Pigeon Droppings

 

Bihar State – Credit Wikipedia

 

# 6696

 

 

Last winter India was plagued with numerous stories of wild bird die offs that were largely blamed on the avian flu virus (see Media Report: H5N1 Killing Crows In Jharkhand).

 

By mid-December the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bhopal, confirmed that the H5N1 virus was behind at least some of these deaths. (see EpiSouth eweb_195_15_12__11.pdf).

 

Over the next few months, more reports came in, involving thousands of dead birds (see The Kolkata Crow Mystery & H5N1: A Murder Of Crows) that spread across several northern states.

 

While it is fair to say that the H5N1 virus was widely suspected, it is not clear how many were actually confirmed by laboratory testing.

 

On February  6th,2012 official notification was made to the OIE of H5N1 virus detections in crows from four states; Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Orissa, and Bihar.

 

By the end of spring, reports of fresh H5N1 outbreaks in poultry - and wild bird die offs - came to a close in India, and the subject of bird flu dropped off the front pages.  With the return of fall weather, however, the bird flu virus is back in the news (see Bangalore, India: H5N1 in Turkeys).

 

And today we’ve  a report – once again from Bihar – of a fresh bird die-off, although this time the victims are not crows, but pigeons.

 

At this point, no testing has been done, so the cause of this die off is not known.  H5N1 is a possibility, but by no means is it the only one.

 

Pigeons are generally regarded as being far less susceptible to the H5N1 virus than many other bird species (see Role of Terrestrial Wild Birds in Ecology of Influenza A Virus (H5N1), but they are not completely immune.

 

Earlier this year (see WHO Updates H5N1 In Egypt & Indonesia), two human H5N1 deaths in Indonesia were linked to direct contact with pigeons. Other pigeon-related cases from the past include:

 

•  In February of 2006, a 14 year-old pigeon handler in Iraq reportedly died from H5N1
• The April 2006 CDC's EID Journal Avian Influenza H5N1 in Naturally Infected Domestic Cats, describes a domestic cat that died after eating an infected pigeon. 
• In May of 2006, a 39 year-old man died after reportedly cleaning pigeon feces from blocked roof gutters at his home.

 

 

Any mass bird die off in an area where the H5N1 virus is endemic is worthy of investigation, but there are many other diseases that can kill pigeons. The Paramyxovirus (PMV) which has recently caused such a stir among pigeon fanciers in Australia and Newcastle virus are just two.

 

And pigeons (along with other terrestrial birds) may be affected by environmental factors, such as pesticides, and contaminated feed.

 

With all of these caveats, here is the report from the Times of India, which includes the somewhat unusual speculation from a veterinarian that faulty `mobile phone towers’ may be responsible for these deaths.

 

 

Over 500 pigeons drop dead in Bihar village

IANS | Nov 5, 2012, 05.41PM IST

PATNA: More than five hundred pigeons suddenly dropped dead at a village in Bihar's Bhagalpur district over the last four days, causing residents, some of them pigeon-keepers, to fear that something was amiss.

District officials are still to visit the site and conduct an inquiry.

Over 500 pigeons died mysteriously in Bath village near Sultanganj in Bhagalpur, about 250 km from the state capital.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

The history in India has been that officials are often slow to investigate reports of bird deaths, in poultry, and in the wild. Often, by the time an investigation is launched, the birds have been incinerated or are too decomposed, to examine.

 

So we’ll have to wait to see what, if any, answers are forthcoming on this event.

»» Read More

Egrets, They’ve Had A Few . . .

 

 

Photo Credit- Wikipedia

 

# 6139

 

 

This morning Hong Kong is reporting the discovery of two more H5N1 positive egrets. The dead birds were collected on February 6th and 7th and laboratory testing over the weekend has confirmed the presence of HPAI bird flu.

 

While we rarely hear of infected birds out of China (likely due to less than robust surveillance & reporting) - most years Hong Kong detects a couple of dozen cases - suggesting that the virus among wild birds on the mainland is probably more prevalent than is officially acknowledged. 

 

In December of 2008 Hong Kong saw their first outbreak of H5N1 in domesticated poultry in nearly 6 years. In early 2009 it was announced that the H5N1 outbreak was `likely’ caused by infected migratory birds.  See Wild Birds Eyed As Likely Source Of Hong Kong Bird Flu Outbreak.

 

Since then, local authorities have become even more diligent in their surveillance and testing of dead birds.

 

Over the past few weeks we’ve seen reports of magpie robins, egrets, peregrine falcons, and black-headed gulls testing positive for the virus in Hong Kong.

 

This from the Hong Kong government today:

 

 Little egrets test positive for H5N1 virus

A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 13) that two dead little egrets found in Tuen Mun on February 6 and 7 were confirmed to be H5N1-positive after a series of laboratory tests.

