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Published Date: 2007-02-22 18:00:02
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (40): Pakistan, China (Hong Kong), Russia
Archive Number: 20070222.0658

AVIAN INFLUENZA (40): PAKISTAN, CHINA (HONG KONG), RUSSIA
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[1] Pakistan
[2] China (Hong Kong)
[3] Russia
******
[1] Pakistan
Date: Thu 22 Feb 2007
From: Mary Marshall <tropical.forestry@btinternet.com>
Source: Dailytimes.com.pk [edited]
<http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\02\22\story_22-2-2007_pg7_4>

Lab confirms bird flu in capital zoo
-------------------------------------
Lab results have confirmed that the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu
killed 24 birds at the Marghazar Zoo from 12 to 19 Feb 2007, a
meeting at the residence of Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan
Sherpao was told on Wednesday [21 Feb 2007].
The meeting was told that the National Reference Laboratory for
Poultry Diseases (NARC) tested the dead birds for bird flu and found
the H5N1 strain in them. Zoo officers have started screening,
disinfection and isolation of birds, and no deaths have taken place
since Tuesday [20 Feb 2007]. The National Institute for Health and
World Health Organization have also been contacted for screening and
preventive medication of all zoo workers. Complete screening,
disinfection and fumigation of the zoo has been started. Zoo workers
are being provided the prescribed personal protection equipment for
their safety at work, the meeting was told.
--
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Three foci of HPAI H5N1 are currently active in Pakistan: Islamabad,
Rawalpindi and Mansehra areas.
According to the Internet edition of the Pakistani daily DAWN, dated
21 Feb 2007, "A source in the Islamabad administration told Dawn the
outbreak was no bolt from the blue. Marghazar Zoo managers were
alerted to take precautionary measures after pet birds in the house
of an army general in the city had died in scores 2 weeks ago." See at
<http://www.dawn.com/2007/02/21/nat4.htm>.
A WHO world map, showing areas (including Pakistan) reporting
confirmed occurrence of H5N1 avian influenza in poultry and wild
birds since 1 Jan 2007, status as of 21 Feb 2007 (latest available
update), is accessible at
<http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/Global_SubNat_H5N1inAnimalConfirmed_2007_20070221.png>.
- Mod.AS]
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[2] China (Hong Kong)
Date: Thu 21 Feb 2007
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: Hong Kong Information Services Department [edited]
<http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/healthandcommunity/070221/html/070221en05002.htm>

Sham Shui Po dead bird H5N1 positive
---------------------------------------------
A common kestrel found earlier at Pak Tin Estate in Sham Shui Po has
been confirmed to be H5N1 positive, the Agriculture, Fisheries &
Conservation Department says.
The bird's carcass was collected by a Housing Department
subcontractor and sent to the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation
Department on 17 Feb 2007.
To prevent avian flu, people must observe good personal hygiene. They
should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and
clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them.
--
ProMED-mail
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[The common kestrel (_Falco tinnunculus_) is a relatively small bird
of prey belonging to the falcon family _Falconidae_ (order
_Falconiformes_). This species is widespread in Europe, Asia and
Africa. See picture at
<http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Falco_tinnunculus.jpg/260px-Falco_tinnunculus.jpg>.
This species can be added to the following 10 (or 9?) members of the
order _Falconiformes_ currently included in the USGS:
"List of Species Affected by H5N1 (Avian Influenza):"
_Accipiter gentilis_, Northern goshawk
_Accipter trivirgatus_, Crested goshawk
_Buteo buteo_, Buzzard
_Buteo lagopus_, Rough-legged buzzard
_Falco cherrug_, Saker falcon
_Falco peregrinus_, Peregrine falcon
_Gyps sp?_, "wild vulture"
_Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus_, Grey-headed fish-eagle
_Spilornis cheela_, Serpent eagle
_Spizaetus nipalensis_, Crested hawk-eagle.
See:
<http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/avian_influenza/affected_species_chart.jsp>.
- Mod.AS]
******
[3] Russia
Date: Thu 22 Feb 2007
From: Mary Marshall <tropical.forestry@btinternet.com>
Source: Reuters Alertnet [edited]
<http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L22155353.htm>

Russia confirms bird flu in 3 farms near Moscow
-----------------------------------------------
Russia has confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain
of bird flu, potentially dangerous to humans, in 3 farms near the
capital, where it had been suspected, a veterinary official said on
Thursday [22 Feb 2007].
"These are not new cases, but part of the same pattern where the
source can be traced to one and the same place," Nikolai Vlasov, head
of veterinary surveillance at animal and plant health watchdog
Rosselkhoznadzor, told a news briefing.
This month [February 2007], bird deaths were registered at small
private farms in 8 districts in the region of Moscow, in the
neighboring Kaluga region and in the republic of Adygeya, a region in
the North Caucasus.
As of Thursday [22 Feb 2007], the H5N1 virus had been officially
confirmed in Moscow's pet market, 7 districts in the Moscow region
and in Adygeya. It has yet to be confirmed in the Dmitrov district
and in the region of Kaluga.
Health officials have traced all outbreaks in the Moscow region to
birds bought in the last 2 weeks at the Sadovod market, commonly
known as "Ptichka," or "Birdie."
The Moscow region outbreaks are Russia's 2nd instance of bird flu
this year [2007] and the 1st ever so close to the capital.
The 3rd area affected, Adygeya [see comment], is surrounded entirely
by the southern region of Krasnodar, where H5N1 killed poultry in 3
settlements last month [January 2007] in the country's 1st outbreak in 2007.
Vlasov said the outbreak of the virus in Adygeya could have been
caused by migrant fowl, which nest in winter in this region. No human
cases of bird flu have been recorded in Russia.
"All people who have been in contact with the dead birds, especially
those who were found to have respiratory diseases have been checked
thoroughly, but none have shown any sign of falling ill," Vlasov said.
The emergencies ministry said on Thursday [22 Feb 2007] that since 9
Feb 2007, 1500 birds have been culled to prevent the spread of the
virus, and 355 have died.
The virus has killed 167 people worldwide since 2003, mostly in Asia
and in cases where the victims had been in direct contact with
infected birds. A total of 274 cases have been recorded in humans.
Five people have died from 8 cases in Azerbaijan, which borders
Russia in the south.
--
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[Adygea (or Adygeya), formerly Adyge Autonomous Region, is a
constituent republic (1990 est. pop. 435 000), c.2935 sq mi (7600 sq
km), an enclave within Krasnodar Territory, SE European Russia, at
the northern foothills of the Greater Caucasus. See map
<http://russiatrek.org/rp_adygeya.shtml>.
- Mod.AS]

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