PredictiveHM

Bird Flu was controlled by the destruction of 400 million domestic birds in 63 nations, at an estimated cost of $20 billion in economic damage between 2003 and 2009. The population of infected poultry was reduced to 4000 in 2006, and to 302 in 2008. Now 800 infected birds have been reported since 2009. "The spread seems to be linked to the movement of migratory birds," says Juan Lubroth, Chief Veterinary Officer of the UNFAO. He indicated that the movement of wild birds appears to be associated with the increase. Mongolia, Romania, Nepal, Bulgaria, Palestinian Territories and Israel report poultry and wild birds infected with H5N1. According to the UNFAO, Lubroth said, "Wild birds may introduce the virus, but peoples' actions in poultry production and marketing spread it." He also reported a variant virus in China and Viet Nam that is resistant to existing vaccines. Viet Nam suspended its vaccination campaign this spring since it is ineffective for the new strain (H5N1 - 2.3.2.1). Vietnamese authorities reportedly plan to initiate a new, targeted vaccination campaign later this year.
Increased preparedness and surveillance urged against variant strain

Discussion

o Avian Influenza is a very lethal strain, appropriately named Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) as well as H5N1, since there are a number of other avian flu infections termed Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (LPAI), representing H1 through H16 hemagglutinin types. It should really be called "Cat Flu" because aside from its lethality, it is the only flu virus that infects cats! In addition, tigers, leopards and cats, dogs, ferrets, pigs, birds and other animals have succumbed to H5N1. Up to 90% of domestic flocks have been lost to H5N1, but vaccinations and flock destruction have been successful until recently, as noted above in Vietnam Nam and China. Poultry farmers and food supplies have been vexed by H5N1, and Singapore, using very strict controls, has so far remained free from the spread, as has the USA. The WHO statistics of bird-to-human infection indicate a 59% mortality rate, exceeding the 1919 "Spanish Flu" pandemic (2-20%,) and approaching the Black Death plague of 1315 (50%.)

o This threat demands security (as in Singapore) at multiple levels, controlling 1) the source (Asia, Egypt) by prohibiting poultry (and sick animals) imports from affected countries, as well as establishing "disease-free zones"; 2) border control measures (inspections, testing); 3) local control measures (removal of backyard poultry, vaccination, biosecurity and surveillance and 4) emergency preparedness.

o PredictiveHM, provides emergency preparedness by monitoring the health of select human populations, identifying the earliest evidence of disease. Early detection, through Presymtec technology, allows treatment and/or isolation in epidemic circumstances, and is a part of restricting the seemingly inevitable march of disease versus humanity.
Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza in Singapore
Avian Influenza - Wikipedia                               BACK