The two dead birds were found and collected at the northern entrance to Tuen Mun Park, Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road, on February 6 and 7.

 

The little egret is a common resident bird in Hong Kong.

 

The AFCD will continue to conduct inspections of poultry farms to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented.

 

The spokesman reminded people to observe good personal hygiene.

 

"They should avoid personal contact with wild birds or live poultry and clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them," he said.

Ends/Monday, February 13, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:00
NNNN

 

»» Read More

Hong Kong: Gull & Peregrine Falcon Test Positive For H5 Virus

 

 

 

# 6112

 

Despite few reports of infected wild birds from mainland China (no doubt due to less than robust surveillance and reporting), most years we hear of a dozen or more H5N1 infected migratory birds making it into Hong Kong.

 

With each announcement, calls go out to increase biosecurity measures at local poultry farms, and for citizens to avoid contact with sick or dead birds.

 

In December of 2008 Hong Kong saw their first outbreak of H5N1 in domesticated poultry in nearly 6 years. In early 2009 it was announced that the H5N1 outbreak was `likely’ caused by infected migratory birds.  See Wild Birds Eyed As Likely Source Of Hong Kong Bird Flu Outbreak.

 

Since them, local authorities have become even more diligent in their surveillance and testing of dead birds.

 

Today, the Hong Kong government has announced the discovery of two more birds, from two different locations in the city, that have tested positive for the H5 virus in preliminary testing. 

 

 

Peregrine falcon and black-headed gull test positive for H5 virus

February 1, 2012 Issued at HKT 18:47

Preliminary testing of a dead peregrine falcon in Tung Chung and a dead black-headed gull in Yuen Long have tested positive for the H5 avian influenza virus, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 1), adding that further confirmatory tests are being conducted.

 

On January 30, the dead peregrine falcon and black-headed gull were found and collected in the park of Seaview Crescent, Man Tung Road, Tung Chung and Chun Yin Square Playground, Yuen Long respectively.

 

Peregrine falcons are rare winter visitors to Hong Kong, while the black-headed gull is a common visitor.

 

The spokesman said there were no poultry farms within three kilometres of where the dead peregrine falcon was found, but four chicken farms are within three kilometres of where the dead black-headed gull was found.  AFCD staff inspected the farms and found no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza among the chicken flocks. These farms will be put under enhanced surveillance.

 

In view of these cases, the AFCD has phoned poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters have been sent to farmers, pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons reminding them that proper precautions must be taken.

 

The spokesman said the department would conduct frequent inspections of poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented. The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance.

 

"People should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. The public can call 1823 for follow-up if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including the carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman said.

 

(Continue . . . )

 

 

China ranks 174th in Reporters without Borders Press Freedom Index 2011/2012 (out of 179), while Hong Kong places 54th (not far below the United States which ranks 47th).

 

Which may help explain (in part, anyway) why most years we hear of more H5N1 infected birds from within the 426 sq. miles of Hong Kong than we do for the entire 3,704,426 sq. miles of mainland China.

»» Read More

USGS: Bird Deaths & Wildlife Die-Offs

 

 

# 5219

 

 

Last week the Internet, and the mainstream media, were suddenly preoccupied with stories of large bird die-offs in Arkansas and Louisiana, along with similar reports in Italy and Sweden.  

Suddenly, we had a new conspiracy in town.  The coming `Aflockalypse’.

 

Adding fuel to the firestorm, thousands of dead crabs washed up on the shores of Britain, and millions of fish were found floating belly up in the Chesapeake Bay and in New Zealand.

 

To some, these events seemed mysterious and somehow connected. Wild conspiracy theories, ranging from UFO death rays to government sponsored `chemtrails’  and the always handy HARRP project were proposed by various websites.

 

 

Wildlife experts were quick to caution that animal die-offs like the ones reported happen frequently, although they often go unnoticed.   

 

Causes can range from extreme weather changes, viral and bacterial infections, and starvation to toxins in the environment (including intentional poisoning). 

 

(Note: Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu has yet to appear in North America, so – for now, anyway - it remains an extremely low probability event here. In some parts of the world, however, it must be considered as a possible cause of a bird die-off.)

 

Sometimes, as in the case of the New Year’s Eve bird deaths in Beebe, Arkansas – man’s activities may be to blame, as is suspected of that night’s fireworks display.

 

Although perhaps not as entertaining as some of the wild theories floating around the Internet, the USGS has a far more sensible perspective on these wildlife die-offs, which they offered in a press release last night.

 

This is just an excerpt.  Follow the link to read the whole thing.

