Japan detects bird flu in wild swans

[HenryN]

Dead swan found in Hokkaido tests positive for influenza virus

Friday 02nd May, 03:17 AM JST
TOKYO —
A dead swan found in the Notsuke Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido tested positive for avian influenza virus in a simple examination, the Environment Ministry said Thursday. Hokkaido University will conduct a probe to determine if the virus is high-pathogenic, according to the ministry.
The swan was found on April 24. The deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza virus was detected in three out of four swans found dead or dying near Lake Towada in Akita Prefecture on April 21.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/n...nfluenza-virus

[HenryN]

Video on waterfowl (including whooper swans) at Lake Hyo, Niigata, Japan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7psYZ...-niigata-japan

[kent nickell]

The video shows lots of Northern Pintails swimming along with the Whooper Swans...

Assessment of virus movement across continents: using Northern Pintails (Anas acuta) as a test

A collaborative study between U.S. and Japanese researchers


Band recoveries indicate that most Northern Pintails which winter in Japan originate from nesting areas on the Chukotka and Kamchatka peninsulas in eastern Russia (Yamashina Institute for Ornithology 1985, Bianki and Dobrynina 1997). Twenty-two Northern Pintails that have been marked on breeding or molting areas in North America have also been recovered during winter in Japan (Yamashina Institute for Ornithology 2004, Nicolai et al. 2005). Conversely, there are at least 37 winter recoveries in North America of Northern Pintails that were banded at wintering sites in Japan (Yamashina Institute for Ornithology 2004). Furthermore, some Northern Pintails migrate from wintering areas in North America to nesting and molting areas in eastern Russia (Rienecker 1987, Miller et al. 2005), where they could come into contact with birds that migrate from Asian wintering sites. Thus transcontinental exchange of avian-borne pathogens could occur through (1) mixing of North American and Asian migrants on shared summer habitats in eastern Russia, (2) Northern Pintails that migrate between North American nesting areas and Asian wintering areas, or (3) birds that shift wintering sites from Asia to North America.


Northern Pintails sampled in North America and Japan have been found to carry a wide variety of influenza viruses (Ito et al. 1995, Shengoing et al. 2002). During a three-year study in Canada, influenza viruses were isolated from 256 of 745 (34%) Northern Pintails sampled (Hinshaw et al. 1980). Ito et al. (1995) found 8 different subtypes of avian influenza viruses

http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biolo...nents_v1_2.pdf.

[HenryN]

Commentary

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

[HenryN]

Video

http://www.fnn-news.com/en/news/head...N00131889.html

[HenryN]

Thursday, May 1, 2008


Akita chicken farms inspected for deadly flu
AKITA (Kyodo) Akita Prefecture on Wednesday began two days of on-site inspections of chicken farms near Lake Towada after the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza was detected in dead swans found in a lakeside town.
Municipal officials, together with officials from a livestock hygiene service center, will instruct the farmers about thorough sterilization as well as the use of bird nets and other measures to prevent wild birds from entering their farms.

The deadly virus was detected in three of four swans found dead or dying April 21 near the lake in the town of Kosaka, a study by the National Institute of Animal Health showed Tuesday.
The inspections cover about 42,000 birds at 15 farms within a radius of 30 km of where the swans were found.
Akita Prefecture inspected chicken farms in Kosaka and Kazuno, a nearby city, on Wednesday. Thursday's inspections will cover farms in Odate.
The prefectural government set up a crisis management liaison office Wednesday and held a meeting to discuss measures to cope with the detection of the deadly virus.
Chickens infected with the H5N1 virus have so far not been confirmed in the prefecture. The inspections are based on a request by the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry.
Neighboring Aomori and Iwate prefectures are conducting similar inspections.
According to Aomori Prefecture, an emaciated swan was captured at a hotel in the city of Towada on April 18.
The swan died two days later and the cause of death is unknown, the prefecture said.
At a news conference in Tokyo, Environment Minister Ichiro Kamoshita said his ministry has dispatched officials to Hokkaido and Akita and Aomori prefectures to collect bird droppings and test them for the H5NI virus.
"Since there seems to have been no influence (of the virus) on domestic poultry, we'd like to grasp the influence on wild birds accurately," Kamoshita said. The virus "happened to be found in Lake Towada, but it could happen elsewhere in Japan."
The outbreak of the H5N1 virus is the first in Japan since March 2007, when the virus was found in an eagle in Sagara, Kumamoto Prefecture.
The deadly H5N1 strain has been spreading in fowl in southwestern districts of South Korea since April and concern was growing that migratory birds might bring the virus to Japan.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-b...0080501a6.html

[HenryN]

