The World Health Organization raises the alert over swine flu to level five, one short of a full pandemic, as the virus continues to spread.
2009/04/30
2009/04/29
Countries that Swine Flu Confirmed
- 40 cases in the U.S. (in five states)
- 26 cases, including seven deaths, in Mexico (in four states)
- 6 cases in Canada (in two provinces)
- 2 cases in Spain
- 2 cases in the U.K.
- 3 cases from New Zealand
- Israel
2009/04/27
WIKI information on Swine influenza
From Wikipedia
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Swine influenza virus (referred to as SIV) refers to influenza cases that are caused by Orthomyxoviruses endemic to pig populations. SIV strains isolated to date have been classified either as Influenzavirus C or one of the various subtypes of the genus Influenzavirus A.[1]
Swine flu infects people every year and is found typically in people who have been in contact with pigs, although there have been cases of person-to-person transmission.[2] Symptoms include fever, disorientation, stiffness of the joints, vomiting, and loss of consciousness ending in death.[3] Swine influenza is known to be caused by influenza A subtypes H1N1,[4] H1N2,[4] H3N1,[5] H3N2,[4] and H2N3.[6]
In swine, three influenza A virus subtypes (H1N1, H3N2, and H1N2) are circulating throughout the world. In the United States, the H1N1 subtype was exclusively prevalent among swine populations before 1998; however, since late August 1998, H3N2 subtypes have been isolated from pigs. As of 2004, H3N2 virus isolates in US swine and turkey stocks were triple reassortants, containing genes from human (HA, NA, and PB1), swine (NS, NP, and M), and avian (PB2 and PA) lineages.[7]
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[edit] H5N1
Avian influenza virus H3N2 is endemic in pigs in China and has been detected in pigs in Vietnam, increasing fears of the emergence of new variant strains.[8] Health experts[who?] say pigs can carry human influenza viruses, which can combine (i.e. exchange homologous genome sub-units by genetic reassortment) with H5N1, passing genes and mutating into a form which can pass easily among humans.[9] H3N2 evolved from H2N2 by antigenic shift.[10] In August 2004, researchers in China found H5N1 in pigs.[11] Measured resistance to the standard antiviral drugs amantadine and rimantadine in H3N2 in humans has increased[12] to 92% in 2005.[13]
Chairul Nidom, a virologist at Airlangga University's tropical disease center in Surabaya, East Java, conducted an independent research; he tested the blood of 10 apparently healthy pigs housed near poultry farms in West Java where avian flu had broken out, Nature reported. Five of the pig samples contained the H5N1 virus. The Indonesian government has since found similar results in the same region. Additional tests of 150 pigs outside the area were negative.[14][15]
[edit] Swine flu in Humans
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the symptoms and transmission of the swine flu from human to human is much like seasonal flu, commonly fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.[17] It is believed to be spread between humans through coughing or sneezing of infected people and touching something with the virus on it and then touching their own nose or mouth.[18] The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness although some people, most commonly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days. Diagnosis can be made by sending a specimen, collected during the first five days, to the CDC for analysis.[19]
The swine flu is susceptible to four drugs licensed in the United States, amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir, however, for the 2009 outbreak it is recommended it be treated with oseltamivir and zanamivir.[20] The vaccine for the human seasonal H1N1 flu does not protect against the swine H1N1 flu, even if the virus strains are the same specific variety, as they are antigenically very different.[21]
[edit] History
[edit] 1976 U.S. outbreak
On February 5, 1976, an army recruit at Fort Dix said he felt tired and weak. He died the next day and four of his fellow soldiers were later hospitalized. Two weeks after his death, health officials announced that swine flu was the cause of death and that this strain of flu appeared to be closely related to the strain involved in the 1918 flu pandemic. Alarmed public-health officials decided that action must be taken to head off another major pandemic, and they urged President Gerald Ford that every person in the U.S. be vaccinated for the disease. The vaccination program was plagued by delays and public relations problems, but about 24% of the population had been vaccinated by the time the program was canceled.