 

 

Wildlife Die-Offs are Relatively Common, Recent Bird Deaths Caused by Impact Trauma

Released: 1/10/2011 4:51:01 PM

Contact Information:
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
Office of Communication
119 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
Marisa Lubeck
Phone: 303-202-4765

 

Large wildlife die-off events are fairly common, though they should never be ignored, according to the U.S. Geological Survey scientists whose preliminary tests showed that the bird deaths in Arkansas on New Year’s Eve and those in Louisiana were caused by impact trauma.

 

Preliminary findings from the USGS National Wildlife Health Center's Arkansas bird analyses suggest that the birds died from impact trauma, and these findings are consistent with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's statement. The State concluded that such trauma was probably a result of the birds being startled by loud noises on the night of Dec. 31, arousing them and causing them to fly into objects such as houses or trees. Scientists at the USGS NWHC performed necropsies—the animal version of an autopsy—on the birds and found internal hemorrhaging, while the pesticide tests they conducted were negative. Results from further laboratory tests are expected to be completed in 2-3 weeks.

 

"Although wildlife die-offs always pose a concern, they are not all that unusual," said Jonathan Sleeman, director of the USGS NWHC in Madison, Wis., which is completing its analyses of the Arkansas and Louisiana birds. "It's important to study and understand what happened in order to determine if we can prevent mortality events from happening again."

 

In 2010, the USGS NWHC documented eight die-off events of 1,000 or more birds. The causes: starvation, avian cholera, Newcastle disease and parasites, according to Sleeman. Such records show that, while the causes of death may vary, events like the red-winged blackbird die-off in Beebe, Ark., and the smaller one near Baton Rouge, La., are more common than people may realize.

(Continue . . .)

 

Admittedly, running this `official’ explanation instead of embracing one of the more popular (albeit, looney) conspiracy scenarios, probably won’t draw many new visitors to this blog.

But somehow, I think I can live with that.

»» Read More

Japan: 5 Hooded Cranes Test Positive For H5N1

 

 

 

# 5181

 

 

A brief follow up to a story from Wednesday of last week (see Japan: Hooded Crane Positive For H5N1), we are now learning that a total of 5 hooded cranes have tested positive for H5N1 at the national wildlife reserve in Izumi City, Kagoshima Prefecture Japan.

Roughly 80% of the world’s population of Hooded Cranes (est. pop.  10K) over-winter at Izumi City, after migrating from their summer breeding grounds in Siberia and Mongolia.

(Wikipedia Link)

Today’s report is from Kyodo News International.

No. of bird flu-infected cranes in Kagoshima totals 5

Monday, December 27, 2010 12:16 PM

 

 

According to this report, no new sick or dead cranes have been discovered over the past few days.   The area is being monitored for more signs of the virus, and public access to the reserve has been halted until January 18th.

 

After an absence of two years, the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus has shown up in a couple of locations in Japan this fall, including a poultry farm.  

 

Recent blogs on those events include:

Japan: Detection Of H5N1 In Ducks

Japan: Bird Flu Investigation At Poultry Farm

Japan: Bird Flu Detected In Dead Swan

»» Read More

Japan: Hooded Crane Positive For H5N1

 

# 5167

 

 

In recent weeks – after a prolonged absence of bird flu reports out of Japan - the H5N1 virus has been detected in several wild birds (ducks, swans) and at a poultry farm.

 

Recent blogs on those events include:

 

Japan: Detection Of H5N1 In Ducks

Japan: Bird Flu Investigation At Poultry Farm

Japan: Bird Flu Detected In Dead Swan

 

 

Now, we’ve reports of four sick or dying hooded cranes at the national reserve in Izumi City, Kagoshima Prefecture Japan, where 80% of the world’s hooded cranes overwinter.

 

Of those, one has tested positive for the H5N1 virus, and tests are being conducted on the others.

 

First, an English language report (and video) from NHK news, and then I’ll return with some thoughts on why all of this matters.

 

 

Gov't to analyze bird flu virus in wild crane

Wed, 22 Dec 2010

The Environment Ministry is analyzing bird flu virus detected in a wild crane in southwestern Japan to confirm what measures should be taken to prevent the virus from spreading.

(Continue . . .)

 

 

There are estimated to be fewer than 10,000 hooded cranes in the world, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as Vulnerable (one step up from Endangered).

 

Their habit range is basically the northern end of the great East Asian - Australasian Flyway.

 

 

Breeding grounds are primarily in Siberia (and to a lesser extent, Mongolia) and the birds over winter in parts of Korea and China, but primarily in southern Japan.

 

You can find extended information on the Hooded Crane at the International Crane Foundation website.

 

Given their apparent ill effects from the H5N1 virus, and the long migratory distances involved, it doesn’t necessarily follow that these sick cranes were exposed to the virus in Siberia or Mongolia and subsequently brought it to Japan.

 

However, we do know that some species of birds (certain types of ducks, for instance) are perfectly capable of carrying the infection asymptomatically, with little or no ill effect.