In Hokkaido the bird in full article is printed from the swan of the death The cadaver of the swan which is found in the Towada lakeside of Akita prefecture Kosaka Cho (it did and to be) from with the problem where the bird influenza virus of H5N1 type is detected, as for the environmental ministry announced that on the 1st, it was discovered on April 24th with the Hokkaido eastern field attaching peninsula from the swan which dies, you could obtain the positive reaction of the bird influenza virus in simplicity inspection. It is strong, whether or not H5N1 type of poison type and so on, being Hokkaido large, it carries out detailed inspection. In addition it is found when in Aomori prefecture six place villages you weaken on April 23rd, is young the bird of the swan which dies 4 days later Kitasato large (the same prefectural Towada city) due to the result of the virus inspection, being negative was ascertained. The environmental ministry from 1 day, being joint with Hokkaido, Aomori and Akita both prefectures, around Towadako and at wild bird coming flying area such as Hokkaido Wakkanai city, starting the investigation in order to grasp the infection circumstance of the other wild bird. It extracts the droppings of the bird from the lake, and the shore of the rivers and the like the national environmental laboratory (Ibaraki prefecture Tsukuba city) sends and inspects the presence of the virus. Several days it continues investigation in the future in such as Hokkaido. Around Towadako on the 1st, the economical staffs 1 lap did the lakeside, but the wild bird which has the possibility of dying being lesion, weakening says that it was not found. Using the spoon, approximately 30 it extracted also the droppings. Even in Hokkaido approximately 300 it picked in Onuma of Wakkanai city and the クッチャロ lake of Hamatonbetsu Cho. Akita prefecture enters on the 1st, the poultry farming farmer 8 door which is within radius 30 kilometers from the place where the cadaver of the swan is found in Kosaka Cho, investigation. Aomori prefecture the farmer of 78 door inside the prefectures was investigated to the same day, but in each case there was no abnormality. [ 2008 May 1st 22:14

http://www.nikkansports.com/general/...01-354823.html

[HenryN]

On the 1st, the cadaver of オオハクチョウ which is collected in Hokkaido Bekkai Cho (to do the environmental economical Kushiro natural environment office and be) when you inspect simply, it announced that the bird influenza virus (A type) the positive reaction was produced. Because also the possibility of the same strongly poisonous H5N1 type as the swan which is found in the Towada lakeside of Akita prefecture it is, in the future, you inspect in detail at the Hokkaido large scholar animal common infection symptom research center. According to the same ministry, when the Kushiro natural environment office, the veterinarian of Nakashibetsu Cho has kept the cadaver of オオハクチョウ which in Bekkai Cho is found on April 24th, information offer was received. Because of this the cadaver was collected on the 1st, when the mucous membrane and the droppings etc. are inspected simply, the positive reaction of the bird influenza virus was produced. To understand whether or not the virus is strong poisonous H5N1 type, 2, you say that 3 weeks it is required. < Related news >
http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=soc_30&k=2008050100872

[HenryN]

Abnormality there are no 30 kilometer inside Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, in bird in full investigation:39 of 2008 May 2nd 21 With the problem where in Akita prefecture the bird influenza virus of H5N1 type is detected from the cadaver of the swan, as for Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries on the 2nd, at the poultry farming place of the total 56 place of Akita, Aomori and Iwate 3 prefecture which are from the heuristic place to radius 30 kilometer inside as for abnormality it was not discovered, that it announced. Even in Hokkaido, from the cadaver of the swan the positive reaction of the virus was produced in simplicity inspection, but there was no abnormality in the poultry farming place of 5 places which is on 30 kilometer inside. You inspected, informed about the result Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries whether or not 3 prefectures and Hokkaido enter in the poultry farming place which from the place where the cadaver is found is on 30 kilometer inside and execute investigation, there is no mass death and a case of weakening. You heard even in the poultry farming place outside 30 kilometer spheres and took and executed investigation and hygienic management guidance, but "abnormality is not reported", (Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries) with you say. (Cooperation)

http://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/s/article/...201000959.html

[HenryN]

Video on Hokkaido

http://news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye3842790.html

[HenryN]

