Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

[HenryN]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06290701/H5N1_Czech_Kuwait_Germany_Intro.html

 

[HenryN]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

Translation

http://www.zeitung.org/zeitung/1033163-100,1,0.html

29.06.2007 | net code: 11033163 bird flu: Gamble Nuernberger and Czech viruses of same origin Riems/Nuernberg. (dpa) the bird flu viruses from Nuernberg and Tschechien have the same origin after a gene analysis at Bundesinstitut for animal health.

The hereditary property comparison resulted in an agreement of 99,2 per cent between the viruses at both outbreak places, said the spokeswoman of the Friedrich Loeffler institute (FLI), Elke Reinking, on Thursday on the island Riems. In addition a large similarity between the current exciters and viruses from Kuwait were found, which had been already sequenziert in the European Union reference laboratory in the English Weybridge. The federal agrarian Ministry holds it for possible that the bird flu came by the poultry trade with Tschechien to Germany. "we examine all trade routes", said agrarian undersecretary of state Gert lime tree man. Trade relations between an enterprise in the proximity of the outbreak place in Tschechien were determined to an enterprise of approximately 50 kilometers by Nuernberg. Also a bringing in from the Near East is conceivable. The virus was determined with hunt falcons and chickens in the spring in Kuwait.

The exciter must not have come to opinion of the Friedrich Loeffler institute inevitably from a Czech poultry enterprise over trade routes to Germany and have infected game birds in Nuernberg. "this way would be very unusual", said Reinking. "from scientific view there is not this straight-line connection." Institut assumes infected game birds parallel the poultry in Tschechien and further game birds infected, which were ended then in Nuernberg. Possible it is also that the infected game birds carried first the H5N1-Erreger into the Czech poultry existence and then for direction Nuernberg flew.

Waidhaus: normally As the border police communicated

Waidhaus, it will put an attention to poultry, which is bring along, in order to make for the veterinarian places message if necessary with normal, controls in a random sampling way at the border. Special control expenditure because of the bird flu is at present however intended. In Nuernberg the bird flu had been determined so far with ten game birds, in glad castle with Leipzig with three swans. The exact investigation of the virus gene COM from Saxonia is still pending. Meanwhile the Free State lets in the future also living water birds examine for the bird flu exciter H5N1. The investigations are to give information on whether the virus is common under healthy water birds also.

 

[HenryN]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

German discussion

http://www.huehner-info.de/huefo/thread.php?postid=177174

 

[HenryN]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

Speaking of Europe, the coordinates for the turkey farm in the Czech Republic are 49.9411 16.2351 (which along with Leipez make an interesting triangle in the heart of western Europe)

Coordinates for the dead swan in Lednice (confirmed by sequencing)

48.7843 16.8295

Province District Sub-district Unit Type Location Latitude Longitude Start End​

JIHOMORAVSKÝ Breclav Not applicable Lednice 48,7843 16,8295 26/06/2007

http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000005654_20070629_155527.pdf

 

[gsgs]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

same origin refers to the Qinghai-reassortment in late 2004/early 2005 ?
(when) will we see the sequences ?
which segments did they PCR ?
FLI, please tell us.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Bird flu in Saxonia has same origin as H5N1 in Nuernberg Riems/Frohburg. The bird flu viruses of the type H5N1, isolated in Saxonia, have a high similarity with the exciters in Nuernberg and Tschechien. Thus be certain that all three outbreaks have a common origin, communicated the Loeffler Institut on the Baltic Sea island Riems on Friday after the hereditary property analysis. In a protected area in glad castle (Leipziger country) three swans had infected themselves with the aggressive bird flu virus. The three ended animals on Monday in that approximately 270 hectares large protected area had been discovered. With them also the virus dangerous for humans was proven. Several dead birds found later had been tested negatively. Around the discovery site of the infected animals a prohibited area in the radius had been drawn by three kilometers, in which the stable obligation applies to feather/spring cattle. In Bavaria the bird flu in Nuernberg was proven so far with ten animals. In Saxonia the epidemic had broken out for the first time 2006 in Germany in a utilizable animal existence. dpa

-----------------------------------------------------

Same origin the recent cases of bird flu in Bavaria, Saxonia and Tschechien have investigation of the Friedrich Loeffler institute new cases of bird flu have a common origin. Avowed Friedrich Loeffler Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut on the island Riems. A comparison of parts of the hereditary property of the bird flu viruses of the type H5N1 Asia from Saxonia, Bavaria and the Czech republic resulted in a high similarity. "with the fact it is certain that all three outbreaks decrease/go back, explained to a common origin" Bundesinstitut. The number of the cases of bird flu in Nuernberg rose meanwhile to nine. With on Thursday a swan found at the Woehrder lake was likewise proven the H5N1-Virus, how the Bavarian national office for health and food security (LGL) communicated in attaining. The animal is sent to further tests to Friedrich Loeffler Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut.

----------------------------------------------------------------

bird flu viruses in Saxony and Bavaria and Czechia closely related
(PR-inside.com 29.06.2007 18:22:11) -
according to FLI
"so it is clear that all 3 outbreaks have a common origin"
said researchers of FLI

---------------------------------------------------------------

 

[HenryN]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

same origin refers to the Qinghai-reassortment in late 2004/early 2005 ?


