Introduction
Avian influenza outbreaks among poultry occur worldwide from time to
time. Avian influenza viruses can be classified into low pathogenicity
and highly pathogenic forms based on the severity of the illness they
cause in poultry. Most strains of avian influenza are classified as low
pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) and cause few clinical signs in
infected birds. In contrast, high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI)
causes a severe and extremely contagious illness and death among
infected birds. LPAI poses no known serious threat to human health,
however some strains of HPAI viruses can be infectious to people. Most
recently, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) among
poultry have been associated with illness and death in humans in Asia,
Europe and the Near East. In the United States, from 1997 to 2005, there
were 16 outbreaks of low pathogenic avian influenza A viruses (H5 and H7
subtype) and one outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N2)
in poultry.
Bird flu news from Google news
Danish ducks had less serious strain of bird
flu
Reuters AlertNet, UK -
21 hours ago
COPENHAGEN, June 2 (Reuters) - Ducks and
geese at a commercial hatchery on the island of Funen
that were tested for avian flu had a less serious
low-pathogenic |
|
North
American Outbreaks With Transmission to Humans
H7N3 in Canada, 2004
On February 19, 2004 , the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced
an outbreak of avian influenza A (H7N3) in poultry in the Fraser Valley
region of British Columbia . Culling operations and other measures were
performed in an effort to control the spread of the virus. Health Canada
reported two cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza A (H7): one in a
person involved in culling operations on March 13-14, and the other in a
poultry worker who had close contact with poultry on March 22-23. Both
patients developed conjunctivitis (eye infection) and other flu-like
symptoms. Their illnesses resolved after treatment with the antiviral
medication oseltamivir.
Although these are the only laboratory-confirmed cases of avian
influenza A (H7) in humans during this outbreak in Canada ,
approximately 10 other poultry workers exhibited conjunctival and/or
upper respiratory symptoms after having contact with poultry. Use of
personal protective equipment is mandatory for all persons involved in
culling activities, and compliance with prescribed safety measures is
monitored. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and clinical evaluation is
ongoing, as is surveillance for signs of avian influenza in exposed
persons. There is currently no evidence of person-to-person transmission
of avian influenza from this outbreak. For more information about this
outbreak, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website at
H7N2 in New York, 2003
In November 2003, a patient with serious underlying medical
conditions was admitted to a hospital in New York with respiratory
symptoms. One of the initial laboratory tests identified an influenza A
virus that was thought to be H1N1. The patient recovered and went home
after a few weeks. Subsequent confirmatory tests conducted in March
showed that the patient had been infected with an H7N2 avian influenza A
virus.
North American Outbreaks Among
Poultry With No Transmission to Humans
H5N2 in Texas, 2004
In February 2004, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
A (H5N2) was detected and reported in a flock of 7,000 chickens in
south-central Texas . This was the first outbreak of HPAI in the United
States in 20 years.
H7N2 in Delaware, New
Jersey, and Maryland, 2004
In February 2004, an outbreak of low pathogenic avian influena (LPAI)
A (H7N2) was reported on 2 chicken farms in Delaware and in four live
bird markets in New Jersey supplied by the farms. In March 2004,
surveillance samples from a flock of chickens in Maryland tested
positive for LPAI H7N2. It is likely that this was the same strain.
If you are seeking a great plan for the bird flu and information on
preparing we encourage you to visit
TheRealBirdFluPlan. It is the
best plan we have found and is the most affordable. We have reviewed
many.
|
