Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

[HenryN]

Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

BIRD FLU Regina Leung 5:30pm, Feb 02, 2009

Agriculture and Fisheries Department officers on Monday afternoon were probing the discovery of more dead birds on Lantau Island. ...

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP...ng+Kong&s=News

[HenryN]

Originally Posted by niman

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP...ng+Kong&s=News

Three dead chickens at beach at Sha Lo Wan Monday.

[HenryN]

Updated map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...5,0.20153&z=12

[HenryN]

Municipal Bureau affirms no bird flu virus found

Monday, 02 February 2009

Ng Peng In, the member of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) Management Committee said yesterday that they have established a "strict" bird flu inspection mechanism and no bird flu case was reported so far. He also told media that the bureau would communicate and exchange latest information with the Health Bureau and revise the existing preventive measures when needed. Meanwhile, he urged residents to be aware of the virus but said they did not need to be "overreacted". According to yesterday's report, the dead goose and two ducks found on a beach near the Lantau Island in Hong Kong have tested positive for H5 virus. The carcasses of the two fowls were decomposed when were discovered on the beach. The Hong Kong government spokeswoman Suzanne Lee said “it wasn't clear which strain the poultry had.” In addition, a 26 year old driver in Hong Kong suffered from fever and respiratory infection on Tuesday after disposing dead fowl bodies. He has been hospitalised at the Prince Margaret Hospital but believed to have "a low chance of contagious", said the government spokeswoman in Hong Kong.

http://www.macaudailytimesnews.com/i...2285&Itemid=28

[HenryN]

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/h...202en05003.htm More dead birds found on Lantau

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department will enhance inspections on backyard poultry keeping after nine more bird carcasses were found in Sham Wat Wan and Sha Lo Wan, Lantau Island, today. Acting Deputy Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Liu Kwei-kin today said the carcasses include a goose, five chickens, a duck and two unidentified birds. Tests will be conducted to see if they have the H5 avian influenza virus. As there are no poultry farms in the area, department staff will inspect nearby beaches and villages to see if any backyard poultry are being kept in the area. The checks in northern Lantau will be completed in two days and the department will then expand inspections citywide. The department will also conduct a study on water currents and weather to see if the carcasses were washed ashore. It will exchange the information with Mainland authorities.

[HenryN]

Updated map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...,0.391388&z=11

[ironorehopper]

Hong Kong: AFCD continues investigation into discovery of bird carcasses on Lantau (2/2/2009) [AFCD]

A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 2) that following the H5 virus test results of a dead goose and two dead ducks last Saturday (January 31), nine more carcasses of birds were collected at Sha Lo Wan and Sham Wat Wan, Lantau between February 1 and 2 after a series of inspections around the area, adding that preliminary testing for the H5 virus is being arranged.

The government is very concerned about the incident and has launched a three-pronged investigation on the possible causes of the recent discovery of bird carcasses:

i)to step up inspections to ascertain whether illegal backyard poultry keeping is involved;

ii)to see if prevailing water currents and the weather are factors related to the discovery of the bird carcasses; and iii)to patrol along the waterfront to see if there are further findings of dead birds.

Of the carcasses found these two days, one dead goose was found in Sham Wat yesterday.

AFCD staff also collected a dead Cattle Egret and four dead chickens in Sha Lo Wan, as well as a dead chicken and two dead ducks in Sham Wat Wan today.

AFCD will continue to closely monitor the situation.

Checks have been strengthened against illegal keeping of backyard poultry throughout the territory.

The inspections in North Lantau are expected to complete in two days.

So far unauthorised keeping of poultry has not been observed in Sha Lo Wan and Sham Wat Wan.

The spokesman said that as a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of an avian influenza outbreak, a ban on backyard poultry keeping has been in force since 2006.

Unauthorised keeping of five kinds of poultry - chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or quails - is an offence with a maximum fine of $50,000. Repeat offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $100,000.

"Apart from the increased inspections to strictly enforce the ban, leaflets will also be distributed during the inspections and publicity against backyard poultry keeping will be enhanced," the spokesman said.

"The public can call 1823 Call Centre for follow up if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman added.

Members of the public are reminded to observe good personal hygiene.

They should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.
-

View Original Article

[HenryN]

Nine more dead birds on Lantau stoke flu fears

Fears of a bird flu outbreak in Hong Kong rose yesterday after nine more dead birds were found on Lantau.

Adele Wong

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Fears of a bird flu outbreak in Hong Kong rose yesterday after nine more dead birds were found on Lantau.

The carcasses of a goose, five chickens, one duck and two birds that were not identified bring to 12 the number of dead birds found on the island since Thursday. The first three tested positive for H5N1.
Hong Kong University assistant professor in the department of microbiology Leo Poon Lit-man said the discoveries increased the chances of a bird flu outbreak.
"If the carcasses are the result of an as-yet- unknown outbreak in the mainland, and [in a place] close to the city, there is a greater likelihood of Hong Kong citizens being exposed to bird flu."
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department is investigating whether the birds may have come from nearby villages or farms.
Department assistant director Liu Kwei-kin said inspections will cover Lantau and then the rest of the territory.
Liu said Hong Kong will collaborate with mainland officials to determine whether the birds came from over the border.
"We will also conduct tests on all carcasses to see whether they are carrying the avian flu virus."
Villagers said there have been other occasions when dead poultry washed ashore. Sha Lo Wan village head Lee Chi-fung said residents believe the dead birds came from the Pearl River Delta.
"We will need to be more careful when walking on the beaches," a female resident said.
The HKU department of microbiology said it is working at sequencing the carcasses to determine whether the birds had succumbed to avian flu, and hopes to complete the process today.
Eighteen people who were exposed to the carcasses in Sha Lo Wan are under medical surveillance by the Center for Health Protection.
The mainland has reported eight human cases of H5N1 infection since December. Five of the victims died.
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_p...8&sid=22513550

[HenryN]

Checks on villages after more dead poultry found on beaches

Eight more birds found dead; backyard farming to be probed

Ng Yuk-hang and Ella Lee Feb 03, 2009

Every village in Hong Kong will be inspected for illegal backyard poultry following the discovery yesterday of more dead birds washed up on beaches in northern Lantau....

