (5)), who were exposed to bird-flu-positive sick chickens, have been in isolation for several days at the  (RSUDAM) hospital in Bandar Lampung. 

 

They have been receiving antibiotics and Tamiflu, and according to the latest reports, are showing improvement.

 

While suspected of having H5N1, laboratory confirmation has not been made, and there are quite a number of other viral illnesses (including seasonal influenza) that could produce similar symptoms.

 

Given the dismal 83% fatality rate among known bird flu infections in Indonesia, one can’t help but be a little reassured anytime you see patients starting to recover.

 

Isolation RSUDAM 3 AI Suspect Patients

Saturday, October 23, 2010 | 20:59 pm

Bandar Lampung, Tribune - Regional General Hospital Abdul Moeloek (RSUDAM) re-treat the patient suspect bird flu or avian influenza (AI), Friday (22/10). All three initials T (8), D (9), and N (5), a resident of District Kemiling, Bandar Lampung.

 

According to the chairman of President Hermansyah RSUDAM Dr. Zaini, the trio began hospitalized since Thursday night (21/10), and immediately underwent the intensive maintenance in isolation space handling of bird flu disease.

 

"All three have the characteristics of pain should bird flu patients, such as high fever, cough, and gastrointestinal disturbance," he said when contacted on Friday night.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

This next item was posted by Laidback Al, with a hat tip to dbg.

 

Three Residents Kemiling Suspect Bird Flu

Saturday, October 23 2010 | 06:11 WIB

Bandar Lampung – Regional Public Hospital Dr. Hi. Abdul Moeloek (RSUDAM) treated three patients suspect bird flu (avian influenza/AI). The three of them were Febiana (8 ), Dina (5), and Zaki (6), the resident of Bukit Kemiling Permai Housing (BKP), Kemiling, Banda Lampung.

 

They were reconciled to the hospital after experiencing the sign like the illness sufferer who was caused by the virus H5N1 that. Among them the high fever, the cough, and pilek. Moreover, the death of the sudden poultry in their area happened.

 

Rendi (20), the older sibling Febiana and Zaki, said, Febiana and Dina experienced the high fever, the cough, and pilek since last Sunday (17/10). After two days, the same sign was experienced by Zaki.

(Continue . . . )

It will likely take several days before the results of testing are known. 

 

Meanwhile, in other areas of Indonesia, poultry deaths continue to be reported and local officials are urging residents to be vigilant in taking precautions regarding bird flu.

»» Read More

Watching Indonesia Again

 

 

 

Video capture from MetroTV newscast

 

 

# 4939

 

The newshounds on FluTrackers are watching reports out of Indonesia today on 8 people with flu-like symptoms in the region (Pinrang) where thousands of chickens recently died from the H5N1 bird flu (see A Bad Week For Indonesian Chickens).

 

 

Reports like these usually end up being something other than bird flu – since seasonal flu, along with many other illnesses – can produce similar symptoms.

 

 

Still, human cases and even clusters have occurred in Indonesia in the past, and so reports like these are taken seriously by local health officials and are watched closely by the rest of the world.

 

 

As of this writing Treyfish, along with Dutchy, have posted local media reports on this FluTrackers Thread and others will likely follow.

The following is a translation of a news article that accompanies a video report from MetroTV News, that was posted by Dutchy.

 

 

Eight People Sick After Thousand Chickens Died

Headline News / Archipelago / Sunday, September 26,

Metrotvnews.com, Pinrang:

Eight people reportedly suffered from fever and cough on the location of thousands of chickens died, in Pinrang regency, South Sulawesi.

 

Although there is suspicion of bird flu virus, health department officials have not set the eight citizens as suspect bird flu.

 

From the results of medical examinations, eight residents have a fever and cough, after contact with poultry infected with bird flu virus.

(Continue . . . )

We will obviously be keeping an eye on this story to see if anything develops.

 

In the meantime, you can follow new reports on the FluTrackers Thread.

»» Read More

Watching Egypt Again

 

 

# 4907

 

 

The indefatigable Dutchy, posting on FluTrackers, has picked up on a report out of Egypt of a 55 year-old who is hospitalized with suspected H5N1.

 

Egypt has reported 22 confirmed infections this year, with 9 fatalities.

Since there’s no laboratory confirmation in this Masrawy news story, we’ll have to await further word to know if this is Egypt’s 23rd case of 2010.

 

Dutchy has set up a FluTrackers thread for this report, and you can check for updates at this link.

 

 

Machine translated

Detention of suspected case of bird flu, a hospital Tanta

9/15/2010
Seized a hospital in Tanta new case of a person in the sixth decade of life on suspicion of being infected with bird flu symptoms after an outbreak similar to the symptoms of the disease.

