Hong Kong - Confirmed H5 AI Case in Buzzard

[sharon sanders]

Preliminary testing of a common buzzard found dead on Lantau Island has indicated a suspected H5 avian flu case, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department says.

Buzzards are a common winter visitor to Hong Kong. The carcass was found and collected on December 17 at Sha Lo Wan on Lantau. There are no chicken farms within 3km of where the bird was found.

The department will remind poultry farmers, pet bird shop owners, pet poultry and racing pigeon licence holders to enhance precautionary and biosecurity measures against bird flu.

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/healthandcommunity/071219/html/071219en05009.htm

 

[Niko]

Re: Hong Kong - Suspected H5 AI Case in Buzzard

Re: Hong Kong - Suspected H5 AI Case in Buzzard

It would be interesting to find out the contents of the buzzard's stomach.:magnify:

 

[HenryN]

Re: Hong Kong - Suspected H5 AI Case in Buzzard

Re: Hong Kong - Suspected H5 AI Case in Buzzard

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/2007122...7&printer=1;_ylt=Apf6qRlZY8Yd6bmlJb2nc0uKOrgF
Buzzard confirmed with bird flu in Hong Kong: officials <!-- END HEADLINE -->
<!-- BEGIN STORY BODY -->Fri Dec 21, 12:31 PM ET


A common buzzard found dead in Hong Kong has tested positive for the deadly bird flu virus, officials said Friday.
Laboratory tests confirmed the bird, found on rural Lantau Island on Monday, was infected with the H5N1 strain, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.
A spokesman reminded people to avoid contact with poultry or wild birds.
The common buzzard is a winter visitor to Hong Kong. Migratory birds have been blamed for the global spread of the disease which has killed at least 209 people and ravaged poultry flocks worldwide since 2003.
Hong Kong was the scene of the world's first reported major bird flu outbreak among humans in 1997, when six people died.
World Health Organisation experts say a bird flu pandemic among humans could kill millions worldwide.

 

[HenryN]

Re: Hong Kong - Suspected H5 AI Case in Buzzard

Re: Hong Kong - Suspected H5 AI Case in Buzzard

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/12220702/H5N1_HK_Buzzard.html

 

[Niko]

Re: Hong Kong - Confirmed H5 AI Case in Buzzard

Buzzard Death Confirms Bird Flu in Hong Kong

<table border="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top"> <table align="left"><tbody><tr><td>

</td></tr></tbody></table> </td> <td width="100%"> A common buzzard found dead in Hong Kong has tested positive for the deadly bird flu virus, officials said Friday.

</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Laboratory tests confirmed the bird, found on rural Lantau Island on Monday, was infected with the H5N1 strain, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.

A spokesman reminded people to avoid contact with poultry or wild birds.

The common buzzard is a winter visitor to Hong Kong. Migratory birds have been blamed for the global spread of the disease which has killed at least 209 people and ravaged poultry flocks worldwide since 2003.

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

World Health Organisation experts say a bird flu pandemic among humans could kill millions worldwide.

Source-AFP
LIN/M

http://www.medindia.com/news/Buzzard-Death-Confirms-Bird-Flu-in-Hong-Kong-30973-1.htm

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Hong Kong - Suspected H5 AI Case in Buzzard

Re: Hong Kong - Suspected H5 AI Case in Buzzard

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/12220702/H5N1_HK_Buzzard.html

Commentary

H5N1 Confirmed in Buzzard in Hong Kong

Recombinomics Commentary
December 22, 2007

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/12200703/H5N1_Rostov_Spread.htmlA common buzzard found dead in Hong Kong has tested positive for the deadly bird flu virus, officials said Friday.
Laboratory tests confirmed the bird, found on rural Lantau Island on Monday, was infected with the H5N1 strain, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.

The above confirmation of H5N1 in a wild bird in Hong Kong is not a surprise. Last month H5N1 was confirmed in an egret in Hong Kong, and H5N1 appears in wild birds in Hong Kong each year at this time. This year the appearance is slightly earlier.

In the past, when dead birds appear in January, alternative explanations are offered. Last year there was speculation that dead birds were due to infection by birds released during religious ceremonies as noted in the ProMed commentary in January of this year.

However, the earlier appearance this year eliminates such speculation and the obvious becomes more obvious.

Wild birds are the natural reservoir for avian influenza, and H5N1 has become endemic in the wild bird populations, which transport and transmit the virus.


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