Kuwait - 4 individuals have tested negative

[Gert van der Hoek]

Kuwait hospitalises 4 Asians on bird flu fear

03 Apr 2007 17:46:20 GMT

KUWAIT, April 3 (Reuters) - Four Asian workers in Kuwait have been admitted to hospital on fears of bird flu infection, a Health Ministry official said on Tuesday.

"Four Asian workers were transferred to a hospital on suspicion of bird flu, but nothing is confirmed yet," Ahmed al-Shatti told Reuters.

Kuwait has reported scores of bird flu cases in birds but not humans.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L03136732.htm

(Adds details, background)

KUWAIT, April 3 (Reuters) - Four foreign workers in Kuwait have been admitted to hospital on fears of bird flu infection, a Health Ministry official said on Tuesday.

"Four Asian workers were transferred to a hospital on suspicion of bird flu, but nothing is confirmed yet," Ahmed al-Shatti told Reuters.

Shatti said the workers were part of teams culling birds in the southern region of Wafra near the Saudi border, where the H5N1 deadly strain had been found on chicken farms.

Kuwait has culled more than 1.7 million birds, the official Kuwait News Agency reported. The figure represents more than two thirds of the country's egg-laying hens.

Kuwait reported 106 bird flu cases in birds this year.

Kuwait's zoo and poultry shops in residential areas have been closed and the import of live birds is banned.

In 2005, Kuwait reported a case of bird flu in a flamingo.

[Treyfish]

Re: Kuwait hospitalises 4 Asians on bird flu fear

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=NewsDetailsTitle>Four Asians suspected of having bird flu symptoms spotted in Kuwait </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD class=NewsDetailsCategory>Health & Environment 4/3/2007 9:24:00 PM</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=ArticleDetails><TABLE class=ImageFloat cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD class=pictureCaption id=tdCaption align=middle width=180></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Four Asians suspected of having bird flu symptoms spotted in Kuwait KUWAIT, April 3 (KUNA) -- Four Asians were taken to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kuwait for examination because they were suspected of being infected with bird flu, the National Joint Committee for Combating Bird Flu announced Tuesday.
Committee spokesman Dr. Ahmad Al-Shatti told KUNA over phone the Asians were among the teams working nationwide to spot bird flu-infected birds to slaughter them.
He said the number of persons transferred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital since February 18 rose to 22.
Al-Shatti, who was speaking after a regular committee meeting chaired by Minister of Health, did not reveal nationalities of the Asians.
He said the Asians would be exposed to medical examinations in accordance with international standards before officially declaring whether they were infected or not.
The committee, added Al-Shatti, was committed to transparency and exchange of information with the public in a drive to effectively contain the wave of bird flu disease.
The eradication team has been slaughtering birds to contain the disease. HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah ordered compensations to be paid to poultry owners. (end) na.bs KUNA 032124 Apr 07NNNN </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD height=0></TD></TR><TR><TD>http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesP...00&Language=en</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Treyfish]

Re: Kuwait hospitalises 4 Asians on bird flu fear

PAAAFR blamed for spread of disease

Published Date: April 03, 2007
KUWAIT: Member of the Board at the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources and Chairman of the complaints committee at the authority, Nawaf Mutairi said inadequate measures taken by the authority to fight diseases were the main reasons behind the spread of bird flu and bovine tuberculosis in Kuwait.
He said that by not taking preventive measures in allowing some birds' entry via the airport, as well as not making the correct laboratory tests and quarantines were all part of the reasons. He also said several birds entered the country without being subjected to tests, especially since they were supposed to be examined and detained for 21 days and then rechecked every week until ensuring that they were free of the disease in order to release them.
He added that the authority sometimes took verbal undertakings from the owners of the birds ensuring that they would detain them, which were in violation of the World Health Organisation's laws as well as the minutes of meeting held by the birds flu emergency committee dated 8/8/2006.
He affirmed that he learned about two cases of people infected with bovine tuberculosis in Kuwait because shipments were allowed in without producing health certificates from the exporting country. He said the authority became aware of this and ordered the shipment to be sent back, adding that the source was Domal.
http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news...MTcwOTE2NTU0MA==

[FluBossie]

Re: Kuwait hospitalises 4 Asians on bird flu fear

Kuwait hospitalises four Asians for suspected bird flu



4 April 2007 | 00:34 | FOCUS News Agency



Kuwait City. Four Bangladeshi workers who had been culling chickens infected with bird flu were admitted to hospital in Kuwait with flu-like symptoms Tuesday, the health ministry said.
"The four men are members of the teams combating the disease and have been involved in culling chickens, AFP informs. They were admitted to hospital over suspicions they might be infected," ministry spokesman Ahmad al-Shatti told AFP.
Shatti said it was not the first time that anyone had been admitted to hospital to be kept under observation for the disease.