 

Which suggests that these cranes may have been exposed either en route to Japan or perhaps after their arrival, via another migratory species.

 

Although we’ve not heard a lot about bird flu in Russia recently, in 2007 and 2008 we saw surveillance reports of wild birds in Siberia showing the presence of the H5N1 virus (see Siberian Birds Test Positive For H5N1 Antibodies and Siberian Birds Show H5N1 Antibodies).

 

The gist of these reports was that up to 2% of the birds sampled in Siberia showed antibodies to the H5N1 virus.

 

These birds, alive and healthy, were exposed at some point in their lives to the virus and either recovered or were never sickened to begin with.

 

In 2008, the following news story appeared in the Korean press (link is now dead).

 

Local Bird Flu Virus Matches Strain Found in Japan

Updated May.22,2008 

 

Researchers have found that strains of bird flu found in Korea and Japan this year are almost genetically the same. The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service said Wednesday that the genetic makeup of a strain of bird flu sampled from chickens in Gimje, South Jeolla Province was 99.7 percent identical to a sample from swans found in Japan's Akita prefecture.

 

The finding gives grounds to analysis that the latest outbreak of avian influenza may have originated from migratory birds.

 

 

And according to the OIE Report filed on Japan’s poultry outbreak last month (see OIE Notification On Japan’s H5N1)", the strain detected in November was very close to the strain detected in Hokkaido, Japan in 2008.

 

 

On 2 December 2010, the institute confirmed the cases as highly pathogenic avian influenza because the isolate caused 75 % mortality in 4-week-old chickens infected intravenously, and the amino acid sequence of the connecting peptide of the haemagglutinin was the same as that observed for the highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses isolated from faeces of wild ducks in Hokkaido in October 2008.

 

 

The emergence of similar strains of H5N1 over a period of years, and across great distances (Siberia to Izumi City = 2,000 miles) strongly supports the notion that the virus keeps being re-introduced to Japan (and Korea) by some species of migratory birds – probably coming out of Siberia, Mongolia, and China.

 

It should be noted that the East Asian - Australasian Flyway also encroaches on western Alaska, providing a potential air-bridge for the virus to migrate to North American birds as well.

 

The USGS and the Alaska Science Center track birds that migrate between Alaska and Asia, and from Alaska to the rest of the Americas, and test them for avian influenza viruses. 

 

Thus far, the highly pathogenic H5N1 has not been detected in North America.

 

Four migratory species (see USGS Tracking Animal Movements with Radio Telemetry) of particular interest are:

 

Common Eider - Eiders move from Alaska's North Slope to Russia and back.

Long-tailed Ducks - These waterfowl migrate to Japan via Russia from Alaska's North Slope and also around the state of Alaska.

Black Brant - These geese migrate from Western Alaska to Baja Mexico and back.

Loons - Loons are wide-ranging from Alaska to Mexico and Alaska to China and Japan.

 

 

The discovery of a few dead cranes from the H5N1 in some remote marsh or wildlife preserve halfway around the world may not sound like a big story, but it serves as an early warning system that the virus is on the move.

 

And that not only endangers wildlife and poultry interests, it poses a potential hazard to humans as well.

»» Read More

Japan: Bird Flu Detected In Dead Swan

 

 

# 5158

 

 

From Kyodo news this morning, we get a brief story regarding the discovery of a sick and dying swan, infected with the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus.

 

The swan was found on December 4th, within 10 kilometers of a poultry farm  where 20,000 chickens were recently culled, after the detection of the virus (see Japan: Gearing Up To Tackle Bird Flu).

 

 

H5N1 bird flu strain detected from swan in Tottori Pref.

TOTTORI/TOYAMA, Japan, Dec. 18, Kyodo

The deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza has been detected in what appeared to be a wild swan that died earlier this month in the western Japan city of Yonago, local officials said Saturday.

(Continue . . .)

 

According to other reports, two dead swans and one other observed to be swimming feebly in the area in the past week are being investigated for possible H5N1 infection as well.

»» Read More

South Korea Finds 2 H5N1 Infected Owls

 

 

 

# 5132

 

 

After several major bird flu outbreaks over the years, including the wave of H5N1 that swept the country’s poultry farms in 2008 (see here, here, and here), South Korea now mounts an aggressive annual surveillance program starting each fall and running through the spring.

 

The incidence of H5N1 infection among wild birds, and their role in spreading the disease, has been a subject of considerable debate over the years.

 

We’ve seen conflicting studies (and a good deal of rhetoric) that either implicate or exonerate wild or migratory birds as significant vectors of the virus.

