Commentary: The Coming Catastrophe - Avian Flu
(Caribbean Net News)
Published on Monday, July 30, 2007
By Dr Gilbert Morris
Health and illness -- or sickness beyond being generally unwell -- will be the main issue of our new millennium. And in a manner of speaking, we are off to a good start. The Avian (Bird) Flu (H5N1) threatens to repeat the 1918 global pandemic that killed 40 million people.
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UN Helps Indonesia With Bird Flu Rapid Response
(Scoop)
Friday, 27 July 2007, 8:18 am
Press Release: United Nations
UN helps Indonesia set up rapid response teams to control spread of bird flu
Without involving rural communities in the fight against bird flu, Indonesia will not be able to control the highly contagious disease, which has ravaged millions of poultry and already killed more humans in the archipelago than anywhere else in the world, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned today.
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India finds H5N1 in poultry after 1-year hiatus
Jul 25, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – Animal health officials in India announced today that samples from chickens at a poultry farm in the remote northeastern Manipur state were positive for the H5N1 avian flu virus, signaling the country's first outbreak in more than a year.
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Monday, July 30, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
USDA lab confirms low-path H5N1 Strain in Virginia turkeys
Jul 17, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) today confirmed that turkeys at a Virginia farm were exposed to the low-pathogenic North American strain of the H5N1 avian flu virus.
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Jakarta still ‘probing the source of avian flu death' Published: Friday, 13 July, 2007, 01:54 Doha Time (Gulf Times)
JAKARTA: Medical officials in Indonesia are still trying to pinpoint the source of infection after a 6-year-old boy died of bird flu at the weekend, a health official said yesterday.
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In a Bird Flu Hot Spot, Community Radio Reporters Learn How to Cover the Virus
(Internews)
(July 12, 2007) Indonesian radio journalists learned how to stay safe while reporting on avian flu, how to conduct interviews with empathy, and how to communicate the risks of the virus accurately—all at a recent workshop in Bandung, West Java. Organized by Internews Network, the workshop was the first training tailored for Indonesia’s community radio stations in how to cover avian flu.
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Jul 17, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) today confirmed that turkeys at a Virginia farm were exposed to the low-pathogenic North American strain of the H5N1 avian flu virus.
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Jakarta still ‘probing the source of avian flu death' Published: Friday, 13 July, 2007, 01:54 Doha Time (Gulf Times)
JAKARTA: Medical officials in Indonesia are still trying to pinpoint the source of infection after a 6-year-old boy died of bird flu at the weekend, a health official said yesterday.
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In a Bird Flu Hot Spot, Community Radio Reporters Learn How to Cover the Virus
(Internews)
(July 12, 2007) Indonesian radio journalists learned how to stay safe while reporting on avian flu, how to conduct interviews with empathy, and how to communicate the risks of the virus accurately—all at a recent workshop in Bandung, West Java. Organized by Internews Network, the workshop was the first training tailored for Indonesia’s community radio stations in how to cover avian flu.
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Friday, June 8, 2007
Bird flu: Five warded for observation
(The Star Online)
PETALING JAYA: Five people have been admitted for observation at the Sungai Buloh Hospital after coming down with fever in wake of the bird flu outbreak at Kampung Paya Jaras Hilir in Sungai Buloh.
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Indonesia suspects ominous H5N1 mutations
Lisa Schnirring Staff Writer
Jun 6, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – Officials from Indonesia's avian flu commission said today that the H5N1 avian influenza virus may have mutated in a way that makes it more transmissible from birds to humans, but a World Health Organization (WHO) official said the WHO had seen no evidence of such a change, according to news services.
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Avian Flu – A Continued Threat
(The Real Truth)
Despite having faded from importance in the eyes of most news media and the general public, avian influenza (or “bird flu”) continues to ravage certain parts of the world. According to a recent Boston Globe article, 44 people have contracted the disease this year, mainly in Indonesia and Egypt; 60% of these have died.
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Thursday, June 7, 2007
UNICEF to distribute 100,000 bird flu prevention kits in Indonesia
UNICEF Indonesia/2007
By Arie Rukmantara
GARUT, Indonesia, 5 June 2007 – For people in Garut, West Java, a six-hour drive from Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, Monday is usually just the start of another work week.