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP...=teaser&s=news

[Sally Furniss]

More Lantau bird carcasses collected

Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department has collected nine more dead birds from Sham Wat Wan and San Shek Wan on Lantau.

The carcasses found today included a duck, six chickens and two birds of as-yet identified species. The chicken was collected in Sham Wat Wan and the others in San Shek Wan.

The dead Cattle Egret and one of the chickens collected in Sha Lo Wan yesterday tested negative for the H5 virus. As the other bird carcasses were highly decomposed when found, more time is needed to confirm the test results.

The department staff inspected 28 villages in North Lantau today and found no unauthorised poultry keeping. It will continue Inspections throughout the territory.

It will continue to monitor the situation and investigate how the birds died and where they came from.

People can call 1823 if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including carcasses of wild birds and poultry.

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/h...204en05001.htm

[ironorehopper]

Hong Kong: Dead goose and two dead ducks found in Sha Lo Wan test positive for H5N1 virus (2/4/2009) [AFCD]

A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 4) that the dead goose and two dead ducks found in Sha Lo Wan, Lantau last week were confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of laboratory tests.


AFCD staff collected the carcasses of a goose and a duck on January 29 at a beach near Sha Lo Wan football pitch.

Another dead duck was found on January 31 at the same location.

The spokesman said that two more dead chickens were collected on the coast opposite Yeung Hau Temple in Tai O, Lantau today, adding that preliminary tests for the H5 virus are being arranged.

AFCD will continue to closely monitor the situation and investigate into the possible causes of the recent discovery of bird carcasses.

The inspections in North Lantau have been completed and no unauthorised keeping of poultry has been observed.

Separately, AFCD staff inspected 321 villages in Hong Kong today.

Five live chickens and two live ducks were found unattended in Cheung Po, Kam Tin.

After taking samples for testing, AFCD has disposed of all the poultry.

The spokesman said a ban on backyard poultry has been in force since 2006. Unauthorised keeping of five kinds of poultry -chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or quails ''is an offence with a maximum fine of $50,000. Repeat offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $100,000.

"The public can call 1823 Call Centre for follow up if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman said.

"They should avoid contact with wild birds or live poultry," the spokesman said.
-

View Original Article

[HenryN]

Dead birds test positive for H5N1

A dead goose and two dead ducks found in Sha Lo Wan, Lantau last week were confirmed to be H5N1 positive, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department said today. The carcasses of a goose and a duck were picked up on January 29 at a beach near Sha Lo Wan football pitch. Another dead duck was found on January 31 at the same location. Two more dead chickens were found on the coast next to Yeung Hau Temple in Tai O, Lantau today and the department is arranging preliminary tests. Inspections in North Lantau have been completed and no unauthorised poultry keeping has been observed. Separately, 321 villages throughout Hong Kong were inspected today. Five live chickens and two live ducks were found unattended in Cheung Po, Kam Tin. The department disposed of them after taking samples for testing. Unauthorised keeping of five kinds of poultry may result in a maximum fine of $50,000. Repeat offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $100,000. People can call 1823 if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including carcasses of wild birds and poultry. http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/h...205en05002.htm

[HenryN]

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/arti...cle_389946.htm




Dead birds found in HK test positive for H5N1 virus
Created: 2009-2-5 9:47:17, Updated: 2009-2-5 9:50:36


A spokesman for Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said yesterday that the dead goose and two dead ducks found in Sha Lo Wan, Lantau Island in Hong Kong last week were confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of laboratory tests.

AFCD staff collected the carcasses of a goose and a duck on Jan. 29 at a beach near Sha Lo Wan football pitch. Another dead duck was found on Jan. 31 at the same location.

The spokesman said that two more dead chickens were collected on the coast opposite Yeung Hau Temple in Tai O, Lantau yesterday, adding that preliminary tests for the H5 virus are being arranged.

AFCD will continue to closely monitor the situation and investigate into the possible causes of the recent discovery of bird carcasses, said the spokesman.

The spokesman said a ban on backyard poultry has been in force since 2006. Unauthorized keeping of five kinds of poultry -- chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or quails -- is an offense with a maximum fine of 50,000 HK dollars. Repeat offenders are subject to a maximum fine of 100,000 HK dollars.