 

A few blogs on that contentious debate include:

 

Another Migratory Bird Study

Not One Of The Usual Suspects

FAO: On The Trail Of Avian Influenza

The Migratory Bird Connection

India: The Role Of Migratory Birds In Spreading Bird Flu

 

 

The poultry industry would, naturally, like to lay the problem mainly at the perch of wild and  migratory birds. Naturalists tend to see poor biosecurity in poultry operations - and the illicit poultry trade - as the real culprits.

 

Personally, I’ve never seen any reason why these should be viewed as mutually exclusive options. Both could be major contributors, perhaps with one being a bigger factor than the other depending on where in the world you happen to be.

 

As one might suspect, when you actively look for bird flu . . .  you are more apt to find it.  At least in those regions (primarily Asia) where the virus is endemic.

 

And so it was of little surprise that earlier this week South Korea announced the discovery of a single duck at a wild migratory habitat that tested positive for the H5N1 virus.

 

2010/12/08 00:41 KST

S. Korea confirms bird flu outbreak in southern province

SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government confirmed on Tuesday a bird flu outbreak in a southwestern region of the country, a main winter habitat of migratory birds.

The agricultural ministry said the state veterinary service confirmed that the bird flu virus was found in one of the blood samples sent from Iksan, North Jeolla Province.

The ministry conducted an emergency disinfection of the area around the Mangyeong River, where the infected wild bird was found, and put an area within a 10-kilometer radius from the site of the outbreak under intensive care.

 

 

While calling a lone infected duck an `outbreak’ might seem to be stretching the definition a bit, H5N1 is a communicable disease in birds, and so where you find one you are apt to find others.

 

Today, Yonhap news is reporting on the discovery of two more infected birds, although the location given is too vague to tell how far removed these cases are from the one reported earlier this week.

 

First the news report,  then a little more.

 

2010/12/10 17:34 KST

S. Korean quarantine officials find dead owls affected by bird flu

SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean quarantine officials found two dead eagle owls infected with the virulent strain of bird flu in the central western part of the country on Friday.

 

The farm ministry, however, said that the discovery of the owls did not mean South Korea was affected by the disease since no domestically raised ducks and chickens have become sick from the highly contagious influenza. Exports of poultry will not be affected by the discovery, it stressed.

 

Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo)

 

While the List of Species Affected by H5N1 (Avian Influenza) is long (and growing), somewhat surprisingly, owls have only rarely been mentioned.

 

 

 

Most wild birds are thought to become infected through the sharing of virally contaminated water sources.  H5N1 is primarily a gastrointestinal infection in birds, and is generally believed spread through infected feces.

 

Owls,  as opportunistic hunters - have another likely route of infection; the consumption of infected prey.

 

The Eurasian eagle owl is one of the largest owls in the world, and so is quite capable of taking medium sized quarry. Its diet includes mice, rats, rabbit, squirrels and other birds.

 

A scan of the USGS H5N1 database shows that rats, mice, and even rabbits ((a veritable smorgasbord for owls) . . .  along with many species of birds, have all been discovered carrying the H5N1 virus. 

 

So the discovery of two dead owls leads one to suspect there are more infected birds and/or animals in the region.

 

While the detection of a few wild birds with H5N1 in one week in Korea is hardly alarming, it is a reminder that the virus continues to exist, and spread, in the wild. 

 

So surveillance efforts, such as the one ongoing in South Korea and those mounted each year by the USGS, are important measures to help quantify, control, and contain the threat.

»» Read More

The Krasnoyarsk Duck Die Off

 

 

# 4818

 

 

 

Yesterday Dutchy on FluTrackers tracked down, translated, and posted an article from a Russian online news source that detailed the die off of `500’ birds.

 

Crof mentioned this story yesterday here.

First the original reports, then some follow ups:

 

 

Unknown virus in Krasnoyarsk lake killed 500 birds
KRASNOYARSK, September 20. On the shore of Lake Tagar in the Krasnoyarsk Territory ornithologists found dead migratory birds.

 

Among the dead birds - ducks (mallard, Cherokee, shelohvost) and crows. According EMERCOM Russia in Krasnoyarsk region, only found about 500 animals.

 

In connection with the emergency on the lake and 100-meter zone of sanitary quarantine. 2 posts were put up DPS and get information boards. Moreover, in Minusinsk District banned the hunting passes Ngs.ru

 

Causes of death of the birds are being investigated. Presumably, the death of the birds could occur as a result of acute viral disease. In this regard, there are already several reports on the return of bird flu.

 

Since then, the story has evolved (you can follow new reports on this thread), with additional contributions first from Sally Furniss and again from Dutchy.

 

1.09.2010 | 06:38

The cause of mass deaths of migratory birds in the area of Lake Tagar in the Krasnoyarsk Territory became virus type "A"

These are the preliminary findings of the Professional Regional Veterinary Service. According to ITAR-TASS, they completed this morning blood tests dead birds. It is reported that the general form of the virus.