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n109373

[Theresa42]

Re: Kuwait hospitalises 4 Asians on bird flu fear

A previous Bengali sus case in Kuwait reportedly tested neg the other day:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20639

[Theresa42]

Re: Kuwait hospitalises 4 Asians [Bengalis] on bird flu fear

Google-translated from Arabic:

Health 4 sent samples to a laboratory Department workers worldwide to make sure their injuries .. Company and the sixth executed in abundance Tiorha
The discovery of human .. infected with bird influenza "initially"
April 4, 2007

Abdullah Taha Al-Shamari, Secretary, and Jamal Al-Rajhi, Nasser Al-Otaibi, Abdullah Lamb:

The risk of avian influenza disease expands yesterday with the discovery of the sixth farm in the abundance found in infected birds, and the continuing executions of any bird suspected of suffering, but the greatest shift in the subject is that "Preliminary tests of the four workers Department proved to be infected with", but that the Ministry of Health has announced that it has sent samples of workers four to a laboratory to ascertain the global infection, in accordance with the instructions of the World Health Organization.

The Under-Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Dr Issa Al-Khalifa "Homeland" that "four suspected cases infected bird influenza transmitted diseases to the hospital yesterday, in the spirit of transparency, we find no difficulty in saying that doctors suspected virus disease".

He added: "Samples of four of these workers will be sent to a laboratory to give the world the immediate results and then announced as soon as it was received", noting that "four workers working with a company contracting with the agriculture, where poultry is not executed misgivings preventive".

For his part, the Director of Communicable Diseases Hospital, Dr. Jamal De'eij that "hospital health measures taken to isolate the four Asians Pending confirmation of test results", noting that "suffer from high temperatures and have the same symptoms are symptoms of avian influenza disease".

Meanwhile, lawyer Talal jilaal that "State obligation to compensate the injured", noting that "it is the responsibility of the Agriculture, as well as the responsibility is passed on to the company that has not met the compensation".

He called jilaal to "Adoption of special legislation for the control of epidemics, because current legislation incomplete".

On the other hand, the abundance yesterday witnessed the execution of tens of thousands of birds of a company.

Al Watan ["Homeland"] that the company discovered the sixth in the region injured birds have the disease, while the Agriculture executed birds found in the woods.

The fears of the possibility of transmission of the disease to the area after inflicting injuries found on the avian flu disease in the jockeys and cleared two pieces.

The owners of the bathroom (Almaterjeh) Tiorham transferred outside the region, fearing that force them to destroy the agriculture of the possibility of being infected with the disease.

[Article continues with health news not related to bf....]

http://www.alwatan.com.kw/Default.aspx?MgDid=486276&pageId=26

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=74701&postcount=1

[Theresa42]

Re: Kuwait hospitalises 4 Asians [Bengalis] on bird flu fear

The 4 Bengalis have, apparently, been involved in culling poultry -- and initial tests (of what sort I don't know) show that they are positive (for influenza A maybe?). Further tests are being sent to Egypt....

Google-translated from Arabic:

Blessed fallibility: Anything can happen and samples to the reference laboratory in Egypt
Avian influenza: Suspicion of four casualties

04/04/2007 Written by blessing and Majed Nasser Abdullah weak and Dubai:

After 45 days, the emergence of the avian influenza disease in Kuwait, the Minister of Health, Dr. Immune feast on suspicion of the existence of four casualties of the disease are employment Bangla, used by the agriculture in the process of execution of poultry farms in abundance.

She blessed told 'Al-Qabas': anything can happen with regard to the possibility of the disease four injured workers.

But instructions WHO to send samples to the reference laboratory in Egypt, expected that the results of tests by Friday at the latest.

How the spread of the news of the suspect's lead?

After that carried out the execution of Agriculture poultry farms in abundance last Saturday, has been taking blood samples from death squads [i.e. they've been testing the cullers].

Yesterday morning, and found that the results of four samples out of 140 samples was positive.

And immediately was summoned owners of samples and at six in the evening yesterday arrived Albangalion four to the hospital, where infectious diseases were placed in the isolation ward to complete the procedures.

Nominated information that the four were not Bengalis among those working in the body, but hired by the Authority to carry out the executions of some cleaning companies, and this was denied by the President of the Jassim Al-Bader, stressing that the Bengalis have been used by agricultural companies contracting with the body.

In parallel, the Commission decided to close down all of Agriculture poultry farms in the country and Bayada Tiorha executed immediately.

http://www.alqabas.com.kw/Final/NewspaperWebsite/NewspaperPublic/ArticlePage.aspx?most=1&ArticleID=261701

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=74702&postcount=2

[Theresa42]

Re: Kuwait hospitalises 4 Asians [Bengalis] on bird flu fear

Another article from the bottom of the same page as the article in the previous post. Doesn't sound like a safe culling process at all!

The stuff about the "cleaning companies" is referring to the fact that some reports have it that the Bengali cullers are actually cleaners hired in temporarily as cullers, a fact which the Ministry of Agriculture denies -- MoA says they are agricultural workers.

Google-translated from Arabic:

How is the process of extermination of birds?
Here sticks .. You Baldjaj
April 4, 2007

Sources revealed up to the cause of the spread of avian influenza in Kuwait that the major flaw cope with the continuing process of executions carried out by the agriculture in the number of farms.

