Vietnam: HUMAN H5N1 Cases Feb 13+

[Treyfish]

H5N1 Confirmed Cluster in Gia Loc Vietnam Causes Concern

Recombinomics Commentary 00:51
February 16, 2008

Appear also disease child 7 year-old, village Gia Loc, Hai Duon in hospital central child

The above translation on the hospitalization of the H5N1 confirmed seven year in Gia Loc, which is the location of the confirmed fatal infection of the 40F, generates a geographic cluster (see satellite map) covering a smaller area that Hai Duang province.

The timing of the two infections, coupled with the sharing of the dead poultry with a relative, increases the likelihood that there is a close relationship between the two victims, WHO update notwithstanding.

This close geographical, link between these two confirmed patients, coupled with the several hospitalized suspect patients, suggest this cluster may be significantly greater than two.

More information on any relationship between the two H5N1 confirmed patients and the hospitalized suspect patients, would be useful.

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/02...c_Cluster.html

[Muscade]

February 16, 2008 16:48 PM

Vietnam Reports New Bird Flu Patient


HANOI, Feb 16 (Bernama) -- Vietnam's Health Ministry said a seven-year-old child from northern Hai Duong province has been infected with H5N1, raising the total number of bird flu patients in Vietnam since 2003 to 105, said China's Xinhua news agency quoting a report in local newspaper "Young People" on Saturday.

The child is under treatment at the Central Pediatrics Hospital in Hanoi capital. Some suspected human cases of bird flu infections are also under treatment at the city-based Tropical Diseases Hospital. Their specimens are being tested for H5N1 by Vietnam's National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.

To date, Vietnam has reported a total of 105 human cases of bird flu infections, including 50 fatalities, since the disease started to hit the country in December 2003.

Since Feb 13, two local people, a 27-year-old man named Hoang Van Doan from northern Ninh Binh province and a 40-year-old man named Do Van San from northern Hai Duong province, have died from bird flu, the newspaper said.

On Jan 18, a 32-year-old ethnic man named Tran Van Dong from northern Tuyen Quang province died from the disease.

Last December, after detecting no human cases of bird flu infections for nearly four months, the ministry confirmed that a four-year-old boy from northern Son La province died on Dec 16, 2007 from bird flu.

All the recently-detected bird flu patients have had close contacts with fowls, like slaughtering dead chickens for meal, before exhibiting bird flu symptoms. During the Lunar New Year Festival in early February, a large number of poultry were transported and slaughtered for meal across Vietnam.

The World Health Organization on Feb. 15 confirmed 103 cases of bird flu infections, including 49 fatalities in Vietnam. It has yet to confirm the two latest cases, including one fatality.

Vietnam currently has four localities having poultry being hit by bird flu: northern Thai Nguyen, central Quang Binh province, northern Quang Ninh province and southern Long An province, the Department of Animal Health under the country's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said Friday.

Bird flu outbreaks in Vietnam, starting in December 2003, have killed and led to the forced culling of dozens of millions of fowls in the country.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3....php?id=314238

[Muscade]

Vietnam confirms new human case of bird flu

A man from Ninh Binh Province tested positive with the deadly bird flu virus H5N1 strain Thursday, a health official said, warning that the death ratio in infected cases had increased recently.

Dr. Tran Thanh Duong from the Preventive Health Care Department told Thanh Nien, Hoang Van D., 27, was in critical condition on life support at Hanoi’s Bach Mai Hospital.

The man, who slaughtered sick chickens on January 31 and then ate them with eight family members, was admitted to a local hospital two days later with a fever.

He was transferred to Bach Mai Hospital where doctors said he was suffering from acute pneumonia and severe respiratory failure.

The Preventive Health Care Department said bird flu had killed three people in the last two months.

Nguyen Duc Hien, head of the National Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, said people who slaughtered infected birds were more likely to contract bird flu than people who ate them.

Passing bird flu from poultry to humans also depended on a person’s health, Hien added.

Dr. Duong warned people that the H5N1 virus stayed in bird dung for three months and on land for about one month.

It was essential to disinfect the bird flu-hit areas he said.

Veterinary agencies found 30 percent of waterbirds were infected with the H5N1 virus but did not have symptoms, he warned.

Forty nine people died of the virus in Vietnam since bird flu hit Asia in late 2003.

Experts worry the virus could change into a form that passes among humans.

So far, most human cases have been linked to contact with infected birds.

The World Health Organization said bird flu killed at least 226 people worldwide.

Most of the deaths were in Indonesia, followed by Vietnam.

Reported by Lien Chau

http://www.thanhniennews.com/healthy...8&newsid=35745

[Muscade]

Vietnam reports additional bird flu fatality

+ - 14:54, February 16, 2008

A man from Vietnam's northern Ninh Binh province died from bird flu Friday morning, raising the total number of bird flu fatalities in the country since December 2003 to 50, according to a report of Central Vietnam Television.

The 27-year-old man named Hoang Van Doan was admitted to the Bach Mai Hospital in the capital Hanoi on Feb. 12. He slaughtered chickens for meal on Feb. 5.

The Vietnamese Health Ministry on Feb. 13 confirmed a death of a 40-year-old man from northern Hai Duong province, who died on Feb. 13 after four days of treatment in the capital city, was infected with bird flu virus strain H5N1. The man named Do Van Sanslaughtered dead fighting chickens for meal before exhibiting bird flu symptoms on Feb. 2, said the TV report.

