India: bird flu in poultry suspected / confirmed

[Gert van der Hoek]

Bird flu scare

Test results likely by Jul 22, more samples sent

Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 18: Results of laboratory tests of the chicken blood samples sent to Bhopal following the deaths of 132 chickens reared at a farm located within Imphal Municipal area may be available by July 22.

Further more than 200 nasal and cloacal samples collected from chickens and ducks reared at farms within 5 km radius of the affected farm were sent to Bhopal and Pune today aboard an Indian Airlines flight.

Talking to The Sangai Express on the sudden death of a large number of chicken, Joint Commissioner of the Union Ministry of Agriculture AB Neigi who is currently stationed at Imphal to supervise the preventive measures being taken up by the State Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department informed that test results of the samples sent to the high security Animal Diseases Laboratory, Bhopal may be available by Sunday.

Neigi who led the Rapid Response Team during the outbreak of avian influenza in Nagpur, stated that it cannot be ascertained as yet whether the large scale of deaths of chickens at a farm in Imphal was pathogenic or non-pathogenic.

Collection of samples from chickens and ducks from within the 5 km radius of the affected farm may be completed today, he said adding that the Health authority is also monitoring the health of the chicken farmers working in the farm.

Following the sudden death of a large number of chickens, an official of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases is also camping at Imphal.

Briefing media persons at his office chamber today afternoon, Director of the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department Th Dorendra informed that more than 200 nasal and cloacal samples have been sent to Bhopal and the National Institute of Virology, Pune under the care of a doctor today.

Stating that consumption of chicken does not pose any health risk, the Director appealed to the people to informed the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department if there is any case of sudden death of chicken and other fowls.

He further said that surveillance has been put within the 15 kms radius of the affected farm by posting officials of the Department.

The chickens which perished last week were bought from the Govt Poultry Farm located at Mantripukhri, said Dorendra while adding that there is no such report for chickens bought from other hatcheries.

To a query, the Director disclosed that two carcases of chickens were also sent to Bhopal along with the samples sent there earlier.

In the meantime, 1000 personal protection kits were brought to Imphal today.

Nevertheless, he asserted that the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department and other Departments have made all preparations to face any eventuality in case avian flu breaks out in the State.

Joint Commissioner AB Neigi who is leaving for Kohima tomorrow said that the Centre is prepared to extend logistic support and other necessary assistance to the State if the samples are tested positive.

He informed that three day regional workshop on avian influenza will be held at Kolkata from July 26 and it will be attended by officials concerned of all the Northeastern States among others.

http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=5..190707.jul07

[Treyfish]

Re: India: suspected bird flu in chickens

Date: Tue 17 Jul 2007
Source: Kangla Online [abridged, edited]
<http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=38633&typeid=1>


The existence of a non-pathogenic strain of the virus causing bird
flu has been confirmed in the state according to knowledgeable
sources. Officials only said that no pathogenic strain of the virus
has been detected yet but were [close-mouthed] about the presence of a
non-pathogenic strain.

However, the arrival of officials of the Union Ministry of Veterinary
and Animal Husbandry following the testing of some samples of blood
of chickens that died in an unknown epidemic recently in and around
Imphal at the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal raised
suspicion of something serious. [For Imphal, capital of the state of
Manipur, northeast India, see map at
<http://www.indtravel.com/graphic20/indpoli1.gif>].

Surveillance of more blood samples of chickens have also intensified
ever since and continued throughout the day today [Tue 17 Jul 2007].

Although the strain found in dead chickens in Imphal recently is not
the pathogenic variety, knowledgeable sources said it only takes time
for the virus to mutate to become pathogenic, hence the need for
extreme precautions.

Surveillance and serum sample collection to test and confirm the
geographical spread of the bird flu virus in the state has been
intensified in Manipur, even as authorities here said that "there is
no confirmed report of an outbreak of Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird
flu) in the state." They, however, were guarded about the detection of
the non-pathogenic strain of the virus. The surveillance acquired
urgency following reports of deaths of chickens and other animals
[presumably other poultry - Mod.JW] in various farms in the state.

In the previous week [also], serum samples collected from various
places were sent to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory,
Bhopal for detection of avian influenza. The samples were collected
from places in the state where there were reports of deaths of
chickens and other farm animals that could have been caused by avian
virus, the source said.

The 1st sample was sent on 11 Jul 2007, while the 2nd sample was sent
Monday [16 Jul 2007], and the results of both are yet to be received
by the state authorities.

Director Dr Th Dorendra Singh of the state veterinary department, in a
brief with IFP, said the surveillance and sample collection, which has
been concentrated in a 5-km radius around Imphal in the last few days,
will be expanded to 15 km and beyond. He appealed to the people to
report any unusual deaths of chickens, birds and other domestic
animals [poultry].