 

Its varieties are numerous / avian, swine flu, etc. / and represent a significant risk in epidemiological terms. Currently Minusinsk region, where there was an emergency, completed a survey area, the collection of biomass dead birds, which will subsequently be burned. All poultry entered the edge closure of birds.

 

Apparently the exact type of influenza has not been nailed down, but given the mass die off, a highly pathogenic avian influenza (like H5N1) seems highly likely.

 

This next report from Dutchy not only asks if this is the return of Bird Flu, but also expands the size of the die off to `thousands’.

 

There is also a 2.5 minute Russian language news clip you can watch with video of the lake and the collection of dead and dying birds.

 

 

 

Although influenza appears to be the prime suspect here, other possibilities have been floated as well. The article below calls into question the original theory that blamed a blue-green algae bloom as the cause – and casts doubt on this being some kind of man-made toxin.

 

That said, poisonings (intentional or accidental), are often behind large bird die offs.

 

For now the culprit does appear to be a flu virus, and the leading candidate is H5N1.

 

 

Has bird flu returned?
21/09/2010
In the Krasnoyarsk region trying to find out what caused the mass deaths of migratory birds in the southern region.

 

In the Lake Tagar found about thousands of dead ducks. Specialists suggest that they died from the virus that is dangerous not only for birds but for the man.

- snip -

Among the dead and sick birds, biologists have discovered not just different species of ducks: mallards, teal, sorokonosku, but even a few crows and wagtails. All dead birds feed in different ways, and this fact is called into question the original version of the epidemic - the poisoning of ducks, blue-green algae.

 

No companies with environmentally dangerous production next either. Xiii and version of the intentional poisoning of ducks. Such mass mortality of wild birds in the Krasnoyarsk region has never been. And the epidemic is local in character.

More (machinetranslation in English)

 

 

 

News stories out of Russia (or anywhere else, for that matter) should always be taken with a grain of salt.  Early reports are often wrong or misleading and `facts’ – such as in the number of birds killed – are often revised in later reports.

 

Those caveats aside, this incident is definitely worth following.  As Crof said yesterday, it reminds one of the Qinghai Lake mass die off in 2005.

 

Earlier this summer, you may remember I blogged on an H5N1 Avian Flu Wild Bird Deaths On Russian-Mongolian Border. 

 

You can keep tabs on these latest reports by hitting the FluTrackers Thread.  Of course, I’ll  post any major updates here, as well.

 

For more on how the volunteer newshounds find, translate, and analyze foreign language news reports like this, you might wish to read Newshounds: They Cover The Pandemic Front.

»» Read More

WAHID Notification Of Russian H5N1

 

 

# 4682

 

 

Eleven days ago I wrote about the discovery of wild bird deaths from an unspecified (but likely H5N1) avian flu, along the Russian-Mongolian border at Uvs Nuur lake.

 

 

Over the past couple of days Russian authorities have submitted two reports to the OIE’s  WAHID (World Animal Health Information Database) Interface.

 

• Immediate notification (25/06/2010)
• Follow-up report No. 1 (28/06/2010)

 

As expected, the laboratory testing has come back positive for highly pathogenic H5N1  and the total number of dead birds recovered is now 367.

 

Species affected included Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus), Goosander (Mergus merganser), Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Gadwall (Anas strepera), Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia).

 

This is the third die off of birds due to H5N1 in this region since 2006. 

 

A reminder that, while we don’t often read about it, avian flu continues to circulate in the wild. 

»» Read More

Birds Of A Feather . . . .

 

 

 

# 4675

 

 

Yesterday Scott McPherson took a fascinating look at the role of of terrestrial wild birds (as opposed to waterfowl) in the spreading of various avian influenzas across the United States (see Songbirds, not just fowl, represent avian flu threat to US).

 

This morning, we’ve new research (that appeared yesterday) in PLoS One, suggesting that waterfowl may be acquiring and spreading avian flu viruses because their preening oils bind the virus to their feathers.

 

The persistence of avian flu viruses in bodies of water has been demonstrated in the past (Persistence of H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses in water  and  Persistence of avian influenza viruses in water).

 

Under the right conditions, the virus can remain viable for days or even weeks.

 

While avian influenza surveillance efforts among wild birds have concentrated on cloacal and tracheal samples, this research suggests that the additional step of sampling bird’s feathers might yield additional positives.

 

First, excerpts from the press release (slightly reparagraphed for readability), then a link to the PLoS One  Article.

 

 

 

Bird flu: In the plumage the secret of virus spread success

Today in PLoS ONE

International team of Italy-US scientists reports discovery of a new mechanism of avian influenza virus circulation and transmission in nature

 

A team of scientists, led by Mauro Delogu, virologist from the Veterinary Faculty of the Bologna University and researchers from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis, Tennessee) have discovered a new way of avian influenza transmission.