Late last month the ministry confirmed that a 32-year-old ethnic man named Tran Van Dong from northern Tuyen Quang province died from bird flu on Jan. 18. He slaughtered and ate dead fowls raised by his family for meal.

In late December 2007, after detecting no human cases of bird flu infections for nearly four months, the ministry confirmed that a four-year-old boy from northern Son La province died from bird flu on Dec. 16, 2007.

To date, Vietnam has reported a total of 104 human cases of bird flu infections, including 50 fatalities, since the disease started to hit the country in December 2003.

Vietnam currently has four localities having poultry being hit by bird flu: northern Thai Nguyen, central Quang Binh province, northern Quang Ninh province and southern Long An province, the Department of Animal Health under the country's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said on Thursday.

Bird flu killed 685 fowls in a flock in Quang Ninh's Mong Cai town from Feb. 12-13, and 150 ducks in Long An's Ben Luc district on Feb. 9, the department said, noting that their specimens were tested positive to H5N1.

Bird flu outbreaks in Vietnam, starting in December 2003, have killed and led to the forced culling of dozens of millions of fowls in the country.

Source:Xinhua

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/9...0/6355316.html

[HenryN]

Vietnam confirms new human case of bird flu

A man from Ninh Binh Province tested positive with the deadly bird flu virus H5N1 strain Thursday, a health official said, warning that the death ratio in infected cases had increased recently.

Dr. Tran Thanh Duong from the Preventive Health Care Department told Thanh Nien, Hoang Van D., 27, was in critical condition on life support at Hanoi’s Bach Mai Hospital. The man, who slaughtered sick chickens on January 31 and then ate them with eight family members, was admitted to a local hospital two days later with a fever. He was transferred to Bach Mai Hospital where doctors said he was suffering from acute pneumonia and severe respiratory failure. The Preventive Health Care Department said bird flu had killed three people in the last two months. Nguyen Duc Hien, head of the National Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, said people who slaughtered infected birds were more likely to contract bird flu than people who ate them. Passing bird flu from poultry to humans also depended on a person’s health, Hien added. Dr. Duong warned people that the H5N1 virus stayed in bird dung for three months and on land for about one month. It was essential to disinfect the bird flu-hit areas he said. Veterinary agencies found 30 percent of waterbirds were infected with the H5N1 virus but did not have symptoms, he warned. Forty nine people died of the virus in Vietnam since bird flu hit Asia in late 2003. Experts worry the virus could change into a form that passes among humans. So far, most human cases have been linked to contact with infected birds. The World Health Organization said bird flu killed at least 226 people worldwide. Most of the deaths were in Indonesia, followed by Vietnam. Reported by Lien Chau http://www.thanhniennews.com/healthy...8&newsid=35745

[Treyfish]

Last updated: 16:41 - February 16, 2008

Dead chickens must not be eaten, warns Preventive Medicine Department

Nhan Dan - The Preventive Medicine Department on February 15 gave a warning that dead chicken must not be eaten after another death case of bird flu. Hoang Van Doan, 27 years old from Ninh Binh province, died of bird flu on February 14, announced Dr Nguyen Huy Nga, head of the department. This was the fourth bird flu death cases have been reported since early this year. The four dead people were hospitalised too late and could not be treated. Based on the fact, the Preventive Medicine Department advised people improve their prevention of the disease by reporting to local veterinary services when their poultry showed signs of suffering from illness and not eating death chickens, and going to medical centres for check-ups and treatment when suffering from fever. The Preventive Medicine Department on February 15 sent an urgent letter to the Departments of Public Health in provinces and cities to urge measures to prevent and control a possible spread of bird flu. Measures have been asked to be taken to control and supervise the transport and slaughtering of poultry. In addition, medicines and chemicals should be prepared to cope with the disease once it outbreaks. http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/li...08/life_de.htm

[Treyfish]

Saturday , Feb 16, 2008, Posted at: 13:27(GMT+7)

Northern Viet Nam: Another Dead from Bird Flu

Hoang Van Doan, a patient diagnosed with H5N1-type A, died on Wednesday night after receiving two days treatment at Bach Mai Hospital in Ha Noi, reported Dr. Nguyen Huy Nga, Director of the Department of Preventive Health. Dr. Nga recommends local people to carefully take note of any sick birds. Ninh Binh Health Department initiated the disinfection and sterilization of the places Mr. Doan has been; including his home and at the hospital. Blood samples were also taken from every person who had eaten and come in contact with the same chicken as the victim. Dr. Nga cautioned that people need to enhance their awareness and understanding of the disease as most patients were hospitalized too late. A recommendation was that local people should carefully monitor poultry livestock and take note of any sick birds. In the event that sick birds are identified, local offices of the Animal Health Department should be informed immediately and no ill bird is to be consumed, noted Dr. Nga. In addition, anyone who displays any symptoms of infection, like a fever and dyspnea must get to the hospital promptly for treatment, added Dr. Nga. At present, the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also confirmed that bird flu has re-emerged in the Coastal North-eastern province of Quang Ninh and the southern province of Long An. According to a recent report from the National Animal Health Department in Quang Ninh Province, bird flu caused a flock of 685 poultries in the border town of Mong Cai and another 170 poultries belonging to a family in the Nhue Hamlet of Kim Son Commune to die around the same time. In addition, 150 ducks belonging to a family in Hamlet 3, Phuoc Loi Commune, Ben Luc District of Long An Province have also died recently from the disease. Currently, Thai Nguyen, Quang Binh, Quang Ninh and Long An Provinces in Viet Nam have witness the recurrence of the bird flu epidemic. Just this week, a 40-year-old man in Hai Duong province, also in the north, died from the same H5N1 type-A. He was thus the 49th person to die of the virus in Viet Nam since bird flu began raging across Asia in late 2003. http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Health/2008/2/61512/

http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Health/2008/2/61512/

[HenryN]