The cadaver of オオハクチョウ which is found with the field attaching peninsula of Nemuro inside of pipe Bekkai Cho (it does and the measure which to be) from on the first, with the problem where the positive reaction of the bird influenza virus is produced, as for the road second morning, consists the taoism committee and road police/policing to hold "Mititaka pathogenic bird influenza communication meeting", designates strengthening and the like the supervisory attitude with the round of the poultry farming place as the pillar was collected. In addition, Hokkaido University continues the detailed inspection which inspects the presence of the virus concerning the cadaver of オオハクチョウ which was brought to one day nighttime from the locale. Other than the charge post of the road, road police/policing, the person in charge approximately 30 people of the taoism committee attend communication meeting. The Arakawa Yutaka raw road agricultural administration section clerical work watch "when fowl such as chicken (it is to scratch) it is contagious in type, the agricultural livestock product from the first exerts big influence on regional economy", that you expressed, it was quick and precise correspondence was called. At the communication meeting, it goes around urgently vis-a-vis nine poultry farming places which is on the Nemuro inside of pipe, sees abnormality in the chicken, whether or not verifying that you watch. At Mizutori's coming flying area, it extracted Mizutori's droppings, possession circumstance of the virus continued and it decided that you investigate. Report of the number of chickens which the road has made month one time usually vis-a-vis poultry farming farmer hundred Gonohe inside the road which has raised the chicken of 1000 feathers or more, dies was increased to week one time. In result clarification of the inspection which on the one hand, the human animal common infection symptom research center of Hokkaido University (Sapporo) with is done several days the prospect that it is required. As for オオハクチョウ where virus infection is doubted weight with the forming bird of the male of seven five kilometers, last month 24th, the sightseer discovered. The road Higashino raw animal protective center which receives trust from Bekkai Cho (Nemuro inside of pipe Nakashibetsu Cho) you inspected, but the result of dissection, from the fact that among other things it is not contents ones of the stomach, as for direct cause of death it judges as death by starvation. You do not think the possibility of the bird influenza, you call the inspection above that that it did not do. The fact that on April 29th the poisonous H5N1 type virus is detected strongly from the cadaver of オオハクチョウ of Akita prefecture was accepted, the environmental ministry on the first, when simplicity inspection of the cadaver which to the same center is it does, the positive reaction was produced.
http://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/en...90537_all.html

[HenryN]

03rd 06:51 The cadaver of オオハクチョウ which is found with the Hokkaido eastern field attaching peninsula (it did and to be) in simplicity inspection, the bird influenza virus (A type) with the problem where the positive reaction was verified, as for Hokkaido on the 2nd, entered at the poultry housing 9 place of 4 city towns of Nemuro district which has the field attaching peninsula executed investigation. Approximately, after with the facility of Nemuro city which raises 400 feathers, the veterinarian teacher of the road Nemuro domestic animal hygienic hygienic place, hears the number and the like of deaths of the recent chicken from the facility manager and taking, inspecting the poultry house. Health state of the chicken and Hari condition etc. of the net which prevents the entering of the wild bird were verified. The result of investigation, there was no abnormality. In Akita prefecture last month 29th, the high pathogenic bird influenza virus of poisonous strong A type (H5N1 type) was detected from the cadaver of the swan which is found in the Towada lakeside centering on the bird influenza. To Asahi COM top
http://www.asahi.com/life/update/050...805020289.html

[HenryN]

It receives the problem where in the Akita prefecture Towada lakeside the poisonous bird influenza (H5N1 type) is detected strongly from オオハクチョウ as for the ､ environmental ministry the investigation which grasps the extent of infection to the ､ wild bird in the ウトナイ lakeside of Tomakomai city which becomes principal relay area of 2 day ､ migratory bird the line ﾁ is ｡environmental economical staff 5 person and 2 road staffs in the lakeside to extract Mizutori's such as swan and duck droppings, that it probably will come in contact with ｡Mizutori who was inserted in ､ test tube 80 the gaze of the pleasure customer who visits the lakeside in the another place with the mask of prevention of ､ infection the mouth the staff who is overturned silently continued job ｡picking where Whether or not as for the droppings which it does you send to the national environmental laboratory of ､ Ibaraki prefecture Tsukuba city and ､ Mizutori has not been infected to the bird influenza virus, as for the ｡result which is inspected as for the ｡environmental ministry which is ascertained in 2 ､ 3 weeks the investigation which at period of 1 week grasps the presence of virus infection at principal Mizutori crossing the sea area inside the ､ road should have been advanced as for ､ 3 day as for ｡Tomakomai city which inspected the crossing the sea area of the road east surface Mizutori coming flying area such as 2 day ､ウトナイ lake and beauty 々 river ､ Tomakomai river 4 city staffs in the round ｡wild bird as for abnormality is not whether or not Has also the ､ road in Mizutori coming flying area of every place inside the ､ road such as in order the ｡and the ､ the wild bird which dies not to touch with the bare hand to make the leaflet which calls note ウトナイ lake wild birds and beasts protective center of ､ Tomakomai city which keeps cooperating with the nature conservation supervisory member of ｡city which you inspected the ｡which is distributed to the facility which
http://www.tomamin.co.jp/2008/tp080503.htm

[HenryN]