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Malaysia culls chickens, says bird flu contained
By Yoong Chee Weng
KAMPUNG PAYA JARAS HILIR, Malaysia, June 7 (Reuters) - Malaysia has confined bird flu to three villages near its capital as teams of government workers and volunteers cull flocks of chickens and ducks to stamp out the H5N1 virus, health officials said on Thursday
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Fighting bird flu at the source
Written by Jim Birchard
The battle to protect Canadians from diseases that jump from animals to humans must be waged in the country of origin rather than here in Canada
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UNICEF Indonesia/2007
By Arie Rukmantara
GARUT, Indonesia, 5 June 2007 – For people in Garut, West Java, a six-hour drive from Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, Monday is usually just the start of another work week.
More...
Malaysia culls chickens, says bird flu contained
By Yoong Chee Weng
KAMPUNG PAYA JARAS HILIR, Malaysia, June 7 (Reuters) - Malaysia has confined bird flu to three villages near its capital as teams of government workers and volunteers cull flocks of chickens and ducks to stamp out the H5N1 virus, health officials said on Thursday
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Fighting bird flu at the source
Written by Jim Birchard
The battle to protect Canadians from diseases that jump from animals to humans must be waged in the country of origin rather than here in Canada
More...
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Vietnam reports H5N1 case ;Chinesepatient dies
Jun 4, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – Vietnam's health ministry announced over the weekend that a poultry slaughterhouse worker was being treated for H5N1 avian influenza, and the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed today that China's most recent H5N1 patient has died.
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Girl dies of bird flu, bringing national toll to 79
(The Jakarta Post)
JAKARTA (AP): An Indonesian girl died of bird flu after coming into contact with an infected chicken, bringing the national death toll from the H5N1 virus to 79, a Health Ministry spokeswoman said Sunday.
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Understanding avian flu
(Khaleej Times)
2 June 2007
IF PREDICTIONS of an avian flu epidemic in humans seem to sound more ominous with each repetition, an important reason is the paucity of scientific understanding of the process of mutation. There was thus a palpable sense of relief when an international team of scientists announced the other day that they had succeeded in isolating antibodies that could protect humans.
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Jun 4, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – Vietnam's health ministry announced over the weekend that a poultry slaughterhouse worker was being treated for H5N1 avian influenza, and the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed today that China's most recent H5N1 patient has died.
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Girl dies of bird flu, bringing national toll to 79
(The Jakarta Post)
JAKARTA (AP): An Indonesian girl died of bird flu after coming into contact with an infected chicken, bringing the national death toll from the H5N1 virus to 79, a Health Ministry spokeswoman said Sunday.
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Understanding avian flu
(Khaleej Times)
2 June 2007
IF PREDICTIONS of an avian flu epidemic in humans seem to sound more ominous with each repetition, an important reason is the paucity of scientific understanding of the process of mutation. There was thus a palpable sense of relief when an international team of scientists announced the other day that they had succeeded in isolating antibodies that could protect humans.
More...
Friday, June 1, 2007
Indonesia open to sharing bird flu samples under U.N. agreement
(The Jakarta Post)
JAKARTA(AP): Indonesia's health minister saidSaturday the country will share bird flu samples after the U.N. health agency approved an agreement it hopes will strengthen efforts to combat the ...
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China shares bird flu sample, first time in year
(Khaleej Times)
1 June 2007
GENEVA (Reuters) China has shared human bird flu samples for the first time in more than a year, giving a boost to international efforts to track the deadly H5N1 virus and develop vaccines, the World Health Organisation said on ...
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Plotting avian flu scenarios to improve preparedness
(Eldis)
Bloom, E.; de Wit, V.; Carangal-San jose, M.J. / Asian Development Bank (ADB) , 2005
This briefing looks at the possible economic consequences for Asia of a mutation of avian flu leading to human-to-human transmission, using different assumptions about the duration and virulence of the flu pandemic. The analysis looks at a relatively mild outbreak, and focuses on the short-run impact of a pandemic on aggregate economic activity. It finds that a pandemic will likely slow or halt economic growth in Asia and lead to a significant reduction in trade, particularly of services. In the long run, potential economic growth will be lower and poverty will ...
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(The Jakarta Post)
JAKARTA(AP): Indonesia's health minister saidSaturday the country will share bird flu samples after the U.N. health agency approved an agreement it hopes will strengthen efforts to combat the ...
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China shares bird flu sample, first time in year
(Khaleej Times)
1 June 2007
GENEVA (Reuters) China has shared human bird flu samples for the first time in more than a year, giving a boost to international efforts to track the deadly H5N1 virus and develop vaccines, the World Health Organisation said on ...