[HenryN]

Updated map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...78dbae85b6ece6

[HenryN]

		World
		Hong Kong reports new bird flu outbreak
		11:24 | 05/ 02/ 2009

SYANGAN (Hong Kong), February 5 (RIA Novosti) - Three birds that were found dead on a beach on Hong Kong's largest island have tested positive for bird flu, regional radio said on Thursday, citing local authorities. Officials said the dead goose and two dead ducks that were found on Lantau Island last week contained the deadly H5N1 strain. The birds are believed to have washed up in Hong Kong after dying in China.
Around 20 other birds have been found in the past six days in Hong Kong, where private poultry farms have been banned since 2006. Officials suspect that all of the birds came from China, where five people died from the H5N1 virus in January.
In December, more than 90,000 chickens were culled at a Hong Kong poultry farm following a bird flu outbreak. Hong Kong's biggest bird flu outbreak was in 1997 when seven people died. The last death in the former British colony was reported in 2003.
Although there have been no incidences of human to human infection, experts fear that bird flu may mutate into a form that could easily be transmitted from person to person, causing a global pandemic.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20090205/119990311.html

[ironorehopper]

Hong Kong: SFH on avian influenza (2/5/2009) [SFH]

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a stand-up media session after attending Hospital Authority Spring Gathering 2009 today (February 5):


Reporter:
(inaudible)

Secretary for Food and Health:
It is very difficult to postulate where the three carcasses came from. But from the various investigations we have done, it is most likely drifting down from the Pearl River in the last week or two. Some of the new carcasses we have found are still under investigation. So far we have not found any extra H5 affected carcasses.
But as you know that we are doing wild bird and dead bird surveillance all the time. We test about 40 to 80 dead birds all over the territory every day. These include both those we have discovered in North Lantau and other areas. If we found any positive test results, we will announce right away. Every year we found some 10 to 20 such cases. As long as they are limited to wild birds, the risk to Hong Kong people is not that high because it has not been reported that wild birds can transmit the disease directly to human beings. It is usually through infection of poultry, and then the sick poultry would affect human beings.

Reporter:
(about the risk of avian influenza)

Secretary for Food and Health:
I don't think so because the whole region is still under the threat of avian flu, particularly during the whole winter. It is usually after May that the whole region starts to warm up, we will then see a decline of these incidents.

Reporter:
(about the H5N1 virus)

Secretary for Food and Health:
Let me talk about the virus samples we have collected so far. In the three carcasses which we have isolated the virus, the preliminary discovery is that it is related to a similar type of virus that happened in the southern part of China in the last two years, which is clade 2.3.2.
But it is slightly different from what we have discovered last year in our market and the outbreak in our local farm in December, which is clade 2.3.4.
But these are quite common clades of avian flu in the southern part of China and Hong Kong. It is certain that there is no significant mutation of the virus.
That is actually what we have discovered so far.
On the eight human infections of avian flu in the Mainland, we do not have the full report yet. But according to the preliminary information that is given to us, it is similar to the various virus that was isolated in northern China in the last one or two years.
So there is no significant epigenic mutation.
As far as the nature of the virus is concerned, we are confident that at this moment there is no evidence of human to human transmission and no significant epigenic change.

Reporter:
(inaudible)

Secretary for Food and Health:
What I have told you is that the virus has not changed that much. Whether the poultry and reaction to the virus, and whether the type of vaccine that is given to the various poultry in different parts of China might have slightly different response, these are something that we cannot conclude at this moment.

Reporter:
The threat of avian influenza is still there, right?

Secretary for Food and Health:
The threat is always there. We should always be vigilant against infectious diseases, particularly new diseases.For avian flu, the most important aspect is to prevent any people from approaching sick poultry or poultry from unknown source. This is the most important point I want to stress. If we can stay away from live poultry, particularly sick poultry or poultry from unknown source, I think we are pretty safe. I hope this will be the message you can tell all the citizens, particularly those who might have a habit of shopping in places where the poultry might come from unknown source, whether it is in Hong Kong or across the border. This is a very important message for them. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
-

View Original Article

[ironorehopper]

Hong Kong: Latest avian influenza test results (2/5/2009) [AFCD]

Under the present surveillance programme on dead wild birds, preliminary testing of three bird carcasses collected in the past few days has indicated suspected cases of H5 avian influenza, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 5), adding that further confirmatory tests were being conducted.


The bird carcasses included a Grey Heron, a Peregrine Falcon and a chicken.

The spokesman said the dead Grey Heron was collected at Mai Po Nature Reserve on February 2.

There is a chicken farm within three kilometres of where the bird was found. AFCD has immediately dispatched staff to inspect the farm and found no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza among the chicken flocks. The farm will be put under enhanced surveillance.

"As a precautionary measure, the Mai Po Nature Reserve will be temporarily closed to visitors for 21 days starting tomorrow. We will monitor the situation closely and review the closure period as necessary," the spokesman said.

On February 3, AFCD staff collected the dead Peregrine Falcon near Long Beach Gardens, Ting Kau, Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan and the dead chicken in Butterfly Beach, Tuen Mun respectively. There were no poultry farms within three kilometers of where the two dead birds were found.

The spokesman said that two more dead chickens were found at Lung Kwu Tan, Tuen Mun today, adding that preliminary tests for the H5 virus will be arranged.

As regards the avian influenza test results of the 20 bird carcasses collected on Lantau from February 1 to February 4, preliminary testing showed that three chickens and two ducks were suspected of the H5 virus and further confirmatory tests were being conducted; a duck was confirmed to be H5N1 positive; seven birds tested negative for the H5 virus; and the test on the remaining seven birds is still going on.

Separately, AFCD staff collected a dead chicken and a dead duck in San Shek Wan today. Preliminary tests for the H5 virus are being arranged.

AFCD staff inspected 169 villages in Hong Kong today and found two live chickens illegally kept by a man in a household at Ng Ka Tsuen, Pat Heung. The man will be prosecuted under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance for unauthorised keeping of poultry. During the inspection, one live chicken in San Uk Tsuen, Fanling and five live pigeons in Kam Sheung Road, Pat Heung were found unattended.