---------------------------------------------------------------

Bird flu in Saxonia has same origin as H5N1 in Nuernberg Riems/Frohburg. The bird flu viruses of the type H5N1, isolated in Saxonia, have a high similarity with the exciters in Nuernberg and Tschechien. Thus be certain that all three outbreaks have a common origin, communicated the Loeffler Institut on the Baltic Sea island Riems on Friday after the hereditary property analysis. In a protected area in glad castle (Leipziger country) three swans had infected themselves with the aggressive bird flu virus. The three ended animals on Monday in that approximately 270 hectares large protected area had been discovered. With them also the virus dangerous for humans was proven. Several dead birds found later had been tested negatively. Around the discovery site of the infected animals a prohibited area in the radius had been drawn by three kilometers, in which the stable obligation applies to feather/spring cattle. In Bavaria the bird flu in Nuernberg was proven so far with ten animals. In Saxonia the epidemic had broken out for the first time 2006 in Germany in a utilizable animal existence. dpa

-----------------------------------------------------

Same origin the recent cases of bird flu in Bavaria, Saxonia and Tschechien have investigation of the Friedrich Loeffler institute new cases of bird flu have a common origin. Avowed Friedrich Loeffler Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut on the island Riems. A comparison of parts of the hereditary property of the bird flu viruses of the type H5N1 Asia from Saxonia, Bavaria and the Czech republic resulted in a high similarity. "with the fact it is certain that all three outbreaks decrease/go back, explained to a common origin" Bundesinstitut. The number of the cases of bird flu in Nuernberg rose meanwhile to nine. With on Thursday a swan found at the Woehrder lake was likewise proven the H5N1-Virus, how the Bavarian national office for health and food security (LGL) communicated in attaining. The animal is sent to further tests to Friedrich Loeffler Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut.

Notice how they left of the % identity? All of the isolates in a limited region collected over a short time period will have identities in the 99% range. However, 99.2% (Germany /Czech) is VERY different than >99.9%(Hungary/UK).

 

[HenryN]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

same origin refers to the Qinghai-reassortment in late 2004/early 2005 ?
(when) will we see the sequences ?
which segments did they PCR ?
FLI, please tell us.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Bird flu in Saxonia has same origin as H5N1 in Nuernberg Riems/Frohburg. The bird flu viruses of the type H5N1, isolated in Saxonia, have a high similarity with the exciters in Nuernberg and Tschechien. Thus be certain that all three outbreaks have a common origin, communicated the Loeffler Institut on the Baltic Sea island Riems on Friday after the hereditary property analysis. In a protected area in glad castle (Leipziger country) three swans had infected themselves with the aggressive bird flu virus. The three ended animals on Monday in that approximately 270 hectares large protected area had been discovered. With them also the virus dangerous for humans was proven. Several dead birds found later had been tested negatively. Around the discovery site of the infected animals a prohibited area in the radius had been drawn by three kilometers, in which the stable obligation applies to feather/spring cattle. In Bavaria the bird flu in Nuernberg was proven so far with ten animals. In Saxonia the epidemic had broken out for the first time 2006 in Germany in a utilizable animal existence. dpa

-----------------------------------------------------

Same origin the recent cases of bird flu in Bavaria, Saxonia and Tschechien have investigation of the Friedrich Loeffler institute new cases of bird flu have a common origin. Avowed Friedrich Loeffler Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut on the island Riems. A comparison of parts of the hereditary property of the bird flu viruses of the type H5N1 Asia from Saxonia, Bavaria and the Czech republic resulted in a high similarity. "with the fact it is certain that all three outbreaks decrease/go back, explained to a common origin" Bundesinstitut. The number of the cases of bird flu in Nuernberg rose meanwhile to nine. With on Thursday a swan found at the Woehrder lake was likewise proven the H5N1-Virus, how the Bavarian national office for health and food security (LGL) communicated in attaining. The animal is sent to further tests to Friedrich Loeffler Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut.

----------------------------------------------------------------

bird flu viruses in Saxony and Bavaria and Czechia closely related
(PR-inside.com 29.06.2007 18:22:11) -
according to FLI
"so it is clear that all 3 outbreaks have a common origin"
said researchers of FLI

---------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.pr-inside.com/de/vogelgrippeerreger-in-sachsen-und-bayern-r163201.htm

(PR inside.com 29.06.2007 18:22:11) - the exciters of the bird flu in Bavaria, Saxonia and Tschechien are closely related according to data of the Friedrich Loeffler institute on the island Riems. "with the fact it is certain that all three outbreaks decrease/go back, communicated to a common origin" the researchers of the Federal institut on Friday.
Riems/Nuernberg (strip packing bay). The exciters of the bird flu in Bavaria, Saxonia and Tschechien are closely related according to data of the Friedrich Loeffler institute on the island Riems. "with the fact it is certain that all three outbreaks decrease/go back, communicated to a common origin" the researchers of the Federal institut on Friday. Remains further unclear, how the infection came to Bavaria. In the battle poultry imported from Tschechien no bird flu virus H5N1 was found. "all samples are negatively tested", said the president of the national office for health and food security, Volker hung, in attaining. Thus it can be excluded that over these animals an exciter bringing from Tschechien took place to Bavaria. "there is not one case of bird flu in a utilizable poultry enterprise" in Bavaria so far, said hung. In the meantime however a further dead swan from Nuernberg was positively tested on H5N1. It is sent to Friedrich Loeffler Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, in order to clarify whether it concerns the highly sticking on variant of the virus (strip packing)

 

[deadandalive]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

same origin refers to the Qinghai-reassortment in late 2004/early 2005 ?
(when) will we see the sequences ?
which segments did they PCR ?
FLI, please tell us.
QUOTE]
SAME ORIGIN i have 93% similar human genome to to a monkey that does not make me a monkeys uncle ! and NO YOU WILL NOT SEE THE SEQUENCES!
dosnt matter how many times you say please it will not happen

 

[gsgs]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

it did happen with Hungary, UK in February.

