UK tests could miss BF in migratory birds

[sharon sanders]

UK tests could miss bird flu in migratory birds

• 19 May 2007
• Debora Mackenzie
• Magazine issue 2604

Discrepancies between British and mainland Europe's flu rates in water fowl raise fears that UK tests might miss the H5N1 strain


<!-- summary adds its own p tags --> DISCREPANCIES between levels of flu recorded in British birds and those elsewhere in Europe have surfaced yet again, following publication of the biggest study so far of bird flu in Europe. The findings raise concerns about whether British tests would pick up H5N1 bird flu if migratory wild birds carried it into the country.
Researchers in the Netherlands and Sweden analysed influenza A samples taken from 37,000 water birds in northern Europe over eight years. They confirmed that dabbling ducks, especially mallards, are the main carriers of flu viruses, although other birds, including geese, are occasional carriers. On average 6 per cent of ducks are infected, falling to a few per cent in spring and peaking at up to 20 per cent or more in autumn (PLoS Pathogens, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0030061).
In contrast, UK measurements of flu incidence in ducks remain low. In 2005 the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) in Addlestone, ...

http://www.newscientist.com/channel...s-could-miss-bird-flu-in-migratory-birds.html

 

[cartski]

Re: UK tests could miss BF in migratory birds

This is very interesting given our conversations about an unkown animal resevoir, transmission details, and the quality of tests.

Here is another write up about the article:

______________________________________
New host species for avian influenza identified
In a new study published online in the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens, Dr. Vincent J. Munster, of Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, and colleagues identify new host species for avian influenza A virus (H5N1) and provide important information on the distinctions between the ecology and epidemiology of various global strains of the virus.

An eight-year surveillance study, which included more than 36,000 wild migratory birds tested for low pathogenic avian influenza, details new data on host species, prevalence, and temporal and geographical variation of avian influenza in wild migratory birds in Europe. Seven previously unknown host species for H5N1 were identified, including four species of goose and the common gull, and dabbling ducks were found to harbor all but two known influenza virus subtypes.

The ecological and epidemiological data provided on influenza A virus should assist both in assessing the risk of the virus spread by wild birds and with the design of new surveillance studies for high and low pathogenic avian influenza in migratory birds.

###
This study was sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, The Netherlands Organisation for scientific research, the European Union, the Health Research Council of Southeast Sweden, the Kronan Foundation, the Medical Faculty of Umeå University, and the Swedish Research Council.

CITATION: Munster VJ, Baas C, Lexmond P, Waldenström J, Wallensten A, et al. (2007) Spatial, temporal, and species variation in prevalence of influenza A viruses in wild migratory birds. PLoS Pathog 3(5): e61. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.0030061

Please mention the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens (http://www.plospathogens.org) as the source for this article. Thank you!

PLoS Pathogens is an open access, peer reviewed journal published weekly by the Public Library of Science (PLoS).
_________________

And the main article is here:

http://pathogens.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.ppat.0030061


J.

 

[HenryN]

Re: UK tests could miss BF in migratory birds

This is very interesting given our conversations about an unkown animal resevoir, transmission details, and the quality of tests.

Here is another write up about the article:

______________________________________
New host species for avian influenza identified
In a new study published online in the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens, Dr. Vincent J. Munster, of Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, and colleagues identify new host species for avian influenza A virus (H5N1) and provide important information on the distinctions between the ecology and epidemiology of various global strains of the virus.

An eight-year surveillance study, which included more than 36,000 wild migratory birds tested for low pathogenic avian influenza, details new data on host species, prevalence, and temporal and geographical variation of avian influenza in wild migratory birds in Europe. Seven previously unknown host species for H5N1 were identified, including four species of goose and the common gull, and dabbling ducks were found to harbor all but two known influenza virus subtypes.

The ecological and epidemiological data provided on influenza A virus should assist both in assessing the risk of the virus spread by wild birds and with the design of new surveillance studies for high and low pathogenic avian influenza in migratory birds.

###
This study was sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, The Netherlands Organisation for scientific research, the European Union, the Health Research Council of Southeast Sweden, the Kronan Foundation, the Medical Faculty of Ume? University, and the Swedish Research Council.

CITATION: Munster VJ, Baas C, Lexmond P, Waldenstr?m J, Wallensten A, et al. (2007) Spatial, temporal, and species variation in prevalence of influenza A viruses in wild migratory birds. PLoS Pathog 3(5): e61. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.0030061

Please mention the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens (http://www.plospathogens.org) as the source for this article. Thank you!

PLoS Pathogens is an open access, peer reviewed journal published weekly by the Public Library of Science (PLoS).
_________________

And the main article is here:

http://pathogens.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.ppat.0030061


J.

The above article did not find ANY high path H5N1. What is interesting is the fact that H5N1 is NOT found, providing additional evidence that testing of live birds for Qinghai H5N1 is a joke.

The assays are not sensitive enough to find H5N1 in LIVE birds. All H5N1 positives in Europe are in DEAD or DYING birds.

 

[Theresa42]

Re: UK tests could miss BF in migratory birds

MomCares also points out this research...

