- Hello Jeff - Oh my, now it is suspected H7N2 found
in second location. I would conclude all eyes will be watching carefully
Wales to see if H5N1 is also found, and it the two Avian viruses ever "exchange"
genetic material making a more human friendly H5N1.
-
- Stay tuned, as they say. Remember, we are working on
the virus's time table, not ours.
-
- Patty
-
- AVIAN INFLUENZA (89) - UK (WALES): LPAI H7N2, 2ND LOCATION,
SUSPECTED
- A ProMED-mail post
- http://www.promedmail.org
- ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society
for Infectious Diseases
- http://www.isid.org>
-
- [1] Date: Sat 26 May 2007 Source: BBC NEWS [edited]
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/wales/6694611.stm>
-
-
- Bird flu testing on 2nd farm
-
- -------------------------------
-
- Officials investigating an outbreak of mild bird flu
are testing birds on a 2nd farm in north Wales. A total of 9 people were
tested after the H7N2 strain was found in chickens in the 1st case at a
smallholding in Conwy, with 4 people testing positive. The poultry had
been bought from the Chelford Market near Macclesfield.
-
- The 2nd possible case is about 35 miles (56 km) away
on the Llyn Peninsula, Gwynedd, with birds being tested because of links
to the market. [For Gwynedd, about 30 miles south/south-east to Conwy,
see map at:
- http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=52.9061&lon=-4.1035&scale=1000000&icon=x.
- Mod. AS].
-
- Chief veterinary officer Dr. Christianne Glossop said
there was a police presence at the Gwynedd farm to ensure no "unnecessary
access" to the premises. The farm is understood to be on the outskirts
of Efailnewydd, near Pwllheli. She said: "We are testing birds at
the farm because of its link with Chelford Market on 7 May 2007. "A
decision on any further action required regarding birds on the farm will
be taken on the basis of the test results."
-
- Health officials have stressed that the disease found
at the farm in Conwy was the H7N2 strain of bird flu, not the more virulent
H5N1. The owners of the Conwy smallholding at Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr,
near Cerrigydrudion, have tested negative for the virus. The couple called
in a vet after the Rhode Island Red birds, which they bought at the market
about 2 weeks ago, had started to die. Samples from the birds were sent
for testing, and the virus was confirmed on Thursday [24 May 2007].
-
- Earlier on Saturday [26 May 2007], Dr. Glossop confirmed
the birds had been bought at the market, which is some 70 miles (112 km)
away from the Conwy farm, and said it was being regarded as one line of
inquiry. [see map of Chelford at: http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=53.26
6&lon=2.2738&scale=1000000&icon=x%3E> - Mod. AS].
-
- She said: "An important part of disease control
is finding the source of infection. "It has to be a very thorough
process with a number of lines of inquiry to follow." Announcing the
latest tests of birds on the Llyn Peninsula, she reiterated her appeal
for anyone who purchased from or supplied to the market on Mon 7 May, and
had not already been contacted by animal health officials, to contact their
local office. Similarly, any poultry keeper who visited the market on that
day and whose birds have subsequently become ill should do so, Dr. Glossop
said.
-
- "In the meantime, all bird keepers throughout Wales
should continue their efforts to maintain high levels of biosecurity and
maintain vigilance by continuing to monitor their birds for signs of disease,"
she continued. "If you are concerned about the health of your birds
you should seek the advice of your veterinary surgeon, if you suspect that
your birds have avian influenza you should report it to your local animal
health office."
-
- Of the 9 people tested for the virus, 3 were taken to
hospital, but have now been discharged.
-
- Chief medical officer for Wales Tony Jewell said on Friday
[25 May 2007]: "I would like to reassure the general public that the
risk to their health from this outbreak is very low. This particular strain
is not highly pathogenic and is normally only contracted following close
contact with infected birds. In addition the symptoms are generally mild."
-
- Of the 4 people who have tested positive, 2 were from
Wales and the other 2 were from north-west England. The 5 people who tested
negative are being treated as having had the virus as a precaution.
-
- The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Defra) wants to hear from anyone -- who has not already been contacted
-- who purchased from or supplied to Chelford Market, Cheshire on Mon 7
May, or any poultry keeper who visited the market on that day whose birds
have subsequently become ill. They are asked to contact their local animal
health office or the Defra helpline 08459 335577. Lines are open between
0900 BST - 1700 BST 7 days a week.
-
- -- Communicated by: Dr. Keith Marshall <<mailto:kcm@cix.co.uk>kcm@cix.co.uk>
-
- ****** [2] Date: 26 May 2007 Source: Welsh Assembly Government
Press Release
- http://new.wales.gov.uk/news/presreleasearchive/ai-lleyn-update26may/?lang=en>
-
-
- Avian flu update As part of the ongoing investigation
into the source of the H7N2 low pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in
North Wales, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales Dr Christianne Glossop
has ordered samples be taken from birds at a farm in the Llyn Peninsula.
-
- Dr Glossop said, "We are testing birds at the farm
because of its link with Chelford Market on 7 May 2007. There is a police
presence currently at the farm, to ensure no unnecessary access to the
premises. A decision on any further action required regarding birds on
the farm will be taken on the basis of the test results.
-
- "As part of the tracing exercise, I repeat my request
for anyone, who has not already been contacted by Animal Health officials,
and who has purchased from or supplied to Chelford Market in Cheshire on
Monday 7 May 2007 or any poultry keeper who visited Chelford Market on
this date whose birds have subsequently become ill, to contact their local
Animal Health Office or the Defra helpline.
-
- "All bird keepers in Wales should continue their
efforts to maintain high levels of biosecurity and maintain vigilance by
continuing to monitor their birds for signs of disease. If you are concerned
about the health of your birds you should seek the advice of your veterinary
surgeon, if you suspect that your birds have avian influenza you should
report it to your Local Animal Health Office."
-
- The Defra helpline number is 08459 33 55 77. (Open between
9am - 5pm 7 days a week).
-
- -- Communicated by: John Morgan <<mailto:davidjohnmorgan@gmail.com>davidjohnmorgan@gmail.com>
-
- [The 1st, confirmed H7N2 focus, and the 2nd, suspected
one, have both been recorded in Northern Wales. The market which is regarded
as their common infection origin is in Cheshire, demonstrating the potential
of wide-scale spread of diseases through animal markets. And, it is reminiscent
of the foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus spread through sheep traded in
UK markets in February 2001.
-
- From a subscriber in the UK we have received the following
comment: "The infected birds which died were bought at Chelford Market
from a private dealer and there is no traceable paperwork. I find it quite
incredible that after everything that has happened with regard avian notifiable
diseases in the past few years, auctioneers allow private sales out of
the back of a van to go on at their premises on a sale day without any
formal identification or inspection". Seems deserving a thought. -
Mod AS].
- Patricia A. Doyle DVM, PhD
- Bus Admin, Tropical Agricultural Economics
- Univ of West Indies
-
- Please visit my "Emerging Diseases" message
board at:
- http://www.emergingdisease.org/phpbb/index.php
- Also my new website:
- http://drpdoyle.tripod.com/
- Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa
- Go with God and in Good Health
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