 

[gsgs]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

the lime tree man switches to wild birds now:


agrarian undersecretary of state said Gert lime tree man on Friday in Berlin. Therefore one concentrates now on a possible transmission by wild birds. The "commercial path" is after the newest results the most improbable infection way.

http://www.n-tv.de/821406.html

 

[HenryN]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

the lime tree man switches to wild birds now:


agrarian undersecretary of state said Gert lime tree man on Friday in Berlin. Therefore one concentrates now on a possible transmission by wild birds. The "commercial path" is after the newest results the most improbable infection way.

http://www.n-tv.de/821406.html

Friday, 29 June 2007 Saxonia, Nuernberg, Tschechien the same H5N1-Ursprung A hereditary property analysis of the H5N1-Viren isolated in Saxonia has a high similarity with the exciters in Nuernberg and Tschechien. That communicated Loeffler Loeffler-Institut on the Baltic Sea island to Riems. Thus it is certain that all three outbreaks have a common origin. It stands firmly likewise that the bird flu was not brought in by Czech poultry exports to Germany. After the evaluation of food samples give it no connection between the meat from Czech poultry farms and the outbreak to the animal epidemic in Nuernberg, said agrarian undersecretary of state Gert lime tree man on Friday in Berlin. Therefore one concentrates now on a possible transmission by game birds. The "commercial path" is after the newest results the most improbable infection way. The Bavarian national office for health and food security had in detail examined guaranteed import poultry from Tschechien. The H5N1-Virus was not found thereby, reported the office in attaining. "all samples are negatively tested", stressed authority boss Volker hung. Friedrich Loeffler Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut had assumed already before and infected game birds infected both the Czech poultry other game birds, which ended then in Nuernberg and in Saxonia. Therefore the Bavarian national office wants did not in the future only end and caught game birds on the bird flu exciter H5N1 to examine, but also freely living game birds.

 

[HenryN]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

AVIAN INFLUENZA (117): GERMANY, WILD BIRDS
******************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

[1]
Date: Thu 28 Jun 2007
Source: DPA via Earthtimes [edited]
<http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/77349.html>


German scientists confirmed on Thursday [28 Jun 2007] that the bird flu
virus found last week [reported 23 Jun 2007] in southern Germany had a
common source with a virus detected this month [June 2007] in Czech poultry
and said it was probably spread by a wild bird. Elke Reinking, a
spokeswoman for the Friedrich Loeffler animal health institute (FLI) on the
Baltic island of Riems, said, "We assume infected wild birds infected both
the Czech poultry and the water fowl in Germany."

She said it would be "highly unusual" for meat exported from the Czech
poultry farm to have brought the virus across the border, as suggested
earlier by German agriculture officials.
About a dozen swans in Germany have been found dead from H5N1, an avian
influenza virus, which experts fear will transmute into human influenza and
cause major worldwide loss of life.
Reinking said an analysis of the viral DNA showed a 99.2 per cent match
between the Czech outbreak and the virus in dead swans in the German city
of Nuremberg. Both samples were also very similar to viral DNA collected in
Kuwait and sequenced in Weybridge, Britain.

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail rapporteur Mary Marshall

[It would be helpful if the investigating laboratory could make public the
information on the similarity of current isolates from German swans and
Czech turkeys (as well as the Czech swan, recently reportedly suspected?!)
to Kuwaiti isolates. The Kuwaiti isolates were derived from poultry and
from "captive hunting" falcons. Allegedly, falcons were imported to Kuwait
from central Asia. Falconry is practised in Europe as well; relevant data
would be welcomed. - Mod.AS]

******
[2]
Date: Thu 28 Jun 2007
Source: Reuters Foundation AlertNet [edited]
<http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L28852930.htm>


The deadly strains of bird flu that has killed birds in the Czech Republic
and southern Germany are similar and most likely have a common origin,
Germany's top state veterinary laboratory said on Thursday [28 Jun 2007].

The Czech Republic reported finding the deadly H5N1 strain of avian
influenza virus at 2 poultry farms and in a dead swan. Germany has found
the virus in a number of wild birds in the eastern state of Saxony and
southern state of Bavaria.

Germany's Friedrich Loeffler Institute said it compared the viruses found
in a wild swan near the Bavarian city of Nuremberg with samples from a
Czech turkey farm and found that they had a 99.2 per cent match. "The
degree of similarity points to an as yet undetermined common origin for
both viruses," the institute said in statement.

The institute said it was not clear if there was a direct connection
between the outbreaks in Bavaria and Czech Republic, but said they appeared
to be the highly pathogenic Asian strain of H5N1 circulating in the Middle
East.

Last year [2006], some 13 European Union member states had confirmed cases
of bird flu -- Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Greece, Britain, the Czech
Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, France, and Hungary.