After taking samples for testing, AFCD has disposed of all the poultry.

The spokesman said a ban on backyard poultry has been in force since 2006. Unauthorised keeping of five kinds of poultry -chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or quails '' is an offence with a maximum fine of $50,000. Repeat offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $100,000. All relevant government departments will continue to remain highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza.

"The public can call 1823 Call Centre for follow up if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman said.

The spokesman reminded the public to observe good personal hygiene and avoid contact with wild birds or live poultry.
-

View Original Article

[HenryN]

Originally Posted by ironorehopper

Hong Kong: SFH on avian influenza (2/5/2009) [SFH]

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a stand-up media session after attending Hospital Authority Spring Gathering 2009 today (February 5):


Reporter:
(about the H5N1 virus)

Secretary for Food and Health:
Let me talk about the virus samples we have collected so far. In the three carcasses which we have isolated the virus, the preliminary discovery is that it is related to a similar type of virus that happened in the southern part of China in the last two years, which is clade 2.3.2.
But it is slightly different from what we have discovered last year in our market and the outbreak in our local farm in December, which is clade 2.3.4.
But these are quite common clades of avian flu in the southern part of China and Hong Kong. It is certain that there is no significant mutation of the virus.
That is actually what we have discovered so far.
On the eight human infections of avian flu in the Mainland, we do not have the full report yet. But according to the preliminary information that is given to us, it is similar to the various virus that was isolated in northern China in the last one or two years.
-

View Original Article

I strongly suspect that the human cases are clade 7 based on the above comments.

[Muscade]

Hong Kong to Close Nature Reserve on Suspected Avian Flu Birds



By Wendy Leung
Feb. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong’s government said it will close Mai Po Nature Reserve for 21 days after it found three bird carcasses that may have contracted the deadly H5 strain of avian influenza.

Te bird carcasses found on Feb. 2 have suspected cases of H5 avian flu after preliminary tests, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said in a statement on its Web site late today.

Hong Kong authorities in December culled 80,000 birds from a farm and its surrounding areas and banned the import and sale of live poultry after discovering the H5N1 strain of the flu virus.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will closely monitor the situation and review the closure period, it said.
Three dead fowl tested positive for the H5N1 avian flu, the department said yesterday.

To contact the reporter on this story: Wendy Leung in Hong Kong at wleung12@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: February 5, 2009 10:32 EST

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...NY&refer=china

[Shiloh]

Source: http://news.gov.hk/en/category/healt...205en05010.htm

February 5, 2009
Avian flu

H5 virus suspected in 3 dead birds
*
Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department

Preliminary tests on three bird carcasses collected in recent days indicate H5 avian influenza infection, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department says. More tests are being conducted on the grey heron, peregrine falcon and chicken.

The dead heron was collected at Mai Po Nature Reserve on February 2. There is a chicken farm within 3km of the location. The department has sent staff to inspect the farm and found no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza. The farm will be put under enhanced surveillance.

As a precautionary measure Mai Po Nature Reserve will temporarily close to visitors for three weeks.

On February 3 department staff collected the falcon near Long Beach Gardens, Tsuen Wan, and the chicken at Butterfly Beach, Tuen Mun.

More birds found

Two more dead chickens were found at Lung Kwu Tan, Tuen Mun, today. Tests are being arranged.


Of the 20 bird carcasses collected on Lantau February 1 to 4, preliminary tests found three chickens and two ducks had the H5 virus and more tests are being conducted. A duck was confirmed to be H5N1 positive, seven birds tested negative, and results on the remaining seven are pending.


Department staff also collected a dead chicken and duck in San Shek Wan today, and they will soon be tested.


The department inspected 169 villages and found two live chickens illegally kept by a man at Ng Ka Tsuen, Pat Heung. He will be prosecuted for unauthorised keeping of poultry.


During the inspection one live chicken in San Uk Tsuen, Fanling, and five live pigeons in Kam Sheung Road, Pat Heung, were found unattended. After taking samples for tests the birds were destroyed.


No significant virus mutation

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow said the carcasses found on Lantau may have drifted down from the Pearl River.


"In the three carcasses in which we have isolated the virus, the preliminary discovery is that it is related to a similar type of virus that happened in the southern part of China in the last two years. It is certain that there is no significant mutation of the virus."


He said the threat of avian flu continues and people should remain vigilant and not approach sick or unfamiliar poultry.

[HenryN]

Commentary

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

[AlaskaDenise]

Originally Posted by niman

Commentary

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

Commentary

H5N1 Clade 7 Cases in China Raise Concerns
Recombinomics Commentary 19:20
February 5, 2009


it is related to a similar type of virus that happened in the southern part of China in the last two years, which is clade 2.3.2.

But it is slightly different from what we have discovered last year in our market and the outbreak in our local farm in December, which is clade 2.3.4.

On the eight human infections of avian flu in the Mainland, we do not have the full report yet. But according to the preliminary information that is given to us, it is similar to the various virus that was isolated in northern China in the last one or two years.

The above comments from today’s press conference on the H5N1 confirmed birds in Hong Kong strongly suggest that the human cases in China (see updated map) are due to clade 7.

Hong Kong regularly has wild bird outbreaks at this time of the year, and this year, like last year is clade 2.3.2. This sub-clade was also in long range migratory birds in Japan and related sequences were also reported in Korea and southeastern Russia last spring.

Human cases in China have been almost exclusively linked to clade 2.3.4, which is closely related to clade 2.3.2 and both are derivatives of the Fujian strain, which is widespread in southern China.