Strongly the measure thoroughness of poison bird in full infection control the bird influenza virus of the H5N1 type which shows the pathogen which from the swan of 2008 May 4th migratory bird is strong in the chicken and the like was found. The cadaver of the Akita prefecture Towada lakeside (it did and was detected to be) from, the environmental ministry published that the positive reaction of the bird influenza virus came out of also the cadaver of the Hokkaido swan. It is strong, as for H5N1 type of poison type, the Korean fowl (is to scratch in April) infection to expand, the invasion to Japan was worried. The migratory bird exceeding the border, the possibility of carrying the virus is pointed out. The swan comes flying, from Siberia and the like for hibernating, Towadako is relay area. When you think from the route of crossing, when it is something which comes from Korea with it is difficult to think, there is also a viewpoint. Elucidation of the infection route of the wild bird is difficult. With the domestic wild bird, ハシブトガラス which is found in Kyoto and Osaka 2004 and similar type is verified from the March of 07 Kumamoto bear hawk. When this time, the wild bird has died in large quantities, there is no information. It is difficult to think also the direct infection to the person from the wild bird, it is not the case that the danger where the person is infected to the bird influenza increases. Even then, it is not cautious the fact that it spreads to fowl such as poultry farming place and the て does not become. With the Miyako island where the various migratory birds come flying February, there was a course of the high pathogenic bird influenza quarantine measure by the prefecture. In order to enlighten crisis management, we would like to seek the more match at the every place. Strongly in foreign country such as southeast Asia also infection to the person continues with popularity of the bird influenza by the poison type virus. New model appears by the fact that the virus is easy to deteriorate, from the person to the person is infected. Amendment plan of infection symptom method and the quarantine method which include the measure to the new model influenza was formed. You located as the infection symptom whose degree of risk is high same as エボラ bleeding heat and the Plague etc.. If it occurs, it is the new model influenza where the deceased maximum of 640000 is supposed in the country, but it becomes legal basis of the various "new model" measures which government plans. When the virus which from the person is infected to the person appears, it is thought that it spreads to the human society which does not have resistivity immediately, becomes worldwide craze. To, we would like to be thorough the river edge measure of the poison type bird influenza virus strongly more even because it cannot connect "new model" appearance.
http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-...ytopic-11.html

[ironorehopper]

Japan confirms fresh case of deadly bird flu
05 May 2008 06:02:12 GMT
Source: Reuters
TOKYO, May 5 (Reuters) -

Japan has confirmed a fresh case of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu, this time in a dead swan on the northernmost main island of Hokkaido, the prefectural government said on its website on Monday.

Local authorities have begun an inspection of five chicken farms within a 30 km (18.6 miles) radius of the spot where the dead bird was found on April 24, Kyodo news agency said.

The case comes less than a week after four swans found on the shores of Lake Towada, close to the northern tip of the main island of Honshu, were found to be infected with the same strain of bird flu. Three of the swans were already dead when discovered.

The Hokkaido prefectural government website said anyone concerned that they may have been in contact with flu-infected birds in the area should contact their public health department.

No human deaths from the disease have been reported in Japan.

No one was immediately available for further comment at the Environment Ministry or prefectural government on Monday, a public holiday.

(Reporting by Isabel Reynolds; Editing by Alex Richardson)
-
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/T124078.htm
------

[Shiloh]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[HenryN]

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

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

[Dutchy]

Another swan in Hokkaido, other location.

Dead swans tested H5N1 positive in northern Japan


www.chinaview.cn 2008-05-05

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/engli...nt_8110306.htm

Location of Lake Saroma, Hokkaido:

[HenryN]

Updated map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...,56.074219&z=4

[Shiloh]

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

H5N1 bird flu found in dead swan in Hokkaido

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

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

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

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

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

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

[HenryN]

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

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

[HenryN]

Commentray

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

[HenryN]

Commentary

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

[AlaskaDenise]

Originally Posted by niman

Commentray

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

Commentary

Another Hokkaido H5N1 Confimation Raises Migration Concerns

Recombinomics Commentary 17:48
May 5, 2008

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

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

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

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

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


.

[AlaskaDenise]

Originally Posted by niman

Commentary

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

Commentary

H5N1 Uvs Lake Migration to Japan

Recombinomics Commentary 14:35
May 6, 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


.

[AlaskaDenise]

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

http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/...0653-p0657.pdf

Brief summary about Izembek Lagoon's birds:

Ornithological Summary:

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

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

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

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

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[HenryN]

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

http://www.nikkansports.com/general/...08-357509.html

[cartski]

Originally Posted by niman

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

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

This is an excellent outbreak report.

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

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

[HenryN]

Originally Posted by cartski

This is an excellent outbreak report.

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

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

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

[HenryN]

Wrong thread