Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

[Shiloh]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

Source: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/national/news...na025000c.html

Deadly H5N1 bird flu virus detected in wild swan found dead in Hokkaido

A deadly bird flu virus has been detected in the body of a wild swan found dead in Hokkaido, the Environment Ministry announced Monday.

Hokkaido University, which had been commissioned by the ministry to examine the body of the whooper swan after it tested positive for H5N1 in a preliminary test, confirmed that the bird had been infected with the deadly bird flu virus.

The swan was found dead on the Notsuke Peninsula in the Hokkaido town of Betsukai -- known as a stopover for migratory birds such as whooper swans -- on April 24.

It is the fourth time that wild birds carrying H5N1 have been found in Japan. In the previous case, the deadly virus was detected in three of four whooper swans found dead or weakened near Lake Towada in Akita Prefecture on April 21.

Between Thursday and Sunday, the ministry collected approximately 1,000 samples of droppings of wild birds, including swans and ducks, from areas near migratory bird stopovers in Hokkaido and areas around Lake Towada to see if they were infected with bird flu.

Ministry officials said humans are highly unlikely to be infected with bird flu viruses unless they are in close contact with infected birds.

Photo: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/national/news...000p_size5.jpg
A scientist gathers bird droppings to examine from beside a waterway in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, over the weekend. A swan in Hokkaido has been found to have died from bird flu. (Mainichi)

[HenryN]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

With the Hokkaido field attaching in 1 feather of H5N1 type detection Salomaa lake positivity The environmental ministry announced that on the 5th, from the cadaver of the swan of the Hokkaido field attaching peninsula where the positive reaction has been produced in simplicity inspection of the bird influenza virus, the virus of poisonous H5N1 type was detected strongly. In addition as for Hokkaido the same day, the cadaver of the swan was found in the Salomaa lake and it announced that the result of simplicity inspection, the positive reaction of the bird influenza virus was produced. The environmental ministry being Hokkaido large, in the future concerning the virus of the swan of the field attaching peninsula does gene analysis, investigating the relation with the virus which past is detected. 1? Analysis is advanced at the national environmental laboratory concerning the droppings of the swan and the duck which on the 4th were picked inside and the like the road. According to the environmental ministry and the road, the flight route of the swan of the field attaching peninsula is unclear. As for condition such as heat generation you call to the veterinarian teachers 4 people who are touched the cadaver that it has not come out. Hokkaido on the 5th, received the virus detection of H5N1 type, executed also the inspection of emergency on the basis of domestic animal protecting against infection method, vis-a-vis the poultry farming place 5 doors within 30 kilometers from the cadaver heuristic place. You verified concerning the invasion prevention measure of wild bird, such as anti bird net began also the disinfection job of the poultry house. 2008/05/05 20:23

http://www.47news.jp/CN/200805/CN2008050501000452.html

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

Another swan in Hokkaido, other location.

Dead swans tested H5N1 positive in northern Japan


www.chinaview.cn 2008-05-05

TOKYO, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Two dead swans found respectively on April 24 and Monday in northern Japan's Hokkaido Prefecture have been tested positive of the highly virulent H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus, Kyodo News reported.

The Japanese Environment Ministry confirmed that the dead swan found on April 24 in eastern Hokkaido's Notsuke Peninsula was infected with the virus, while the Hokkaido prefectural government found the other one dead beside Lake Saroma was also H5N1 positive through a preliminary examination.

The Hokkaido Prefectural government has carried out in spectionsat five chicken farms within a radius of 30 kilometers around the location of the confirmed case.

It is the second Japanese prefecture where the H5N1 avian influenza has been detected following that in northeastern Japan's Akita Prefecture in late April.

On April 29, the H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus was confirmed in several dead and dying swans found a week before in Akita Prefecture.

No widespread deaths of birds or animals have been reported in both regions.

http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-05/05/content_8110306.htm

Location of Lake Saroma, Hokkaido:

[HenryN]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

Updated map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.00044622013f3bba138f7&t=h&ll=43.786958,142.492676&spn=28.06942,56.074219&z=4

[Shiloh]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

Source: http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4125

H5N1 bird flu found in dead swan in Hokkaido

SAPPORO, May 5 (Kyodo) - The deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza has been detected in a dead swan found April 24 on the Notsuke Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido, the Environment Ministry said Monday.

Another dead swan found Monday beside Lake Saroma in eastern Hokkaido was also found to be infected with bird flu virus through a preliminary examination, the Hokkaido prefectural government said.

