Bangladesh: Bird Flu in ANIMALS/POULTRY Feb/6/2008-Feb/28/2008

[HenryN]

Re: BANGLADESH: Return of the bird flu threat

Test Articles News
Bangladesh seeks Chinese help in anti-bird flu campaign
By DPA
Feb 12, 2008, 13:50 GMT

Dhaka - Bangladesh struggling to control a raging bird flu epidemic in poultry farms across the country has sought Chinese help in vaccinating unaffected fowls in a desperate move to stop the further march of the scourge, media reports said Tuesday.
The Chinese strategy of rolling back the disaster centres on the deployment of a preventive vaccine created by researchers in China which has been claimed to be effective against the H5N1 bird flu virus, the daily Bangladesh Observer said.
The H5N1, called the Avian Influenza virus, is held responsible for the death of billions of chickens in both poultry farms and backyard gardens around the world since 2003.
'The government is likely to seek Chinese assistance for better tackling the virus spreading fast in the country and risking public health,' the newspaper said.
Over half a million poultry birds have been culled at different places in the country since the first outbreak of the virus in Bangladesh in February 2006.
Livestock officials in the capital Dhaka were reviewing other ways of facing the epidemic more effectively and less costly than slaughtering the infected fowls and incinerating their carcasses.
Experts said the probability of human infection rises when the disease becomes endemic among fowl in densely populated places.
Bangladesh was yet to detect a human infection by the bird flu virus, but experts fear the virus might mutate to facilitate entry into the human body.

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/testarticles/news/printer_1390942.php

[HenryN]

Re: BANGLADESH: Return of the bird flu threat

Bird flu strikes another Bangladesh district
13 Feb 2008 13:03:42 GMT
<!-- 13 Feb 2008 13:03:42 GMT ## for search indexer, do not remove -->Source: Reuters

<!-- AN5.0 article title end --><SCRIPT language=JavaScript src="/bin/js/article.js"></SCRIPT></SPAN><INPUT id=CurrentSize type=hidden value=13 name=CurrentSize> <!-- Bird flu strikes another Bangladesh district --><!-- Reuters -->DHAKA, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Bird flu has spread to another district in Bangladesh despite efforts by authorities to control it, officials said on Wednesday, bringing the number of affected districts to 41 out of 64.
Health workers culled nearly 1,100 fowl after tests confirmed some chickens had died from the avian influenza virus in western Meherpur, livestock officials said.
The H5N1 virus, first detected in Bangladesh in March last year, was quickly brought under control through aggressive measures, including culling. But it reappeared few months ago apparently because of lax follow-up monitoring, experts say.
So far no human infections have been reported in Bangladesh, a densely populated nation with millions of backyard poultry and thousands of chicken farms.
The government has raised compensation for poultry farmers to encourage them to report and kill sick birds as part of efforts to stamp out the outbreak. Nearly 600,000 birds have been culled across the country against the virus since March 2007, but it continues to spread and now covers nearly two-thirds of the country of more than 140 million people.
Officials blame lack of awareness among poultry breeders and non-compliance with warnings by the health ministry as main reasons for the spread of the virus.
The World Health Organization fears that the H5N1 strain, which has already killed more than 220 people worldwide since 2003, could mutate or combine with the highly contagious seasonal influenza virus and spark a pandemic that could kill millions of people. (Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by David Fox)

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DHA160223.htm

<!-- news ## for search indexer, do not remove -->

[HenryN]

Re: BANGLADESH: Return of the bird flu threat

Bird Flu Related Information up to 12 February, 2008

1. No. of Farms with confirmed H5 Virus 140
2. No. of Districts with Confirmed H5 Virus 40
(Upzilla-72, Metro Thana-11)

( Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayangonj, Tangail, Jamalpur, Jessore, Noakhali, Gaibandha, Magura, Rajbari, Nilphamari, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Jaipurhat, Lalmonirhat, Thakurgaon, Naogaon, Bagura, Feni, Pabna, Kurigram, Moulvibazar, Barisal, Rajshahi, Barguna, Natore, Patuakhali, Netrokona, Bhola, Khulna, Manikgonj, Gopalgonj, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Kustia, Jhinaidah, Norsingdhi, Bagerhat, Chittagong, Kishoregonj, Meherpur)