About 500 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, resulting in death from severe pulmonary complications for 25 people, were probably caused by an immunopathological reaction to the 1976 vaccine. Other influenza vaccines have not been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome, though caution is advised for certain individuals, particularly those with a history of GBS.[22][23]
[edit] 2007 Philippine outbreak
On August 20, 2007 Department of Agriculture officers investigated the outbreak of swine flu in Nueva Ecija and Central Luzon, Philippines. The mortality rate is less than 10% for swine flu, if there are no complications like hog cholera. On July 27, 2007, the Philippine National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) raised a hog cholera "red alert" warning over Metro Manila and 5 regions of Luzon after the disease spread to backyard pig farms in Bulacan and Pampanga, even if these tested negative for the swine flu virus.[24][25]
[edit] 2009 swine flu outbreak
 | Wikinews has related news: At least 71 deaths in Mexico 'likely linked' to swine flu outbreak |
In March and April 2009, more than 1,000 cases of swine flu in humans were detected in Mexico, and more than 80 deaths are suspected to have a connection with the virus. The Mexican fatalities are said to be mainly young adults, a hallmark of pandemic flu.[26] Following a series of reports of isolated cases of swine flu,[27][28] the first announcement of the outbreak in Mexico was documented on April 23, 2009.
The origins of the new Swine Influenza Virus SIV-H1N1 strain remain unknown. One theory is that Asian and European strains traveled to Mexico in migratory birds or in people, then combined with North American strains in Mexican pig factory farms before jumping over to farm workers.[29] The Mexican health agency acknowledged that the original disease vector of the virus may have been flies multiplying in manure lagoons of pig farms near Perote, Veracruz, owned by Granjas Carroll,[30] a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods.[31]
Some of the cases have been confirmed by the World Health Organization to be due to a new genetic strain of H1N1.[32][33] The new H1N1 strain has been confirmed in 16 of the deaths and 44 others are being tested as of April 24, 2009.[34]
As of April 25, 2009 19:30 EDT there are 11 laboratory confirmed cases in the southwestern United States and in Kansas,[35] and several suspected cases in the New York City metropolitan area.
H1N1 is a subtype of the species influenza A virus.
A variant of H1N1 was responsible for the Spanish flu pandemic that killed some 50 million to 100 million people worldwide from 1918 to 1919.
The seasonal flu tends to kill just a fraction of 1% of those infected. In Mexico, about 71 deaths out of roughly 1,000 cases represents a fatality rate of about 7.1%. The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, had a fatality rate of about 2.5%.
At 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, the New Zealand Minister of Health confirmed that 22 students returning from a school trip from Mexico had flu-like symptoms (most likely swine flu). 13 of the students with flu-like symptoms were tested and 10 tested positive for Influenza A, their cases strongly suspected to be the swine flu strain. However there is a possibility that the infected are not infected with the swine flu but other forms of the flu. The government has suggested that citizens of New Zealand with flu-like symptoms should see their physician immediately.
There have been five cases of possible swine flu in Canada, according to the Canadian Press. Two are in British Columbia, and three in Nova Scotia. According to the provincial government, four students in Windsor, Nova Scotia have confirmed cases of swine flu.[36]
The new strain appears to be a recombinant between two older strains. Preliminary genetic characterization found that the hemagglutinin (HA) gene was similar to that of swine flu viruses present in U.S. pigs since 1999, but the neuraminidase (NA) and matrix protein (M) genes resembled versions present in European swine flu isolates. Viruses with this genetic makeup had not previously been found to be circulating in humans or pigs, but there is no formal national surveillance system to determine what viruses are circulating in pigs in the U.S.[12]
On April 26, 2009, some schools in the United States announced closures and cancellations related to possibilities that students may have been exposed to swine flu. [37] [38]
According to University of Virginia virologist Frederick Hayden, the most recent flu season was dominated by H1N1 viruses, and people who had received flu shots in the U.S. may have some protection against swine flu.[39]
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the seasonal influenza strain H1N1 vaccine is thought to be unlikely to provide protection against the new Swine Influenza Virus SIV-H1N1 strain.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus has been detected in multiple areas, indicating that containment is unlikely.[41][42] This is exacerbated by the incubation and infectious periods of influenza.