According to these sources, the process of execution are to be applied retroactively and underdeveloped in the literal sense of the meaning of these words, as they are collecting tens of workers of different nationalities are providing workers with sharp sticks before entering the 'field penalty' and after they crossed start in conflict with the chickens of all kinds.

Sources say that the workers among them boast about that chicken needed one strike on the head Down killed while parents may need more, as well as large birds such as peacocks and ducks, and others.

The sources wondered: Where safety and security measures in this brutal process? Why not take advantage of the experiences of developed countries in this regard by using certain pesticides to eliminate the birds and maintain the health of humans who carry out the genocide of the birds?

Ironically, the Agriculture, which is the official draw workers cleaning companies not eligible for the implementation of the death toll has been suspicion injured four of them.

The sources add: "We must ask those who mingled these workers, cleaners [if they are cleaners] and whether any of them worked in hospitals Kuwait?

Just a question dangerously large drawing responsible for our health!

http://www.alqabas.com.kw/Final/NewspaperWebsite/NewspaperPublic/ArticlePage.aspx?most=1&ArticleID=261701

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=74706&postcount=3

[Sharpe]

Re: Kuwait hospitalises 4 Asians [Bengalis] on bird flu fear

\Yesterday morning, and found that the results of four samples out of 140 samples was positive.

So they tested positive.

[Theresa42]

Re: Kuwait hospitalises 4 Asians [Bengalis] on bird flu fear

So they tested positive.

Yup. But it's not clear to me pos for what. Could it just be influenza A? Or is there likely something more to it when they're now sending tests on to Egypt?

[sharon sanders]

Re: Kuwait hospitalises 4 Asians [Bengalis] on bird flu fear

KUWAIT CITY (AFP) - Preliminary tests for bird flu on four Bangladeshi workers who had been culling chickens infected with the disease were "positive," a Kuwaiti medical source told AFP.
<SCRIPT language=javascript>if(window.yzq_d==null)window.y zq_d=new Object();window.yzq_d['NIUFL9GDJHA-']='&U=13b3gagjo%2fN%3dNIUFL9GDJHA-%2fC%3d571699.10457073.11088420.1442997%2fD%3dLREC %2fB%3d4429547';</SCRIPT><NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT>
"The first test on the four men was positive," the source said, requesting anonymity. "We have taken blood samples for a second test to reconfirm the initial results. We expect the outcome within hours."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070404/wl_sthasia_afp/healthflukuwaitbangladesh

[HenryN]

Re: Kuwait - 4 prelim test positive

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/04040701/H5N1_Kuwait_Cullers.html

[HenryN]

Re: Kuwait - 4 prelim test positive

KUWAIT CITY - Preliminary tests for bird flu were positive on four Bangladeshi workers who had been culling infected chickens in Kuwait, a medical source said on Wednesday, but they have not been officially confirmed.
This would be the first cases of bird flu affecting humans in Arab nations of the Gulf.
"The first test on the four men was positive," the source told AFP, requesting anonymity. "We have taken blood samples for a second test to reconfirm the initial results. We expect the outcome within hours.
"If the outcome is reconfirmed as positive, we will have to send blood samples to the World Health Organisation (WHO) laboratory in Cairo for a final confirmation," the source said.
Health ministry spokesman Ahmad Al-Shatti told AFP an official statement would be made on Thursday, after tests results were reviewed, as to whether the four were indeed infected.
The ministry said specimens "have been sent to the World Health Organisation (WHO) reference laboratory in Egypt for confirmation.
"These measures are in line with recommendations by WHO for guidelines for the diagnosis and announcement of bird flu cases in humans," he said.
The four workers were admitted to Kuwait's infectious diseases hospital with flu-like symptoms on Tuesday. The men have been isolated in a special ward and were still at the hospital on Wednesday.
Since the outbreak of bird flu in Kuwait, 22 people have been admitted to hospital on suspicion of being infected, but later discharged after confirming they were healthy.
The Bangladeshis were part of official teams culling and burying hundreds of thousands of chickens in Wafra, south of Kuwait City on the Saudi border.
Kuwait has culled about 1.7 million birds, most of them egg-laying chickens in four commercial poultry farms, since confirming in February an outbreak of the H5N1 strain of the virus that is dangerous to humans.
A total of 106 cases of the strain have so far been confirmed in birds.
In November 2005, the Gulf state announced the first case of a bird infected with the H5N1 strain -- a flamingo at a seaside villa.
The H5N1 strain, the most aggressive form, has killed 170 people worldwide, according to WHO, and seen millions of birds destroyed. H5N1 is an avian subtype with pandemic potential, since it might ultimately adapt into a strain that is contagious among humans.

http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=169716

[HenryN]

Re: Kuwait hospitalises 4 Asians [Bengalis] on bird flu fear

So they tested positive.

Since the samples were sent to NAMRU-3, I think they tested positive twice.

[Laidback Al]

Re: Kuwait - 4 prelim test positive

It is not clear whether these results were from routine testing of the cullers i.e. "4 of 140 samples" (an attack rate of 2.8%) or if these individuals are actually symptomatic and exhibited fever and other bird flu symptoms (post #6), "suffer from high temperatures and have the same symptoms are symptoms of avian influenza disease".