Rét hại, nông dân nuôi gà lo lắng

Chủ nhật, 17/02/2008, 02:17 (GMT+7)

Đợt rét dài kỳ và trở thành kỷ lục trong lịch sử sắp kết thúc. Thế nhưng, nó đã làm cho hàng ngàn chủ hộ chăn nuôi phải xót đau, khốn đốn. Không chỉ hàng ngàn con trâu, bò chết. Hàng vạn gia cầm cũng chết. Không chỉ ở tận Lào Cai, Hà Giang, Lạng Sơn, Yên Bái… mà ngay cả ở quanh Hà Nội, nhiều chủ trại gà cũng rơi nước mắt… Nhễ nhại lo sưởi cho gà Hơn 1 tháng qua, cái rét hại với nhiệt độ nhiều đêm xuống tới 7 - 80C đã làm hàng trăm hộ gia đình ở làng Tiền Lệ, xã Tiền Yên (Hoài Đức - Hà Tây) mất ăn mất ngủ. Theo Phòng NN-PTNT huyện Hoài Đức, Tiền Lệ là làng nuôi gà đẻ với số lượng nhiều nhất ở khu phía Tây Hà Nội. Hiện tại, cả làng đang có hơn 2 vạn con gà đẻ. Chưa kể hàng chục vạn con gà thịt và gà “hậu bị” (lực lượng kế tiếp gà đẻ bị thải loại). Đi cùng với nuôi gà đẻ là hoạt động ấp nở trứng gia cầm, cung cấp gà con cho nông dân với hơn chục lò lớn, nhỏ. Thời tiết thuận lợi, các lò ấp trứng đã phải khổ nhọc vì gà. Đến khi rét hại, họ còn chảy cả nước mắt, đổ mồ hôi khi gà bị chết. Kiều Duy Thắng, 36 tuổi, người vừa “vỡ nợ” vì cả trại gà 1.000 con lăn ra chết. Nửa đêm dậy nhặt gà chết không kịp, mất trắng 40 triệu đồng. Ảnh: VĂN PHÚC PV Báo SGGP đã đến tận những lò chuyên ấp nở trứng gia cầm ở Tiền Lệ để xem nông dân sưởi ấm, cứu gà. Trong căn nhà ngập các làn đựng trứng gia cầm, rơm rạ nằm ven đường làng, anh Nguyễn Khắc Hợi, 25 tuổi, trùm khẩu trang, đội mũ kín mít, chỉ còn hở ra đôi mắt, thi thoảng lại ho sù sụ vì nhiều đêm thức canh gà trong gió lạnh, đang lặng lẽ xếp những con gà mới nở (1 ngày tuổi), vừa được lấy ra từ 2 cỗ máy ấp to lù lù, réo vo vo ở góc nhà, vào từng chiếc làn nhựa. “Trời rét quá. Nông dân nuôi gà chúng em vã mồ hôi vì lo gà chết cả tháng nay” - Hợi nói. Ban ngày, nhiệt độ ấm lên một chút, nhưng ban đêm thì gió lạnh vẫn ùa về. Hợi bảo: “Đêm nằm không lo cho mình mà lại chỉ lo cho gà bị rét. Gà con mới nở, gặp rét hại, không cứu sưởi kịp là lăn ra chết như ổi rụng”. Hợi là con trai cả của ông Nguyễn Khắc Tước, 55 tuổi - người chăn nuôi quy mô lớn nhất cả huyện Hoài Đức. Lúc nào trong nhà ông cũng có 100 heo nái, 1.000 gà đẻ và 2.000 gà “hậu bị”. Mỗi tháng, lò của ông xuất ra 2 vạn gà con, ngày nào cũng có một mẻ. Chỉ vào đống làn nhựa đang chen chúc gà con, Hợi cho biết: “Mỗi cái làn này đựng tới 150 con gà. Mùa hè thì chỉ đựng 100 - 120 con/làn. Nhưng đến mùa đông phải lèn gà vào, lót thêm rơm rạ và phải đặt chồng khít các làn cho kín gió thì gà mới không bị chết”. Mặc dù vậy, lượng gà bị chết cũng không tránh khỏi. Trong làn, nhiều xác gà đang nằm lăn lóc. Anh Nguyễn Khắc Đạo, 46 tuổi, cháu ông Tước, đưa tôi trở ra bàn nước, rồi kể: “Gian nan nhất là lúc gà con vừa nở ra, đem về nhà nuôi cho đến lúc được 1 tháng tuổi. Cả làng tôi có đến gần 200 hộ nuôi gà nhỏ. Trời rét hại, nhà nào cũng phải thức trắng đêm để “úm”, sưởi cho gà”. Ông Nguyễn Đình Phương, 71 tuổi, ở đội 2 làng Tiền Lệ bảo: “Cả tháng nay, chúng tôi mất ngủ vì gà”. Theo ông, “úm” tức là dùng cót, bạt nylon quây gà lại. Mỗi úm khoảng 150 - 200 con. Sau đó, dùng loại bóng đèn 200W để đốt sưởi suốt ngày đêm. Mỗi “úm” cần khoảng 4 bóng. Trời càng rét, càng phải tăng cường thêm bóng. Nửa đêm “khóc” gà Thế nhưng, vẫn có rất nhiều chủ hộ đẫm nước mắt vì gà chết rét. Phần lớn rơi vào những chủ trang trại nuôi gà ở ngoài cánh đồng ven sông Đáy. Anh Kiều Duy Thắng, 36 tuổi, ở làng Tiền Lệ, đã mời PV Báo SGGP ra tận trang trại của mình để xem gà chết. Trong khu lán trại rộng khoảng 400m², mặc dù tứ bề đều được phủ kín bạt nylon, cót ép ngăn gió lạnh nhưng ở các góc chuồng, xác gà chết vẫn nhan nhản. Cầm mấy xác gà mềm nhẽo trong tay, anh Thắng rầu rầu nói: “Hơn 1.000 con gà của tôi đã bị chết từ trước Tết Nguyên đán đến bây giờ. Có những đêm, tôi dậy để kiểm tra gà, thấy gà chết như ngả rạ, nhặt lên không kịp”. Hiện tại, trong lán trại của anh chỉ còn lại khoảng 700 con gà đẻ nữa. “Trung tâm Dự báo khí tượng - thủy văn Trung ương nói rằng phải 4 - 5 hôm nữa miền Bắc mới chấm dứt rét. Có thể nhiều người coi giá rét là chuyện nhỏ nhưng chúng tôi lo lắng từng ngày một”. Nhiều người dân trong làng Tiền Lệ cho rằng, nuôi gà giữa đồng trong tiết rét hại khó mà “ăn” được. Kể cả bốn bề quây cót phủ bạt thì gà vẫn lăn ra chết. Anh Thắng lo mấy trăm con gà còn lại sẽ chết nốt nên đã “chạy” vội về khu chuồng đặt giữa làng để tránh rét. “Tôi nuôi gà trang trại đã được 8 năm rồi. Nhưng tôi chưa thấy bao giờ lại đau đớn như năm nay” - anh Thắng nói. Theo anh Thắng, tổng số gà chết do đợt rét hại đã làm anh mất trắng 40 triệu đồng. Đó là số tiền mà anh phải vay mượn ở trong làng. Không chỉ riêng anh, đến thời điểm này cả làng Tiền Lệ đã có hơn 2 vạn con gà thịt, gà đẻ và gà “hậu bị” lăn ra chết vì rét, dịch.