Susceptibility of North American Ducks and Gulls to H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses

Justin D. Brown,* Comments to Author David E. Stallknecht,* Joan R. Beck,? David L. Suarez,? and David E. Swayne?
*College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA; and ?Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Athens, Georgia, USA

Virus Isolation and Serologic Testing

The virus isolation results are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. Viral titers were higher in oropharyngeal swabs than in cloacal swabs in all species and with both H5N1 viruses. Viral titers on cloacal swabs were low, except from birds that died of AIV infection. Oropharyngeal swabs from all species collected at 1 and 2 DPI were positive on virus isolation. Wood ducks and laughing gulls had higher viral titers on oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs and shed virus longer than any of the other species. Virus was isolated from numerous organs in the wood ducks and laughing gulls that died.


And to make it even more clear, here's a quote from one of the authors...

Stallknecht explained that in low-pathogenic avian influenza, most of the virus is shed in the feces of birds. The virus then spreads as other birds drink from contaminated water. The study found that in highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, however, the birds shed most of the virus through their respiratory tract.

Stallknecht said that with this knowledge, scientists can more effectively detect the virus in live birds by swabbing the birds' mouths and throats.

"Doing avian influenza surveillance is pretty tricky because there are a lot of species differences and there are also seasonal differences," he said. "So you've got to pick the right species at the right time and you've got to collect the right samples.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol12no11/06-0652.htm

 

[HenryN]

Re: UK tests could miss BF in migratory birds

Indonesia shares just three bird flu samples



5/17/07 New Scientist--Indonesia announced on Tuesday that it has resumed sending samples of H5N1 flu virus from its human cases to international labs so they can track the evolution of the virus. But only three samples have been sent.
Indonesian officials told world health experts meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, that it will not send more until there is progress towards a new international agreement to ensure poor countries get a share of the vaccines based on such viruses.
World Health Organization (WHO) officials support Indonesia?&#128;&#153;s rights to fair returns, but told New Scientist they fear the next flu pandemic may not wait for such negotiations. Indonesian labs are not able to analyse the viruses?&#128;&#153; potential evolution.
Indonesia, which has had the most cases of H5N1 flu after Vietnam, stopped sending virus samples to foreign laboratories affiliated with the WHO in November 2006, in protest over an Australian vaccine company that had used an Indonesian isolate to make an H5N1 vaccine which Indonesians would be unlikely to be able to buy.
H5N1 deaths continue
It announced it would start sending samples again in March, but until now none had been forthcoming - pending a written agreement with the WHO labs detailing what they could do with the sample.
There has still been no written agreement, but Japanese officials in Geneva confirmed that three Indonesian samples have now been sent to the WHO collaborating lab in Tokyo.
Since the country stopped sending virus samples, 15 Indonesians have died of the virus, and more have fallen ill. Every human infection represents a chance for the virus to adapt further to people, which could allow it to go pandemic.
The dispute is being thrashed out this week at the WHO's annual assembly in Geneva.
Nyoman Kandun, head of communicable diseases at the Indonesian health ministry, said sending any more samples, and publishing the genetic sequences of those that have been sent, would depend on international negotiations to change WHO rules. These currently allow commercial firms to make vaccines and patent them without sharing the profits with the viruses?&#128;&#153; countries of origin.
Vaccine standoff
WHO officials fear the standoff threatens the world?&#128;&#153;s efforts to prepare an H5N1 vaccine. But Indonesian health minister Siti Fadillah Supari explains her stance to New Scientist: ?&#128;&#156;In 2005, when bird flu arrived, we needed Tamiflu [the antiviral drug that can cure H5N1]. We contacted Roche," the Swiss company that holds the drug's patent and its only source at the time.
"They said we couldn?&#128;&#153;t have any, we would have to wait two years, because industrialised countries had already made advance purchase orders," she says.
At the time, countries such as the US and UK, fearing an H5N1 pandemic, had placed orders for millions of doses of Tamiflu to be stockpiled, which would take Roche years to manufacture. Other would-be buyers had to get in line. But these rich countries had no H5N1 cases.
?&#128;&#156;We already had 20 cases,?&#128;? says Supari. ?&#128;&#156;That?&#128;&#153;s unfair distribution.?&#128;?
She says fair distribution of flu drugs and flu vaccines should be based on need ?&#128;&#147; and on which country has cases of the disease ?&#128;&#147; not on money.
Meanwhile, WHO officials fear that by the time that perennial problem is worked out it could be too late to develop a vaccine for any pandemic H5N1 that may emerge from Indonesia.