The only other reported human case in China was clade 7, which was the first confirmed case in the mainland from a fatal infection in Beijing in 2003. Clade 7 was also involved in a series of poultry outbreaks in northern China in the 2005/2006. These outbreaks were difficult to control and required use of multiple vaccines.

More recently, the outbreak in Jiangsu in December was also hard to control and was also clade 7. New vaccinations followed that outbreak, which China reported as asymptomatic.

However, some media reports indicated poultry had died, but was still shipped to market. Shortly after these reports the fatal infection in Beijing developed symptoms, as did the mother of the child (3F) who recovered from an H5N1 confirmed infection.

Clade 7 has been reported in areas adjacent to Beijing, although last year it was also found in Vietnam, and the WHO clade 7 vaccine target is a 2008 isolate from Vietnam.

Published sequences from clade 7 from Shanxi or Hunan has a number of receptor binding domain changes flanking position 190, which is also true of the Tamiflu resistant H1N1 spreading through Asia and the northern hemisphere. These changes allow for escape of the virus from host immune responses as well as vaccines. Thus, both H1N1 and clade 7 H5N1 have created vaccine resistance issues.

Confirmation of clade 7 in the human cases would be useful. This clade will have limited cross reactivity with current pandemic vaccines directed against clade 1 or clade 2.

Release of sequences from the outbreaks in Jiangsu, as well as the recent human cases in China and Vietnam would be useful.

.

[HenryN]

AVIAN INFLUENZA (10): CHINA (HONG KONG)
*****************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

[1]
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2009
Source: Xinhua [edited]
<http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/05/content_10766219.htm>


A spokesman for Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department (AFCD) said Wednesday [4 Feb 2009] that the dead goose and
2 dead ducks found in Sha Lo Wan, Lantau Island in Hong Kong last
week were confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of laboratory tests.

AFCD staff collected the carcasses of a goose and a duck on 29 Jan
2009 at a beach near Sha Lo Wan football pitch. Another dead duck was
found on 31 Jan 2009 at the same location.

The spokesman said that 2 more dead chickens were collected on the
coast opposite Yeung Hau Temple in Tai O, Lantau on Wednesday [4 Feb
2009], adding that preliminary tests for the H5 virus are being arranged.

AFCD will continue to closely monitor the situation and investigate
into the possible causes of the recent discovery of bird carcasses,
said the spokesman.

The spokesman said a ban on backyard poultry has been in force since
2006. Unauthorized keeping of 5 kinds of poultry -- chickens, ducks,
geese, pigeons or quails -- is an offense with a maximum fine of 50
000 HK dollars [USD 6450]. Repeat offenders are subject to a maximum
fine of 100 000 HK dollars [USD 12 900].

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall

******
[2]
Date: Wed 4 Feb 2009
Source: The Nation, Thailand [edited]
<http://www.nationmultimedia.com/worldhotnews/30094866/-Hong-Kong-expert-warns-of-%22terrible%22-China-bird-flu-outbreak>


Experts in Hong Kong were carrying out tests Tuesday [3 Feb 2009] on
dead birds washed up on beaches amid fears of a large unreported
avian-flu outbreak in neighbouring mainland China.

Three of 12 birds found on the Hong Kong island of Lantau in the past
5 days have so far tested positive for H5N1, the bird-flu strain that
can be deadly in humans.

Islanders said dead birds have been washing ashore in recent days and
they believe they come from China's Pearl River Delta, which flows
out into the South China Sea surrounding Hong Kong [map at
<http://www.photography.spentbrothers.com/China84/map.jpg>. - Mod.AS].

On Monday [2 Feb 2009] alone, the carcasses of one goose, 5 chickens,
a duck and 2 other birds were found, bringing to 12 the number of
dead birds found on Lantau since Thursday [29 Jan 2009].

Five people in China died of bird flu in January 2009 alone, 2 more
than in the whole of 2008. Three other people were infected.

However, speaking on Hong Kong's government-run radio station RTHK
Tuesday [3 Feb 2009], infectious diseases expert Lo Wing-Lok warned
that the outbreak in China could be far bigger than officials have admitted.

"This is suddenly something very serious," said Lo, a legislator and
chairman of the Hong Kong Medical Association. "We have to confirm
the source of these dead birds, whether it is local or from the mainland."

Lo said there were already indications that "something extraordinary"
was happening in China because of the large number of [human]
bird-flu cases reported in a short period of time.

"In January [2009], there were 8 human cases reported to have come
down with H5N1 infection," Lo said. "The source of the infection, of
course, is poultry. Poultry infection may be widespread in the
mainland, and, because of that, (infected) birds may find their way
across the border through the water currents, through fishing boats,
from visitors bringing a few birds at a time. These are all
possibilities we need to consider."

A Hong Kong government spokesman said officials were working with
mainland authorities to try to work out the source of the dead birds
on the island, which has no poultry farms.

He said the Hong Kong government would "conduct a study on water
currents and weather" to see whether the carcasses were being washed
ashore from China.

The World Health Organization said China has recorded 38 bird-flu
cases since the disease resurfaced in 2003, including 25 deaths.

Hong Kong saw the 1st outbreak in modern times of bird flu to infect
humans in 1997, when 6 people died and 12 others were infected but survived.

Since then, it has carried out 2 mass culls and introduced strict
market controls and border controls with China, avoiding human deaths
in any of the recent bird-flu outbreaks to sweep the region.