http://www.sggp.org.vn/xahoi/2008/2/143257/

[HenryN]

Rét harm , farmer breed chicken worry
Sunday , 17 / 02 / 2008 , 02:17 ( GMT + 7 )
Series rét long flag and become record in history group end . such but , he caused row ngàn employer graze help breed must xót painful , sleepy . row not only ngàn buffalo , bò die . row vạn poultry also die . not only in finish Laos Cai , river ha , Lang Son , Yên Bái… which immediately all in surround Hanoi , many employer camp chicken also fall mắt… country

[mixin]

Veterinary agencies found 30 percent of waterbirds were infected with the H5N1 virus but did not have symptoms, he warned.

Do they mean that 30% of the ones they tested? How would they know it was 30% of *all* water birds? I'd be curious to know how many they actually tested.

[AlaskaDenise]

I'd be interested to know about the 70% that were NOT infected.

If 30% of waterbirds from the same "pond" tested positive, while 70% were not infected; that is a different situation than a wide majority of waterbirds in 30% of the ponds being infected, while 70% of the ponds showed no infection.

One situation would show significant ability to resist, while the other situation would show the opposite.

.

[HenryN]

The data indicates that of the birds that were positive, 30% were asymptomatic. I would assume the survey convered a wide area.

[HenryN]

Bird flu claims third victim this year
HA NOI — Hoang Van Doan, 27, became Viet Nam’s third victim of the deadly H5N1 virus this year when he died in Ha Noi’s Bach Mai Hospital yesterday.
The young man from Ninh Binh Province, about 90km south of Ha Noi, was admitted to the hospital last Tuesday suffering blood poisoning and pneumonia.
He reportedly slaughtered and ate chicken during Tet.
Several patients in Ha Noi’s Hospital of Clinical Medicine and Tropical Diseases are undergoing tests for the virus and people in both Ninh Binh and Hai Duong provinces – the source of this year’s infections – are being vaccinated.

http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/s...um=01SOC160208

[Treyfish]

Sunday , Feb 17, 2008, Posted at: 15:26(GMT+7)

