Bird flu in Other locations

Flu in zoo in Pakistan

Tuesday, February 27th, 2007

The Islamabad zoo (Pakistan) has confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. A gift batch of peacocks is believed to be the initial source of infection. The Zoo has been closed for the moment, as after several deaths of ducks and geese it was discovered that the disease affecting the birds was avian influenza. Further birds were called immediately, while the entire premises has been fumigated. Other birds were administered water and oil-based vaccines against the virus. At the moment it is estimated that the zoo will reopen in March if no more cases of bird flu are found.

Posted in Other locations, Pakistan

New outbreak near Moscow

Thursday, February 22nd, 2007

Russian authorities have confirmed yet another case of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus in the area around the country’s capital city, Moscow. Officials claim that the virus originated from the Sadovod pet market, which is now scheduled to be shut down. It is the sixth location in the region where bird flu has been found, while three other cases are being researched. 43 people that have been in contact with infected birds are now kept under medical observation, but there is no confirmed case of an infection to humans.

Posted in Other locations, Russia

Flu kills 6 year old in Indonesia

Saturday, January 27th, 2007

Indonesia has announced that a 6 year old is the latest person to fall victim to the bird flu virus in the Asian country. That brings the number of human cases recorded in the country this month to five. Regular outbreaks of H5N1 are reported in countries such as China, Egypt, Indonesia and Thailand, places where humans have always lived near domestic animals and where poultry is raised on a large scale in backyards. 269 people from 10 countries have been known to be infected with the virus since it was first discovered in 2003.

Posted in Other locations, Indonesia

Indonesia reports a drop in bird flu cases

Friday, December 22nd, 2006
A more aggressive way of figthing the bird flu virus is believed to have caused the remarkable decline in bird flu cases detected across Indonesia in the last three months. The World Health Organization, however, warns that the good news should be taken lightly, as it does not yet indicate a trend. The country has used a more agressive vaccination policy, as well as more cullings in the areas where the virus was detected. The government now states that 14 of its 33 provinces show no presence of the highly pathogenic virus in their poultry stocks

Posted in Other locations

Myanmar claiming bird flu free status

Thursday, September 7th, 2006
After first declaring outbreaks of bird flu among its borders in March, Myanmar is now seeking to obtain a bird flu free status, after a program of detection spanned across three months has found no new case of the disease in the country. Although generally a highly secretive military-ruled country, foreign health experts were allowed in Myanmar to give assistance in fighting the much feared disease. Since the first documented case of avian influenza, thousands of chickens and quail from a few hundred farms were culled in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus. However, international organizations are now cautious to declare the country free of any trace of the virus, as examples from neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Cambodia and Laos show that the virus can easily re-emerge.

Posted in Other locations

Poultry with bird flu suspicion

Tuesday, July 25th, 2006
A group of chickens in a northern region of Thailand is suspected to have died last week as bird flu carriers, with the H5N1 strain being feared as the source of infection, a Thai official from the Ministry of Agriculture declared. The death of 31 chickens in the province of Phichit lead to tests being carried out on the birds. Initial findings however, could not pinpoint the virus between H5N1 and a more common form of H5N2. However, the high mortality rate gives reasons to believe the highly pathogenic H5N1 form is to be blamed for the disease which caused the death of the poultry. Thailand has not had any case of bird flu in poultry for more than 8 months. Government officials say they are closely monitoring areas where heavy rains and flooding have taken place, as wet climates represent a perfect environment for avian influenza.

Posted in Other locations, Thailand

Thursday, July 6th, 2006

Posted in Other locations

US embassy warns against bird flu

Monday, July 3rd, 2006
The US embassy has issued a warning for its citizens currently staying or passing through Saudi Arabia that extra caution should be exerted to monitor any possible outbreak of the bird flu virus. Saudi authorities have denied that any avian flu cases among humans have been found, but the embassy says five falcons found dead are suspected to be carrying the most deadly of the virus strains (H5N1) and laboratory tests are being carried out at the moment.

Posted in Other locations, Saudi Arabia

Ivory Coast contains bird flu outbreak

Sunday, July 2nd, 2006
Authorities in the African country claim their anti-bird flu program is showing results, as rapid mass culling of suspected birds has kept the bird flu virus from spreading rapidly around the country. It has also left bird markets in Abidjan deserted, as the poultry industry is taking a nose dive. The efforts are made among a continuous civil war which broke out in the West African nation three and a half years ago. And as the presence of the virus has also been found in Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast is the only country to use proper protective clothing for the personnel involved in culling of the birds.

The outbreaks are a major blow in a region where many people rely on poultry products for their very survival. While some panic and choose to stay away from chicken meat or egg products for good, others say until a human case is discovered there should be no reason to worry.

Posted in Other locations, Ivory Coast