More...
Plotting avian flu scenarios to improve preparedness
(Eldis)
Bloom, E.; de Wit, V.; Carangal-San jose, M.J. / Asian Development Bank (ADB) , 2005
This briefing looks at the possible economic consequences for Asia of a mutation of avian flu leading to human-to-human transmission, using different assumptions about the duration and virulence of the flu pandemic. The analysis looks at a relatively mild outbreak, and focuses on the short-run impact of a pandemic on aggregate economic activity. It finds that a pandemic will likely slow or halt economic growth in Asia and lead to a significant reduction in trade, particularly of services. In the long run, potential economic growth will be lower and poverty will ...
More...
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Indonesia: H5N1 samples going to WHO again
May 15, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – Indonesia's health minister announced today at the World Health Organization's (WHO's) annual meeting that the country has resumed sending H5N1 avian influenza virus samples to the WHO, appearing to end a 5-month
standoff over developing countries' access to vaccines
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Ghana: H5N1 not a new introduction
Related to other isolates from Sub-Saharan African countries WATTpoultry.com
Dateline: Ghana
Release Date: Tuesday, May 22, 2007
The analysis of the H5N1 avian influenza strain isolated from the outbreak occurring in Ghana clearly indicates that it is closely related to other isolates from Sub-Saharan African countries like Ivory Coast, Sudan, Burkina Faso and Nigeria and that it is less similar to the Asian strains currently isolated.
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Avian influenza: assessing the pandemic threat
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WHO guidelines on avian influenza: preparing for the pandemic
WHO / World Health Organization (WHO) , 2005
This report from the World Health Organization evaluates the present pandemic threat from avian influenza (also known as avian flu or “bird flu”). The paper consists of four chapters. Chapter 1 charts the outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in humans and poultry during 2004.
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May 15, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – Indonesia's health minister announced today at the World Health Organization's (WHO's) annual meeting that the country has resumed sending H5N1 avian influenza virus samples to the WHO, appearing to end a 5-month
standoff over developing countries' access to vaccines
More...
Ghana: H5N1 not a new introduction
Related to other isolates from Sub-Saharan African countries WATTpoultry.com
Dateline: Ghana
Release Date: Tuesday, May 22, 2007
The analysis of the H5N1 avian influenza strain isolated from the outbreak occurring in Ghana clearly indicates that it is closely related to other isolates from Sub-Saharan African countries like Ivory Coast, Sudan, Burkina Faso and Nigeria and that it is less similar to the Asian strains currently isolated.
More...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Avian influenza: assessing the pandemic threat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHO guidelines on avian influenza: preparing for the pandemic
WHO / World Health Organization (WHO) , 2005
This report from the World Health Organization evaluates the present pandemic threat from avian influenza (also known as avian flu or “bird flu”). The paper consists of four chapters. Chapter 1 charts the outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in humans and poultry during 2004.
More...
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Indonesia resumes sending bird flu samples to WHO
BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhuanet) -- After refusing to share H5N1 avian flu viruses with it since the start of the year, Indonesia has resumed sending samples of the deadly virus to the World Health Organization (WHO), according to media reports Wednesday
Read more...
Singapore, US to help Indonesia fight bird flu outbreak
By Channel NewsAsia's Indonesia Bureau Chief Sujadi Siswo | Posted: 09 May 2007 1830 hrs
JAKARTA : Indonesia is fighting an uphill battle in its fight against bird flu.
The nation worst hit by the bird flu virus is now jointly working with neighbouring Singapore to control the spread of the H5N1 virus.
Read more...
What You Should Know about Using Facemasks and Respirators during a Flu PandemicCDC.gov
Photo courtesy of MoldexThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released interim guidance for the use of facemasks and respirators by the general public in certain public settings during an influenza pandemic. See the full guidance
Read more...
BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhuanet) -- After refusing to share H5N1 avian flu viruses with it since the start of the year, Indonesia has resumed sending samples of the deadly virus to the World Health Organization (WHO), according to media reports Wednesday
Read more...
Singapore, US to help Indonesia fight bird flu outbreak
By Channel NewsAsia's Indonesia Bureau Chief Sujadi Siswo | Posted: 09 May 2007 1830 hrs
JAKARTA : Indonesia is fighting an uphill battle in its fight against bird flu.
The nation worst hit by the bird flu virus is now jointly working with neighbouring Singapore to control the spread of the H5N1 virus.