Bird Flu Spreads to More Regions

Bird flu has reappeared in the three northern provinces of Hai Duong, Ninh Binh and Tuyen Quang and have continued to spread to another northern province of Quang Ninh and the southern province of Long An, stated a recent official health report. A farmer sprays vaccine on his poultries' cage Nguyen Huy Nga, Director of the National Department of Preventive Health (NDPH) blamed the four recent deaths of H5N1 type A, including two victims from Hai Duong Province, one from Ninh Binh Province and the other from Tuyen Quang Province, on a lack awareness and understanding of the disease. The H5N1 treatments require the affected patients to be treated within 48 hours of being infected, however, these patients were hospitalized too late, commented Mr. Nga. However, the patients infected early last week were mostly afraid to go to the hospital during the first days of the year as they believed it would be bad luck for the whole year, added Mr. Nga Despite the officials warning the people about H5N1, some people still cooked chickens that had been sick and died for consumption because they thought the chickens died from a normal flu, said Mr. Nga. Mr. Nga also noted that the recent deaths related to H5N1 type A occurred in areas that had not been publicly listed as high risk areas to come into contact with H5N1. Mr Duong, a member of NDPH, was very anxious that some strains of the H5N1 virus can possibly transfer from the infected birds and be present in the air and cause infection in humans who plucked and cooked the birds. At present, the Northern provinces have seen their coldest days of the year, and as a result, many migrations started their trip to warmer areas then transferred the infected virus from their current places to another area, added Mr. Duong. However, Mr. Duong affirmed there would be enough anti-H5N1 medicines, called Tamiflu for the whole nation. On Wednesday, the NDPH directed local health officials to check their stores of Tamiflu in an attempt to ensure sufficient medicine for every area, Mr. Duong said. In Long An province, bird flu caused a flock of seven hundred 36-day-old ducks in Dang Thanh Vu in Ben Luc District to die on the 9th February. Quang Ninh saw the same fate. A flock of 700 poultries of Pham Van Tuan in Mong Cai Town and a flock of 170 poultries in Dong Chieu District, died from the bird flu around the same time. Local authorities incinerated the dead birds and disinfected areas that may have been contaminated. Recently, the World Health Organization has issued warnings that the present H5N1 vaccine would not be effective in the future as the three main H5N1 viruses have genetically mutated to another strains which will not be affected by the current vaccine.

http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Health/2008/2/61527/

[Treyfish]

22:46' 17/02/2008 (GMT+7)

Localities urged to take bird flu prevention measures Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat, who is Head of the National Committee for Avian Influenza Prevention and Control, has asked provinces, cities nationwide and relevant agencies to take urgent measures to control bird flu. In the face of bird flu reoccurrence in many localities, Minister Phat instructed bird flu-hit localities to urgently stamp out the epidemic and closely control the transport of poultry. He also recommended drastic measures to prevent the epidemic from spreading. “Localities should raise public awareness of the risk of bird flu reoccurrence and warn the people to use poultry products with clear origin,” he stressed. According to the Veterinary Department, four provinces that have reported bird flu outbreaks include northern Thai Nguyen and Quang Ninh, central Quang Binh and southern Long An. Cold weather and the increase of illegal poultry transport and trafficking are considered the main reasons for the reoccurrence of the epidemic.

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/2008/02/769006/

[Dutchy]

Another bird flu victim

17:14' 18/02/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – A day after reporting the death of the second victim of the H5N1 virus in 2008, the Health Minster confirmed another victim of bird flu, who is in critical condition.

A 27-year-old man from the northern Province of Ninh Binh was carried to the Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi on February 12, one week after he slaughtered and ate chicken.

The young man is suffering a blood infection and some of his internal organs have failed. Doctors are taking all possible measures to save the patient’s life.

This is the third victim of H5N1 this year. The two others died.

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/2008/02/769156/

[sharon sanders]

Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Reuters



HANOI -- Dead poultry have been found in rivers and streams in northern Vietnam, a sign of a possible new bird flu outbreak during a prolonged cold spell, officials said on Tuesday. The Agriculture Ministry said in a report that callers to an animal health department hotline reported large numbers of dead birds in five provinces, but was not specific.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu killed three men in northern Vietnam between Jan. 18 and Feb. 14 during a record-long cold spell. The H5N1 virus seems to thrive best in cool temperatures.
"In recent days the Animal Health Department has received many reports about poultry dying in large numbers in provinces," the Agriculture Ministry-run department said in a report on its Web site (www.dah.gov.vn).
"A bird flu outbreak is forecast to emerge in the northern region when cold days extend," it said.
The department, in a separate report, said that bird flu has killed nearly 2,500 ducks and chickens in the northern provinces of Hai Duong, Nam Dinh and Tuyen Quang, bringing to seven the provinces on the government's bird flu watchlist.
Animal health workers have slaughtered the remaining 1,900 birds at the three infected farms.
Doctors confirmed at the weekend that a 7-year-old child from the northern province of Hai Duong had the virus. The child has been under treatment in Hanoi along with several suspected cases. Bird flu has killed 50 people in Vietnam out of 106 infected cases since late 2003, the Health Ministry said.
Officials said they have not been able to control poultry smuggling from northern neighbor China, which reported its latest human death on Monday, bringing its toll to 18.
H5N1 remains mainly a virus of birds, but experts fear it could mutate into a form easily transmitted from person to person and sweep the world, possibly killing millions.
The virus is known to have killed 227 people globally since late 2003, according to the World Health Organization, not including the latest death in China and two cases in Indonesia in recent days.



http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/200...ad-poultry.htm

[HenryN]

More H5N1 infections suspected

16:34' 20/02/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – The National Institute for Infectious and Tropical Diseases and the Central Pediatrics Hospital in Hanoi have received patients with bird flu related symptoms. As well as two patients who have already died of the H5N1 virus this year, the National Institute for Infectious and Tropical Diseases is treating others with high temperatures and respiratory problems. Doctors think these patients have been infected with the H5N1 virus. The Central Pediatrics Hospital has also admitted patients with the above symptoms, but clinical tests are negative to H5N1. These patients are under close watch. According to Nguyen Huy Nga, Head of the Preventive Health Agency, bird flu in humans is still a high risk in Vietnam, partly because three fatal cases early this year were from provinces that haven’t reported bird flu cases in the past. (Source: Dan Tri) http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/2008/02/769544/

[HenryN]

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/02...tnam_More.html

[AlaskaDenise]

Originally Posted by niman

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/02...tnam_More.html

Commentary

More Suspect H5N1 Patients in Northern Vietnam

Recombinomics Commentary 00:51
February 16, 2008

As well as two patients who have already died of the H5N1 virus this year, the National Institute for Infectious and Tropical Diseases is treating others with high temperatures and respiratory problems. Doctors think these patients have been infected with the H5N1 virus.