The hospital had detained a person named "Comm. P 55 years" of the village share of Parma Center Tanta on suspicion of being infected with bird flu Blood samples were taken from him and the melancholy hours, and sent to the central laboratories of the Ministry of Health with the illness or not and given the drug Tamiflu and the isolation of places allocated to it .

(Continue . . . )

»» Read More

Two New Reports Out Of Indonesia

 

 

# 4905

 

 

Getting bird flu news out of Indonesia can be particularly difficult since the Health Ministry decided several years ago that constantly talking about their H5N1 problem was bad for the country’s image  (see Indonesia To Stop Announcing Bird Flu Deaths).

 

The MOH now only releases information at irregular intervals.  In 2009, we went more than 10 months between updates. 

 

In what may be a hopeful sign, this year, the MOH has been slightly more accommodating.

 

Which leaves us with monitoring local press reports which often pick up on large outbreaks in birds, and the occasional suspected human infection, and hoping that at some point we will get some kind of official confirmation of these stories.

 

Ida at the Bird Flu Information Corner - a joint effort between Kobe University in Japan and the Institute of Tropical Disease, Airlangga University, Indonesia – monitors and translates Indonesian press reports, and is one of our best sources of information.

 

Today Ida has two stories.  

 

First, the suspected Bird Flu infection of a young girl in West Kalimantan, which if you will recall, was the location of a suspected bird flu fatality in July (see Another Suspected Bird Flu Fatality In Indonesia).

 

West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

The previous month (June), 5 children in this region were suspected of contracting bird flu, but testing revealed it to be the pandemic H1N1 virus.

 

Suspect cases of H5N1 often turn out to be something other than bird flu, since the virus’s early symptoms are consistent with a wide variety of viral illnesses common to the region. 

 

That said, here is the story on this latest suspect case.

Pontianak, West Kalimantan ::: Nine-year old girl may contract bird flu

Posted by Ida on September 16, 2010

 

A second report details steps that are being taken in Luwu Timur, South Sulawesi to try to combat an outbreak of H5N1 in domestic birds, where thousands of birds have recently died.

 

In response, the Health Service has formed a special avian influenza treatment unit in anticipation of possible human cases.

 

This story also suggests that standard control measures in Luwu Timur, such as the spraying of disinfectant, have failed to control the outbreak.

 

Luwu Timur, South Sulawesi ::: Health Service forms special point for avian influenza treatment

Posted by Ida on September 16, 2010

 

We’ll obviously be keeping close watch on these stories to see if they should develop further.

»» Read More

Indonesia Bird Flu Suspect

 

# 4795

 

 

While H1N1 moves into its post-pandemic phase, it is worth remembering that H5N1 remains in Pre-Pandemic Phase III.  

 

 

Outbreaks occur primarily in birds, but sporadic widely scattered human cases are reported as well, particularly in Indonesia and Egypt.  

 

Surveillance and reporting from many countries is less than ideal, and so other cases are likely occurring that we never hear about.

 

Today Ida at BFIC has a translation of a local media report of a possible human H5N1 infection in the wake of a recent outbreak among poultry.

For now, this is just a suspect case.

 

 

Bengkulu ::: Hospital treats bird flu suspect

Posted by Ida on August 10, 2010

Bengkulu – Bird flu or avian influenza H5N1 outbreak in Bengkulu which had caused hundreds of chicken death may have spread among human.

 

A resident of Lempuing, Bengkulu city with initial P (19) had been admitted to M Yunus regional hospital due to bird flu infection suspicion, Friday (6/8). Patient developed fever and sore throat after burying dead chickens few days before.

 

“We’re treating a bird flu suspect patient in an isolation unit, but we’re still not sure whether the patient has bird flu or not,” director of M Yunus hospital, dr Zulman Zuri confirmed. “For now we don’t suspect bird flu infection because patient is getting better after being treated here. We’re collecting throat swab every day for three days and send it to NHIRD, Ministry of Health laboratory. We have done chest x-ray too, but still waiting for the laboratory result,” added Zulman.

 

In the other hand, M Yunus hospital has prepared two special rooms for bird flu patient. Those room to be guarded and equipped for the safety of patients and health workers.

 

Meanwhile, Bengkulu city has been stated as bird flu exceptional area by Local Disease Control Center (LDCC). The disease has spread to three municipals (kabupaten), Betungan, Bengkulu Tengah and Kepahiang. However, Emran Kuswady, coordinator of LDCC said so far the disease had not spread to farm area.

 

Source: Indonesia local newspaper, Harian Rakyat Bengkulu

 

BFIC (Bird Flu Information Corner) is  a joint effort between Kobe University in Japan and the Institute of Tropical Disease, Airlangga University, Indonesia.