[edit] Veterinary swine flu vaccine
Swine influenza has become a greater problem in recent decades as the evolution of the virus has resulted in inconsistent responses to traditional vaccines. Standard commercial swine flu vaccines are effective in controlling the infection when the virus strains match enough to have significant cross-protection, and custom (autogenous) vaccines made from the specific viruses isolated are created and used in the more difficult cases.[43][44]
Present vaccination strategies for SIV control and prevention in swine farms, typically include the use of one of several bivalent SIV vaccines commercially available in the United States. Of the 97 recent H3N2 isolates examined, only 41 isolates had strong serologic cross-reactions with antiserum to three commercial SIV vaccines. Since the protective ability of influenza vaccines depends primarily on the closeness of the match between the vaccine virus and the epidemic virus, the presence of nonreactive H3N2 SIV variants suggests that current commercial vaccines might not effectively protect pigs from infection with a majority of H3N2 viruses.[45][46]
The current vaccine against the seasonal influenza strain H1N1 is thought unlikely to provide protection.[47] The director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases said that the United States' cases were found to be made up of genetic elements from four different flu viruses—North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza A virus subtype H1N1, and swine influenza virus typically found in Asia and Europe. On two cases, a complete genome sequence had been obtained. She said that the virus is resistant to amantadine and rimantadine, but susceptible to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).[48][49][50]
A/H1N1 influenza like human illness in Mexico and the USA: OIE statement
It is not a classical human influenza virus called seasonal influenza, which causes every year millions of human cases of influenza worldwide but a virus which includes in its characteristics swine, avian and human virus components.
Any current information in influenza like animal disease in Mexico or the USA could support a link between human cases and possible animal cases including swine. The virus has not been isolated in animals to date. Therefore, it is not justified to name this disease swine influenza. In the past, many human influenza epidemics with animal origin have been named after their geographic origin, eg Spanish influenza or Asiatic influenza, thus it would be logical to call this disease “North-American influenza”.
Urgent scientific research must be started in order to know the susceptibility of animals to this new virus, and if relevant to implement biosecurity measures including possible vaccination to protect susceptible animals. If this virus would be shown to cause disease in animals, virus circulation could worsen the regional and global situation for public health.
Currently, only findings related to the circulation of this virus in pigs in zones of countries having human cases would justify trade measures on the importation of pigs from these countries. The OIE will continue its alert function and will publish in relation with its Members, Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres all appropriate information in real time.
OIE and FAO underline the great value of the influenza veterinary laboratory network called OFFLU, in charge of the surveillance of the evolution of influenza viruses in animals. There is a strong need to reinforce this network whose members are urged to put immediately in the public domain any genetic sequence of influenza virus they obtain.
This influenza event underlines in all countries the crucial importance of maintaining worldwide veterinary services able to implement in animals early detection of relevant emerging pathogens with a potential public health impact. This capacity is fully linked with veterinary services good governance and their compliance with OIE international standards of quality.
From: OIE
Swine flu illness in the United States and Mexico
26 April 2009 -- As of 26 April 2009, the United States Government has reported 20 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 (8 in New York, 7 in California, 2 in Texas, 2 in Kansas and 1 in Ohio). All 20 cases have had mild Influenza-Like Illness with only one requiring brief hospitalization. No deaths have been reported. All 20 viruses have the same genetic pattern based on preliminary testing. The virus is being described as a new subtype of A/H1N1 not previously detected in swine or humans.
Also as of 26 April, the Government of Mexico has reported 18 laboratory confirmed cases of swine influenza A/H1N1. Investigation is continuing to clarify the spread and severity of the disease in Mexico. Suspect clinical cases have been reported in 19 of the country's 32 states.
WHO and the Global Alert and Response Network (GOARN) are sending experts to Mexico to work with health authorities. WHO and its partners are actively investigating reports of suspect cases in other Member States as they occur, and are supporting field epidemiology activities, laboratory diagnosis and clinical management.
On Saturday, 25 April, upon the advice of the Emergency Committee called under the rules of the International Health Regulations, the Director-General declared this event a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
WHO is not recommending any travel or trade restrictions.
From: WHO
Newly Sequenced Bovine Genome Aids Health Research
Researchers for the Bovine (Cow) Genome Sequencing Project, including a team of veterinary and animal scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, announced that the first full genome of a female Hereford cow named L1 Dominette has been sequenced. Dominette's genome is the first ever livestock animal to be sequenced. Other mammal genomes mapped to date belong to humans or laboratory animals.
Cow genome completed
Analysing this blueprint of DNA code for the chemical building blocks of the animal is revealing the unique role that many of the genes play.
The information is likely to have a major impact on livestock breeding.
The study, published in the journal Science, was a six-year effort by more than 300 scientists in 25 countries.
Cattle now join an elite group of animals to have had their genome sequenced - a group that includes humans, other primates and rodents.