<HR align=center width="75%">

 

[HenryN]

Re: UK tests could miss BF in migratory birds

<TABLE class=resultstable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=white><TD align=left><INPUT onclick=setAll(this.checked) type=checkbox value=230206 name=checkbox> </TD><TD class=displaytablerow align=left></TD><TD>CY019352 </TD><TD>A/Indonesia/CDC1031/2007 </TD><TD>HA (4) </TD><TD>1659 </TD><TD>2007 </TD><TD>H5N1 </TD><TD></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#a7c4ef><TD align=left><INPUT onclick=setAll(this.checked) type=checkbox value=230230 name=checkbox> </TD><TD class=displaytablerow align=left></TD><TD>CY019376 </TD><TD>A/Indonesia/CDC1031RE2/2007 </TD><TD>HA (4) </TD><TD>1707 </TD><TD>2007 </TD><TD>H5N1 </TD><TD></TD></TR><TR bgColor=white><TD align=left><INPUT onclick=setAll(this.checked) type=checkbox value=230214 name=checkbox> </TD><TD class=displaytablerow align=left></TD><TD>CY019360 </TD><TD>A/Indonesia/CDC1031T/2007 </TD><TD>HA (4) </TD><TD>1659 </TD><TD>2007 </TD><TD>H5N1 </TD><TD></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#a7c4ef><TD align=left><INPUT onclick=setAll(this.checked) type=checkbox value=230222 name=checkbox> </TD><TD class=displaytablerow align=left></TD><TD>CY019368 </TD><TD>A/Indonesia/CDC1031T2/2007 </TD><TD>HA (4) </TD><TD>1659 </TD><TD>2007 </TD><TD>H5N1 </TD><TD></TD></TR><TR bgColor=white><TD align=left><INPUT onclick=setAll(this.checked) type=checkbox value=230238 name=checkbox> </TD><TD class=displaytablerow align=left></TD><TD>CY019384 </TD><TD>A/Indonesia/CDC1032/2007 </TD><TD>HA (4) </TD><TD>1659 </TD><TD>2007 </TD><TD>H5N1 </TD><TD></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#a7c4ef><TD align=left><INPUT onclick=setAll(this.checked) type=checkbox value=230246 name=checkbox> </TD><TD class=displaytablerow align=left></TD><TD>CY019392 </TD><TD>A/Indonesia/CDC1032N/2007 </TD><TD>HA (4) </TD><TD>1659 </TD><TD>2007 </TD><TD>H5N1 </TD><TD></TD></TR><TR bgColor=white><TD align=left><INPUT onclick=setAll(this.checked) type=checkbox value=230254 name=checkbox> </TD><TD class=displaytablerow align=left></TD><TD>CY019400 </TD><TD>A/Indonesia/CDC1032T/2007 </TD><TD>HA (4) </TD><TD>1659 </TD><TD>2007 </TD><TD>H5N1 </TD><TD></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#a7c4ef><TD align=left><INPUT onclick=setAll(this.checked) type=checkbox value=230262 name=checkbox> </TD><TD class=displaytablerow align=left></TD><TD>CY019408 </TD><TD>A/Indonesia/CDC1046/2007 </TD><TD>HA (4) </TD><TD>1707 </TD><TD>2007 </TD><TD>H5N1 </TD><TD></TD></TR><TR bgColor=white><TD align=left><INPUT onclick=setAll(this.checked) type=checkbox value=230269 name=checkbox> </TD><TD class=displaytablerow align=left></TD><TD>CY019416 </TD><TD>A/Indonesia/CDC1046T/2007 </TD><TD>HA (4) </TD><TD>1707 </TD><TD>2007 </TD><TD>H5N1 </TD><TD></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#a7c4ef><TD align=left><INPUT onclick=setAll(this.checked) type=checkbox value=230277 name=checkbox> </TD><TD class=displaytablerow align=left></TD><TD>CY019424 </TD><TD>A/Indonesia/CDC1047/2007 </TD><TD>HA (4) </TD><TD>1707 </TD><TD>2007 </TD><TD>H5N1 </TD><TD></TD></TR><TR bgColor=white><TD align=left><INPUT onclick=setAll(this.checked) type=checkbox value=230285 name=checkbox> </TD><TD class=displaytablerow align=left></TD><TD>CY019432 </TD><TD>A/Indonesia/CDC1047S/2007 </TD><TD>HA (4) </TD><TD>1707 </TD><TD>2007 </TD><TD>H5N1 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Johnny Yuma]

Re: UK tests could miss BF in migratory birds

I don't get it, Dr. Niman.

 

[vinny]

Re: UK tests could miss BF in migratory birds

FLU PANDEMIC 'IMMINENT IN THE COUNTY'


09:45 - 17 May 2007
A Flu pandemic outbreak "is due" to hit Lincolnshire, councillors will be told tomorrow.






The county's emergency planners received the warning during a local government conference on the country's ability to cope.

Despite a lack of evidence to suggest that an outbreak is imminent emergency services are planning for a pandemic claiming up to 700,000 human deaths in Britain, Lincolnshire County Council members will hear.

Councillor Peter Robinson will deliver the statement during a meeting of the full council.

His statement will read: "The time intervals between the flu outbreak at the end of World War One, Asian flu and Hong Kong flu suggest that another outbreak is due."

As reported in the Echo in March, the council's emergency planners have been asked to identify additional burial land in the event of an outbreak.

In Lincolnshire up to 40 per cent of the population could be infected, of whom 2.5 per cent, about 7,000 people, might die.

Tomorrow's meeting is at County Offices, Newland, Lincoln, at 10.30am.






http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk...tentPK=17340120&folderPk=87025&pNodeId=156610