 

<SNIP>

The scientists actually discovered that the preen oil gland secretions, by which all aquatic birds make their feathers waterproof, support a natural mechanism that concentrates AIVs from water onto birds' bodies. They found that a progressive virus "sticking" on feathers occurs because AIV-contaminated waters interact with the preen oil gland secretion.

 

Since waterbirds use to spread preen oil over their own (self-preening) or other birds' (allo-preening) plumage, it is easily understandable how these preening activities could facilitate the diffusion of the viruses in nature.

 

The discovery, adds Delogu, has also important implications in the surveillance of avian influenza viruses.

 

In fact, virus on feathers could escape detection by the current surveillance strategies which assay the virus secreted in the cloacal and tracheal samples only. Lack of detection of these viruses may greatly complicate surveillance and rapid responses to new virus emergence and spread. For this reason, Delogu said, in routine surveillance programs, additional sampling methods could be necessary to detect AIVs on birds' bodies.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

The PLoS One  link and abstract follow:

 

Can Preening Contribute to Influenza A Virus Infection in Wild Waterbirds?

 

Mauro Delogu, Maria A. De Marco, Livia Di Trani, Elisabetta Raffini, Claudia Cotti, Simona Puzelli, Fabio Ostanello, Robert G. Webster, Antonio Cassone, Isabella Donatelli

Abstract

Wild aquatic birds in the Orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes are the main reservoir hosts perpetuating the genetic pool of all influenza A viruses, including pandemic viruses. High viral loads in feces of infected birds permit a fecal-oral route of transmission.

 

Numerous studies have reported the isolation of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) from surface water at aquatic bird habitats. These isolations indicate aquatic environments have an important role in the transmission of AIV among wild aquatic birds.

 

However, the progressive dilution of infectious feces in water could decrease the likelihood of virus/host interactions. To evaluate whether alternate mechanisms facilitate AIV transmission in aquatic bird populations, we investigated whether the preen oil gland secretions by which all aquatic birds make their feathers waterproof could support a natural mechanism that concentrates AIVs from water onto birds' bodies, thus, representing a possible source of infection by preening activity.

 

We consistently detected both viral RNA and infectious AIVs on swabs of preened feathers of 345 wild mallards by using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and virus-isolation (VI) assays. Additionally, in two laboratory experiments using a quantitative real-time (qR) RT-PCR assay, we demonstrated that feather samples (n = 5) and cotton swabs (n = 24) experimentally impregnated with preen oil, when soaked in AIV-contaminated waters, attracted and concentrated AIVs on their surfaces. The data presented herein provide information that expands our understanding of AIV ecology in the wild bird reservoir system.

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Avian Flu Wild Bird Deaths On Russian-Mongolian Border

 

 

# 4660

 

Nine days ago, the newshounds at FluTrackers had reports of a die off of wild birds from the H5N1 virus in Tibet (see H5N1 Bird Deaths In Tibet).

 

Today, new reports of bird deaths from an unspecified (but likely H5N1) avian flu, but this time it comes from the Russian-Mongolian border at Uvs Nuur lake. 

 

 

Sally Furniss of FluTrackers has posted a series of translated news articles from the Russian press in this thread over the past 24 hours.

 

Typical of these reports is the following, from 1nsk.ru.

 

Incidents

Service of veterinary supervision Tuva found hotbed of infection of avian influenza on the lake Uvs Nuur on the border with Mongolia. The specialists went to the scene to dispose of 85 carcasses of waterfowl. But until the epidemic of influenza is too early, reported on June 17 Tayge.info at the Department of State Veterinary Inspection and the health of animals Tuva.

 

"On the perishing in the lake Uvs Nuur birds in early June, officials said Reserve" Uvs Nuur Basin. June 7 Head of State Veterinary Inspection went to the place of inspection and found 85 carcasses of wild waterfowl. Eight biological samples sent to Kemerovo laboratory. June 11 in the four samples was identified avian influenza virus ", - told companion, adding that information from Tuva had already been sent to the Itar-Tass and the Moscow Veterinary Centre.

 

To localize the infection created a synthesis of anti detachment, which on June 15 went to the lake. Experts put their carcass birds in deep pits and burned. After the destruction of the pit will be backfilled, enclosed by barbed wire and equipped with warning signs. Telephone communications with participants of the detachment there, the latest data on the development of the disease will be known no earlier than June 25.

 

According to the staff member vetnadzora, now out of the lake Uvs Nuur is prohibited, "but there and in ordinary times, no one comes, even the inhabitants of the nearest village" Akchera. Interlocutor assured that there is no danger to humans. Send comment representatives Rosselkhoznadzor June 17 Tayge.info failed.

