Announcement

**AlaskaDenise** · January 4, 2007, 05:51 AM

Re: Wild bird found dead with H5 in HK shopping district

Location....

**AlaskaDenise** · January 4, 2007, 06:02 AM

Re: Wild bird found dead with H5 in HK shopping district

Although it appears full of sky-scrapers, Victoria Park is in the middle of the high-density area.

**Gert van der Hoek** · January 4, 2007, 06:46 AM

Re: Wild bird found dead with H5 in HK shopping district

Not the first time to find H5 in a HongKong munia:

Fujian H5N1Bird Flu Spread to Hong Kong

Recombinomics Commentary
August 10, 2006

Earler this year there were reports of H5N1 bird flu in various wild birds in Hong Kong. Today the sequences of those isolates were released at Los Alamos. The released sequences were from poultry and wild bird isolates. All HA sequences were 98-99% identical with the Fujian strain of H5N1 which had been reported in patients in China in 2005 and 2006.

In addition, H5N1 sequences from Laos and Malaysia were also released earlier and those sequences were also closely related to the sequences from the patients in China. The HA sequence has a novel cleavage site which is missing a K. H5N1 sequences from China missing a K in the HA cleavage site have been reported since late 2003. These sequences have bee frequently found in Hunan and Fujian province as well as the quarantined birds in England.

However. most of these isolates have a slightly different gene sequence, although the sequence of the cleavage site is the same, RERRRKR. The Fujian bird isolate, A/Duck/Fujian/1734/05 however, has the genetic match for the human sequences. This genetic match is also in the sequences from Laos, Malaysia, and the newly deposited sequences from Hong Kong (see list below).

The widespread presence of the Fujian sequence in China, Hong Kong, and southeast Asia is cause for concern. New bird and human cases are being reported in Thailand, and bird outbreaks have recently been reported in Laos and Vietnam.

More information on the sequences of these isolates would be useful. Indonesia is also reporting new outbreaks in birds and humans. However, the human cases have a novel HA cleavage site, RESRRKKR, which does not match the Fujian sequence or any other public sequence, including the sequences deposited today from the lab in Australia,

ISDN184026 A/chicken/Hong Kong/947/2006 2006 H5N1
ISDN138756 A/chicken/Malaysia/935/2006 2006 H5N1
ISDN184030 A/Common Magpie/Hong Kong/645/2006 2006 H5N1
ISDN138780 A/duck/Laos/3295/2006 2006 H5N1
ISDN184028 A/Japanese White Eye/Hong Kong/1038/06 2006 H5N1
ISDN184024 A/Munia/Hong Kong/2454/2006 2006 H5N1
DQ643809 A/Zhejiang/16/2006 2006 H5N1
DQ371928 A/Anhui/1/2005 2005 H5N1
DQ371929 A/Anhui/2/2005 2005 H5N1
DQ095629 A/Duck/Fujian/1734/05 2005 H5N1
DQ371930 A/Guangxi/1/2005 2005 H5N1

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/08100602/H5N1_Fujian_HK.html

**Gert van der Hoek** · January 4, 2007, 06:50 AM

Re: Wild bird found dead with H5 in HK shopping district

Tests on dead bird in Hong Kong point to avian flu

HONG KONG (AFP) - Early results of tests being carried out on the carcass of a wild bird found in Hong Kong indicated it was infected with H5 avian influenza, the government has said.

Six carcasses of a local species of wild bird called scaly-breasted munia were found in the busy shopping area of Causeway Bay on Sunday.

Only one tested positive for the virus, but further tests were being conducted on all six, said Thomas Sit, assistant director of the agricultural department.

Sit said winter time was the migratory bird season, posing higher risks for bird flu.

"I suspect many animal health authorities around the world (believe) that migratory birds may be the first to carry the viruses," he said Thursday.

While he reminded the public to observe good personal hygiene, Sit said patrols around wet markets -- where the dead infected bird was found -- would be stepped up.

He urged local farmers, pet traders and owners to take necessary precautionary measures and avoid contact with wild birds.

Sit said inspections would also be stepped up in villages, where poultry might be kept. A curb on so-called backyard farming was enacted last year following the discovery of eight birds and chickens that had died of the H5N1 virus.

