New case of H7 bird flu in Oxfordshire
By Alistair Driver
A SUSPECTED new case of avian flu is being investigated at a farm in Oxfordshire.
It is understood that the strain of disease thought to have been found in laying hens at a farm near Banbury is H7, not the deadly H5N1 version that has been found twice in England in the past 12 months.
More information when we get it.
http://www.farmersguardian.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=19006&c=1
wild birds would be implicated in the new outbreak
http://blogs.rspb.org.uk/birdflu/archive/2008/06/04/H7-avian-influenza-in-Oxfordshire.aspx
H5 acquiring the ease of transmission capabilities of H7;
H7 acquirng the mortality capability of H5 (although I believe there was some discussion that showed that this is impossible).
And the questions is how easily, genetically, could either of these situations arise.
J.
By the way I get all of my information through here:
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Hot+Topics/Bird+Flu
And its just a coincidence that the last H7 was almost EXACTLY one year ago and before that was two years ago.
As far as trade, here's this quote:
I wonder what "products"?
JJackson, since your mother is a member, maybe she can find out why they would make such a statement.
After the recent sequence fiasco, it's hard to know what to believe unless a person has actual knowledge.
WRONG. There is a VERY long history on wild birds and the movement of avian infleunza. The bird watchers have a VERY long and consistant record. H7 and H5N1 outbreaks are not new nor are the responses and fairy tales of the bird watchers.
The avian influenza outbreaks (especially with free range poultry) is VERY clear, as were the sequences of H7N2 (or the Qinghai sequences when the bird watchers were claiming trade from ASIA!).
Further tests will now take place to try to establish the exact type and any links with previously identified Avian flu viruses.
Up to 25,000 laying hens at Eastwood Farm, between Shenington and Shutford, about 10 miles west of Banbury (http://www.theoxfordtimes.net/news/banbury), will be slaughtered this afternoon in a bid to stop the disease spreading.
A detailed epidemiological investigation is also under way to try to establish the origin of the disease.
A three-kilometre protection zone around the farm and a 10-kilometre surveillance zone remain in place.
The movement of birds and bird products has been banned in the whole of the temporary zone and restrictions have been imposed on people housing or having contact with wild birds. All bird gatherings have been banned.
Defra is urgently considering whether any wider measures may be needed.
The Health Protection Agency has confirmed that the risk to public health remains low.
The Food Standards Agency has also confirmed that there are no safety implications for the human food chain.
Poultry keepers are urged to be extremely vigilant, practise the highest levels of bio-security and report any suspicions of disease to their local Animal Health Office immediately.
For more information see the Defra website www.defra.gov.uk
1:19pm today
By Sam McGregor
http://www.witneygazette.net/misc/print.php?artid=2318453
A control zone has been set up around the infected premises
Chickens on a farm in Oxfordshire have tested positive for bird flu, Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens says.
All birds on the premises, near Banbury, are being slaughtered.
The birds have been confirmed with the H7 strain of the disease, rather than highly virulent H5N1 strain, regarded as a potential threat to human health.
Tests are being conducted to determine the virulence of the H7 strain and a temporary control zone is being set up around the farm.
Human risk 'low'
Mr Gibbens said: "I would stress the need for poultry keepers to be extremely vigilant, practice the highest levels of biosecurity and report any suspicions of disease to their local animal health office immediately."
The control zone has a 3km (1.8-mile) inner zone and a 10km (6.2-mile) outer zone, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says.
Within the inner zone, all kept birds must be isolated from contact with wild birds. Bird gatherings and movements are banned within the whole zone, as is the movement of some products.
All the birds on the farm, nearby Banbury, are being slaughtered
The Health Protection Agency said it would be following up those who might have been in contact with the infected birds to offer them guidance and preventative medication.
However, it stressed the risk to human health from H7 avian influenza was low and said it did not transmit easily to humans.
The Food Standards Agency said the outbreak "poses no safety implications for the human food chain".
Dr Judith Hilton, the FSA's head of microbiological safety, said: "Properly cooked poultry and poultry products are safe to eat.
"The science shows that the virus isn't contracted by eating food, but usually by close contact with infected birds."
There have been several outbreaks of bird flu in the UK.
The most recent, in January this year, saw the H5N1 strain confirmed in 11 wild birds near Chesil Beach in Dorset.
In 2006, a farm worker contracted the H7 strain after coming into close contact with infected birds in North Tuddenham, Norfolk.