3. No. of Culled Farms 239

(Dhaka-35 (Savar-26, Turagh-01, Demra-01, Mirpur-03, Shabujbagh-01, Lalbagh-01, Nobabgonj-02), Gazipur-06, Jamalpur-05, Narayangonj-15, Tangail-02, Jessore-11, Noakhali-02, Gaibandha-04, Magura-01, Rajbari-03, Nilphamari-11, Dinajpur-28, Rangpur-06, jaipurhat-04, Lalmonirhat-04, Thakurgaon-02, Naogaon-02, Bagura-02, Feni-08, Pabna-03, Kurigram-01, Moulvibazar-01, Barisal-02, Barguna-16, Rajshahi-03, Natore-01, Patuakhali-01, Netrokona-01, Bhola-08, Manikgonj-03, Mymensingh-03, Gopalgonj-01, Khulna-03, Sylhet-01, Jhinaidah-03, Kustia-01, Norsingdhi-19, Bagerhat-02, Chittagong-08, Kishoregonj-05, Meherpur-02)

4. Culled on 12/02/2008 ---

5. Culling up to 12/02/2008 5, 81, 286

http://www.mofl.gov.bd/daily_birdflu_report.pdf

[Treyfish]

Re: BANGLADESH: Return of the bird flu threat

Bird flu update: Govt may seek Chinese help to combat bird flu


Chittagong Correspondent

The government is likely to seek Chinese assistance for better tackling the Avian Influenza Virus (AIV), key reason of flu among fowls, now spreading fast in the country and risking public health.

The H5N1--Avian Influenza Virus - claimed more than 200 lives in Asia, Europe and Middle East since 2003.

Probability of human infection by the virus grows faster as the prevalence of the virus is endemic particularly in the densely populated places.

Nearly half a million poultry birds have so far been culled in the country since the outbreak of the H5N1 virus in 2006. But no human being has been tested positive for the virus so far.

Informed livestock officials said that experts had been reviewing the most successful strategies formulated for best tackling the bird flu disaster among the neighbouring nations.

According to an expert the government may try replication of the Chinese strategy in fighting back the bird flu disaster as the credit of developing the most effective vaccine against H5N1 virus goes to the Chinese researchers.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is learnt to have approved that Chinese bird flu vaccine was tested most effective against the H5N1 virus. The vaccine helped protect a vast segment of fowls and poultry when bird flu broke out in China two years ago.

The WHO finally decided to back up China's plan to vaccinate billions of poultry birds. Replication of Chinese model of vaccination here in Bangladesh, as experts think, will dramatically reduce the likelihood of bird flu spread.

Senior veterinarians say chickens usually die within 24 hours of being infected with H5N1 virus but, without signs of disease, the virus is hard to detect, control and also much easier to pass on to unsuspecting humans. http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/200...3/news0438.htm

[Treyfish]

Re: BANGLADESH: Return of the bird flu threat

<HR style="COLOR: #cccccc" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=left>Govt terms avian influenza situation `pre-pandemic': US to provide 24,500 more PPE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=left>DHAKA, Bangladesh, Feb 13 (BSS) - Bangladesh government at a high-level meeting today termed the bird flu situation as `pre-pandemic' and sought support from development partners to contain the disease that already affected 41 districts since February last year.

"Bangladesh is in the pre-pandemic condition now as 140 outbreaks of bird flu have occurred during last one year," Dr Mehedi Hussain of Department of Livestock said on a power point presentation at a meeting here.

Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock organised the meeting to review the ongoing prevention and control measures of bird flu, which has forced authorities to cull 581,286 chickens, ducks, pigeons and destroy as many eggs during last 12 months in the country.

Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for Livestock Manik Lal Samaddar, Livestock Secretary Ataur Rahman, Mission Director of US Agency for International Development (USAID) Denise Rollins, Food and Agriculture Representative of the UN to Bangladesh AD Spijkers, Country Representative of World Health Organization Duangvade Sangkhobol and representatives from the UNICEF, Asian Development Bank and European Commission were present.

"You are not alone, We are with you," assured FAO representative Ad Spijkers at the meeting, adding that the present communication strategy was inadequate to make people aware and protect the poultry sector. He said the communication programme should be revised and revitalized.

He also said a concerted effort is a must to keep the situation under full control, without giving any chance to turn it into a pandemic situation, where H5N1 virus can transmit from human to human.

USAID Mission Director Rollins said her government and the US Army have already sent 16,500 personal protection equipment (PPE) to Bangladesh and 24,500 more would reach by March.

"I can assure that 4,500 PPE will reach by February 22 and the rest 20,000 by March," she said, adding that a core team on communication should be formed so that it can help develop emergency communication strategies to face future risks.

Manik Lal said the risk communication has become a major issue to tackle the present situation where effective communication materials can remove fears from the minds of people to consume poultry foods as usual. The poultry consumption has been witnessing a sharp decline after recent outbreaks across the country, he added.

"Please convey the message that fully-boiled eggs and chicken meats are safe to eat," he said at the meeting, apparently pointing to the UNICEF that has been developing communication materials. He also said the government has been putting more emphasis on biosecurity measures at farms and mass awareness.

Ataur Rahman said the government has been attaching high importance to protecting the poultry sector, which has about 220 million chickens, and 37 million ducks and employs five million people directly. Millions of households also rely on poultry production for income and food. He sought suggestions and cooperation from development partners to face the situation.

Livestock ministry sources said they are in need of community animal health workers (CAHW) at field levels, 20,000 more PPE, 7,000 hand gloves, 7,000 masks, 160 vehicles, detection kits and improved lab facilities to control the disease at the earliest.

On a demand from the government, the FAO and Palli Karma Shahayak Protishthan (PKSF) promised to provide 450 CAHW on an adhoc basis up to June this year.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://www.bssnews.net/index.php?gen...008-02-13&id=7

[Treyfish]

Re: BANGLADESH: Return of the bird flu threat

[url="http://www.thedailystar.net/pf_story.php?nid=23294"]
22,000 fowls culled in 2 districts

Star Report

A total of 22,127 fowls were culled in Pabna and Khulna on Tuesday night as bird flu infection continues to spread in different regions of the country.

Our Pabna correspondent reports that at least 5,272 farm fowls, ducks, pigeons and other free range fowls were culled in Shujanagar upazila of the district on Tuesday night after bird flu infection was detected at a poultry farm.

This is the third consecutive incident of culling fowls due to bird flu infection in the district in the last three months.

Meanwhile over three hundred poultry farms remain closed in the district due to bird flu infection, official sources said.

This round of culling was arranged after about a thousand fowls died at Usha Poultry Farm in Vabanipur under Shujanagar municipality. Joypurhat Livestock Research Institute confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus, which causes bird flu, in the dead fowls.

Livestock office sources said they culled 4,946 fowls and destroyed 3,153 eggs at the farm. The team also culled over 181 free range fowls, 18 ducks and 137 pigeons from different households within one kilometre radius of the affected farm.

Local administration has imposed red alert in this area.

Our Khulna correspondent adds: Khulna district livestock department has culled 13,702 fowls from 73 poultry farms during a massive operation in the city on Tuesday night.

The operation was carried out at Shabujbag and Shahanghat areas under Sonadanga thana of the metropolitan city. The team also destroyed 763 eggs.

This is the second time such an operation has been carried out in the city. The earlier operation was carried out on January 30.

Anisuzzaman Panna, president of Khulna District Poultry Farm Owners Association, said that he believes that bird flu infection is fast reaching epidemic proportions in the area.

The disease, if not checked, will wipe out poultry industries in the district and city, he said.

