May 12, 2008
South Korea Kills All Poultry in Capital after New Bird Flu Outbreak
MetroNews.ca reports South Korean officials say they have killed all poultry in Seoul to prevent the spread of bird flu in the city. http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/world/article/35818
Posted by sball at 02:38 PM
May 09, 2008
Bird Flu Resurfaces in Bengal
Thaindian.com bird flu has resurfaced in eastern India Minister Anisur Rehaman confirmed Friday. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/bird-flu-resurfaces-in-bengal_10046769.html
Posted by sball at 11:22 AM
Migratory Birds, the H5N1 Influenza Virus and the Scientific Method
A Virology Journal 2008, 5:57, article -- "The role of migratory birds and of poultry trade in the dispersal of highly pathogenic H5N1 is still the topic of intense and controversial debate. In a recent contribution to this journal, Flint argues that the strict application of the scientific method can help to resolve this issue." http://www.virologyj.com/content/5/1/57
Posted by sball at 11:15 AM
May 05, 2008
Idaho Team Readies Artificial Beak for Wounded Bald Eagle
WTOPNews.com reports a bald eagle named Beauty's beak was shot off. A team of volunteers is working to attach an artificial beak to keep her alive.http://wtop.com/?nid=104&sid=1398259
Posted by sball at 12:11 PM
Japan Confirms Another Bird Flu Case in Swan
AFP reports a dead swan tested positive for the virulent H5N1 type of avian influenza in Japan. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hepOSv1DoWPKx3SGD_ua8wlsu2bg
Posted by sball at 11:36 AM
Swine, Avian Flu Genes in Same Virus
An unknown pathogen isolated from infected pigs at two midwestern swine production facilities in 2006 has proved to be a new strain of H2 influenza virus, similar to the one that caused the 1957 flu pandemic. First identified by a University of Minnesota veterinary diagnostician, this strain proved to have a startling new twist: It contained genes of both swine and avian influenza viruses.
Molecular studies indicate that the mystery pig pathogen is actually an H2N3 influenza virus closely related to an H2N3 strain found in mallard ducks—being seen for the first time in mammals. Both swine facilities used pond water frequented by migrating waterfowl. In the newly isolated swine H2N3, the avian H2 and N3 gene segments mixed with gene segments from common swine influenza viruses, giving it the ability to infect swine—as well as mice and ferrets. This suggests the need for continued monitoring of both swine and livestock workers for H2-subtype viruses and other influenza strains.
Juergen Richt, USDA-ARS Virus and Prion Diseases of Livestock Research Unit, Ames, Iowa; phone (515) 663-7366.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/may08/sci0508.htm
"Science Update" was published in the May/June 2008 issue of Agricultural Research magazine.
Posted by sball at 11:23 AM