-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7434400.stm
------
Yes I agree but I was trying to keep it general for H7s and as your post shows these were mainly mild but the same outbreak was responsible for the fatality (a Vet.)
Free-range chickens on the farm at the centre of the latest avian flu alert have been infected with the disease for three weeks, The Times has learnt.
A local veterinary surgeon was called to Eastwood Farm in the village of Shenington, near Banbury, Oxfordshire, after an increase of mortality in hens in one 3,000-bird shed.
The birds were treated with antibiotics. The owner however raised the alarm on Monday when 10 per cent of his 25,000 flock were found dead.
What do you make of this? Looks like BC again with an LP infection acquiring mutations to the cleavage site to go HP. I would love to see the before and after sequences (but shall not be holding my breath).
UK government: chickens on farm in southern England have H7 subtype of bird flu
© AP
2008-06-03 20:19:25 -
LONDON (AP) - The British government says it has detected the presence of the H7 subtype of bird flu among chickens at a farm near Banbury. The town is about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northwest of London.
The government said Tuesday it is too soon to know whether the virus is a particularly lethal strain.
The H7 subtype of bird flu has previously hit birds in Britain and elsewhere.
It has also occasionally infected humans although it generally causes milder illness than the H5N1 subtype. A large outbreak in the Netherlands in 2003 caused one death.
Last year at least four Britons were infected with H7N2 when the strain broke out in Wales.
Health experts monitor bird flu strains including H7 very closely since they have the potential to spark a flu pandemic.
As far as trade, here's this quote:
Bird gatherings are banned and all other movements of birds and some products are banned in the whole of the Temporary Control Zone.
I wonder what "products"?
JJackson, since your mother is a member, maybe she can find out why they would make such a statement.
After the recent sequence fiasco, it's hard to know what to believe unless a person has actual knowledge.
wild birds would be implicated in the new outbreak
It is unlikely that the virus wasn't shed by wild birds. The ISZVE phylogenetic tree demonstrate how common is this virus among wild population almost in N Italy.
What do you make of this? Looks like BC again with an LP infection acquiring mutations to the cleavage site to go HP. I would love to see the before and after sequences (but shall not be holding my breath).
It is widely circulation of these viruses that may be alarming: I posted updates for Italy at several times, and A/H7 (N1 or N3) were always involved. The last situation update from IZSVE (OIE Reference Laboratory in Padua) told about an epizootic by A/H7N3 in a poultry seller, earlier this year. Notably, no media coverage for these events.
Clearly, a chain of transmission is maintaned either via fomites or migratory birds, or movement of animals across EU.
H7 epizootics recurred for years in this area, and elsewhere in EU.
I think health officials should investigate better seroprevalence among poultry workers, although during seasonal surveillance no abnormal epidemic activity was detected.
Please note the frequency of such H7 epizootics in the abovementioned area (17 / 18 are H7) (http://www.izsvenezie.it/dnn/Portals/0/AI/05_11_Report_Focolai_LPAI.pdf). And confronting this with media coverage of poultry epizootics... So the emergency is rather common...
Attachments: 1, image, phylogenetic tree of a H7 isolate
H7 in humans is really a detection issue. In the H7N7 outbreak, only three family members were H7 positive by PCR (in addition to the 86 cullers), yet in the antibody assay, hundreds were positive (and these cases had a high suspicion level because of the large number of cullers whi were PCR positive).
Jun 3 2008 (http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/southport-news/uk-world-news/2008/06/03/)
Chickens on a farm in Oxfordshire have tested positive for the H7 strain of bird flu, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
All birds on the infected farm near Banbury will be slaughtered as a precautionary measure after the case of avian flu was confirmed by new chief veterinary officer Nigel Gibbens.
Testing is continuing to discover whether the strain of bird flu is a highly pathogenic one, Defra said.
Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth said: "This is worrying news for the farming community. It is vital that Defra acts to contain the outbreak and to identify its source."
http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/southport-news/uk-world-news/2008/06/03/chickens-test-positive-for-bird-flu-101022-21018705/
Chickens Test Positive For Bird Flu
Updated:18:04, Tuesday June 03, 2008
Chickens on a farm in Oxfordshire have tested positive for the H7 strain of bird flu, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
wild birds would be implicated in the new outbreak
On the other hand they are probably correct. Wild birds are unlikely to be implicated by any form of direct proof. For that you would need a sample from the source. If the source turns out to be commercial poultry then there is a good chance it will be traced back one step. If the source was a wild bird then it will never be found - no smoking gun. Net result no confirmed wild bird infections. Not at all the same thing as no infections from wild birds.