"If there is a confirmed report of an outbreak of Pathogenic Avian
Influenza (bird flu) in the state, the state government as well as
the Central government will do everything necessary without a
moment's delay to have the epidemic declared by the Union government,
the director said.

Since the reports of the outbreak of bird flu cases in neighboring
Myanmar have been received in March this year [2007], the state
veterinary and forestry departments have taken up special
precautionary measures to prevent any possibility of the disease
spreading into Manipur. A report of an outbreak of Pathogenic Avian
Influenza (bird flu) at a farm located in Mayangone sub-district,
Yangon (West) district, in Rangoon province [Myanmar] was received on
28 Feb 2007.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall

[The above information is rather blurry; information on the results
obtained from the national laboratory relating to the serotype and
pathogenicity of the suspected isolates will be appreciated http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed..._ID:1000,38408

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: India: suspected bird flu in chickens

Avian flu scare in Manipur


Imphal, July 18: Widespread panic over bird flu following the ?unusual death? of more than 300 chickens at a poultry farm in Thangmeiband last week has prompted the veterinary department in Manipur to step up surveillance in Imphal East and Imphal West districts.

Officials of the department, under the ministry of agriculture, however, said there was no cause for panic.

?There were 144 chickens at the farm in Imphal West. An unknown disease killed 132 of them between July 7 and 10. We have collected blood samples of the chickens and sent those to High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal,? the director of the department, Th. Dorendro, said.

The joint commissioner of the department, A.B. Negi, rushed to Imphal to supervise surveillance. ?There is no reason to panic,? he said after assessing the situation.

?Had it been bird flu, none of the birds would have survived. Death of so many chickens is, however, quite unusual. But nothing can be said until we get the blood reports.?

In keeping with the guidelines of the department, the owner of the poultry farm has buried the dead chickens. The 12 chickens were culled and buried. All equipment of the farm had been destroyed.

Officials of the department have fanned out to poultry farms located within a 5km radius of Imphal to collect blood samples of chickens.

?Our teams have collected more than 200 blood samples from various poultry farms and the samples have been sent to Bhopal for laboratory test today. None of the samples collected earlier from Manipur tested positive,? Negi said.

Official sources said consumption of chicken had not been affected by the report of death of chickens.

Manipur has already sounded an alert following spread of bird flu in neighbouring Bangladesh and Myanmar earlier this year. Import of poultry products from neighbouring countries to Manipur has been banned.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070719/asp/northeast/story_8075461.asp

[HenryN]

Re: India: suspected bird flu in chickens

<TABLE summary=""><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap align=right>Archive Number</TD><TD noWrap align=left>20070718.2303</TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap align=right>Published Date</TD><TD noWrap align=left>18-JUL-2007</TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap align=right>Subject</TD><TD noWrap align=left>PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (131): India (Manipur), RFI</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

AVIAN INFLUENZA (131): INDIA (MANIPUR), REQUEST FOR INFORMATION*************************************** ********A ProMED-mail post<http://www.promedmail.org>ProMED-mail is a program of theInternational Society for Infectious Diseases<http://www.isid.org>Date: Tue 17 Jul 2007Source: Kangla Online [abridged, edited]<http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=38633&typeid=1>The existence of a non-pathogenic strain of the virus causing birdflu has been confirmed in the state according to knowledgeablesources. Officials only said that no pathogenic strain of the virushas been detected yet but were [close-mouthed] about the presence of anon-pathogenic strain.However, the arrival of officials of the Union Ministry of Veterinaryand Animal Husbandry following the testing of some samples of bloodof chickens that died in an unknown epidemic recently in and aroundImphal at the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal raisedsuspicion of something serious. [For Imphal, capital of the state ofManipur, northeast India, see map at<http://www.indtravel.com/graphic20/indpoli1.gif>].Surveillance of more blood samples of chickens have also intensifiedever since and continued throughout the day today [Tue 17 Jul 2007].Although the strain found in dead chickens in Imphal recently is notthe pathogenic variety, knowledgeable sources said it only takes timefor the virus to mutate to become pathogenic, hence the need forextreme precautions.Surveillance and serum sample collection to test and confirm the geographical spread of the bird flu virus in the state has been intensified in Manipur, even as authorities here said that "there is no confirmed report of an outbreak of Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu) in the state." They, however, were guarded about the detection of the non-pathogenic strain of the virus. The surveillance acquired urgency following reports of deaths of chickens and other animals [presumably other poultry - Mod.JW] in various farms in the state.In the previous week [also], serum samples collected from various places were sent to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal for detection of avian influenza. The samples were collected from places in the state where there were reports of deaths of chickens and other farm animals that could have been caused by avian virus, the source said.The 1st sample was sent on 11 Jul 2007, while the 2nd sample was sent Monday [16 Jul 2007], and the results of both are yet to be received by the state authorities.Director Dr Th Dorendra Singh of the state veterinary department, in a brief with IFP, said the surveillance and sample collection, which has been concentrated in a 5-km radius around Imphal in the last few days, will be expanded to 15 km and beyond. He appealed to the people to report any unusual deaths of chickens, birds and other domestic animals [poultry]."If there is a confirmed report of an outbreak of Pathogenic AvianInfluenza (bird flu) in the state, the state government as well asthe Central government will do everything necessary without amoment's delay to have the epidemic declared by the Union government,the director said.Since the reports of the outbreak of bird flu cases in neighboring Myanmar have been received in March this year [2007], the state veterinary and forestry departments have taken up special precautionary measures to prevent any possibility of the disease spreading into Manipur. A report of an outbreak of Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu) at a farm located in Mayangone sub-district, Yangon (West) district, in Rangoon province [Myanmar] was received on 28 Feb 2007.--Communicated by:ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall[The above information is rather blurry; information on the resultsobtained from the national laboratory relating to the serotype andpathogenicity of the suspected isolates will be appreciated. - Mod.AS]</PRE>