"We chose to study the cow genome because these animals are of such immense importance to humans," explained Richard Gibbs from Baylor College of Medicine's Human Genome Sequencing Center, a leading contributor to the project.
 |  This could be used to come up with ways to reduce the environmental impact of cattle, such as greenhouse gases released by herds  Richard Gibbs Baylor College of Medicine |
By comparing the results to other sequenced genomes, including that of humans, the researchers discovered how cows could help inform research into human health and disease.
"We found that cows are much more similar to us than rodents are," said Professor Gibbs.
"This is because rodents are evolving much faster. And it tells us aspects of human biology that we could actually study in cows."
Unique breed
Of the 22,000 genes in the cow genome, 14,000 are common to all mammalian species.
"These 14,000 are the common engine room of mammals," said Ross Tellam, a scientist from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia and one of the authors of the Science paper.
"The remaining genes are unique to each species."
| THE GENETIC CODE  The double-stranded DNA molecule - wound in a helix - is held together by four chemical components called bases Adenine (A) bonds with thymine (T); cytosine(C) bonds with guanine (G) Groupings of these "letters" form the "code of life"; a code that is very nearly universal to all Earth's organisms Written in the DNA are genes which cells use as starting templates to make proteins; these sophisticated molecules build and maintain our bodies |
And many of the genetic features that make cattle unique are what make them so important to us.
"If we can see precisely what genes cause the differences between each animal, there is an opportunity to enhance selective breeding," he explained.
"We can use natural methods - simply selecting the best animals - to produce livestock that make more meat or more milk."
This comparison between individual animals has already begun in a related study published in the same issue of Science.
An associated scientific team has produced a map charting the key DNA differences, also known as haplotypes, between varieties of cattle.
They compared the Hereford genome sequence with those of six other breeds.
Using this bovine "HapMap", researchers can track the differences between the breeds that affect the quality of meat and milk yields.
"[This map] will transform how dairy and beef cattle are bred," said Richard Gibbs.
"Genetic tools are already being developed and proving useful to the dairy industry, and we predict they will be applied to improve the beef industry.
"We hope the information will also be used to come up with innovative ways to reduce the environmental impact of cattle, such as greenhouse gases released by herds."
Microbe attack
The study has also identified new genes involved in the cows' immunity.
These are linked to the animals' digestive system.
Cattle are ruminants, which means they have a four-chambered stomach that contains a multitude of resident bacteria, allowing them to digest plant material, such as grass, that is very tough to break down.
"We think these genes evolved in response to how vulnerable cattle are to microbial attack," said Dr Tellam.
"Because of all the microbes that live in their rumen, and because the animals live in such large herds, they are very vulnerable to disease."
From:
By Victoria Gill
Science reporter, BBC News
Science reporter, BBC News
Mexico flu toll hits 81
The Mexican authorities say 81 people are now thought to have been killed by an outbreak of a human swine flu virus.
People have been told to stay at home to contain the infection, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned could become a pandemic.
Confirmed or suspected cases have also been reported in the US and elsewhere.
At least some confirmed cases show a new version of the H1N1 swine flu sub-strain - a disease which infects pigs but only sporadically infects humans.
| SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease found in pigs Human cases usually occur in those who have contact with pigs Human-to-human transmission is rare and such cases are closely monitored  |
H1N1 is the same strain that causes seasonal flu outbreaks in humans, but the newly detected version contains genetic material from versions which usually affect pigs and birds.
There is currently no vaccine for the new strain but severe cases can be treated with antiviral medication.
It is unclear how effective currently available flu vaccines would be at offering protection against the new strain, as it is genetically distinct from other flu strains.
The respiratory virus is spread mainly through coughs and sneezes.
Although all of the deaths so far have been in Mexico, the flu is spreading in the United States and suspected cases have been detected elsewhere:
- Eleven confirmed infections in the US
- In addition, eight suspected cases are being investigated at a New York City high school where about 200 students fell mildly ill with flu-like symptoms
- Ten New Zealand students among a group which travelled to Mexico have tested positive for flu - "likely", though not definitely, swine flu, said Health Minister Tony Ryall
- But a UK hospital conducting tests for swine flu on a British Airways cabin crew member admitted on Saturday said the tests proved negative.
Mexico shutdown
In Mexico, public buildings have been closed and hundreds of public events suspended.
| It's eerily quiet here in the capital. Lots of people with masks BBC reader Dr Duncan Wood, Mexico City |
Schools in and around Mexico City have been closed until 6 May, and some 70% of bars and restaurants in the capital have been temporarily closed.
