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February 15, 2006
Avian Flu Alert: Four More Countries Announce Cases of Avian Flu
Austria, Germany, Hungary and Iran identify avian influenza in wild birds
Within the past 24 hours, four additional countries have announced documented cases of avian influenza in wild birds: Austria, Germany, Hungary and Iran. Additionally, Russia has reported that the H5N1 strain was found in domesticated poultry in the southern Dagestan province.
According to the European Commission, rapid, initial tests of dead swans found in Austria, Germany and Hungary indicate infection with H5 avian flu. Confirmatory testing is now underway to determine whether the responsible viral strain was the highly pathogenic H5N1.
Austria has confirmed that two dead swans found in the Stiria region, near Graz, tested positive for avian influenza.1
Germany reports that two swans found dead on the island of Ruegen in the Baltic Sea may have been infected by the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. The government has responded by ordering poultry farmers to keep livestock indoors (through the end of April) to minimize the risk to domesticated bird populations.2
Hungary reports that the H5 strain of avian influenza was identified in three dead swans found in the Bacs-Kiskun (Southern Hungary).3
The Iran Veterinary Organisation (IVO) announced that dead swans found in two sites in the Anzali wetlands of the northern Gilan province have tested positive for the deadly strain of H5N1 avian flu. These dead birds were discovered on February 2nd during a World Health Organization bird surveillance mission. Immediately thereafter all domestic poultry within a 2 km radius were culled and farmers were compensated. Movement of poultry is now being controlled and farmers are being made aware of the danger.4
Russia’s veterinary surveillance department reported on Wednesday (2/15) that poultry in a small village farm near the Caspian Sea coastal city Makhachkala were infected with the H5N1 avian flu strain. While the virus has been found in domesticated fowl in other Russian regions, this is the first documented occurrence in the Russian Caucasus region. No cases of human infection have been reported.5
References
- Costelloe K. EU says bird flu found in Austria, more tests need to be done. Bloomberg. February 14, 2006.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=71000001&refer=europe&sid=atylaJFchpOo - Brandt N. Germany ministry says bird flu virus may have killed two swans. Bloomberg. February 14, 2006.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000100&sid=asPoktTEE8GE&refer=germany - EU says bird flu confirmed in swans in Hungary. Reuters. February 15, 2006.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L15327413.htm - Iran: Deadly avian flu strain detected in wild birds. Reuters. February 15, 2006.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/719f39dfc899e3538634b708b63b77e4.htm - H5N1 outbreak confirmed in southern Russia. Breitbart. February 15, 2006.
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/02/15/060215162126.c9uj06hd.html
The information presented was compiled by the National Business Group on Health and has been posted with their permission. The views expressed are solely views of the National Business Group on Health and/or source and are not necessarily the views of Aetna Global Benefits. Similarly, the accuracy of this information is solely the responsibility of the author and/or source. For more information on avian flu, please visit the National Business Group on Health's website at: http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/globalhealth/avianflu.cfm