--
Communicated by:
David Cameron Duffy, PhD
Professor/PCSU Unit Leader/CESU Director
Department of Botany
University of Hawaii Manoa
Honolulu, HI, USA
<dduffy@hawaii.edu>

[The improved human surveillance in China has most likely been
reflected in the increased numbers of confirmed cases this year
(2009), which is definitely a sign of hard work and training of
health care professionals countrywide. One can only wonder that there
has been a similar lag in surveillance in the Agricultural section,
involving a lot of small farms with the population not reporting
poultry die offs. One suspects that the surveillance among the major
poultry breeders has improved significantly, but that the smaller
producers are still very much below the radarscope and are hiding
their flocks from the official sector when there are die offs. - Mod.MPP]

******
[3]
Date: Wed 4 Feb 2009
Source: AFP [edited]
<http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iq8X_3NtMiA79Y46b2fmMxRsBjNA>


China may have experienced outbreaks of bird flu among poultry
recently, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation said Wednesday
[4 Feb 2009], even though the government had yet to report any cases
this year [2009].

The FAO's comments come after 8 people contracted the H5N1 bird flu
virus in China this year [2009] -- 5 of whom died -- compared with
just 3 cases in all of 2008.

"There must have been some virus circulation or possibly some
outbreaks lately," Vincent Martin, senior technical adviser on bird
flu for the FAO in China, told AFP.

But he said the FAO had received no reports of bird flu cases in
poultry from the agriculture ministry since December 2008, when an
outbreak occurred in the eastern province of Jiangsu.

"There must be some suspicions of the disease reported to the
Ministry of Agriculture, and some of those suspicions might have come
up positive," he said.

"We are waiting to receive some reports describing the overall
epidemiological situation and the results of investigations."

The number of cases in China this year [2009] has aroused some public
concern, although the World Health Organization has said the overall
situation is "within expectations at this time of the year."

Cold weather encourages the spread of the virus, and the Lunar New
Year holiday -- a risky period when hundreds of millions of people
move across the nation to see relatives and eat meals that include
poultry -- has just ended.

But Martin said the pattern this year [2009] was unusual. "There are
more cases than last year [2008], including in places where the
disease was not reported before, like in Jiangsu province (poultry
outbreak) or Shandong province (human case)," he said.

Lo Wing-lok, an infectious disease expert in Hong Kong, said that if
no poultry outbreak in China was accompanying the current human
cases, the latter could have been triggered by a mutation in the H5N1 virus.

"Maybe the virus has been changing so that it becomes a more easily
transmittable virus between bird and man," he said.

So far, 25 people have died from avian influenza in China since the
disease reemerged in 2003, according to World Health Organization figures.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall

[Hong Kong's HPAI surveillance and reporting records are rather
exemplary; the observations regarding possible unidentified or
unreported outbreaks in mainland China deserve serious attention.
Since, fortunately, no human to human infections are (yet?!) known to
occur, the source of the recent human infections must be sought in
the animal kingdom. The Chinese authorities may consider publishing
details of their recent active surveillance activities undertaken to
investigate the source of said human infections.

China's last (2) reports to the OIE on H5N1 date back to 19 Dec 2008
(Immediate Notification) and 26 Dec 2008 (Follow-up Report 1). They
addressed 2 outbreaks in Jiangsu; see, including map, at
<http://www.oie.int/wahis/public.php?page=event_summary&reportid=7623>.
- Mod.AS]

[see also:
Avian influenza, human (28): China (HN), WHO 20090203.0471
Avian influenza (09): China (Hong Kong), H5 susp. 20090201.0453
Avian influenza, human (27): China (HN) 20090131.0436
Avian influenza, human (24): China (GZ, SD, XJ) WHO 20090127.0367
Avian influenza, human (22): China (GX) 20090126.0347
Avian influenza, human (19): China (GZ) 20090125.0328
Avian influenza, human (18): China, WHO 20090125.0324
Avian influenza, human (17): China (XJ, SD) 20090124.0321
Avian influenza, human - China (05): Xinjiang, fatal 20090124.0305
Avian influenza, human (15): China, transmission questions 20090122.0281
Avian influenza, human (12): China (GZ) 20090121.0263
Avian influenza, human (11): China, WHO Update 20090119.0240
Avian influenza, human (10): China (GZ, SD) 20090119.0230
Avian influenza, human (08): China (HN) 20090118.0217
Avian influenza, human (03): China (Beijing), WHO 20090107.0064
Avian influenza (03): China (HK) 20090106.0048
2008
----
Avian influenza (129): China 20081225.4067
Avian influenza (116): China (Hong Kong), H5 20081210.3879
Avian influenza (106): Bangladesh, China (Hong Kong) 20081019.3312
Avian influenza (87): China (Hong Kong), vaccine efficacy 20080711.2121
Avian influenza (80): China (Hong Kong, Guandong), UK 20080617.1900
Avian influenza (75): China (Hong Kong) 20080607.1814
Avian influenza (41): Viet Nam, China (Hong Kong) 20080308.0951
Avian influenza (34): China (Hong Kong), Laos 20080213.0574
2007
----
Avian influenza (94): Viet Nam, China (Hong Kong) 20070602.1786
Avian influenza, human (58): Egypt, China (Hong Kong) 20070326.1046
Avian influenza, human (55): H9N2, China (Hong Kong SAR) 20070320.0975
Avian influenza (40): Pakistan, China (Hong Kong), Russia 20070222.0658
Avian influenza (32): UK (England), China (Hong Kong), Turkey 20070212.0534
Avian influenza (30): China (Hong Kong), UK 20070209.0512]
...............................................arn/mpp/msp/mpp