Bird flu has been spreading across South ast Asia, killing 2 people in
Vietnam this month [June 2007], the 1st deaths there since 2005.
Globally, the H5N1 virus has killed nearly 200 people out of over 300 known
cases, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). None of the
victims were from Europe.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail rapporteur Mary Marshall
[The German findings described above fall in line with results of
investigations by the UK reference laboratory, which tested the Czech
isolate, as apparent from the following preliminary information, included
in fax 711 sent by EC on Tue 26 Jun 2007 to the Chief veterinary officers
of the member states: "The preliminary analysis of the haemagglutinin (HA)
gene of the virus isolated from the clinical materials originating from the
infected turkey farm in the Czech Republic, [have been] completed by the
CRL (European Community Reference Laboratory) in Weybridge. The results are
indicative of a new independent introduction of HPAI of H5N1 subtype
compared to those detected previously within the EU". - Mod. AS]
******
[3]
Date: Thu 28 Jun 2007
From: Thijs Kuiken <t.kuiken@erasmusmc.nl>

Identification of infected wild birds
-------------------------------------
I notice that some contributors are becoming a little slack in their
identification of wild birds infected with H5N1 virus. For example, it was
several days before the species of swan and goose from Germany were known,
and I still don't know the species of swan affected in the Czech Republic.
Even the EU Animal Disease Notification System does not identify wild birds
to species.
As we have written previously [see commentary further], it is very
important from an epidemiological point of view to have precise information
about the species of wild bird infected with H5N1 virus.
--
Thijs Kuiken
Professor of Comparative Pathology
Department of Virology
Erasmus MC
3015 GE Rotterdam
The Netherlands
<t.kuiken@erasmusmc.nl>
[We wholeheartedly endorse Dr Kuiken's reminder of a previous call for
detailed reports regarding the species of tested birds, positive or otherwise.
In the previous call, dated 31 Oct 2005 [see ProMED-mail 20051031.3181],
Thijs Kuiken, Ron Fouchier, and Ab Osterhaus of the Erasmus Medical Centre,
Rotterdam, explained the need for the mentioned details as follows:
"The precise identity of wild birds in which avian influenza viruses is
detected is important to understand the epidemiology of influenza. The wild
bird species involved is particularly important with regard to their
migratory patterns and behavior. For the current H5N1 virus outbreak,
knowledge of the bird species involved is crucial to help direct
surveillance activities for influenza virus in wild birds. We recommend
that, whenever possible, people submitting information provide both the
common and scientific names of the wild bird species in which influenza
virus has been detected, for example, whooper swan (_Cygnus cygnus_) and
grey heron (_Ardea cinerea_). If this is not provided in the original
report, we ask moderators to request this information with the same
tenacity with which they insist on determination of subtype and
pathogenicity of the influenza virus involved".
On top of the deficient information on the identity of infected individual
birds, this moderator is puzzled by the (seeming?) lack of satisfactory
scientific evidence on the pathogenesis of HPAI H5N1 in wild birds,
particularly in those species that have been incriminated as potentially
involved in the spread of the pathogen. Experimental infection trials have
been performed in several domestic avian species, in mice, and in several
carnivores. Any information on experimental infection trials in wild avian
species to study the pathogenesis of the virus in them, particularly the
clinico-pathological manifestations and the virus dynamics (rate and
duration of viraemia, possible carrier state), will be very much
appreciated. - Mod.AS]
[see also:
Avian influenza (116): Germany (Bavaria), OIE 20070628.2082
Avian influenza (115): Togo, Bangladesh, Czech Republic 20070628.2079
Avian influenza (113): Germany (Bavaria, Saxony) 20070627.2068
Avian influenza (112): Germany (Saxony), wild birds 20070626.2064
Avian influenza (111): Germany (Bavaria), wild birds 20070626.2055
Avian influenza (109): Germany (Bavaria), wild birds 20070624.2040,
20070624.2041
Avian influenza (106): Czech Republic, turkeys, DEFRA 20070622.2018
Avian influenza (104): Russia (Siberia), wild ducks 20070620.1983
Avian influenza (38): UK-Hungary virus sequence 20070221.0643
Avian influenza (19): Hungary, Russia (Krasnodar) 20070129.0384
2005
---
Avian influenza - Eurasia (44): Europe 20051031.3181]
....................arn/mj

 

[HenryN]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06290702/H5N1_WB_Intro_Europe.html

 

[HenryN]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06290703/H5N1_Nuremberg_More.html

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06290701/H5N1_Czech_Kuwait_Germany_Intro.html

H5N1 Introductions in Czech Republic Germany and Kuwait
Recombinomics Commentary
June 29, 2007

All 6 birds (swans and ducks) were from Nuremberg. We have reports, cited below, of a 2nd outbreak 180 km (about 112 mi) away. For a map of the outbreak, please see the full OIE report referenced above.

We also know it is similar to the Qinghai strain previously found in wild
birds in Europe and other places. It is time to consider 2 very important
questions:

- what is the exact nature of the connection between the 2 sites in terms
of the chronology of events? and
- where did the virus reemerge from, since the last outbreak in Germany was in August 2006? - Mod.PC

The above ProMed commentary makes the assumption that the two outbreaks in Nuremberg are related, but the public information at this time has been on the birds in Nuremberg, 1 Canada duck and 5 mute swans. The reports on this outbreak in Germany and the turkey farm in the Czech Republic indicated that there is 99.2% identity between H5N1 isolates from the two groups. Moreover, media reports indicate the Czech isolates are 99.5% identical with H5N1 from Kuwait this season.