Following the detection of the H5N1 virus, the prefectural government began inspections of five chicken farms within a radius of 30 kilometers of the site where the dead swan was found.

The swan from the Notsuke Peninsula earlier tested positive for avian influenza virus in a simple examination and Hokkaido University conducted a probe to determine whether the virus is highly pathogenic.

The deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza was detected in three out of four swans found dead or dying near Lake Towada in Akita Prefecture on April 21. (Kyodo)

Today In Asia : Last Update : 20:29:56 5 May 2008 (GMT+7:00

[HenryN]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

VERY detailed report on H5N1 in Japan last year (which was clearly the Uvs Lake strain)

http://www.maff.go.jp/tori/kentoukai/report2007_e.pdf

[HenryN]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

Commentray

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/05050802/H5N1_Hokkaido_2.html

[HenryN]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/05060802/H5N1_Japan_Uvs.html

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

Commentray

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/05...okkaido_2.html

Commentary

Another Hokkaido H5N1 Confimation Raises Migration Concerns

Recombinomics Commentary 17:48
May 5, 2008

The deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza has been detected in a dead swan found April 24 on the Notsuke Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido, the Environment Ministry said Monday.

Another dead swan found Monday beside Lake Saroma in eastern Hokkaido was also found to be infected with bird flu virus through a preliminary examination, the Hokkaido prefectural government said.

The above comments describe a second H5N1 positive swan in Hokkaido (see satellite map). The latest outbreaks in Hokkaido and Akita are markedly north of prior outbreaks. A detailed report on the earlier outbreaks includes phylogenetic trees that include last years isolates (listed below), and includes migratory routes between Japan and Asia based on satellite tracking. These data confirm that the H5N1 in Japan in early 2007 was closely related to the H5N1 in South Korea in late 2006, which was the Uvs Lake strain of clade 2.2. The migration data link swans in northern Japan to areas due north in northeastern Siberia. Movement of H5N1 to northeastern Siberia would set the stage for transfer to species in Alaska, followed by the migration of H5N1 south into Canada and the United States.

The confirmation of H5N1 in northern Japan as well as southeastern Russia suggest that H5N1 is expanding into new areas to set the stage for a migration into North America. However, the current surveillance approaches, which are largely directed toward cloacal swabs and fecal collections which are not likely to detect the H5N1, which is highest in tracheal swabs or organs from hunter killed birds.

A/Ck/Miyazaki/S749/07
A/Ck/Miyazaki/H358/07
A/Ck/Miyazaki/K11/07
A/Mountain hawk-eagle/Kumamito/1/07
A/Ck/Okatama/T6/07


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[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/05...Japan_Uvs.html

Commentary

H5N1 Uvs Lake Migration to Japan

Recombinomics Commentary 14:35
May 6, 2008

The results showed that the K11 strain had above 99 percent homology with the other three strains for all gene segments, suggesting that all four strains are closely related. In addition, homology with two strains from last year's outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in South Korea was also above 99 percent, and homology with the A/whooper swan/Mongolia/2/2006 virus isolated from whooper swans in Mongolia was also above 99 percent for all segments, indicating that these viruses are closely related.

Analysis of the HA gene of the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus isolated from the mountain hawk-eagle found the virus to have the G-E-R-R-R-K-K-R amino acid sequence in the HA cleavage region typical of virulent types. As for homology with other H5 viruses, it is most homologous (at least 99.7 percent) with the virus isolated from wild birds in Mongolia in 2006. A phylogenetic tree for the HA gene was created in order to analyze the details of relationships with other viruses (see attached figure). It is closest to the A/chicken/Miyazaki/K11/07 strain isolated in Miyazaki, demonstrating that this virus is also a Qinghai Lake-type.

The above comments from a report on the 2007 outbreak of H5N1 in Japan (see isolates below) confirm that the H5N1 was closely related to the H5N1 from South Korea in late 2006, which was related the Uvs Lake outbreak in Mongolia and Siberia in the summer of 2006. The pattern in 2006 / 2007 was similar to 2003 / 2004. H5N1 in South Korea at the end of the calendar year was subsequently found in Japan a month or two later.

This year that pattern has probably repeated, although the outbreak in South Korea began as wild birds began migrating to the north, and the dead and dying wild birds in Japan were discovered under enhanced surveillance. It is likely that the H5N1 in both countries represents the latest version of the Uvs Lake strain in the region.

However, this year the H5N1 in South Korea is a record levels, and the location of the H5N1 positive swans in Japan are in Akita and Hokkaido (see satellite map), which are where there has not been previously reported outbreaks. These northern locations suggest H5N1 will migrate into northeastern Siberia, which may lead to migration into North America.

