- "Philippine authorities were investigating possible
bird flu in the sudden deaths of 50 chickens in a village north of Manila",
an official said Friday.
-
- Blood samples have already been taken from at least two
of the birds in a village outside Calumpit, about 40 kilometers (25 miles)
northwest of Manila, the same town where a low-risk version of bird flu
was discovered in a duck farm in July."
-
- The above commentary suggest that H5N1 wild bird flu
may have entered the Philippines. There have been reports of H5N2 antibodies
in the Philippines, but those birds did not die. There have also been
outbreaks of H5N2 antibodies in Japan. However, there were very few birds
that died.
-
- In contrasts, the Philippines is reporting dead chickens.
Although the deaths could be due to other viruses such as New Castle Disease,
the timing of the announcement and proximity to Indonesia and Vietnam make
H5N1 a likely candidate.
-
- Wild birds are beginning to migrate from Mongolia, Siberia,
and Kazahkstan, as well as Qinghai Lake in China. These birds carry HPAI
H5N1 and probably are responsible for the dead domestic ducks being reported
in Romania. Indonesia has suggested that the H5N1 in their Ragunan zoo
may be due to wild birds and Thailand has reported deaths in free range
poultry, also suggesting wild birds may be responsible.
-
- The distance from the recent outbreak in Kurgen to Romania
is similar to the distance from Qinghai Lake to Manila (see map), so the
location of the chicken deaths is within the range of migratory birds that
are flying to warmer climates.
-
- Results from the Philippine isolates are expected soon,
and H5N1 would not be a surprise and would extend H5N1's geographical range.
-
- webmaster@recombinomics.com
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