Although none of the sequences have been made public, the level of similarity between H5N1 from the three sites indicates they were independently introduced. Although they all share a wild bird common source from the past, a recent linkage would require the level of identity to be similar to the relationship between the earlier outbreaks in Hungary and the UK. In those two outbreaks, the level of identity was 99.96%. The recent frequencies indicate all isolates are the Qinghai strain (clade 2.2), but the differences between the isolates from the three locations indicates that these are three distinct sub-clades.

Last season there was a major outbreak of H5N1 in Germany and throughout western Europe. Most of the isolates were from wild birds that died in February, 2006. The largest number of isolates came from northern Germany near the Baltic Sea. Those isolates formed sub-clade 2.2.2.1. Included were isolates from a cat and stone martin. The isolates were largely limited to northern Germany and were related to a buzzard isolate from Denmark. Another sub-clade, 2.2.2.2, was more widely detected. It was found in Germany, Italy, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine. A third sub-clade, 2.2.2.3 was largely limited to Germany, but included isolates from Switzerland. The sequences from most of these isolates are public and included in the phylogenetic tree displayed here.

The HA sequence from the sub-clades detected last year have a 99.0% identity between 2.2.2.1 and 2.2.2.2. The identity between 2.2.2.1 and 2.2.2.3 is 99.3%. The identity between 2.2.2.2 and 2.2.2.3 is 99.4%. These sub-clades represent independent introductions, and the percent identity is similar to the reported relationships between Nuremberg and the Czech Republic (99.2%) or the Czech Republic and Kuwait (99.5%). Moreover, the above recent frequencies indicate the relationship between Nuremberg and Kuwait may be as low as 98.7%, if reported differences between the three isolates do not overlap.

Thus, the reported identity frequencies support an independent introduction from wild birds carrying the clade 2.2 Qinghai strain. All H5N1 isolates west of China are the Qinghai strain and the various isolates collected in the same season have 98-99% identity with each other. For isolate from a recent common source, like the 2007 isolates from Hungary and UK, the identity is markedly higher (99.96%).


.

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06290702/H5N1_WB_Intro_Europe.html

Commentary

Independent H5N1 Wild Bird Introductions in Europe
Recombinomics Commentary
June 29, 2007

It would be helpful if the investigating laboratory could make public the
information on the similarity of current isolates from German swans and
Czech turkeys (as well as the Czech swan, recently reportedly suspected?!)

to Kuwaiti isolates. The Kuwaiti isolates were derived from poultry and
from "captive hunting" falcons. Allegedly, falcons were imported to Kuwait from central Asia. Falconry is practised in Europe as well; relevant data would be welcomed. - Mod.AS

The above Promed commentary is useful, but release of the actual sequences would be more helpful. Many general statements are made on relatedness of sequences, but the generation of phylogenetic trees is a trivial task, and the relationships between sequences can be determined independently by the scientific community, which would aid in the rapid characterization of the isolates. Media reports have already indicated that the Kuwait and Czech turkey isolates are 99.5% identical. Moreover, additional reports from the investigating laboratory in Germany indicate that the relationship between the Czech turkeys and Nuremberg birds is 99.2%. Both of these numbers highlight a wild bird relationship, but neither indicates that the outbreaks were closely linked. Closely linked sequences, like those in Hungary and the UK were 99.96% identical. The identity numbers between Germany, the Czech Republic, and Kuwait are typical for sub-clades.

The Czech swan has been confirmed by sequencing and an OIE report has been filed, although the report does not give identity numbers for comparisons with the Czech turkeys or Kuwait isolates. Similarly, the Saxony bird isolates have been said to be similar to the Nuremberg isolates, but the per cent identity has not been given. Moreover, media reports now indicate a 10th wild bird in Germany has tested positive, providing additional evidence of a large wild bird reservoir that has gone undetected in Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as neighboring countries.

The presence of H5N1 in wild birds in Hungary, as well as poultry in Krasnodar, Moscow, Kuwait, Turkey, and Egypt strongly suggest H5N1 is widespread in western Europe and endemic, leading to outbreaks in June, in wild birds that are not migratory.

Attempts to link falcons really has no basis, and is another attempt to revive the "wild birds as victims" explanation, which was thoroughly discounted by the appearance of clade 2.2 in all H5N1 outbreaks west of China, include those in February, 2006 in wild birds that were not migratory but were H5N1 positive in areas that had been deemed H5N1 negative in the fall of 2005, when the H5N1 infected wild birds migrated into the region.


.

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06290703/H5N1_Nuremberg_More.html

Commentary

More H5N1 Wild Bird Confirmations in Nuremberg Germany
Recombinomics Commentary
June 29, 2007

A comparison of parts of the hereditary property of the bird flu viruses of the type H5N1 Asia from Saxonia, Bavaria and the Czech republic resulted in a high similarity. "with the fact it is certain that all three outbreaks decrease/go back, explained to a common origin" Bundesinstitut. The number of the cases of bird flu in Nuernberg rose meanwhile to nine. With on Thursday a swan found at the Woehrder lake was likewise proven the H5N1-Virus, how the Bavarian national office for health and food security (LGL) communicated in attaining. The animal is sent to further tests to Friedrich Loeffler Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut.