People are being strongly urged to avoid shaking hands, and the US embassy has advised visitors to the country to keep at least six feet (1.8m) from other people.
Mexico's Health Secretary, Jose Cordova, said a total of 1,324 people had been admitted to hospital with suspected symptoms since 13 April and were being tested for the virus.
"In that same period, 81 deaths were recorded probably linked to the virus but only in 20 cases we have the laboratory tests to confirm it," he said.
Mexico's President Felipe Calderon has announced emergency measures to deal with the situation.
| FLU PANDEMICS 1918: The Spanish flu pandemic remains the most devastating outbreak of modern times. Caused by a form of the H1N1 strain of flu, it is estimated that up to 40% of the world's population were infected, and more than 50 million people died, with young adults particularly badly affected 1957: Asian flu killed two million people around the world. Caused by a human form of the virus, H2N2, combining with a mutated strain found in wild ducks. The impact of the pandemic was minimised by rapid action by health authorities. The elderly were particularly vulnerable 1968: An outbreak first detected in Hong Kong, and caused by a strain known as H3N2, killed up to one million people globally, with those over 65 most likely to die |
They include powers to isolate individuals suspected of having the virus without fear of legal repercussions.
In the US, seven people in California, two people in Texas, and two people in Kansas have been infected with the new strain.
In New York, city health commissioner Dr Thomas Frieden said preliminary tests conducted on the ailing students showed they were possible cases of swine flu.
Further tests will clarify if it was the same strain that was detected in the other three states.
Following a meeting of its emergency committee on Saturday, the WHO said the virus had the potential to become a pandemic but it was too early to say whether that would happen.
WHO Director General Margaret Chan said recent events constituted "a public health emergency of international concern" and that countries needed to co-operate in heightening surveillance.
Face masks are handed out, while the head of the WHO voices concern
From:BBC
From:BBC
2009/04/25
2009/04/11
Soy May Aid In Treating Canine Cancers
Researchers at North Carolina State University are looking to soy as a way to make traditional canine cancer therapy more effective, less stressful for the dog and less costly for the owners. Dr. Steven Suter, assistant professor of oncology, and NC State colleagues studied genistein - a molecule found in soy that has been shown to be toxic to a wide variety of cancer cells in humans - to determine whether it would also inhibit the growth of canine lymphoma cells.
From:Veterinary News From Medical News Today
From:Veterinary News From Medical News Today
2009/04/01
محاسبه های پایه جوجه ها
Baby chicks do basic arithmetic | |||
Baby birds can do arithmetic, say researchers in Italy. Scientists from the universities of Padova and Trento demonstrated chicks' ability to add and subtract objects as they were moved behind two screens. Lucia Regolin, an author of the study said the animals "performed basic arithmetic" to work out which screen concealed the larger group of objects. The findings are reported in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Chicks always try to stay close to objects they are reared with - just as they stay close to and follow their mother as soon as they hatch. This instant recognition is known as "imprinting". "We had already found that the chicks have a tendency to approach a group containing more of these familiar objects," explained Professor Regolin, who studies animal behaviour at the University of Padova. She and her team were able to test the birds' numerical skills as they followed the objects - which, in this instance, were small plastic balls. "We used the little plastic containers you get inside Kinder eggs and suspended them from fishing line," Professor Regolin told BBC News. "We made these balls 'disappear' by moving them behind the screens one at a time." Counting chickens In each of the mini maths tests, a chick watched from a clear-fronted holding box while one of the researchers slowly moved the balls behind the screens - three behind one screen and two behind the other. The front door of the box was then opened, releasing the chick into the tiny arena, so it could walk around and select a screen to look behind.
"The chicks still approached the larger of the two groups first, even though they had to rely on memory to work out which screen to choose," said Professor Regolin. Swapping the objects from one screen to another didn't fool the maths-performing chicks. "In a further experiment, once we had hidden the balls behind each screen, we transferred some of them from one to the other," Professor Regolin explained. The birds, she said, were able to "count" the balls that were moved to work out which screen hid the larger set at the end of the transfer. "They still chose correctly - adding up the numbers based on groups of objects they couldn't see at that moment." It is already known that many non-human primates and monkeys can count, and even domestic dogs have been found to be capable of simple additions. But this is the first time the ability has been seen in such young animals, and with no prior training. From:By Victoria Gill | |||
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