[HenryN]

Re: BANGLADESH: Return of the bird flu threat

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/02130803/H5N1_India_Credibility.html

[Niko]

Re: BANGLADESH: Return of the bird flu threat

Commentary

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

<big><big>Commentary </big></big>

H5N1 Spead In Bangladesh Raises Credibility Issues in India

Recombinomics Commentary 19:37
February 13, 2008

Our Khulna correspondent adds: Khulna district livestock department has culled 13,702 fowls from 73 poultry farms during a massive operation in the city on Tuesday night.

Anisuzzaman Panna, president of Khulna District Poultry Farm Owners Association, said that he believes that bird flu infection is fast reaching epidemic proportions in the area.

The above comments describe one of the culling operations in Bangladesh. Daily updates from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock describe multiple culling operations throughout the country each day.

The latest report increases the number of districts with confirmed H5N1 to 41. The latest addition Mehepur is on the western border shared with West Bengal (see satellite maps here here here). In the past week, the number of cullings since H5N1 was first reported almost a year ago jumped from 179 to 239 and the number of districts has increased from 37 to 41.

While these dramatic increases were being reported in Bangladesh, including multiple districts that share a border with West Bengal, India has been denying new outbreaks and has been winding down culling operations, although precautionary culling has been on going in regions adjacent to West Bengal, even though the adjacent regions have not reported H5N1 outbreaks.

The absence of reported new infections in West Bengal raise serious credibility issues. Bangladesh has confirmed H5N1 in wild birds, including thousands of crow deaths in border regions. Although West Bengal has also reported dead crows, they have yet to confirm H5N1 in any wild bird. The deaths or resident dead birds are in addition to migratory birds, which have died with bird flu symptoms, yet India has never reported an H5N1 positive wild, even though the birds that winter in India fly to China, Russia, and Mongolia in the spring and summer to sites where H5N1 in migratory birds have been confirmed.

Similarly, neither Bangladesh nor India has ever reported a human case of H5N1, even though H5N1 is widespread in both countries, and villagers engage in risky activities and develop bird flu symptoms.

The lack of human cases in both countries or positive wild birds in India, remain causes for concern.

[Niko]

Re: BANGLADESH: Return of the bird flu threat

<table border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td align="left" width="176"> February 14, 2008 </td> <td align="center" width="100"> Thursday </td> <td align="right" width="200"> Safar 06, 1429</td></tr></tbody></table>
Bird flu strikes another BD district

DHAKA: Bird flu has spread to another district in Bangladesh despite efforts by authorities to control it, officials said on Wednesday, bringing the number of affected districts to 41 out of 64.

Health workers culled nearly 1,100 fowl after tests confirmed some chickens had died from the avian influenza virus in western Meherpur, livestock officials said.

The H5N1 virus, first detected in Bangladesh in March last year, was quickly brought under control through aggressive measures, including culling. But it reappeared few months ago apparently because of lax follow-up monitoring, experts say.

So far no human infections have been reported in Bangladesh. The government has raised compensation for poultry farmers to encourage them to report and kill sick birds as part of efforts to stamp out the outbreak.

Nearly 600,000 birds have been culled across the country against the virus since March 2007, but it continues to spread and now covers nearly two-thirds of the country of more than 140 million people.

Officials blame lack of awareness among poultry breeders and non-compliance with warnings by the health ministry as main reasons for the spread of the virus.?Reuters

[HenryN]

Re: BANGLADESH: Return of the bird flu threat

1. No. of Farms with confirmed H5 Virus 145
2. No. of Districts with Confirmed H5 Virus 41
(Upzilla-75, Metro Thana-12)

( Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayangonj, Tangail, Jamalpur, Jessore, Noakhali, Gaibandha, Magura, Rajbari, Nilphamari, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Jaipurhat, Lalmonirhat, Thakurgaon, Naogaon, Bagura, Feni, Pabna, Kurigram, Moulvibazar, Barisal, Rajshahi, Barguna, Natore, Patuakhali, Netrokona, Bhola, Khulna, Manikgonj, Gopalgonj, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Kustia, Jhinaidah, Norsingdhi, Bagerhat, Chittagong, Kishoregonj, Meherpur)