The above translation indicates the number of H5N1 positive birds in Nuremberg has increased to nine. The first six were described in an OIE report. They were found on two lakes in Nuremberg. These new positives, including one on Thursday increase the data, supporting an H5N1 reservoir in western Europe. In addition to these nine confirmed positives, there are three more in Saxony as well as two infected farms in northern Czech Republic and at least one confirmed swan in southern Czech Republic. Both locations in the Czech Republic are close to bordering countries. The northern outbreak is near Poland, while the southern outbreak is near Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary.

Thus, the detection of H5N1 is increasing in numbers and geographical reach within western Europe. The above translation also clarifies the common origin, which is wild birds infected with Qinghai clade 2.2. Like the outbreaks in 2006, these sequences form a number of sub-clades signaling independent introductions, a characteristic of infections by wild birds, Although the isolates have regional markers, they still segregate into sub-clades within a given region.

It is likely that these isolates have regional markers from last season. This was seen in other 2007 isolates. Those in the suburbs of Moscow were most like the earlier isolates from Azerbaijan. In Egypt, the recent isolates had the regional markers defined by 2006 isolates in Egypt, Israel, Gaza, and Djibouti. However the recent isolates were more genetically more diverse and more complex than the previous year. Many of the newly acquired polymorphisms were in Germany or Austria in 2006 include one polymorphism that was concurrently appended to H5n1 genes in Russia, Egypt, and Ghana. It is likely that the new isolates in Kuwait, Germany, and the Czech Republic followed the same evolutionary trend, which can be confirmed by polymorphisms tracing.

These tracing can be quickly generated if the sequences are released. As the sequence database grows, the precise evolutionary paths become easier to define. Therefore release of the sequences from the existing isolates, and an increased surveillance in Germany, the Czech Republic, and neighboring countries would be useful. It is likely that all countries which had H5N1 infections in 2006 will have H5N1 in 2007. Moreover, it is also likely that countries adjacent to those which detected H5N1 will also have H5N1, even if not detected in 2006 or 2007.

The H5N1 in wild birds in Europe has not disappeared. It is present, although detection has been sporadic and limited to dead or dying birds. The failure to detect H5N1 in live wild birds signals a surveillance failure, and the recent positives should provide an incentive for increasing surveillance to adequately monitor the evolution of H5N1 in the area, and generate a better understanding of the evolution and migration routes of individual polymorphisms.


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[HenryN]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

30.06.2007 | net code: utilizable animals from Tschechien without H5N1 authority suspect 11034012 after test: Battle poultry import freely of bird flu viruses Erlangen/Nuernberg. (dpa) a poultry import from Tschechien to a Bavarian battle enterprise does not have to do anything with the outbreak of the bird flu in Nuernberg.
At this conviction the national office for health and food security arrived after the investigation of the frozen poultry. The H5N1-Virus was not found thereby. "all samples are negatively tested", divided authority boss Volker hung on Friday in attaining also. Thus it can be excluded that the exciter was brought in over these animals from Tschechien after Bavaria. "there is not one case of bird flu in a utilizable poultry enterprise" in Bavaria so far, explained hung. After a gene analysis at Bundesinstitut for animal health the bird flu viruses from Nuernberg and Tschechien as well as made of Saxonia have the same origin. Therefore also the poultry trade between an enterprise in the proximity of the outbreak place in Tschechien and an enterprise of approximately 50 kilometers had been examined by Nuernberg. The animals had been brought living after Bavaria. National public health authorities determined the H5N1-Virus according to own data meanwhile with a further dead swan of the Woehrder lake in Nuernberg. The animal is sent now to Bundesinstitut on the Baltic Sea island Riems. There so far eight cases of bird flu in Nuernberg had been confirmed.

http://www.zeitung.org/zeitung/1034012-100,1,0.html

 