[HenryN]

Dead crow confirmed H5N1-positive

A dead large-billed crow found in Ancient Kiln Park at Chek Lap Kok has been confirmed H5N1-positive, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department said today. The carcass was highly decomposed when found on February 5 and required a series of confirmatory testing for avian influenza. There are no poultry farms within 3km of the location. The species is a common resident bird in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, department staff inspected 84 villages today. Seven stray chickens were found in Ngau Tam Mei and were destroyed after blood samples were taken. http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/h...210en05002.htm

[ironorehopper]

Hong Kong: Large-billed Crow tests positive for H5N1 virus (2/9/2009) [AFCD]

Under the present avian influenza surveillance programme on dead wild birds, test result available today(February 10) showed that a dead Large-billed Crow found at Ancient Kiln Park on Lantau was confirmed to be H5N1 positive after testing for avian influenza, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said. The dead bird was collected at Ancient Kiln Park, Chun Kwan Road, Lantau, on February 5.

The carcass was highly decomposed when found and required a series of confirmatory testing for avian influenza.

Test result available today indicated that the dead bird was confirmed to be H5N1 positive.

The spokesman said there were no poultry farms within three kilometres of where the dead bird was found.

Large-billed Crow is a common resident bird in Hong Kong.

Separately, AFCD staff inspected 84 villages in Hong Kong today. Seven live chickens were found unattended in Ngau Tam Mei area during inspections. After taking samples for testing, AFCD has disposed of all the poultry. All relevant government departments will continue to remain highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza.

"In view of the recent cases of H5N1 found in poultry and wild bird carcasses, the AFCD has phoned poultry farmers reminding them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Pet bird shop owners, licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons have also been reminded to take proper precautions," the spokesman said.

The spokesman said the department would conduct frequent inspections of poultry farms, the wholesale market and the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza had been implemented.

The department would continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will continue to be vigilant over imported live poultry as well as live poultry stalls. It will also remind stall operators to maintain good hygiene. The Department of Health will enhance health education and distribute health advice leaflets.

AFCD, FEHD, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police will strive to deter the illegal import of poultry and birds into Hong Kong to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreaks brought by imported poultry and birds that had not gone through inspection and quarantine.

The latest information on the H5N1 infected birds found in Hong Kong this year is available at the "H5N1 Health Advice" of AFCD website at www.afcd.gov.hk.

"The public can call 1823 Call Centre for follow up if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman said.

Members of the public are reminded to observe good personal hygiene. They should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.
-

View Original Article

[sharon sanders]

Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has seized at Shiwan corpse eight birds. According to the Internet

Yesterday, the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has released to the public once again to prevent bird flu, the guidelines, saying that the spring outbreak of avian flu are high-risk period. Recently, wild birds and poultry in the corpse found in H5N1 avian influenza virus, a cause for concern. Appealed to the public should be redoubled to prevent bird flu, avoid contact with live poultry, especially poultry died of the disease.

Since January this year, the Hong Kong coastline of East and West wings of the birds found on the body often has many bird carcasses were only confirmed with H5N1 avian influenza virus. Like the shadow of bird flu are diffuse haze of smoke, hung over the city. Bird carcasses in the end they come from? Is a mystery so far.

From the threat of bird flu at sea?

In mid-March, the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department seized to announce the latest test results of dead chickens, H5N1 positive. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department statistics show that on January 29 this year, the AFCD Lantau Island, the first time at the beach near Sandy Bay seized the corpse of a ducks and geese. Since then, the western coast at a number of places, including Sandy Bay on Lantau Island, Sham Wat Wan and Shek Wan and Tuen Mun Butterfly Beach and Black Point, were gradually added 38 carcasses of wild birds and poultry. Corpse carried out in the subsequent tests, a total of nine samples of the H5N1 poultry corpse positive for influenza virus.

"In the past the Government to combat avian flu, are focused on chicken farms, bird markets, and imports of wild birds Nature Reserve, the birds, but this time there are bird carcasses to drift from the sea, never thought." Concept in Hong Kong Birds are not without张浩辉President to express concern.

The people of Hong Kong households in free-range chicken carcasses cast into the sea?

West coast, close to Hong Kong Deep Bay in Shenzhen, Shekou, in the face of the east coast of the Pearl River estuary, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, at which the Lingdingyang. Whether or not the dead chickens from the coast of the Pearl River estuary and at little cost to the city? Department of Biology, Hong Kong Science and Technology Institute of China Research Assistant Professor, LIU Hong-bin of the marine environment for many years. "According to the characteristics of monsoon, the east coast of the Pearl River estuary in winter essential Hong Kong into the north-easterly winds are blowing, if the dead chickens from the vicinity of Deep Bay in Shenzhen, while floating down the current, most likely washed up on the West Bank in Hong Kong."

LIU Hong-bin, according to the calculations, from Shenzhen to Hong Kong Deep Bay on Lantau Island, around 48 kilometers away from a straight line, if the downstream, as long as the chicken carcasses will drift to Hong Kong. "In particular, after the rain, from the Deep Bay and Shenzhen River by the salt water to Tuen Mun and Sha Lo Wan."

