tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
H7N9 efforts marked by cooperation, quick response, report says
Lessons learned in response to H7N9 avian flu in China this year include the importance of global cooperation, transparent communication, and collaboration between human health and animal health professionals, the World Health Organization's (WHO's) Western Pacific Region Office (WPRO) said in a new report.
It added, however, that the region is not prepared for a severe public health emergency.
The report, "Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Response: An Investment in Public Health Preparedness," includes a history of the outbreak, an overview of the disease, details on China's response, the role of the WHO, and a framework for future action.
Other lessons learned from the outbreak, according to the report, include the importance of investment in public health preparedness and the key guidance afforded by the International Health Regulations. The WPRO commended China for its rapid and open response, as well as its collaboration with the WHO and other global health leaders. It also applauded the country's infection-control and virus-sharing efforts.
Among the steps that the WHO took in response to H7N9 was to quickly activate the WPRO's newly upgraded Emergency Operations Center and to provide rapid risk assessments and other updates, the report said.
WHO WPRO report
OIE: 85 H5N1 outbreaks in Nepal led to 1.4 million dead poultry
Outbreaks of H5N1 avian flu in Nepal in recent months have affected 85 farms and backyard flocks, killed 43,691 poultry, and led to the culling of 1,372,309 additional birds, according to a report posted yesterday by the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE).
All but one of the outbreaks began in August?with onset dates ranging from Aug 14 to Aug 24?and one began Sep 14. The outbreaks were resolved from late August to early October. The report details five distinct outbreaks and groups the rest as four separate "outbreak clusters."
The outbreaks that are listed individually varied in scope from 724 to 14,255 poultry deaths due to H5N1, with culling of anywhere from 1,276 to 783,745 additional birds. The outbreak clusters involved from 688 to 8,440 poultry deaths, with another 14,312 to 213,447 birds culled to stop disease spread.
Together, the outbreaks resulted in 1,416,000 poultry dead from the virus or subsequent culling. The country's previous H5N1 report to the OIE, on Sep 21, cited55,628 poultry killed by the virus and 294,211 culled, for a total of 349,839 birds killed in 43 separate outbreaks.
Nov 12 OIE report
Sep 24 CIDRAP News scan on previous OIE report
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2013/11/avian-flu-scan-nov-13-2013
Lessons learned in response to H7N9 avian flu in China this year include the importance of global cooperation, transparent communication, and collaboration between human health and animal health professionals, the World Health Organization's (WHO's) Western Pacific Region Office (WPRO) said in a new report.
It added, however, that the region is not prepared for a severe public health emergency.
The report, "Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Response: An Investment in Public Health Preparedness," includes a history of the outbreak, an overview of the disease, details on China's response, the role of the WHO, and a framework for future action.
Other lessons learned from the outbreak, according to the report, include the importance of investment in public health preparedness and the key guidance afforded by the International Health Regulations. The WPRO commended China for its rapid and open response, as well as its collaboration with the WHO and other global health leaders. It also applauded the country's infection-control and virus-sharing efforts.
Among the steps that the WHO took in response to H7N9 was to quickly activate the WPRO's newly upgraded Emergency Operations Center and to provide rapid risk assessments and other updates, the report said.
WHO WPRO report
OIE: 85 H5N1 outbreaks in Nepal led to 1.4 million dead poultry
Outbreaks of H5N1 avian flu in Nepal in recent months have affected 85 farms and backyard flocks, killed 43,691 poultry, and led to the culling of 1,372,309 additional birds, according to a report posted yesterday by the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE).
All but one of the outbreaks began in August?with onset dates ranging from Aug 14 to Aug 24?and one began Sep 14. The outbreaks were resolved from late August to early October. The report details five distinct outbreaks and groups the rest as four separate "outbreak clusters."
The outbreaks that are listed individually varied in scope from 724 to 14,255 poultry deaths due to H5N1, with culling of anywhere from 1,276 to 783,745 additional birds. The outbreak clusters involved from 688 to 8,440 poultry deaths, with another 14,312 to 213,447 birds culled to stop disease spread.
Together, the outbreaks resulted in 1,416,000 poultry dead from the virus or subsequent culling. The country's previous H5N1 report to the OIE, on Sep 21, cited55,628 poultry killed by the virus and 294,211 culled, for a total of 349,839 birds killed in 43 separate outbreaks.
Nov 12 OIE report
Sep 24 CIDRAP News scan on previous OIE report
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2013/11/avian-flu-scan-nov-13-2013