[HenryN]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

http://www.fli.bund.de/fileadmin/us...70629_FLI_Viren_Sachsen_Bayern_Tschechien.pdf
Viruses from Saxonia, Bavaria and Tschechien are closely related island Riems, 29 June 2007. A comparison of parts of the hereditary property of the bird flu viruses of the type H5N1 Asia from Saxonia, Bavaria and the Czech republic at the reference laboratory for aviaere influenza of the Friedrich Loeffler institute resulted in a high similarity. Thus it is certain that all three outbreaks decrease/go back to a common origin.
http://www.fli.bund.de/fileadmin/us...eitsgeschehen/avi_Flu/rb_influenza_070628.pdf
Evaluation of the risk for bringing in of hochpathogenem aviaeren Influenzavirus H5N1 into house poultry existence in Germany conditions: 28. June 2007 summary since the first proof of hochpathogenem aviaeren Influenzavirus (HPAIV) of the type H5N1 Asia with game birds in Germany to 15.02.2006 in Germany 355 infected game birds were discovered. Due to preventive measures handing far it came so far however to only one outbreak of poultry plague in a utilizable poultry existence in April 2006. After HPAIV H5N1 Asia in Germany was proven last in August 2006 with a mourning swan in the Dresdener zoo, new infections stepped with six peak swans, Kanada-und of a grey goose in the city Nuernberg (Bavaria) in the past days as well as with three peak swans in the district Leipziger country (Saxonia) up. Beyond that became in the current year over cases with house poultry in Hungary, which combined Kingdom of (VK), which Russian federation (European part) and recently in the Czech republic reports. Common molecular-biological analyses of the European Union reference laboratory (VLA Weybridge) and the national reference laboratory for aviaere influenza at the FLI, island Riems, show besides a high relationship (99,2% for the first section of the H5-Gens) between one the Virusisolate from Nuernberg and a H5N1-Isolat from the current happening in the Czech republic. The high degree at agreement refers to of common, so far not identified origin both viruses. The renewed proof of HPAIV H5N1 Asia with game birds in Germany shows that also further on an occurrence of the virus in the native game bird population must be counted. Since however so far no signs for a similar epidemic spreading are present as in the past year, the risk of the entry is classified of HPAIV H5N1 over game birds under house poultry existence further as moderate. To consider it is also that with game birds in the context of the monitoring in the past years regularly geringpathogene aviaere Influenzaviren was proven. Among them were viruses of the Subtypen H5 and H7, which can mutate with the entry into house poultry existence to HPAIV. Such viruses led in May 2007 to infections with clinical features in poultry existence in the united kingdom. The risk of the entry over the illegal trade from outbreak countries does not remain assignable after the height and (in the sense of the precaution principle) further also highly is therefore evaluated. Due to existing trade restrictions the risk is negligible over the legal trade. The danger of a bringing in over the person and vehicle traffic appears small due to the present spreading situation in Europe.
1. Current situation in Asia, Africa and Europe (starting from January 2007) in several countries of Asia (China, Indonesia) and Africa (Egypt, Nigeria) were further determined infections with HPAIV H5N1 Asia. Beyond that there are current proofs with house poultry and/or game birds in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, China/Hong Kong, Ghana, Iran, Japan, Kambodscha, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, in the Russian federation (asiatic part), in Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Togo, Turkey and Viet Nam. Into Europe it came with house poultry to infections with HPAIV H5N1 Asia into Hungary, the united Kingdom of, the Russian federation and recently in the Czech republic. Further details to outbreaks and cases of suspicion with HPAIV are to be inferred from the epidemiological bulletin with the report on the situation, published by the FLI, to the Aviaeren influenza. Basis of this risk evaluation is the epidemiological bulletin Nr.03/2007 of 28.06.2007.
3,2 evaluation of bringing in causes a) on the basis of wild and migratory birds the risk of an entry of HPAIV H5N1 by game birds into house poultry existence of Germany one estimates further as moderate. After the first proof of HPAIV H5N1 Asia in February 2006 was first until for instance April 2006 a spacious propagation in Germany, in addition, in other parts of Europe to observe for May isolated proofs of HPAIV H5N1 indicated the operational readiness level of the exciter in the game bird population to 2006 with game birds in Spain and Germany in July and/or August 2006 further. Beyond that it came between January and June 2007 to isolated entries into house poultry existence into Hungary, the VK, the European part of the Russian federation and recently in the Czech republic. For the cases in Hungary thereby as a the most probable entry cause "contact with game birds" (OIE - report Hungary, 24.01.2007) is accepted. The single checks with game birds in Spain (hood diver) and Germany (swan, zoo Dresden) of the summer 2006 arose at one time, at which at least spacious bird courses applied as almost finally. Also in June 2007 the observed cases in Bavaria and Saxonia fall into a season, in which far course movements, except with some Limikolenarten, are to be expected not. However is at this time the Mauserzug in such a way specified of some kinds (z B. with ducks) to consider as well as dispersion movements fluegge of become young birds (e.g. ducks and sea gulls). An entry over large distances therefore not probably appears. It cannot be excluded also that the virus was present on low level in the game bird population already for some time.
The comparison of sequences of the HPAIV H5N1-Virus a peak swan, found accomplished at the FLI in close co-operation with the European Union reference laboratory for aviaere influenza in Weybridge (united kingdom), dead in Nuernberg and a Truthahnbestand in the Czech republic resulted in a large similarity of 99,2 per cent (for the first section of the H5-Gens). The degree at agreement refers to of common, so far not identified origin both viruses. Whether there is a direct connection between the outbreaks in the Czech republic and in Bavaria, is not so far well-known. Those already exhibit a particularly large similarity gene sequences to variants of HPAIV H5N1 Asia, which circulate at present in the middle east. The HPAIV H5N1-Virus from the Saxonian outbreak area is sequenziert at present. The infections with HPAIV H5N1 Asia, observed with game birds, underline that the game bird monitoring in a random sampling way is so important, it for orienting investigations for the occurrence of the virus, with missing proofs only a limited force of expression regarding a possible exciter liberty possesses. It is not to be excluded further that HPAIV H5N1 could spread by game birds and other animated and dead vectors. In the context of the game bird monitoring 2007 the samples examined for aviaere influenza remained in Germany with country wide so far over 9.000 examined game birds on a high level, whereby the examined sample numbers between the Lands of the Federal Republic vary clearly. Here an adjustment aligned at the sample key of the FLI should take place