The Central Pediatrics Hospital has also admitted patients with the above symptoms, but clinical tests are negative to H5N1. These patients are under close watch.

The above comments describe additional suspect H5N1 patients in northern Vietnam (see satellite map). The clinical picture remains confused. Media reports have contradictory information on the 7 year old described earlier. Some reports indicate the patient has been confirmed, while others say the patient has tested negative.

Similarly, the comments above describe two sets of patients with symptoms, one which has tested negative, while the other presenting with clinical symptoms.

False negatives have been a problem in Vietnam in the past. There have been multiple reports of new poultry outbreaks, which may be linked to newer sequences with primer mismatches, leading to false negatives in lab tests.

In the past, Vietnam has sent samples to Japan for testing. Independent testing of clinical samples may be useful.


.

[sharon sanders]

Bird flu epidemic triggers red alert in Vietnam


A vendor sits next to a basket of cooked chickens in a street in downtown Hanoi on February 15 (PHOTO BY AFP)
Bird flu has recurred in seven Vietnamese provinces since January and is prone to spread further due to local residents and authorities’ ignorance and neglect, public health officials told a meeting in Hanoi Tuesday.

Three more provinces - Hai Duong, Nam Dinh and Tuyen Quang in the north - on Sunday were added to the bird flu watch list, which already included northern Thai Nguyen and Quang Ninh provinces, central Quang Binh Province and Long An Province in the Mekong Delta, the Animal Health Department said at the event organized by the National Steering Committee on Bird Flu Prevention and Control.In the last three days, bird flu outbreaks in the newly designated provinces hit around 2,500 birds, dozens of which perished, according to the department.
The infections occurred mainly in unvaccinated flocks, the agency said.

Within the last several days, scattered poultry deaths were also announced in northern provinces such as Bac Ninh, Bac Giang and Ha Tay.

The department said in localities not yet placed on the watch list, residents threw dead fowls - including chickens, ducks and geese - into rivers and drainage, raising the likelihood of a widespread epidemic.

Local authorities and agencies, however, failed to detect, prevent and penalize violators.

The agency added that at this time, poultry, especially in the north, are highly susceptible to the bird flu virus since the cold weather decreases their immunity.

Meanwhile in Ho Chi Minh City, rampant selling of chickens and ducks yet to be quarantined occurs across the city.

The majority of the fowl originated from affected Long An Province adjacent to HCMC, according to the municipal Animal Health Agency.

Local authorities fail to detect the illegal trade since the perpetrators transported and sold poultry early each morning to escape scrutiny.

Truong Thi Minh Chau, deputy head of the municipal animal health watchdog, confirmed the city has around 100 sites where distributions of unsafe chickens transpire.

Urgent response

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong told local authorities to strengthen supervision on poultry vaccination and transportation of fowls from black-listed areas, and sterilize infected sites.

The ministry also plans to import some 250 million doses of bird flu vaccines for a nationwide chicken inoculation slated for April.

Last weekend Minister Cao Duc Phat had requested local authorities and farmers to take vigilant measures to keep bird flu under control.

Individuals and agencies would be penalized if bird flu broke out due to their irresponsibility, or if they fail to report outbreaks in a timely fashion.

Four people have been killed by the H5N1 virus since the beginning of the year.

Fifty Vietnamese in total have died from the disease since 2003.

Around the world, bird flu has killed at least 228 people among the 362 positive cases, according to the World Health Organization’s figures.

Reported by Quang Duan

http://www.thanhniennews.com/print.p...8&newsid=35904

[Muscade]

Vietnamese man might die from bird flu


www.chinaview.cn 2008-02-21 09:58:26

HANOI, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- A 40-year-old man from Vietnam's southern Bac Lieu province has died of acute pneumonia, who has been suspected of having contracted bird flu, according to local newspaper Youth on Thursday.

The man named Lai Van Tan from the province's Bac Lieu town was hospitalized and died on Feb. 19 after showing bird flu symptoms. His neighbors said he had frequently contacted with fighting cocks.

To date, Vietnam has confirmed a total of 104 human cases of bird flu infections, including 50 fatalities, since the disease started to hit the country in December 2003.

In mid-February, two local people, a 27-year-old man from northern Ninh Binh province and a 40-year-old man from northern Hai Duong province, died from bird flu. On Jan. 18, a 32-year-old man from northern Tuyen Quang province died from the disease.

Last December, after detecting no human cases of bird flu infections for nearly four months, Vietnam's Health Ministry confirmed that a four-year-old boy from northern Son La province died on Dec. 16, 2007 from bird flu.

All the recently-detected bird flu patients have had close contacts with fowls before exhibiting bird flu symptoms.