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: India: suspected bird flu in chickens

I need a clarification please. I thought high path H5N1 killed a significant number of poultry while low path killed none or only a few. Are they changing the definition or have I been misinformed?
</IMG>

[Sharpe]

Re: India: suspected bird flu in chickens

I need a clarification please. I thought high path H5N1 killed a significant number of poultry while low path killed none or only a few. Are they changing the definition or have I been misinformed?

Yes, they contradict themselves. It's high-path.

[Commonground]

Re: India: suspected bird flu in chickens

The samples were collected from places in the state where there were reports of deaths of chickens and other farm animals that could have been caused by avian virus, the source said.

He appealed to the people to report any unusual deaths of chickens, birds and other domestic animals [poultry].

Can anyone tell me if the bolded word above was added personally by ProMed?

[HenryN]

Re: India: suspected bird flu in chickens

Can anyone tell me if the bolded word above was added personally by ProMed?

Usually ProMed commentators add words to the text (for clarification).

[Commonground]

Re: India: suspected bird flu in chickens

O.K. Thanks Dr. Niman. No animals besides poultry.

[HenryN]

Re: India: suspected bird flu in chickens

O.K. Thanks Dr. Niman. No animals besides poultry.

This is ProMed's clarification. It's basis is far from clear.

[Sally Furniss]

Re: India: suspected bird flu in chickens

Bird flu test results fail to arrive

http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=38699&typeid=2

The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 21: The much awaited results of the sera samples from the dead birds, including nasal fluid and cloacal samples which were sent to a Bhopal laboratory and were expected today was not received, official sources said.

The source also could not reveal the outcome of the tests so far. The samples were sent on July 7 and July 11 last for pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) test.

[HenryN]

Re: India: suspected bird flu in chickens

Bird flu test results fail to arrive

http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=38699&typeid=2

The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 21: The much awaited results of the sera samples from the dead birds, including nasal fluid and cloacal samples which were sent to a Bhopal laboratory and were expected today was not received, official sources said.

The source also could not reveal the outcome of the tests so far. The samples were sent on July 7 and July 11 last for pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) test.

Dead birds have H5N1 in MANY organs. Limiting testing to nasal fluid and cloacal swans (and not having results within two weeks) speaks volumes.

[Niko]

Re: India: suspected bird flu in chickens

Action Plan Mooted to Battle Bird Flu
Publicado - Published: 22/07/2007

INDIA.- Though the test results of the blood samples sent to Bhopal have not been received yet, an official meeting was convened today to devise an action plan, in case the samples turn out positive.

Specialist (Disease) of the State Veterinary Department Konsam Gopal confided that the test results will be certainly available by July 23 which were expected to reach Imphal today.

Even as 132 chickens perished at a chicken farm in Imphal between July 7 and 10, there is no report of any more chicken dying in the same farm.

Nevertheless, stringent preventive measures have been taken up by the Department.

Yet, an official meeting held today at State Guest House with Director of the State Veterinary Department Th Dorendra in the chair made serious deliberations to take up necessary action plans in case the results of the laboratory test at Bhopal turn out to be positive.

Among others the meeting was also attended by Joint Commissioner (Livestock Health), Ministry of Agriculture AB Neigi, senior physician of Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi Dr AK Jain and National Institute of Communicable Disease scientist Dr UBS Rana.

The meeting also discussed the feasibility of taking up an action plan similar to the one followed in Maharastra during outbreak of avian influenza there.