 

In addition to the lake Uvs Nuur, where in 2006 and 2009 has already seen outbreaks of bird flu, experts vetnadzora Tuva spent monitoring lakes Andaygyn and White, located in different parts of the country. Laboratory analysis of biological samples showed that the avian flu here has not yet arrived.

 

 

As noted in this article, bird flu has been detected in this area on two previous occasions. In 2006 and again in 2009.

»» Read More

Hong Kong: Magpie Robin Tests Positive For H5N1

 

# 4214

 

 

From the Wikipedia.   Hong Kong is nestled at the outflow of the Pearl River and is bordered by Guangdong Province, China.

 

 

 

Hong Kong is one of the few places in the world where public health authorities take notice of something as seemingly inconsequential as a single dead bird. 

 

To understand why, you have to go back to 1997, when the H5N1 Bird Flu virus suddenly appeared in Hong Kong – infecting 18 residents and killing 6. 

 

The source of the infection, it was discovered, was their domesticated poultry industry. It was only the complete eradication of all poultry in the territory that managed to halt what many feared could have been a disaster.

 

Since then, Hong Kong has kept a particularly watchful eye.

 

Not only on people (they test flu strains more thoroughly than perhaps anyplace in the world), but also on birds, both wild and farmed. 

 

This heightened level of surveillance is why we are aware of rare mild H9 human infections in Hong Kong, another avian influenza. In late 2009, two such infections were detected (see Another H9 Report From Hong Kong)

 

And each year, Hong Kong finds at least a couple of dozen wild birds, either dead or dying, from the H5N1 virus.

 

In December of 2008, Hong Kong saw their first outbreak of H5N1 in domesticated poultry in nearly 6 years.   This once again set off alarm bells, and sparked intense debate on how the virus managed to get past their biosecurity measures.

 

In January of 2009 it was announced that the H5N1 outbreak was `likely’ caused by infected migratory birds.  See Wild Birds Eyed As Likely Source Of Hong Kong Bird Flu Outbreak.

 

Last week it was announced that a Magpie had been found dead in Hong Kong, and it was being tested for the H5N1 virus.  Today we learn that test came back positive.

First the report, then a little discussion.

 

 

Oriental Magpie Robin tested H5N1 positive in HK

2010-01-04 14:16:38

    HONG KONG, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong said Monday that an Oriental Magpie Robin, a common resident bird in the city, found in a country park in the New Territories was confirmed H5N1 positive.

 

The bird carcass was found and collected on Dec. 29, 2009 near the Hok Tau Management Center in Pat Sin Leng Country Park. It was confirmed to have contracted H5N1 virus after a series of laboratory tests.

 

A department spokesman reminded people to avoid personal contact with wild birds or live poultry and clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them.

 

 

Neighboring mainland China has a long history of H5N1 outbreaks in poultry, and in wild birds. The virus appears to be endemic in some species of migratory waterfowl, causing little or no illness in their natural hosts. 

 

 

But these asymptomatic hosts are capable of spreading the virus to more susceptible hosts, including resident birds like magpies.

 

 

While surveillance and reporting from Guangdong Province are often lacking, the detection of H5N1 in dead chickens floating down the Pearl River (see  The Winter Of Our Disbelief), and in migratory waterfowl (see Hong Kong Discovers Another Infected Heron) point to the mainland as an ongoing source of the virus.

 

The danger that humans would contract the virus from the occasional wild bird is fairly remote, but as was demonstrated in late 2008, migratory birds can introduce the virus to domestic poultry flocks. 

 

And there, with the high density of birds and greater degree of human contact comes a better chance of human infection along with considerable containment and economic impact.

 

So the discovery of even a single bird infected with the virus is viewed as noteworthy in Hong Kong. 

 

A year ago, before the novel H1N1 virus captured all of the headlines, we were watching massive outbreaks of H5N1 in Chinese poultry, and hearing repeated warnings of avian vaccine failures (see Zhong Nanshan On Asymptomatic Poultry).

 

Is China Making Its Bird-Flu Outbreak Worse?

By Austin Ramzy / Beijing Friday, Feb. 13, 2009

 

Farmers prepare to bury dead chickens on Feb. 5 in Chongqing, China, where since Jan. 30 nearly 12,000 chickens have been found dead in a local village. The cause of the deaths is still not determined

 

You can find more coverage on these, and other reports, in the following blogs from early 2009:

 

Chinese Vet Warns Of `Grave Threat' From Animal Diseases

More On The Chinese Bird Flu Mystery

Time: Is China Making Its Bird Flu Outbreak Worse?

Hong Kong Continues To Find Infected Birds

China Denies H5N1 Outbreaks In Poultry

All Eyes On Mainland China

 

Those H5N1 concerns have not gone away, even if they have largely disappeared from the headlines.  

»» Read More