Avian Influenza

May 05, 2008

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 | Comments (0)

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 | Comments (0)

May 01, 2008

3 Samples and Tests were Removed for 2008. Total is Now 226.

National Avian Influenza Surveillance Information. http://wildlifedisease.nbii.gov/ai/

Posted by sball at 03:15 PM | Comments (0)

April 29, 2008

Japan Confirms H5N1 Bird Flu Strain in Swans

Reuters reports that Japan confirmed four swans found were infected with the H5N1 strain of bird flu. http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUST13632

Posted by sball at 09:51 AM | Comments (0)

Bird Flu Knocking at Norway's Door

Aftenposten.no reports that approximately 2,000 chickens and ducks had to be slaughtered in Denmark a test uncovered a strain of bird influenza. http://www.aftenposten.no/english/article2397576.ece

Posted by sball at 08:35 AM | Comments (0)

Dominican Authorities Still Await Bird-Flu-Free Certification

DominicanToday.com reports the Dominican Republic is waiting to be certified as a nation free of the bird flu virus, which would allow it to resume exporting chickens and eggs. http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2008/4/29/27809/Dominican-authorities-still-await-bird-flu-free-certification

Posted by sball at 08:32 AM | Comments (0)