The Health Protection Agency has advised that it is important to remember that H7 avian flu remains largely a disease of birds. The virus does not transmit easily to humans, as evidenced by the small number of confirmed infections worldwide to date. Almost all human H7 infections documented so far have been associated with close contact with dead or dying poultry. The risk to human health posed by H7 avian influenza viruses remains low. Nonetheless, the local Health Protection Unit will be identifying and following up those who may have had contact with the infected poultry and provide guidance and advice, and preventative medication as appropriate.
from DEFRA in post #5 that made me write the PostScript I was adding when Dr. Niman replied to my first post. I was thinking specifically about the H7N7 he referenced and the hospitalisations from last years UK outbreak.
H7 is a serious pandemic candidate its only saving grace is that is not causing the same clinical illness in humans as H5N1.
DEFRA has this evening (Tuesday) confirmed an outbreak of Bird Flu in the Banbury area.
Chief veterinary officer, Nigel Gibbens, has confirmed Avian Influenza in chickens on premises near Banbury after preliminary tests were positive for the H7 strain.
All birds on the premises will be slaughtered as a precautionary measure.
Early reports suggest 25,000 birds will be slaughtered on the unnamed premises ten kilometres from Banbury.
Laboratory testing continues and results which will allow confirmation of whether the strain is high or low pathogenicity will follow.
A detailed epidemiological investigation to better understand the origin and development of the disease is underway.
A Temporary Control Zone with a three-kilometre inner zone and a ten-kilometre outer zone is being established around the infected premises.
A number of measures apply.
- All birds must be housed or otherwise isolated from contact with wild birds in the inner zone.
- Bird gatherings are banned and all other movements of birds and some products are banned in the whole of the Temporary Control Zone.
Defra is urgently considering whether any wider measures may be needed.
Mr Gibbens said: "I would stress the need for poultry keepers to be extremely vigilant, practice the highest levels of biosecurity and report any suspicions of disease to their local Animal Health Office immediately."
The Health Protection Agency has advised that it is important to remember that H7 avian flu remains largely a disease of birds. The virus does not transmit easily to humans, as evidenced by the small number of confirmed infections worldwide to date.
Almost all human H7 infections documented so far have been associated with close contact with dead or dying poultry.
The risk to human health posed by H7 avian influenza viruses remains low.
Nonetheless, the local Health Protection Unit will be identifying and following up those who may have had contact with the infected poultry and provide guidance and advice, and preventative medication as appropriate.
Dr Judith Hilton, Food Standards Agency head of microbiological safety, said:"This case of bird flu on a premises in Banbury, Oxfordshire poses no safety implications for the human food chain.
"Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. The science shows that the virus isn't contracted by eating food – but usually by close contact with infected birds."
All poultry keepers on the GB Poultry Register are being notified, and the EU Commission has been informed.
http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/Bird-flu-in-Banbury.4147225.jp
Serological Analysis of Serum Samples from Humans Exposed to Avian H7 Influenza Viruses in Italy between 1999 and 2003
Simona Puzelli,1 Livia Di Trani,2 Concetta Fabiani,1 Laura Campitelli,1
Maria Alessandra De Marco,3 Ilaria Capua,4 Jean Francois Aguilera,5
Maria Zambon,5 and Isabella Donatelli1
1Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immuno-Mediated Diseases
and 2Department of Food and Animal Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanita`,
Rome, 3Istituto Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna,
and 4Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Padova, Italy;
5Centre for Infection, Health Protection Agency, London, United Kingdom
(See the editorial commentary by Hayden and Croisier, on pages XXX–
XX.)
We evaluated the potential for avian-to-human transmission of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H7N1 and LPAI H7N3 viruses that were responsible for several outbreaks of influe
from DEFRA in post #5 that made me write the PostScript I was adding when Dr. Niman replied to my first post. I was thinking specifically about the H7N7 he referenced and the hospitalisations from last years UK outbreak.
H7 is a serious pandemic candidate its only saving grace is that is not causing the same clinical illness in humans as H5N1.
H7 detection is poor. Eye infections are not tested and many respiratory infections have been mild and would not lead to doctor's visits or testing. There has not been any reports of H7 antibody suveillance, other than the reported associated with the H7N7 outbreak.
The detection of H7 via influenza surveillance, is not very sensitive.