3. No. of Culled Farms 252

(Dhaka-35 (Savar-26, Turagh-01, Demra-01, Mirpur-03, Shabujbagh-01, Lalbagh-01, Nobabgonj-02), Gazipur-06, Jamalpur-06, Narayangonj-15, Tangail-02, Jessore-11, Noakhali-02, Gaibandha-04, Magura-01, Rajbari-03, Nilphamari-11, Dinajpur-29, Rangpur-06, jaipurhat-04, Lalmonirhat-04, Thakurgaon-02, Naogaon-02, Bagura-02, Feni-08, Pabna-04, Kurigram-01, Moulvibazar-01, Barisal-02, Barguna-16, Rajshahi-03, Natore-01, Patuakhali-01, Netrokona-01, Bhola-08, Manikgonj-03, Mymensingh-03, Gopalgonj-01, Khulna-13, Sylhet-01, Jhinaidah-03, Kustia-01, Norsingdhi-19, Bagerhat-02, Chittagong-08, Kishoregonj-05, Meherpur-02)

4. Culled on 13/02/2008 ---

5. Culling up to 13/02/2008 6, 03, 623

http://www.mofl.gov.bd/daily_birdflu_report.pdf

[HenryN]

Re: BANGLADESH: Return of the bird flu threat

The above list shows of jump in the farms culled from 239 to 252. Ten of the thirteen new culls were in Khulna, which jumped from 3 to 13.

[sharon sanders]

Re: BANGLADESH: Return of the bird flu threat

".....
Bird Flu Spreads
Bird flu has spread to another district despite efforts by authorities to contain it, taking the number of affected districts to 40, officials said yesterday.
Health workers culled nearly 12,000 fowls after tests confirmed some chickens had died from the avian influenza virus in the northeast, livestock officials said. The H5N1 virus, first detected in Bangladesh in March last year, was quickly brought under control through aggressive measures, including culling. But followup monitoring eased in later months prompting the disease to reappear, experts say.
So far, no human infections have been reported in Bangladesh, a densely populated nation with millions of backyard poultry and thousands of chicken farms.
The interim government has enhanced compensation for poultry farmers to encourage them to report and kill sick birds. More than half a million birds are to be culled across the country, but the virus has spread to more than half the South Asian country?s 64 districts partly due to a lack of awareness.
Media reports said many children were seen smiling and playing with dead poultry. Even health workers have been seen burying dead birds without any protective gear.
The World Health Organization worries that the H5N1 strain could mutate into a form that passes easily between humans and infect and kill millions....."

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=106652&d=11&m=2&y=2008

[Sally Furniss]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

Bird flu spreads to another district

Bird flu has spread to another district in Bangladesh despite massive culling by authorities to contain the outbreak, officials said on Friday, bringing the number of affected districts to 42 out of 64.

Veterinary workers culled nearly 25,000 fowls after tests confirmed some chickens had died from the avian influenza virus in Comilla, in the south east, livestock officials said.

The H5N1 virus, first detected in Bangladesh in March last year, was quickly brought under control through aggressive measures, including culling. But it reappeared few months ago, apparently because of lax follow-up monitoring, experts say.

Officials said the government was taking measures to contain the spread of the disease, but ignorance among millions of farmers across the impoverished country remained a stumbling block.

The government has raised compensation for poultry farmers to encourage them to report and kill sick birds as part of efforts to stamp out the outbreak.

More than 600,000 birds have been culled across the country against the virus since March 2007, but it continues to spread and now covers nearly two-thirds of the country of more than 140 million people.

So far no human infections have been reported in Bangladesh, a densely populated nation with millions of backyard poultry and thousands of chicken farms.

Experts fear the H5N1 strain could mutate or combine with the highly contagious seasonal influenza virus and spark a pandemic, especially in countries such as Bangladesh where people live in close proximity to backyard poultry.

