Mutated avian flu can infect humans

Friday, 03 September 2010; Submitted By: Administrator

A strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) that mutated in pigs in Indonesia has acquired the ability to infect humans, researchers have found. The discovery was made by a team led by virologist Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Tokyo's Institute of Medical Science. "There are concerns that a highly pathogenic flu virus which can easily be transmitted to humans could spread without being noticed," Kawaoka said. "Pigs must be tested for viruses even if they don't show symptoms." Kawaoka and other Japanese researchers, in cooperation with Indonesia's Airlangga University, examined nasal, fecal and serum samples from 702 randomly chosen pigs in 14 provinces from 2005 to 2009. Of pigs examined from 2005 to 2007, 7.4 percent yielded avian flu strains, which further studies showed were from an outbreak among poultry in the neighborhood. Among 39 virus samples analyzed, one was found to have the ability to attach itself to human nasal or throat cells. In the 2008-2009 survey, pigs showed traces of past infections, but no viruses were isolated. Avian influenza usually does not infect humans. But because pigs are susceptible to both avian and human ...Read More

What is NDM-1 bacteria, the new superbug threat?

Friday, 27 August 2010; Submitted By: Administrator

The World Health Organisation yesterday announced that the swine flu pandemic is over. Unfortunately, there is a new threat: NDM-1 bacteria. Lancet Infectious Diseases reports that 50 cases of people infected with this new superbug - potentially more of a risk to hospital patients than the notorious MRSA - have so far been identified. The researchers warn that the potential for NDM-1 bacteria to become endemic worldwide is "clear and frightening" and say we must develop new drugs to fight the threat now.   WHAT IS NDM-1?NDM-1 is an enzyme produced by certain bacteria, which allows them to neutralise the harmful effects of carbapenems, one of the most powerful types of antibiotics available to doctors.   WHERE DID IT COME FROM?The clue is in the name. New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase-1 has been identified in UK patients who had recently travelled to India or Pakistan for medical treatment - often cosmetic surgery. When these people were later treated in UK or US hospitals, NDM-1 passed to other patients.   WHAT IS A ...Read More

Rabies Toll Rises to 78 in Indonesia's Bali

Wednesday, 25 August 2010; Submitted By: Administrator

JAKARTA -- The recent deaths of two children in Indonesia's tourist destination of Bali have brought the official death toll from the epidemic that broke out on the island in November 2008 to 78, local media reported Wednesday. Ken Wirasandi, the secretary of the rabies task force at Denpasar's Sanglah General Hospital, said on Tuesday that the victims had exhibited clear symptoms of rabies, such as acute fear of light and water, shortness of breath and foaming at the mouth. While the official death toll is now 78, unofficial estimates put the figure at 85, which includes seven victims who died showing symptoms of rabies but were never autopsied. The number of dog-bite incidents across the island is also on the rise. On Monday, a dog in Karangasem district bit five people. Two of the victims were treated at Sanglah Hospital but none received a rabies vaccine because the hospital has run out of stock. In Tabanan district, 17 people were bitten by dogs. Rabies vaccines are running low across the resort island, with the districts of Denpasar, Badung, Klungkung, Karangasem and Bungli confirmed to be out of stock. Nyoman Sutedja, the head of the Bali Health Office, ...Read More

Problematic egg producer has long history of law violations

Friday, 20 August 2010; Submitted By: Administrator

BEIJING -- The Iowa-based Wright County Egg company blamed for a  salmonella outbreak linked to its eggs has a long history of environmental, immigration and labor violations, U.S.media said Thursday. The founder, Austin Jackson DeCoster, was charged for vilolating federal immigration law in 2003 and paid 2.1 million U.S.dollars in penalties. In 2002, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission imposed a 1.5 million dollar penalty for mistreatment to female workers. In 2001, Jackson DeCoster's son Peter DeCoster was sentenced to hog confinement by Iowa Supreme Court for repeatedly  violating state environmental laws.  Now, Peter DeCoster is closely involved with the Wright County egg operations Earlier this year, the elder DeCoster paid a fine to settle state animal cruelty charges against his egg operations in Maine. U.S. Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been on the DeCoster's farms since last week and egg testing work is still going on to determine the source of the contamination. Related: U.S. recalls 380 mln eggs due to salmonella-related outbreaks BEIJING -- Iowa-based Wright County Egg company has issued ...Read More

Singapore Weekly Infectious Disease Bulletin 08 Aug - 14 Aug 2010

Thursday, 19 August 2010; Submitted By: Singapore Communication Focal Point (1), Singapore

This report from Minstry of Health, Singapore on weekly publication of statistics on local infectious disease situation. ...Read More

Singapore Weekly Infectious Disease Bulletin 01 Aug - 07 Aug 2010

Thursday, 19 August 2010; Submitted By: Singapore Communication Focal Point (1), Singapore

This report from Minstry of Health, Singapore on weekly publication of statistics on local infectious disease situation. ...Read More

Validation of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination in Indonesia:

Wednesday, 18 August 2010; Submitted By: Indonesia Communication Focal Point (3), Indonesia

Elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) as a public health problem is defined as an incidence of less than 1 NT case per 1000 live births in every district. Indonesia has made efforts to eliminate neonatal tetanus through routine tetanus toxoid (TT) immunization of pregnant women and "brides-to-be", school based immunization with DT/ TT as well as targeted supplemental TT immunization of all CBAW (Women of Child Bearing Age) in areas considered high risk for neonatal tetanus.    File Attachment : MNTE validation Lebak - Brief Report Draft 1.pdf     ...Read More

H5N1 widespread in Jakarta's poultry

Monday, 16 August 2010; Submitted By: Administrator

Seventy percent of recent poultry feces samples tested in Jakarta were found to contain H5N1 viruses, according to a Jakarta Post report published today. The finding was reported by the head of the city's Agriculture, Maritime, and Animal Husbandry Agency, who said thousands of samples were tested. She said the birds all appeared healthy. The story also said that poultry restrictions enacted by the city to control avian flu have been stalled because of widespread public criticism earlier this year. The law requires certificates for pet bird owners and limits poultry slaughterhouses to six areas on the city's periphery. Jakarta Post story       Source : The Jakarta Post ...Read More