This is a strange statement. I come from Oxfordshire and my mother still lives there. She is an RSPB member and avid bird watcher and I can assure you there are plenty of wild fowl year round. We lived near Henley-on-Thames and there are no shortage of ducks, geese and swans on the Thames. The link (http://www.henley-on-thames.org/) has a photo of the bridge at Henley taken at about this time of year. Try and count the waterfowl.
Since I'm not familiar with the people, birds, lifestyles or business practices in Oxfordshire, I wouldn't rule out causes other than migratory birds.
If the birds aren't there now, then it's possible they weren't there last year at the almost exactly same time, nor the year before.
I suppose it is possible there were some late-comers; or the occasional one passing over shed virus.
I think it's a mistake to be so focused on one issue that others are over-looked.
All the chickens on the farm have been slaughtered following detection of the virus, which does not pose a high risk to humans, at the farm in Banbury, Oxfordshire late on Tuesday.
"The Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that the strain of H7 avian influenza present in laying hens at the farm in Banbury is highly pathogenic," the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said in statement.
Highly pathogenic means that the virus has a relatively high ability to produce disease.
Japan announced that it was suspending imports of poultry from Britain following the outbreak.
Officials near the affected farm have introduced measures meaning poultry within three kilometres (1.9 miles) of the farm must be isolated from wild birds and bird gatherings and movement of birds are banned within ten kilometres.
Britain's Health Protection Agency said the H7 strain of avian flu is largely a disease of birds and does not easily transmit to humans.
The Food Standards Agency said the case of bird flu "poses no safety implications for the human food chain". The H5N1 virus can cause human deaths and was most recently detected in Dorset, southern England in January. tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.com afop/ejp/slj
http://www.iii.co.uk/news/?type=afxnews&articleid=6745343&action=article
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/05270701/H7N2_Efficient_11.html
H7N3 almost exactly 2 years ago
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/04300603/H7N3_Norwich_Spread.html
HP & LP technically refers to genetic structure but for our purposes denotes virulence in poultry.
It says little about either ease of transmission or virulence in humans.
Seasonal human flus are LP.
H5N1 comes in both types (as do H7Nx). The H5N1 that has been causing human deaths is HP. In humans H7Nx (inc. the HP form) is normally associated with fairly mild eye infections but has caused more typical ‘flu like illness’ and one death. H7s have generally also shown more human-to-human transmission ability than H5N1 (thankfully).
PS Many of the journalists (especially those working for local papers) know very little about this area and will make errors (please bear with them). Some in authority - who should know better - are making re-assuring statements which often fall in the wishful thinking catagory and are being quoted by the journalists.
See H5N1.
The virus might not be capable of sustained h2h.
H7 in poultry was reported back to the 1870s, but no human H7-epidemic
ever.
Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960
Update on Avian Influenza in Oxfordshire: H7 strain confirmed as Highly Pathogenic
Following further laboratory results, the Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that the strain of H7 Avian Influenza present in laying hens at the farm in Banbury is highly pathogenic.
Further laboratory tests are in progress to identify the N type and possible relationships with previously identified viruses. A detailed epidemiological investigation to better understand the origin and development of the disease is also underway.
The 3km inner and 10km outer Temporary Control Zone was established on 3 June with measures appropriate to a highly pathogenic strain. These measures remain in place and existing restrictions continue to apply.
These restrictions include the housing or otherwise isolation from contact with wild birds in the inner 3km zone. All bird gatherings in the Temporary Control Zone are banned. Other movements of birds and some products are also banned in the whole of the Temporary Control Zone. Defra is urgently considering whether any wider measures may be needed. Please see the Defra website for detailed information on the restrictions.
The Health Protection Agency has confirmed that the risk to public health remains low. The Food Standards Agency has also confirmed that there are no safety implications for the human food chain.
Poultry keepers are urged to be extremely vigilant, practice the highest levels of biosecurity and report any suspicions of disease to their local Animal Health Office immediately.
Notes to editors
1. AI viruses are categorized according to the ability to cause severe disease (pathogenicity) in avian species as either highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAI) or low pathogenic (LPAI).
2. Further information can be found on the Defra website www.defra.gov.uk (http://www.defra.gov.uk)
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/080604c.htm
THE Banbury Guardian is currently (5.30pm, Tuesday) investigating reports of an outbreak of bird flu in the Banbury area.
Early details suggest 25,000 birds face slaughter following an outbreak of the H7 strain of bird flu at a site ten kilometres from the town.