»» Read More

Another Suspected Bird Flu Fatality In Indonesia

 

# 4754

 

 

 

My thanks to Crof at Crofsblog for  picking up this item overnight translated and posted by Ida at the Bird Flu Information Corner  (BFIC).

 

This report comes on the heels of a confirmation a week ago (see Forgotten, But Not Gone ) of a teenage girl who died from the H5N1 virus last month.

 

Reports out of Indonesia have declined in the past couple of years - in part - because Indonesia decided to stop talking about their bird flu problems in 2008 (see Indonesia To Stop Announcing Bird Flu Deaths). 

 

In recent months we’ve seen some small signs of more openness.

 

Today’s report is of  suspected H5N1 fatality.  Based, apparently on a clinical diagnosis and not laboratory testing.  There are, however, a number of other infectious diseases that can mimic the signs and symptoms of bird flu.

 

We’ll have to await lab results to know for sure.

 

This from BFIC.

 

Pontianak, West Kalimantan ::: A girl possibly dies of bird flu

Posted by Ida on July 26, 2010

Pontianak – A 5-year-old girl from Toho, Kabupaten Pontianak, died after being treated for few hours in Soedarso regional hospital, Pontianak, West Kalimantan. The girl is suspected of having bird flu H5N1 infection.

 

Wingky’s mother, Ratna, said her daughter died on Saturday evening (24/7) in Soedarso hospital. Wingky had been having high fever for a week before and then admitted to a public health center in Toho. Because illness continued, Wingky was then transferred to Rubini regional hospital in Mempawah, Kabupaten Pontianak. Later the hospital referred the girl to Santo Antonius hospital in Pontianak.

 

“After a day treated in Santo Antonius hospital, my daughter was then referred to Soedarso hospital and isolated as bird flu suspect patient,” Ratna added.

 

Ratna mentioned her daughter showed symptoms such as fever, coughing, breathing difficulty, and sore throat. Soedarso hospital had collected patient’s blood sample to be tested for H5N1.

 

Within last two months, six children have been treated as bird flu suspect patient in Soedarso hospital. All of them were tested negative.

 

It is unclear whether Wingky had any contact with birds, because the family doesn’t rear any birds. However, patient’s parents said many chicken deaths were found in their neighborhood.

Source: Indonesia local newspaper, Tribun Pontianak 

 

BFIC is a joint effort between Kobe University in Japan and the Institute of Tropical Disease, Airlangga University, Indonesia

 

Additionally, bgw in MT – one of the hard-working newshounds at the Flu Wiki – has several other translated articles from the Borneo Tribune and ANTARA on this story in their Indonesia thread.

 

The above article notes that several children recently suspected of having H5N1 in this province tested negative (see  Follow Up On Kalimantan Province Report) for the virus.

 

Several of them did, however, test positive for H1N1.

»» Read More

Two Reports From Indonesia

 

 

# 4685

 

 

Ida at BFIC – a joint effort between Kobe University in Japan and the Institute of Tropical Disease, Airlangga University, Indonesia – has translations of a couple of recent articles from the Indonesian press regarding two suspected incidents of bird flu.

 

As stated often in this blog, the Indonesian government is less than anxious to discuss their bird flu situation (see Indonesia To Stop Announcing Bird Flu Deaths), and rarely confirms or comments on these media reports.

 

Suspected cases, however, are simply that.   There are a number of diseases to be found in Indonesia that can produce `bird flu-like’ symptoms. 

 

Laboratory confirmation is required before a case can be attributed to the H5N1 virus.   Lab tests for bird flu, however, are not always reliable and multiple tests are required.

 

With that preface in place, the two translated reports from the Bird Flu Information Corner.

 

Boyolali, Central Java ::: A man possibly dies of bird flu

Posted by Ida on June 30, 2010

Boyolali – Syamsudin (27), a resident of Desa Paras, Kecamatan Cepogo, Kabupaten Boyolali allegedly died of bird flu/avian influenza H5N1 infection.

 

Head of Boyolali Health Service, dr Yulianto Prabowo, mentioned patient had been treated in Pandan Arang Boyolali regional public hospital before the death.

 

Patient was diagnosed as bird flu suspect, and  in critical condition that must be referred to Dr. Moewardi hospital in Solo.

 

He died during treatment in Dr Moewardi hospital and diagnosed to have respiratory infection.

 

Previously, hundreds of chickens died in Dukuh Bandung, Desa Beji, Kecamatan Andong, Boyolali. However, officials faced difficulty in diagnosing the cause of death because no dead chickens left for sample.

 

So far, no report of bird flu signs in human, but area monitoring is still ongoing.

Source: Indonesia news office, ANTARA-JATENG.

