Leaked report from FAO,WHO,MOH consultative Meeting- Keiji Fukuda

[Mingus]

Archive Number 20060622.1729
Published Date 22-JUN-2006
Subject PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (88) - China, Indonesia

AVIAN INFLUENZA, HUMAN (88) - CHINA, INDONESIA
**********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

In this update:

[1] China - identification of earliest Chinese case of H5N1 infection
[2] Indonesia - person-to-person transmission among family members

*****
[2]
Date: Thu 22 June 2006
From: Pablo nart <PABLO.NART@terra.es>
Source: Anchorage Daily News, Associated Press report, Wed 21 Jun 2006 [edited]
<http://www.adn.com/24hour/healthscience/story/3314773p-12210534c.html>


[This appears to be a leaked report of part of the the proceedings of
the FAO, WHO, MOH consultative Meeting in progress in Indonesia from
21 to 23 Jun 2006 - see ProMED-mail post: Avian influenza, human (87)
- Indonesia 20060620.1701. - Mod.CP]


The World Health Organisation (WHO) has concluded that human-to-human
transmission likely occurred among 7 relatives who developed bird flu
in Indonesia. In a report obtained by Associated Press, WHO experts
said the cluster's index case was probably infected by sick birds and
spread the disease to 6 family members. One of those cases, a boy,
then likely infected his father, it said. The WHO stressed that the
virus has not mutated and that no cases were detected beyond the family.

Seven of the 8 relatives died [in May 2006], but one was buried
before samples could be taken to confirm bird flu infection. "Six
confirmed H5N1 cases likely acquired (the) H5N1 virus through
human-to-human transmission from the index case ... during close
prolonged contact with her during the late stages of her illness,"
the report said.

The report was distributed at a closed meeting in Jakarta attended by
some of the world's top bird flu experts. The experts were expected
to discuss the large family cluster during the session. One of the
remaining mysteries is why only blood relatives -- not spouses --
became infected. The 3-day session was convened after Indonesia asked
for international help. The country has recorded the world's highest
number of human bird flu cases [so far in 2006], and 39 of those
infected have died.

The WHO report theorizes the family shared a "common genetic
predisposition to infection with H5N1 virus with severe and fatal
outcomes. However, there is no evidence to support that.

Keiji Fukuda, WHO's coordinator for the Global Influenza Program in
Geneva, said the Indonesian case appears to resemble other family
clusters where limited human-to-human transmission occurred following
close contact. He said scientists must find out whether anything is
different about the way the virus is behaving. "The really critical
factor is why did that cluster develop?" he said. "What's the reason
why people in a cluster got infected?"

Fukuda said that although the cluster in the farming village on
Sumatra island grabbed world attention, no country -- including Viet
Nam and Thailand, which have largely controlled the virus -- is safe
from bird flu. "This is a virus that you both have to respect a lot
and (you) have to be concerned about the overall situation, even in
areas in which it looks like control has been achieved," he said on
the meeting's sidelines. "The real question is: Can you sustain that
control for a virus which is really able to persist this way?"

Indonesian officials said the country lacks manpower and money to
battle the H5N1 virus alone. The government has been saddled with a
series of natural disasters, including the 2004 tsunami and an
earthquake [in May 2006] on Java Island. Indonesia needs $50 million
from donors in the next 3 years to establish a system to help fight
bird flu in poultry, according to Peter Roeder of the U.N. Food and
Agriculture Organization. Indonesia has said it needs $900 million
over the next 3 years for its overall battle against the H5N1 virus
but has only budgeted $59 million.

[Byline: Margie Mason]

--
Pablo Nart
<PABLO.NART@terra.es>

[Similar reports have been received from Dr George A. Roberston
<George.Robertson@hhs.gov> and Mary Marshall
<tropical.forestry@btinternet.com>. Mods. CP/MPP]

The genetic background theory is a beatiful way to admit they just don't understand what goin on...

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Leaked report from FAO,WHO,MOH consultative Meeting- Keiji Fukuda

...the cluster's index case was probably infected by sick birds

Why not cats, which shared their RESRRKKR?

.

 

[chicken little]

Re: Leaked report from FAO,WHO,MOH consultative Meeting- Keiji Fukuda

Reported in the NZ Herald today "China is considering fines for media outlets which report emergencies without authorisation.The draft law would also fine news outlets that 'illegally' report the handling of emergencies,the Beijing News said."
hmmm...I wonder what emergencies they have in mind?