A spokesman for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs would not confirm the report but said: "We have investigations ongoing throughout the year as a matter of routine."
The H7 family of flu viruses primarily affects birds. A deadly version of the H7N7 strain hit poultry in the Netherlands in 2003 and a less severe form, H7N2, broke out in the UK last year.
http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/Bird-flu-rumours-in-Banbury.4147225.jp
Vets slaughter chickens on bird flu farm
By Ellie Simmonds
Vets have been ordered to slaughter 25,000 chickens after an outbreak of bird flu was confirmed in Oxfordshire.
The outbreak - the first in the county - was discovered at Eastwood Farm between Shenington and Shutford, about 10 miles west of Banbury.
The farmer contacted the Department for Food and Rural Affairs yesterday after noticing his birds were showing suspicious symptoms.
Nigel Gibbens, the Government's chief veterinary officer, tonight confirmed the chickens had tested positive for the H7 strain of Avian Influenza - one of two strains which can be highly contagious - but not the deadly H5N1 strain.
He said the virus did not transmit easily to humans and almost all human H7 infections so far had been associated with close contact with dead or dying poultry.
A control zone has been put in place.
A neighbouring farmer, who did not wish to be named, said: "I am just terribly sad for the farmer. Luckily I don't have poultry here but I feel very sad - they are good people who work hard."
Another farmer added: "I am surprised, because there haven't been cases of bird flu for a while.
"These things are generally spread by wild birds, I presume that is what has happened here."
Police cordoned off part of Epwell Road, while Defra officials set up a temporary control area in which all birds must be kept inside.
The department is urgently considering whether any wider measures were needed.
Mr Gibbens said: "I would stress the need for poultry keepers to be extremely vigilant, practice the highest levels of biosecurity and report any suspicions of disease to their local animal health office immediately."
Oxfordshire County Council's chief emergency planning officer John Kelly said the issue was being dealt with by the county's trading standards department.
He added: "It is not an emergency planning matter - I would certainly say to people they should not worry."
Linda Ayres, owner of Hangland Farm Ostriches in nearby Upper Wardington, said: "My birds are out to grass right now. We will certainly have to look at getting them in.
"Before there has certainly been nothing close enough to us to worry us. It will be the first time we have had it to worry about."
Dr Judith Hilton, head of microbiological safety for the Food Standards Agency, said: "This case of bird flu poses no safety implications for the human food chain."
8:56pm today
Sure, I agree. But one should figure the huge amount of poultry in certain zones of Europe, for example Po River plateau, with hundreds of millions of poultry heads.
H7 epizootics recurred for years in this area, and elsewhere in EU.
I think health officials should investigate better seroprevalence among poultry workers, although during seasonal surveillance no abnormal epidemic activity was detected.
Please note the frequency of such H7 epizootics in the abovementioned area (17 / 18 are H7) (http://www.izsvenezie.it/dnn/Portals/0/AI/05_11_Report_Focolai_LPAI.pdf). And confronting this with media coverage of poultry epizootics... So the emergency is rather common...
Attachments: 1, image, phylogenetic tree of a H7 isolate
Chickens in Oxfordshire have tested positive for the highly pathogenic H7 strain of bird flu, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed today.
It is the first time a deadly form of the H7 virus has been identified in the UK, but Defra said the risk to humans was low.
All birds on the farm, near Banbury, are being slaughtered as a precautionary measure. An investigation into the origin of the outbreak is under way.
A temporary control zone was established around the premises when suspected bird flu was first identified yesterday.
The Food Standards Agency said there were no safety implications for the human food chain.
Defra said the H7 strain was "largely a disease of birds" and did not transmit easily to humans.
One vet died in the Netherlands when a deadly version of the H7N7 strain hit poultry in 2003. About 80 people suffered conjunctivitis, a non-life threatening eye infection.
An outbreak of the less severe H7N2 strain in the UK last year also led to cases of conjunctivitis as well as some mild respiratory infections.
There are other variants of the H7 strain, but Defra has yet to identify which form of the virus was present in the Oxfordshire chickens.
"I would stress the need for poultry keepers to be extremely vigilant, practice the highest levels of biosecurity and report any suspicions of disease to their local animal health office immediately," the chief vet, Nigel Gibbens, said.
The HN51 form of the virus is believed to be the variant most likely to jump from birds to humans in a form that is highly infectious and could trigger a potentially devastating flu pandemic.