Humans usually contract the virus only after close contact with infected birds, with the virus killing nearly two-thirds of the people it infects. The disease has killed more than 220 people worldwide since 2003.

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1318360/1584096

[HenryN]

Re: BANGLADESH: Return of the bird flu threat

Bird flu spreads to another Bangladesh district

Fri 15 Feb 2008, 4:32 GMT
<INPUT id=CurrentSize type=hidden value=13 name=CurrentSize>
[-] Text [+]

DHAKA, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Bird flu has spread to another district in Bangladesh despite massive culling by authorities to contain the outbreak, officials said on Friday, bringing the number of affected districts to 42 out of 64.
Veterinary workers culled nearly 25,000 fowls after tests confirmed some chickens had died from the avian influenza virus in Comilla, in the south east, livestock officials said.
The H5N1 virus, first detected in Bangladesh in March last year, was quickly brought under control through aggressive measures, including culling. But it reappeared few months ago, apparently because of lax follow-up monitoring, experts say. Officials said the government was taking measures to contain the spread of the disease, but ignorance among millions of farmers across the impoverished country remained a stumbling block.
The government has raised compensation for poultry farmers to encourage them to report and kill sick birds as part of efforts to stamp out the outbreak.
More than 600,000 birds have been culled across the country against the virus since March 2007, but it continues to spread and now covers nearly two-thirds of the country of more than 140 million people.
So far no human infections have been reported in Bangladesh, a densely populated nation with millions of backyard poultry and thousands of chicken farms.
Experts fear the H5N1 strain could mutate or combine with the highly contagious seasonal influenza virus and spark a pandemic, especially in countries such as Bangladesh where people live in close proximity to backyard poultry.
Humans usually contract the virus only after close contact with infected birds, with the virus killing nearly two-thirds of the people it infects. The disease has killed more than 220 people worldwide since 2003. (Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Alex Richardson)

http://africa.reuters.com/commodities/news/usnDHA255572.html

[HenryN]

Re: BANGLADESH: Return of the bird flu threat

Bird Flu Related Information up to 13 February, 2008

1. No. of Farms with confirmed H5 Virus 145
2. No. of Districts with Confirmed H5 Virus 41
(Upzilla-75, Metro Thana-12)

( Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayangonj, Tangail, Jamalpur, Jessore, Noakhali, Gaibandha, Magura, Rajbari, Nilphamari, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Jaipurhat, Lalmonirhat, Thakurgaon, Naogaon, Bagura, Feni, Pabna, Kurigram, Moulvibazar, Barisal, Rajshahi, Barguna, Natore, Patuakhali, Netrokona, Bhola, Khulna, Manikgonj, Gopalgonj, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Kustia, Jhinaidah, Norsingdhi, Bagerhat, Chittagong, Kishoregonj, Meherpur)

3. No. of Culled Farms 252

(Dhaka-35 (Savar-26, Turagh-01, Demra-01, Mirpur-03, Shabujbagh-01, Lalbagh-01, Nobabgonj-02), Gazipur-06, Jamalpur-06, Narayangonj-15, Tangail-02, Jessore-11, Noakhali-02, Gaibandha-04, Magura-01, Rajbari-03, Nilphamari-11, Dinajpur-29, Rangpur-06, jaipurhat-04, Lalmonirhat-04, Thakurgaon-02, Naogaon-02, Bagura-02, Feni-08, Pabna-04, Kurigram-01, Moulvibazar-01, Barisal-02, Barguna-16, Rajshahi-03, Natore-01, Patuakhali-01, Netrokona-01, Bhola-08, Manikgonj-03, Mymensingh-03, Gopalgonj-01, Khulna-13, Sylhet-01, Jhinaidah-03, Kustia-01, Norsingdhi-19, Bagerhat-02, Chittagong-08, Kishoregonj-05, Meherpur-02)

4. Culled on 13/02/2008 ---

5. Culling up to 13/02/2008 6, 03, 623

http://www.mofl.gov.bd/daily_birdflu_report.pdf