Read more...
What You Should Know about Using Facemasks and Respirators during a Flu PandemicCDC.gov
Photo courtesy of MoldexThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released interim guidance for the use of facemasks and respirators by the general public in certain public settings during an influenza pandemic. See the full guidance
Read more...
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Bird flu death reported in Medan
MEDAN (JP): A 26-year-old woman who tested positive for bird flu died at a hospital in Medan, North Sumatra, on Saturday night, pushing the country's human avian influenza death toll to 76.
Read more...
Can vaccination free us from avian influenza?
By Jackie Linden
Scientists, politicians and other stakeholders met in Verona to discuss the role of poultry vaccination in the control of avian influenza. After two days of discussion and debate, the majority decided on a cautious “yes” but not as the sole method of control
Read more...
Global Program on Avian and Pandemic Influenza
Avian influenza (AI) or “bird flu” could be the next great global health threat. About 300 people have been infected and 169 have died since 2003 by contracting the virus through close contact with infected birds. But public health experts fear it is only a matter of time before the virus mutates into a form that passes easily among people, triggering a pandemic. Millions could die and economies would be crippled for months
Read more...
MEDAN (JP): A 26-year-old woman who tested positive for bird flu died at a hospital in Medan, North Sumatra, on Saturday night, pushing the country's human avian influenza death toll to 76.
Read more...
Can vaccination free us from avian influenza?
By Jackie Linden
Scientists, politicians and other stakeholders met in Verona to discuss the role of poultry vaccination in the control of avian influenza. After two days of discussion and debate, the majority decided on a cautious “yes” but not as the sole method of control
Read more...
Global Program on Avian and Pandemic Influenza
Avian influenza (AI) or “bird flu” could be the next great global health threat. About 300 people have been infected and 169 have died since 2003 by contracting the virus through close contact with infected birds. But public health experts fear it is only a matter of time before the virus mutates into a form that passes easily among people, triggering a pandemic. Millions could die and economies would be crippled for months
Read more...
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Jakarta tightens poultry regulation
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The City Council endorsed Friday a bylaw to control poultry farming and distribution in response to avian influenza outbreaks in the city.
Speaking to reporters after the endorsement of the bylaw, deputy governor Fauzi Bowo said the issuance of the regulation was timely and that he hoped people would comply with it.
Read more...
Bird flu deadly in Cambodia
A teenage girl has died after becoming infected with bird flu in Cambodia.
Dateline: Kampong Cham province, Cambodia
Release Date: Monday, April 16, 2007
16 April 2007-A 13-year-old Cambodian girl is the latest victim of bird flu, according to a report by China’s Xinhua news service.
Read more...
Avian influenza - situation in Egypt
The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced two new human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The cases have been confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
read more...
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The City Council endorsed Friday a bylaw to control poultry farming and distribution in response to avian influenza outbreaks in the city.
Speaking to reporters after the endorsement of the bylaw, deputy governor Fauzi Bowo said the issuance of the regulation was timely and that he hoped people would comply with it.
Read more...
Bird flu deadly in Cambodia
A teenage girl has died after becoming infected with bird flu in Cambodia.
Dateline: Kampong Cham province, Cambodia
Release Date: Monday, April 16, 2007
16 April 2007-A 13-year-old Cambodian girl is the latest victim of bird flu, according to a report by China’s Xinhua news service.
Read more...
Avian influenza - situation in Egypt
The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced two new human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. The cases have been confirmed by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratory and by the US Naval Medical Research Unit No.3 (NAMRU-3).
read more...
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Avian Flu
WHO standoff with Indonesia over bird flu samples indicates battle between rich and poor
DENPASAR (AP): Bird flu has largely flown off the radar of the Western world, but people are still dying from it nearly every week in Indonesia.
Since the first case was reported two years ago, government officials have reported 74 deaths from the H5N1 strain in Indonesia - more than a third of the world's total. And it's not just the virus this nation is battling. It's also struggling to ensure that poor countries get their fair share of any new vaccine developed to stem the spread of a possible global flu epidemic.
Read more...
Web Exclusive: FAO speaks out on H5N1 ‘hot spots’
By Dr. Terry Mabbett
An FAO report highlights weak links in Indonesia, Egypt and Nigeria but praise is given to Turkey and Viet Nam.
10 April 2007-When it comes to H5N1 commentary on individual countries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is usually guarded, preferring to encourage rather than to criticise. But recent events including surging number of human cases in Indonesia and Egypt, and first time appearance of human infection in West Africa, have clearly prompted the organisation into comment
Read more...