 

 

This next report concerns the isolation of 4 children who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms after exposure to sick and dying chickens in West Kalimantan.

This province is one of the few in Indonesia that has been certified as bird flu free.  In recent weeks, however, they’ve begun reporting poultry deaths.

 

 

West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

A week ago we had a report of a 4 year-old hospitalized from this region with suspected H5N1 (see Indonesia: Bird Flu Suspect).  That child, according to this report, tested negative and has been released from the hospital.

 

Pontianak, West Kalimantan ::: 4-year-old negative bird flu. Four other children under isolation

Posted by Ida on June 30, 2010

Pontianak – Following to avian influenza (AI) outbreak in chickens, four people from different areas in Pontianak are under intensive treatment of alleged bird flu infection. Patients were reported to develop fever and flu symptoms after chickens suddenly died around their neighborhood.

 

Patients are being treated in dr Soedarso hospital, Pontianak. A patient has recovered and discharged from hospital, while four patients are still isolated, Ad (10), Ap (15), Da (10) and Wt (9). Da and Wt are cousins, and neighbors of Ap residing in Karya Bhakti street. Ad is resident of Pak Benceng of Pontianak city.

 

Head of Medic and Non-Medic Service Division, Dr Soedarso hospital, Dr Hj Tita Selati said patients had been taken care according standard procedure (protap). “They are isolated and given Tamiflu”, said Tita.

 

In the meantime, patients’ swab samples have been sent to research and development laboratory of Ministry of Health (Litbangkes) in Jakarta for bird flu confirmation.

 

Ap was referred from Gang Sehat public health center and Wt was from Purnama public health center.

 

Previously, Dd (4.5), a bird flu suspect patient in dr Soedarso had been confirmed negative by Litbangkes, and discharged from hospital.

Source: Indonesia local newspaper, Equator News

 

 

Reports such as these come out of Indonesia, and other bird-flu endemic regions, sporadically.  Some will turn out to be H5N1, while others will not.   And it is likely that some cases are never detected.

 

H2H (Human to Human) transmission of the virus remains exceedingly rare, and most of the cases still appear to be due to contract with infected birds.

Still, these reports are a valuable reminder that the H5N1 virus remains active in some parts of the world, and its potential for causing a pandemic sometime in the future has not diminished.

 

My thanks to Ida at the BFIC , and the other newshounds around the world who diligently pour through hundreds of news sources every day looking for obscure items of interest, and then translating and posting them.

»» Read More

Indonesia: Bird Flu Suspect

 

 

# 4670

 

 

While from time to time we see media reports of suspected H5N1 human infections coming out of Indonesia, the Health Ministry only rarely issues an official confirmation.

 

More than two years ago the Indonesian government decided that real-time reporting of bird flu cases was detrimental to their economy and their international image, and since that time we only get sporadic `official’ updates (see Indonesia To Stop Announcing Bird Flu Deaths)

 

Therefore, many of these media reports of suspected cases go nowhere, and we are left wondering what happened.

 

 

Still, there is value in reporting them.   It reminds us that the bird flu problem in Indonesia has not gone away, even if it is largely absent from headlines.

 

Today, Ida at BFIC has a report from a local media source on a boy in isolation, awaiting laboratory tests for H5N1.  

 

This is a `suspect case’, and there certainly are a number of other pathogens in that region that could produce severe `flu-like’ symptoms. 

 

 

West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia 

 

 

Pontianak, West Kalimantan ::: Outbreak continues. A boy is under treatment.

Posted by Ida on June 23, 2010

West Kalimantan, an officially certified bird flu free province in Indonesia, keep reporting bird flu outbreak.  -adm-.

Pontianak – A 4-year-old boy from Kecamatan (sub-district) North Pontianak suspected of having bird flu/avian influenza (H5N1) infection. Patient is currently isolated in dr Soedarso regional hospital in Pontianak. “One patient is under isolation. Throat swab has been sent to Laboratory of Health Research and Development (Litbangkes). Epidemiology investigation didn’t show other similar case,” confirmed Head of Health Service of Pontianak, Multi Juto Batharendo.

 

Many birds reported to have died lately in North Pontianak. Soedarso regional hospital is a bird flu referral hospital is West Kalimantan. Since sudden death in birds reported, the hospital has prepared facilities for anticipating bird flu patients, such as an isolation unit for bird flu patient and disease control medical team.

 

In the meantime, Health Service has done prevention measures such as epidemiology investigation, public socialization and Tamiflu distribution to public health centers.

Source: Indonesia local newspaper, Pontianak Post

 

 Dutchy at FluTrackers has a thread going on this, with another, longer translated media report.  

 

If we should get a follow up report on this, I’ll pass it on.

»» Read More