Eight times successively seized the body of sick chickens and ducks at Sha Lo Wan, head of the Islands District Council, Mr LI Zhi-Feng told reporters, stressed that every winter, Sha Lo Wan and Lantau Island, like other beaches are blowing north wind "blowing from the sea not only to have dead chickens, but also there were dead once, such as water. "

However, the February 9, the Agriculture Department of Guangdong Province, said publicly that die of bird flu discovered in Hong Kong where poultry at the southwest coast of Hong Kong from Shenzhen in recent 17 km, but the sea area in Shenzhen after the cut for the livestock and poultry raising areas, as many investigation and clean-up, no livestock and poultry rearing. Guangdong has been concluded that the province did not bird flu, the Hong Kong chicken carcasses found in the coast does not come from Guangdong.

The Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Dr Liu Kwei-kin was interviewed by reporters said that the corpse is not a clear source of birds, and birds found in the corpse of Sha Lo Wan, the more calm water, the water near the barrier there, so the body of what birds are dropped or go washed up on the past and require further study. As for whether the corpse drift from the mainland to Hong Kong, Dr Liu Kwei-kin is difficult to consider a conclusion.

"If it was free-range poultry in Hong Kong has put the existence of dead chickens into the sea probably sick." Bird-watching will think张浩辉PRESIDENT.

The smuggling of birds hidden

New Territories Chicken Breeders Association chairman Dr whole interview with this reporter's chicken problems are suspected of smuggling, "Hong Kong's poultry smuggling, especially when chilled has happened smuggling, the Government has obviously not enough to combat."

Dr said the whole of Hong Kong within the scope of the smuggling of poultry on the Sha Tau Kok and Islands region, "the mainland near Sha Tau Kok, it more convenient for smuggling by land, while many on the island of Hong Kong, many villagers are fishing boats, sailing to the coast of the Pearl River estuary buy daily necessities city very frequently, and the price of chickens is also very natural. "

Customs and Excise Department an interview with reporters, pointed out that the current supplied to Hong Kong from the Mainland poultry or poultry mainly by imports of Border Crossing Point, in addition to strengthening the inspection of goods for export to Hong Kong and to strengthen maritime patrol intercepted a suspicious vessel, the Customs and Excise Department stopped cross-border passengers, against a small number of individual passengers to carry poultry or birds into Hong Kong activity. However, even if closely monitored, Hong Kong Customs also seized last year, the smuggling of poultry 1630, and Philip think the whole, have not been seized more smuggled chickens are brought into Hong Kong.

The smuggling of chickens,张浩辉give a more credible argument. Last year, 12 months, 1 chicken farms in Hong Kong New Territories after the outbreak of avian flu in Hong Kong immediately suspended imports of live chickens as long as three weeks. And the ensuing winter, are the people of Hong Kong Chinese New Year peak season chicken, chicken from the usual price of 16 yuan / kg, rising to more than 80 yuan / kg. "Chicken prices so expensive, the Hong Kong people love to eat fresh chicken, it will certainly be someone to take the risk, smuggling of chickens."

January 29 from the first time at the coast led to the seizure of the chicken carcasses to 2 month, 3 month intensive appeared dead chickens floating in that area, in the time period on the consumption of chickens and the New Year coincides with the peak period.

http://news.ifeng.com/hongkong/20090..._1077326.shtml

[Sally Furniss]

Title: Influence of monsoons and oceanographic processes on red tides in Hong Kong waters.

Personal Authors: Yin KeDong
Author Affiliation: Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Environmental Dynamics, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
Editors: No editors
Document Title: Marine Ecology, Progress Series

Abstract: Hong Kong waters in the northern part of the South China Sea are subjected to seasonal oceanographic processes due to monsoonal winds and Pearl River outflow. Several 100 red tides have occurred in Hong Kong waters during 1983 to 1998, and show a clear spatial and temporal distribution. Most (74%) occurred in semi-enclosed NE bays away from the Pearl River estuary, and fewer occurred in western estuarine waters. Most red tides (70%) occurred between December and May, and fewer in summer. However, nutrients are high in the Pearl River estuary, whereas nutrients are generally low in the NE bays (Mirs Bay and Port Shelter) and cannot support the high biomass of red tides. This suggests that there are concentrating mechanisms promoting the formation of red tides in NE waters, either by vertical migration or horizontal aggregation under suitable wind conditions (NE winds and moderate speeds around 6 m s^-1). The prevailing NE monsoon winds in winter and spring result in downwelling and a longer residence time of waters in the NE bays, creating conditions similar to those of a batch culture, and allowing local inputs of nutrients and vertical migration of phytoplankton in shallow waters to play a dominant role in favour of local red tides. This may be one of the reasons why more red tides occur in winter and spring in semi-enclosed waters. In summer, the SW monsoon winds result in upwelling along the coast, and high river discharge and rainfall cause an increased estuarine circulation in the Pearl River estuary and rapid outflow of the surface water from these semi-enclosed waters. As a result, residence time of these waters decreases, and they may be analogous to semi-continuous or continuous cultures. This may explain why there are fewer red tides in summer. The species occurring most frequently are (in descending order) Noctiluca scintillans, Gonyaulax polygramma, Skeletonema costatum, Mesodinium rubrum, Prorocentrum minimum and Ceratium furca. In general, dinoflagellate red tides occur mostly in April when Si is low, whereas diatom red tides occur in June when Si increases due to the freshwater discharge. Deep oceanic water on the continental shelf is drawn into the NE bays during the upwelling; it is poor in nutrients, and does not favour nutrient acquisition in deep water by vertical migrating dinoflagellates.

Publisher: Inter-Research
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=16590029





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Pearl River Estuary Pollution Project (PREPP) –

http://envf.ust.hk/cis/doc/3.pdf