Hong Kong was the scene of the world's first reported major bird flu outbreak among humans in 1997, when six people died of the then unknown mutation of the avian flu virus

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070104/hl_afp/healthfluhongkong_070104112655

**AlaskaDenise** · January 4, 2007, 06:56 AM

Re: Wild bird found dead with H5 in HK shopping district

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/h...104en05002.htm

<TABLE borderColor=aqua cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=430 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=theme_title align=right>January 4, 2007 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=theme_small_title>Avian flu </TD></TR><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=theme_news_header>Anti-bird flu measures enhanced
</TD></TR><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=theme_text vAlign=top align=left>The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department has bolstered inspection and control measures against avian flu after one of six bird carcasses found on Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, tested positive for the H5 virus.

Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Dr Thomas Sit told reporters today more tests are being conducted on the dead spotted munias collected on December 31. He expects results in the coming days.

As they are a wild bird residing in Hong Kong, they are more vulnerable to avian flu from January to March due to cross-contamination with migratory birds.

The department has enhanced checks on farms and pet shops, with no abnormal incidents observed so far. Farm and shop owners have been urged to be vigilant and adopt bio-security measures, while their workers should ensure good hygiene.

More measures
Meanwhile, inspection of imported poultry and market stalls will be strengthened, and doctors will be informed of the latest situation. They must notify the Centre for Health Protection of any suspected avian flu cases.

To stop people keeping backyard poultry, Dr Sit said a new round of village inspections will be conducted.

He called on the public to ensure good hygiene, avoiding contact with and feeding wild birds. People should wash their hands thoroughly.

.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

**Anne** · January 4, 2007, 07:11 AM

Re: Wild bird found dead with H5 in HK shopping district

http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/bird...ta.htmMangrove and wetland wildlife at

<table border="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td>Main features: Small (11cm) with big heads; large conical bills; brown scaled feathers on white breast and flanks; upperparts plain brown; rump often has greyish tinge; face and throat dusky brown.

Genders look alike.</td> <td bgcolor="#000000">

Photo from
Morten Strange

</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">Juvenile: Upperparts brown; underparts buffy.

Call: A wide variety of calls for keeping in contact or to express alarm. Described as a disyllabic tut-few; tit-ti, sieuw; or faint kee-dee.

In flight: Rapid fluctuating flight, gliding into cover.

Similar birds: The juveniles of various Munia species look alike. Scaly-breasted juveniles often flock with juveniles of other species.

Status in Singapore: Very resident common throughout the island and North and South offshore islands.

World distribution: India to Taiwan and the Philippines. Introduced in some countries.

Classification: Family Passeridae, some place them in a separate family of Estrildidae. World 386

species, Singapore 16 species.

Scaly-breasted Munia
Lonchura punctulata
Scaly-breasted Mannikin/Finch, Spotted Munia, Spice Bird/Finch, Nutmeg Finch, Pipit Pinang (Malay)

Scaly-breasted Munias are among the most common Munias and are now quite common in Singapore too. They are found even in urban areas as well as cultivated lands, grasslands, scrub, secondary growth. But they were not so common in earlier records, suggesting that they could have been introduced.

Scaly-breasted Munias specialise in eating grass seeds and sedges, and have large conical beaks adapted for this purpose. They feed both on seeding heads on grass stems, as well as on ripe seeds that have fallen to the ground. They may also snack on small berries, such as those of the Lantana bush. Some have been seen picking at road kills.

Scaly-breasted Munias are highly gregarious and forage in small flocks, sometimes with other Munia species.
</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Gert van der Hoek** · January 4, 2007, 08:01 AM

Re: Wild bird found dead with H5 in HK shopping district

Hong Kong wild bird has H5N1 virus

Hong Kong (dpa) - A wild bird found dead in urban Hong Kong has tested positive for the avian flu virus, government officials confirmed Thursday.

The bird, discovered in Causeway Bay on Hong Kong island, is the first this winter to be discovered in Hong Kong with the virus which has killed 157 people mainly in Asia since 2003.

Dr Thomas Sit of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, said tests on the bird revealed it had died of the H5N1 virus and that it could signal the start of the bird flu season in Hong Kong.