Avian influenza frequently asked questionsrevised 5 December 2005
What is avian influenza?
Which viruses cause highly pathogenic disease?
Do migratory birds spread the disease?
What is special about the current outbreaks in poultry?
Which countries have been affected by outbreaks in poultry?
What are the implications for human health?
Read more...
DENPASAR (AP): Bird flu has largely flown off the radar of the Western world, but people are still dying from it nearly every week in Indonesia.
Since the first case was reported two years ago, government officials have reported 74 deaths from the H5N1 strain in Indonesia - more than a third of the world's total. And it's not just the virus this nation is battling. It's also struggling to ensure that poor countries get their fair share of any new vaccine developed to stem the spread of a possible global flu epidemic.
Read more...
Web Exclusive: FAO speaks out on H5N1 ‘hot spots’
By Dr. Terry Mabbett
An FAO report highlights weak links in Indonesia, Egypt and Nigeria but praise is given to Turkey and Viet Nam.
10 April 2007-When it comes to H5N1 commentary on individual countries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is usually guarded, preferring to encourage rather than to criticise. But recent events including surging number of human cases in Indonesia and Egypt, and first time appearance of human infection in West Africa, have clearly prompted the organisation into comment
Read more...
Avian influenza frequently asked questionsrevised 5 December 2005
What is avian influenza?
Which viruses cause highly pathogenic disease?
Do migratory birds spread the disease?
What is special about the current outbreaks in poultry?
Which countries have been affected by outbreaks in poultry?
What are the implications for human health?
Read more...
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
WHO vows vaccine stockpile for poor states
M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Responding to calls from developing countries for the fairer distribution of bird flu vaccines, the World Health Organization will create a global stockpile of vaccines for poor countries.
Director general of the WHO, Margareth Chan, said Wednesday the global vaccine reserve would be of great importance for developing countries in their fight against avian influenza
More...
Web Exclusive: Human ‘sentinels’ for H5N1 in poultry
By Dr. Terry Mabbett
Since 2004 Cambodia has recorded just 20 outbreaks of H5N1 in poultry compared with over 2373 in neighbouring Vietnam.
16 April 2007-Seven all-fatal cases (most recent 3 April 2007) have been identified in Cambodia. Vietnam has recorded 93 human cases (42 fatal), the last on 14 November 2005. Ratio of H5N1 disease outbreaks in poultry to identified human infections is 3:1 and 25:1 respectively for Cambodia and Vietnam.
More...
Avian influenza: a threat to rural livelihoods, agricultural production and human health
FAO forms task force to monitor crisis, sends technical support missions to affected countries, convenes urgent meeting
Avian influenza was first identified over 100 years ago during an outbreak in Italy. Since then, the disease has cropped up at irregular intervals in all world regions. In addition to the current outbreak in Asia, recent epidemics have occurred in Hong Kong in 1997-1998 and 2003, in the Netherlands in 2003, and in the Republic of Korea in 2003.
More...
M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Responding to calls from developing countries for the fairer distribution of bird flu vaccines, the World Health Organization will create a global stockpile of vaccines for poor countries.
Director general of the WHO, Margareth Chan, said Wednesday the global vaccine reserve would be of great importance for developing countries in their fight against avian influenza
More...
Web Exclusive: Human ‘sentinels’ for H5N1 in poultry
By Dr. Terry Mabbett
Since 2004 Cambodia has recorded just 20 outbreaks of H5N1 in poultry compared with over 2373 in neighbouring Vietnam.
16 April 2007-Seven all-fatal cases (most recent 3 April 2007) have been identified in Cambodia. Vietnam has recorded 93 human cases (42 fatal), the last on 14 November 2005. Ratio of H5N1 disease outbreaks in poultry to identified human infections is 3:1 and 25:1 respectively for Cambodia and Vietnam.
More...
Avian influenza: a threat to rural livelihoods, agricultural production and human health
FAO forms task force to monitor crisis, sends technical support missions to affected countries, convenes urgent meeting
Avian influenza was first identified over 100 years ago during an outbreak in Italy. Since then, the disease has cropped up at irregular intervals in all world regions. In addition to the current outbreak in Asia, recent epidemics have occurred in Hong Kong in 1997-1998 and 2003, in the Netherlands in 2003, and in the Republic of Korea in 2003.
More...
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