Vietnam currently has six localities having poultry being hit by bird flu including Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Nam Dinhand Tuyen Quang in the northern region, and northern Long An province, the Department of Animal Health under the country's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said on Feb. 20.

Bird flu outbreaks in Vietnam, starting in December 2003, have killed and led to the forced culling of dozens of millions of fowls in the country.

Editor: Sun Yunlong

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/20...nt_7639972.htm

[Laidback Al]

Location of the seven provinces with bird flu outbreaks since January - see post #53 above.

[Treyfish]

Bird flu leading suspect in southern man’s death

16:04' 21/02/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge - A man in the coastal province of Bac Lieu died on Tuesday allegedly of bird flu’s influenza virus H5N1 type-A. 43-year-old Lai Van Tan was hospitalized at the General Hospital of Bac Lieu Province with varicella, cough and dyspnea. Later, he was suspected to contract the influenza virus H5N1 type A after a chest X-Ray. Immediately, he was transferred to Ho Chi Minh City for better treatment, however, he died during the trip. Initial investigations show the victim used to get in touch with chickens as he was addicted to cock-fighting. In other news, Viet Nam so far this year has witnessed four human deaths from H5N1 type A, including two victims from Hai Duong Province, one from Ninh Binh Province and from Tuyen Quang Province.

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/2008/02/769758/

[Treyfish]

Last Updated: Thursday, February 21, 2008 16:05:55 Vietnam (GMT+07)

E-mail to a friend Print version Bird flu recurs in six provinces, linked to man’s death A vendor cleans a chicken behind a stall at a local market in Hanoi Vietnam reported another suspected case of bird flu infection in southern Bac Lieu province Wednesday, with the epidemic having now spread to six provinces nationwide. Lai Van Tan, 40, was admitted to hospital with a heavy cough and trouble breathing on Tuesday, according to a local doctor. He then died on the way to a bigger hospital in Can Tho City. Tan’s relatives said he had raised cocks for cock-fighting. The central Quang Binh Province was taken off the bird flu watch list since there hadn’t been more cases in poultry for 21 days since Jan 31. Of the six provinces, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh and Tuyen Quang in the north continued reporting more poultry cases. The other three on the list include northern Thai Nguyen and Quang Ninh provinces and Long An Province in the Mekong Delta. The administration of the central Ha Tinh Province, meanwhile, culled over 350 ducks on the same day, which had died of an unknown cause. Scattered poultry deaths have also been reported in northern provinces such as Bac Ninh, Bac Giang and Ha Tay. Bird flu has killed 50 of the 104 people infected since 2003, including four this year, the Health Ministry confirmed.

http://www.thanhniennews.com/healthy...8&newsid=35924

[Treyfish]

Some Vietnamese suspectedly infected with bird flu

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-22 11:51


HANOI - Vietnam's Preventive Medicine and Environment Department has said some people hospitalized recently are suspected of having contracted bird flu, local newspaper Youth reported on Friday.
Specimens from the people, including a seven-year-old child from northern Hai Duong province, are being tested for bird flu virus strain H5N1. The child is under treatment at the National Hospital of Pediatrics in capital Hanoi.
To date, Vietnam has confirmed a total of 104 human cases of bird flu infections, including 50 fatalities, since the disease started to hit the country in December 2003.
In mid-February, two local people, a 27-year-old man from northern Ninh Binh province and a 41-year-old man from northern Hai Duong province, died from bird flu. On January 18, a 32-year-old ethnic man from northern Tuyen Quang province died from the disease.
Last December, after detecting no human cases of bird flu infections for nearly four months, the Health Ministry confirmed that a four-year-old boy from northern Son La province died on December 16, 2007 from bird flu.
All the recently-detected bird flu patients have had close contacts with fowls before exhibiting bird flu symptoms.
Vietnam currently has six localities having poultry being hit by bird flu: Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh and Tuyen Quang in the northern region, and northern Long An province, the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said on February 21.
Bird flu outbreaks in Vietnam, starting in December 2003, have killed and led to the forced culling of dozens of millions of fowls in the country.



http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2...nt_6476873.htm

[Treyfish]

Some Vietnamese suspectedly infected with bird flu

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-22 11:51


HANOI - Vietnam's Preventive Medicine and Environment Department has said some people hospitalized recently are suspected of having contracted bird flu, local newspaper Youth reported on Friday.
Specimens from the people, including a seven-year-old child from northern Hai Duong province, are being tested for bird flu virus strain H5N1. The child is under treatment at the National Hospital of Pediatrics in capital Hanoi.
To date, Vietnam has confirmed a total of 104 human cases of bird flu infections, including 50 fatalities, since the disease started to hit the country in December 2003.
In mid-February, two local people, a 27-year-old man from northern Ninh Binh province and a 41-year-old man from northern Hai Duong province, died from bird flu. On January 18, a 32-year-old ethnic man from northern Tuyen Quang province died from the disease.
Last December, after detecting no human cases of bird flu infections for nearly four months, the Health Ministry confirmed that a four-year-old boy from northern Son La province died on December 16, 2007 from bird flu.
All the recently-detected bird flu patients have had close contacts with fowls before exhibiting bird flu symptoms.
Vietnam currently has six localities having poultry being hit by bird flu: Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh and Tuyen Quang in the northern region, and northern Long An province, the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said on February 21.
Bird flu outbreaks in Vietnam, starting in December 2003, have killed and led to the forced culling of dozens of millions of fowls in the country.


http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2...nt_6476873.htm
I wonder how many is some?