"I would suspect, as would many animal health authorities in the world, that migratory birds may be the first to carry the virus and then infect wild birds," he said.

He said doctors had been asked to watch for possible human cases while his staff would step up monitoring of the wild bird population.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=115751

**canagica** · January 4, 2007, 09:44 AM

Re: Wild bird found dead with H5 in HK shopping district

None of the posted articles mentions that these birds were found in a wet market (i.e. a more likely source of infection than flocking with wild birds).

Furthermore, scaly-breasted munias are also a common cage bird sold in markets in other asian countries like Thailand (talked about in this article from scidev.net). Without detailed information on these birds (age, sex, molt, etc.) it would be hard to know for sure if they were even wild.

If anyone out there is in Hong Kong, it would be great if you could shed some light on whether munias are also common cage birds in HK.

**Gert van der Hoek** · January 4, 2007, 10:40 AM

Re: Wild bird found dead with H5 in HK shopping district

There is a wetmarket at Causeway Bay:

Causeway Bay

Bordered by Victoria Park, a typhoon shelter, the Hong Kong Stadium and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Causeway Bay is one of the busiest areas of Hong Kong by day or night. Modern department stores stand alongside open-air markets, cooked-food stalls, cinemas, bars and restaurants.

http://www.asiatravel.com/hknut2.html

Hong Kong has many wet markets and if you have never been to one, you are in for a treat! Yes, all five of your senses will be activated! I personally like the one in Causeway Bay (near Times Square)

http://theculinarychase.blogspot.com/2006/08/what-heck-is-wet-market.html

**HenryN** · January 4, 2007, 10:45 AM

Re: Wild bird found dead with H5 in HK shopping district

Originally posted by canagica

None of the posted articles mentions that these birds were found in a wet market (i.e. a more likely source of infection than flocking with wild birds).

Furthermore, scaly-breasted munias are also a common cage bird sold in markets in other asian countries like Thailand (talked about in this article from scidev.net). Without detailed information on these birds (age, sex, molt, etc.) it would be hard to know for sure if they were even wild.

If anyone out there is in Hong Kong, it would be great if you could shed some light on whether munias are also common cage birds in HK.

These are from wild birds and happen every year at this time in Hong Kong. The prime mover of H5N1 sequences is wild birds and the infection of these birds every year at this time has nothing to do with wet markets.

In 2003/2004 new sequences flew into Hong Kong that were not present in 2001. Wild birds transport the sequences, and recombimnation drives the evolution of H5N1 (via acquistion of polymorphisms from wild birds).

**HenryN** · January 4, 2007, 10:47 AM

Re: Wild bird found dead with H5 in HK shopping district

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>A wild bird found in Causeway Bay has tested positive for the H5 virus. An assistant director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Thomas Sit, says the discovery may signal the beginning of the bird flu season here. Doctor Sit said doctors would be asked to watch for suspected human cases of avian flu, while his staff would increase monitoring. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/eng...0104&56&369073

(audio at above link)

**Jonesie** · January 4, 2007, 11:05 AM

Re: Wild bird found dead with H5 in HK shopping district

IMAGES OF MUNIAS:

http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?action=searchresult&Bird_ID=1885

http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?action=searchresult&Bird_ID=1898

AND MANY MORE MUNIA:

http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?PHPSESSID=4a4e9a9e5483feb46c3f82ff030c8a91&keyword=MUNIA

**Blue** · January 4, 2007, 11:54 AM

Re: Wild bird found dead with H5 in HK shopping district

Originally posted by Jonesie

IMAGES OF MUNIAS:

http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?action=searchresult&Bird_ID=1885

http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?action=searchresult&Bird_ID=1898

AND MANY MORE MUNIA:
http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/se...&keyword=MUNIA

I think that they sell these finches at my local Petsmart. I thought it looked familiar. They say that they are not wild caught, but rather bred for sale. Looks like the same bird with the scaley breast.

**HenryN** · January 4, 2007, 11:54 AM

Re: Wild bird found dead with H5 in HK shopping district

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/01040701/H5N1_HK_2007.html

Announcement

Wild bird found dead with H5N1 in HK shopping district

Wild bird found dead with H5N1 in HK shopping district

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