Crimea: Mortality among domestic birds registered again.

[Susie]

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=5558410&PageNum=0


Mortality among domestic birds registered again in Crimea.


31.03.2006, 19.18


SIMFEROPOL, March 31 (Itar-Tass) -- The mortality among domestic birds was registered again in the Crimea. ?Two dozens of hens died in Gornostayevka in the eastern Crimea, blood samples and several dead hens were brought to the veterinary laboratory specialists of which will report the results of the expertise in the next two days,? a source in the Ukrainian Emergencies Ministry said.

The state anti-epizootic committee have drawn conclusions on Thursday that there is no the bird flu virus ?among domestic birds on the peninsula.? The committee permitted to resume the poultry trade under the control of veterinary and sanitary services.

The first flocks of migratory birds stopped for rest in the Crimea this week. The flocks of wild geese flying from Africa where bird flu outbreaks were registered came down for rest on the salty lake Sivash. First bird flu spots have broken out near this lake in the end of 2005. At present posts were placed to monitor the migration of birds near the lake.

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Crimea: Mortality among domestic birds registered again.

The temperatures are low enough to help maintain the viability of any deposited virus. In that area the nightime temperatures are from the mid to high 30s F. The daytime termperatures are in the 40s. Even if it weren't in feces, it should survive for about 30-35 days in those temps.

below is from http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/avian-flu.html

"The virus can survive, at cool temperatures, in contaminated manure for at least three months. In water, the virus can survive for up to four days at 72? F and more than 30 days at 32? F. For the highly pathogenic form (of influenza A), studies have shown that a single gram of contaminated manure can contain enough virus to infect 1 million birds

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[Mellie]

Re: Crimea: Mortality among domestic birds registered again.

Good grief, that's an eye opener. I knew it survived when cold, but that's quite a while. Is it true that theoretically in cold regions this virus could be around for many years???

I know the virus from 1918 was collected from an Eskimo woman who died and was buried for many years, but I didn't think beyond that.

Thanks Alaska Denise.

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Crimea: Mortality among domestic birds registered again.

. Is it true that theoretically in cold regions this virus could be around for many years???........

Yes, and I'm sorry I can't find the link quickly.

Not only environmental contamination,, but just think of the implications for the food industry. Those poultry processing factories in the Crimean have a lot to worry about.

Cooking the meat well takes on a new dimention as opposed to prior virus...
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/foodrisk2005_11_03/en/index.html

Most strains of avian influenza virus are found only in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts of infected birds, and not in meat. Available studies indicate that highly pathogenic viruses, including the H5N1 virus, spread to virtually all parts of an infected bird, including meat. For this reason, proper handling of poultry and poultry products during food preparation and proper cooking are extremely important in areas experiencing outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in poultry.

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[Mellie]

Re: Crimea: Mortality among domestic birds registered again.

Here's some good info on when it survives and what kills it... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H5N1_flu

Environmental survival

Avian flu virus can last forever at a temperature dozens of degrees below freezing, as is found in the northern most areas that migratory birds frequent.
Heat kills H5N1:

• Over 30 days at 0?C ( 32.0?F) (over one month at freezing temperature)
• 6 days at 37?C ( 98.6?F) (one week at human body temperature)
• 30 minutes 60?C (140.0?F) (half hour at a temperature that causes second and third degree burns in humans in five seconds)

Influenza A viruses can survive for over 30 days at 0?C (32.0?F). H5N1 can survive in the environment for 6 days at 37?C (98.6?F). Inactivation of the virus occurs under the following conditions:

• Temperatures of 56?C (132.8?F) for 3 hours or 60?C (140?F) or more for 30 minutes (running a high fever helps kill avian flu viruses)
• Acidic pH conditions
• Presence of oxidizing agents such as sodium dodecyl sulfate, lipid solvents, and B-propiolactone
• Exposure to disinfectants: formalin, iodine compounds <sup class="reference" id="_ref-4">[6]</sup>

Here's the link for 6 http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/biofacts/avflu_human.html

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Crimea: Mortality among domestic birds registered again.

.......Avian flu virus can last forever at a temperature dozens of degrees below freezing, as is found in the northern most areas that migratory birds frequent.........

Very important point - we cannot disinfect their entire breeding habitat.

Every other animal that inhabits this same enviroment will be at risk, merely by taking a sip of water from a cool puddle during the semi-annual freeze-thaw period.

Looking at the current weather for the area, it looks like they're currenty in a prolonged period for virus viability.

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