[Laidback Al]

credits to Helblindi at PFI . . .

It seems tests on Lai Van Tan (40, M, Bac Lieu) came back negative:

Patient in Bac Lieu die is not because of flu A/H5N1

22/02/08

Afternoon 21/2, medicine office province Bac Lieu say: Institute of Epidemic Prevention Ho Chi Minh city already has conclude disease test colour of patient Lai Van Tan is negative with micro pull flu A / H5N1
A people die has symptom contract flu A / H5N1

Patient Lai Van Tan, 40 year-old, trú in group 7, town Bac Lieu, admit to hospital in hospital province Bac Lieu morning day 19 / 2. across prison ngiem clinical of patient, has doubt performance of flu poultry. patient already get move courtyard up line above in afternoon the same day, but died above road move courtyard

Disease model colour of patient get give go test in Institute of Epidemic Prevention Ho Chi Minh city.

Vietbao

[Treyfish]

About enhance work conducted protect against fowl flu epidemic Province UBND fitted has 3 day number offcial telegram 22-2-2008 is sent: Agriculture and PTNT Bureau director; Health department director; Rural district, boroughs chair-man UBND..
As per advice of Department of Agriculture and PTNT, Ministry of Health, at present there was 8 province, borough fowl flu epidemic relase and had people 4 cases be infected is viral Một ( H5N1), among them there is 3 persons is died vong. near future, translating continuative that there is very sophisticated turn, consequenthy if at all levels, phylas, risk local, house ranched diligently applicator dynamic master that synchronism measures protect against translatings, translated intercurrent on province surveyor's compass bes is giant size, serious aftermath vernix caseosa for phyla ranched. Để dynamic Master cope with intercurrent DCGC situation, request province UBND chair-man that rural districts UBND, borough, bureaus headship, centralized involved function phyla conducts and exec well concernments is later:1. Contents concentration conducted deploied, complete performance Organisation, punctual conducts riches T.ư Of provincial committee and UBND Province about room is cross, DCGC. To supervise tight plague from base ranchs #PP of local in Province and product from fowls, measures synchronism aquatics birds on the market, morning disease motto found, punctual and applicator protect against translating according to specialized agency's guideline, do not let translate contagious disease spreaded wide-ranging. 2. Close audit about veterinary hygiene, ATTP hygiene and transport concernment close audit circulate, trade, put product peck, animal product consumption, especially from fowl, aquatics birds according to Department of Agriculture's guideline And PTNT. Prevented and process strictly according to law's ordinance with respect to case infringes #PP. 3. Rural district, boroughs UBND :.
- Public health information work fine Perform the duties of, agitation about measures protect against livestock plague for people know dynamic master that protected against translating, protected..
- Guidance, environment antidotal hygienic total deployment on surveyor's compass province- wide that as of day 21-2 come to day 29-2 and vắc preventive inoculation begged is periodically influenzal, complementary infusion give fowl to herd, especially aquatics birds herd..
- Dynamic master locals use local word budget to protect against translating according to ordinance..
Rural districts chair-man UBND, borough right accountable to province chair-man UBND if to translate occurred owing to subjectiveness, is neglecful, inexorability guidance measures protect against translating. 4. Agriculture and PTNT Bureau :.
Fugle (by text) about profession with respect to room work, pile flu epidemics Một ( H5N1) Live in people, fowl influenza. Build plan and Organisation execute a plan preventive inoculation on latitude is province- wide. 5. Health department: guidance monitor turn close superintendence translated and fugle concretely measures protect against translating, Medicine full fiability, chemicals materials kinds, appliance, facility necessary to process is punctual right from first disease chant; get set to cope with when to have emergency plague take place. coordinate closely with agronomical Bureau and PTNT and Bureaus, phyla is involved at protect against translating. 6. West the Cirriped the Leopard, Calix PT & Borough West Cirriped TH, Bureaus, granted, the involved phyla of the province, task functional base the rural districts dynamic master unit in conjunction with Agriculture and PTNT Bureau, health department and UBND, conducts this offcial telegram contents complete performance. /. http://www.baohatay.com.vn/news_deta...=98416&CatID=5

[Treyfish]

Forum.
Nestorian with " chicken influenza ".
13:59\', 23/2/ 2008 (GMT+7).
Back for a while is sleepy, fowl flu epidemic days near here owing to virus H5N1 Perpetration again palish that flare become Situated much where ben nationwide. According to yesterday late-breaking information, counted in terminal (22.2) nationwide to had 8 local to have dịch. Peculiarity, haded is also 4 the departed for fowl influenzal viral synesis..
Risk show yourself a fowl flu epidemic series newly on latitude nationally be warning to directorate fo veterinary medicine belong to Department of Agriculture and rural development is sent out. According to directorate fo veterinary medicine, one of cause be owing to cold weather turn make fowl herd health attenuation......die undeclared, carry public place egress fowl carcase vứt, even bring away consumption that primary causes cause translate relapse at a numbered of local #Pluz over the past period. along with those, elements people's who let go transport audit bad fit, trade, move around in New Year Festival occasion also be cause translating to have occasion turn back ". this is bordering instant between old-established preventive inoculation series and preventive inoculation deployment http://www.baobinhdinh.com.vn/dienda.../2008/2/55385/