The record levels of H5N1 in South Korea follows record outbreaks in India and Bangladesh, which may signal a higher endemic level and further geographic spread of H5N1 via migrating birds.

A/Ck/Miyazaki/S749/07
A/Ck/Miyazaki/H358/07
A/Ck/Miyazaki/K11/07
A/Mountain hawk-eagle/Kumamito/1/07
A/Ck/Okatama/T6/07


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[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

Among the birds that go through Hokkaido on their way to Alaska is the Black Brant. The below-referenced article tells how a small number winter on Hokkaido, then fly north to a major migration funnel - Izembek Lagoon - where they mix with Black brants headed back toward the Americas and many other species.

http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/files/issues/v098n03/p0653-p0657.pdf

Brief summary about Izembek Lagoon's birds:

Ornithological Summary:

<!-- Ornithological Summary Copy -->The location of Izembek Lagoon along avian migration routes and the presence of an abundant food resource (eelgrass) make this site one of the most important migratory bird staging and wintering habitats in the world. More than 82 species of birds have been documented using habitats in the vicinity of Izembek lagoon. The site is especially critical for the many species of waterfowl and shorebirds that undertake transoceanic flights to wintering habitats on the lower North Pacific coast or southern Pacific islands. The area regularly supports more than 90&#37; of the eastern Pacific coast population of Brant, more than half the world population of Emperor Geese, and a significant percentage of the world populations of Steller's Eider and Taverner's Cackling Goose.

Shorebird habitats are diverse at this site. Extensive unvegetated mud and sand flats occur throughout the lagoons. Sand beaches run the entire length of the Bering Sea side of all barrier islands and protecting peninsulas. Twenty-eight species of shorebirds have been recorded on the area, 20 of them as migrants and 8 as breeders. The largest number of shorebirds recorded on a single-day count was 41,351 in mid October. Three species (Rock Sandpiper, Dunlin, and Western Sandpiper) account for more than 95% of all shorebirds recorded. Rock Sandpipers are the single most abundant species, with more than 32,000 present in early September, followed by Dunlins, that peak at 28,000 birds in mid October.

Use by Least Sandpipers may exceed both of these figures combined, but areas favored by this species are difficult to survey.

http://iba.audubon.org/iba/viewState.do?state=US-AK

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[HenryN]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

Nagasaki prefecture the poultry farming farm prints the simultaneous disinfection article with bird in full The cadaver of the swan (it did in Akita prefecture and to be) from with the problem where the bird influenza virus of H5N1 type is detected, as for Nagasaki prefecture announced that all poultry farming farms inside the prefecture are disinfected simultaneously, on the 8th, on the basis of domestic animal protecting against infection method. 173 the slaked lime for disinfection is free distributed to the poultry farming place which is inside the prefecture, spreading to inside and around the place is requested. Including disinfection from 15 days, the schedule which is made to complete to the end of May. [ 2008 May 8th 20:55

http://www.nikkansports.com/general/news/f-gn-tp0-20080508-357509.html

[cartski]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

VERY detailed report on H5N1 in Japan last year (which was clearly the Uvs Lake strain)

http://www.maff.go.jp/tori/kentoukai/report2007_e.pdf

This is an excellent outbreak report.

I wonder whether the conclusions in this report lead directly to the enhanced surveillance this year.

3) In order to detect incursions of virus into Japan early on, maintain and enhance
monitoring of wild birds, including wild bird deaths.
(4) Compared with past outbreaks, this time an Infection Route Investigation Team was
able to conduct on-site research and gather information at an early stage. In the future,
however, an Infection Route Investigation Team should be formed and begin gathering
information on-site even before epidemic-control measures begin. Although there will be
some overlap with epidemic-control work, the earliest possible implementation of this
measure should be examined.

[HenryN]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

This is an excellent outbreak report.

I wonder whether the conclusions in this report lead directly to the enhanced surveillance this year.

I think the positives in Korea led to enhanced surveillance, because I strongly suspect the H5N1 flew into Korea and Japan in late 2007, early 2008, but the detection in both countries was linked to the poultry outbreaks beginning in April.

At the end of 2006, Korea did find H5N1 in fecal samples from locations frequented by migratory birds, and Japan did find H5N1 in a wild bird in 2007, so finding H5N1 in dead or dying wild birds in 2008 wasn't a major surprise, but still required an "enhanced" mode to get positives.

[HenryN]

Re: Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

Wrong thread