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Avian influenza
Avian influenza is a viral infection found in domestic poultry and a wide range of other birds. Wild waterfowl and shorebirds are often subclinically affected carriers of the virus. In poultry, low-pathogenicity strains can cause subclinical infections; however, some strains typically cause respiratory signs or decreased egg production. Highly pathogenic strains may cause widespread organ failure and sudden death, often with high mortality rates. Diagnosis is based on detection of the viral genome or specific antibodies or on virus isolation. Antimicrobials may help control secondary bacterial infection in flocks affected by low-pathogenicity strains. Antiviral drugs are not approved or recommended. Prevention is best accomplished by biosecurity measures. Vaccines matched for antigenic type can greatly increase resistance to infection, prevent clinical signs, and decrease viral shedding in infected flocks.
Authorities have already culled 25,000 birds at the infected farm in Ibaraki prefecture (state) northeast of Tokyo after officials discovered the H5N2 strain of bird flu, considered a less dangerous strain than the H5N1 version that has ravaged Asia.
On Wednesday, a ministry panel said chickens at the five farms closest to the infected farm in Mitsukaido City northeast of Tokyo had developed antibodies to the virus but did not have the disease. Still, the panel said the 94,000 birds at...
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Vietnam, the country hit hardest by bird flu, has increased compensation for farmers whose infected poultry are being culled in an effort to contain the spread of the virus, officials said Tuesday.
Farmers will be paid an average of 15,000 dong (US$0.95; €0.78) for each bird killed, up from 10,000 dong (US$0.63; €0.52), under a decision signed by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
The compensation applies to the period between Dec. 1, 2004, to Dec. 31, 2005.
"The raise aims at...
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Local government officials on Monday began the extermination of about 25,300 chickens at a farm where avian influenza was detected.
Led by Ibaraki Gov. Masaru Hashimoto, a bird flu task force ordered the killing at the poultry farm in Mitsukaido, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Officials of the prefectural government said that they would poison the birds with carbon dioxide then cover their bodies to kill the influenza virus.
The virus found at the farm is H5N2, a weak strain of bird...
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Vietnam reports new bird flu outbreak
Vietnam, which has seen no bird flu outbreaks since April, has found that some 6,000 chickens in southern Ben Tre province either infected or killed by bird flu, local newspaper Saigon Liberation reported Tuesday.
Some 6,000 out of 6,700 chickens raised by a local farmer from Chau Thanh district either became sick or died between June 9-11. The whole flock were culled after specimens from them were tested positive to bird flu...
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The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry will shortly convene a high-level meeting to chalk out a strategy for tackling bird flu, in case it hits the country. The meeting is likely to be held in the last week of this month or early July.
According to Union Health and Family Welfare Minister A. Ramadoss, the meeting will be attended by the National Security Adviser, health officials from all States and Union Territories, and representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the...
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The European Union is proposing to legislate on avian flu controls. Although its proposed directive is targeted mainly at the poultry industry, movement of pigs would also be involved.
"The proposed laboratory tests, and actions following positive findings, appear reasonable and proportionate to the current knowledge and assessment of risk," says NPA policy manager Ann Petersson. Nevertheless she would welcome any feedback from members.
• The competent authority shall ensure that...
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Recent discussions with Defra's exotic disease division indicate a need to formulate a control policy in the event of avian influenza entering the country.
No case has so far been reported of a transmission into pigs that has resulted in the pig becoming infectious, although reports speak of virus being isolated in pigs on the same holdings as infected birds. It is far more difficult for a virus to replicate itself and cause infection in another species.
History, however, contains plenty...
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