as at short notice as possible. The portion of the active monitoring rose clearly compared with the Beprobungen to June 2006, while the investigation of dead finds diminished proportionately. To consider it is that with game birds in the context of the monitoring in the past years regularly geringpathogene aviaere Influenzaviren was proven. Among them were viruses of the Subtypen H5 and H7, which can mutate with the entry into house poultry existence to HPAIV. The Pravaelenz of HPAIV H5N1 per month became estimated on the basis of the data of the game bird monitoring. On the basis the Konfidenzintervalle for the estimated Praevalenzen it can be shown that these did not change starting from May 2006 until May 2007 significantly (Fisher accurately test, p 0,05). A small Praevalenz from 0,1% to 0.2% could not be excluded with 5% probability of mistake. Thus further the possibility of a persistence of the exciter insisted on low level. Since the current investigation numbers are present for the month June not yet completely, it was accepted that investigations to the same extent as in take place the previous months and became the Konfidenzgrenzen of the Praevalenzschaetzungen on the basis of the 95%-Konfidenzintervalle for the sample sizes which can be expected determined. Under these conditions the Konfidenzintervalle of the Praevalenzschaetzungen does not differ also after the renewed proof from HPAIV H5N1-Infektionen with game birds in Bavaria and Saxonia in June 2007 from those of the previous months. Therefore altogether no statistically secured rise of the Praevalenz can be derived at present for Germany. In the context of the game bird monitoring the positive findings raised now prove that HPAIV H5N1 is at present again present in the domestic game bird population. The risk of the entry of HPAIV H5N1 from the game bird population into house poultry existence of Germany is classified altogether as moderate. Additionally to the past happening with game birds in Germany further those exist in the following described bringing in possibilities to Germany: (B) Legal trade with birds and of birds coming products: The probability of a bringing in of HPAIV H5N1 Asia from countries concerned to Germany over the legal trade with living poultry and poultry products as well as other birds and of birds coming categories of commodities is negligible due to the existing import restrictions and import prohibitions and the condition of the adherence to the preventive measures. (C) Illegal imported goods the probability of a bringing in of HPAIV H5N1 Asia from countries concerned to Germany over illegal imported goods of living poultry and poultry products as well as other birds and of birds coming categories of commodities cannot be determined according to the height. Therefore (the precaution principle) is assumed for these countries the probability is high. One refers to the case examples in the earlier evaluations. (D) Person and vehicle traffic the probability of a bringing in of HPAIV H5N1 Asia to Germany over a contamination of the clothing and the footwear from other European countries are small estimated at present than.
to 3,3 action options for the prevention of bringing in into poultry existence and further spread 3.3.1 preventive measures further in the house poultry sector adjustment of the Aufstallungsgebots to the new risk situation appears further justifiable to limit the open land attitude of poultry only in risk areas. Definition of risk areas with Aufstallung the areas, in which still Aufstallung is recommended, 09.05.2006 in regular intervals with consideration of the current epidemiological situation and in close coordination with ornithologischen experts should be examined and adapted if necessary at short notice according to the regulations of the poultry on stable regulation of. Protective inoculation on the basis of the at present available vaccines and proof systems, the current epidemiological situation and the careful consideration of the pro and cons is not recommended a protective inoculation by utilizable poultry further. For zoo animals and by becoming extinct threatened poultry races a protective inoculation is estimated according to the valid regulations with the available vaccines despite all reservations earliest as meaningful, since both an entrance and a door scenario can be defined exactly. The available vaccines are not sufficiently examined however at exotic bird species. Thus it is uncertain whether the inoculation obtain an acceptable protection at any time. Experiences in the Netherlands show that the acceptance for an inoculation of utilizable poultry (including hobby attitudes) is small due to the well-known disadvantages. Since the risk of the entry of HPAIV H5N1 Asia did not change into house poultry existence, no veranlassung exists at present anyway for a general protective inoculation. Precaution measures on inventory level: Because of the continuing operational readiness level of HPAIV H5N1 Asia and the permanent presence geringpathogener aviaerer Influenzaviren in the game bird population for the prevention of the entry into poultry existence further a high priority should be attached to the consistent penetration of the precaution measures (in particular bio security), in order to minimize the risk of the entry into house poultry existence.
controls with entries and the goods traffic from countries concerned preventing illegal imports reinforcement of the information offer at border crossing points strengthened 3.3.2 additional measures for the prevention of bringing in of HPAI H5N1 into German utilizable poultry existence over the external borders for current situation and to the import regulations self-declaration of travelers with the entry from outbreak countries over carried forbidden goods and to possible contacts to poultry within the last 7 days before the entry collection of the travel activity the countries as well as clearing-up of this circle of acquaintances Nachverfolgungsuntersuchungen mentioned by in the German agriculture transacting from to the transmissions countries concerned by birds of coming categories of commodities from

3.3.3 measures with game birds due to the meaning of the investigation data for game birds for a meaningful risk evaluation, from which practicable and acceptable measures can be derived for the prevention and fight of the aviaeren influenza, is one time near and complete message of these results of the Lands of the Federal Republic of great importance. Further should apply to the full extent: Message more verendeter or ill birds at the veterinarian or office for order observance of hygiene with contact with healthy game birds or with material, which came with these birds into contact. Avoidance of direct contact from persons and domestic animals to the extent necessary to dead or ill birds 3.3.4 special measures of the responsible veterinarian authorities comprehensive control of the adherence to the stable obligation in restriction and risk areas permission of exceptions of the stable obligation for utilizable poultry only under strict editions and when being present certain conditions examination of the feasibility of the measures planned in the crisis plans for the case of epidemic and actualization of the plans, grab forest island Riems, the 28.06.2007 professor Dr. Thomas C Mettenleiter president and professor

 

[HenryN]

Re: Deadly bird flu strain found in Germany

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06300701/H5N1_WB_Europe_Common.html