The Sangai Express.
http://www.desastres.org/noticias.php?id=22072007-06

[Sally Furniss]

Re: India: suspected bird flu in chickens

All-alert on bird flu scare in Manipur

http://www.indianexpress.com/story/206759.html

Samudra Gupta Kashyap / AMITAV RANJAN
Posted online: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 0000 hrs Print Email
Chicken Deaths: Central team holds strategy meeting in state after Bhopal lab sends report

NEW DELHI, GUWAHATI, JULY 24: A rapid response team from the Union Health Ministry held an emergency meeting in Imphal tonight with the Manipur Chief Secretary and senior officials of the state health, veterinary and police departments, to work out precautions in view of a ?strong indication? that bird flu has been detected in the state.

The alert was sounded following the receipt of a report from the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory in Bhopal where samples were sent from the 132 chicken that died ? of 144 ? at Chingmeirong farm early this month.

When contacted by The Indian Express tonight, HSADL Joint Director S C Dubey confirmed that he had sent the report to the Agriculture Ministry. He, however, added: ?I can neither confirm nor deny (whether bird flu has been confirmed).?

Health Ministry officials here said they were awaiting further tests before the formal announcement. They said the outbreak could be of a ?freak? nature as other chicken in the farm were found to be not infected.

But the Government isn?t taking any chances given reports of the H5N1 bird flu virus in neighbouring Myanmar and Bangladesh in March and May this year.

So the Regional Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) Hospital in Imphal has already set up a special cell to handle any emergency. Two Central officials, A B Negi, joint commissioner in the Agriculture Ministry and an official from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, have been camping in Imphal since July 15.

This could be the third report of avian flu in the country and the first since April last year. The first outbreak was reported in Maharashtra last year in a small area running contiguously with Gujarat. The second one was also reported in Maharashtra.

Teams in Imphal have expanded the surveillance area.

[Sally Furniss]

Re: India: suspected bird flu in chickens

Bird flu not declared yet but isolation ward set up at JN hospital to meet flu eventualities

http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=38728&typeid=1

The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 24: Although concerned officials remain non-commital, neither confirming nor denying the detection of any pathogenic strain of the bird flu virus in the state, the alarm level has climbed significantly.

The state health department has started taking up special precautionary measures against any possible outbreak of Avian Influenza by maintaining a 10-bedded isolated ward at JN hospital in Imphal for the treatment of patients with symptoms similar to Avian Influenza (bird flu), according to a highly placed official souce.

Speculation of something serious also is rife even as AB Negi, Rapid Response Team, RRT, supervisor of India for bird flu, who left Imphal for Kohima and Guwahati a few days back returned to Imphal after taking assessment of nagaland and Assam.

Soon after his return a high level meeting was convened late this afternoon attended by the state chief secretary and concerned authorities of the state veterinary and animal husbandry department to decide on further action, the source added.

Official sources also said this afternoon`s joint meeting at the JN hospital conference hall, was also attended by three scientists from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, state secretary of health P Vaiphei and director health services Ph Suresh and other officials of the state health department discussed the neccesary precautionary measures to be taken up by the concerned department if the much awaited bird flu tests are found positive in the state.

The source further said that in today`s meeting with the scientists, it was decided to prepare an isolation ward at the Hiengang Public Health Centre as well as the said PHC is the nearest the sub health centre located in the village areas where the suspected disease was was suspected.

The meeting also decided to conduct short trainings for nurses and doctors who will be in the Rapid Response Teams, RRTs of the state health department, and specialists of the health department are now in the process of charting out a map to trace vulnerable areas in the state as per instructions, the source added.

The source said serioius concerns became necessary for the state health and veterinary and animal husbandry department following the incidence of the death of a number of chicken in one of the private farms at Chingmeirong area in Imphal this month.

Local media became alert after the so claimed coincidental visit at around the same time of two high officials of the Union ministry of agriculture and veterinary and ministry of health which are the national head of the RRT for the disease.

The state government following the first round of state level meeting held earlier this month under the supervision of state chief secretary Jarnail Singh has already instructed precautionary steps by the state health department.

As a result the department has started procuring kits for the operational medical team and other medical items for the prevention of human to human transfer of the virus, the source added.

Likewise, the state veterinary and animal husbandry department too has taken up special precautionary measures by maintaining logistical materials for the operation if the flu virs is confirmed in the state from the samples sent for testing.

Officials of the department today disclosed that from the very day of the discovery of the mass deaths at a poultry farm at Chingmeirong they had taken up neccesary preventive measures as per the instructions of the state government.

The department is keeping on alert all 80 RRTs with full Personal Protection Equipment kits and very recently a control room at the state veterinary directorate with internet facilities for current bird flu updates, the official source added.

On being asked why the disease has not been declared as yet, they said Central government laboratory in Bhopal has still to confirm the prevalence of the virus. Radical measures such as culling farm birds as of now may prove counter productive, they said.

Moreover, the announcement can only come from the Central government after it has confirmed the flu virus positively, they added. Meanwhile even as sale of dressed chicken drops drastically in Imphal, the frequency of curious enquiries at local newspapers from colleagues outside the state as well as from various health and foreign consolates are growing.