However, a US study published last month found that H7N2 could possibly be passed from human to human and have "pandemic potential".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/04/birdflu
By the way I get all of my information through here:
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Hot+Topics/Bird+Flu
The H7 outbreaks are like clockwork. Same problem almost exactly one year ago
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/05270701/H7N2_Efficient_11.html
The point is: epizootics by H7 strains are more common that usually stated by the media sources.
There is an ongoing circulation of these viruses among poultry and wild birds and thus epizootics recurrence isn't a news at all.
Human exposure isnt' an exception event but perhaps is common.
One should emphasize this to put in the correct perspective the acutal events.
Although epizootic infections may be more common, so are human infections/ The H7 assay is abysmal.
Obvious. There are veterinarians not medics, although strict collaboration is established. We are one of the greatest poultry producers in EU and without proper surveillance no one chicken survived to continuing avian influenza exposure.
The point is: epizootics by H7 strains are more common that usually stated by the media sources.
There is an ongoing circulation of these viruses among poultry and wild birds and thus epizootics recurrence isn't a news at all.
Human exposure isnt' an exception event but perhaps is common.
One should emphasize this to put in the correct perspective the acutal events.
wild birds would be implicated in the new outbreak
What did they say about H5N1 at the swannery? The sequence data clearly indicated the swans were infected by multiple introductions by wild birds.
The current H7 infection was in free range hens.
The credibility of the RSPB is ZERO (at best).
**************************************
A ProMED-mail post
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
Date: Tue 3 Jun 2008
Source: DEFRA News Release Ref: 171/08 [edited]
Avian influenza H7 confirmed in Oxfordshire
-------------------------------------------
The Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens, has
today confirmed avian influenza in chickens on
premises near Banbury in Oxfordshire after
preliminary tests were positive for the H7
strain. All birds on the premises will be
slaughtered as a precautionary measure.
Laboratory testing continues and results which
will allow confirmation of whether the strain is
high or low pathogenicity will follow. A detailed
epidemiological investigation to better
understand the origin and development of the disease is underway.
A Temporary Control Zone with a 3km [1.86-mile]
inner zone and a 10km [6.2-mile] outer zone is
being established around the Infected Premises [a
map is available at the above URL]. A number of
measures apply. All birds must be housed or
otherwise isolated from contact with wild birds
in the inner zone. Bird gatherings are banned and
all other movements of birds and some products
are banned in the whole of the Temporary Control
Zone. DEFRA is urgently considering whether any wider measures may be needed.
Nigel Gibbens said: "I would stress the need for
poultry keepers to be extremely vigilant,
practice the highest levels of biosecurity and
report any suspicions of disease to their local
Animal Health Office immediately."
The Health Protection Agency has advised that it
is important to remember that H7 avian flu
remains largely a disease of birds. The virus
does not transmit easily to humans, as evidenced
by the small number of confirmed infections
worldwide to date. Almost all human H7 infections
documented so far have been associated with close
contact with dead or dying poultry. The risk to
human health posed by H7 avian influenza viruses
remains low. Nonetheless, the local Health
Protection Unit will be identifying and following
up those who may have had contact with the
infected poultry and provide guidance and advice,
and preventative medication as appropriate.
Dr. Judith Hilton, Food Standards Agency head of
microbiological safety, said: "This case of bird
flu on a premises in Banbury, Oxfordshire, poses
no safety implications for the human food chain.
Properly cooked poultry and poultry products,
including eggs, are safe to eat. The science
shows that the virus isn't contracted by eating
food -- but usually by close contact with infected birds."
All poultry keepers on the GB Poultry Register
are being notified, and the EU Commission has been informed.
Notes to editors
----------------
1. Avian Influenza is a disease of birds. Whilst
it can pass very rarely and with difficulty to
humans, this requires extremely close contact
with infected birds, particularly faeces.
2. Advice from the Food Standards Agency remains
that properly cooked poultry and poultry
products, including eggs, are safe to eat. People
should follow the Agency's normal food hygiene
advice in relation to handling eggs and raw
poultry meat in the kitchen. People should not
eat raw eggs or use raw eggs in dishes that will
not be cooked. Eggs should be cooked until the
whites are solid. People at particular risk of
salmonella should continue to cook eggs until the
yolks are solid. People should also ensure that
poultry meat is cooked to the point where the
juices run clear and there are no red parts in
the meat. The H7 virus is destroyed by cooking thoroughly.
3. All avian influenzas (H1 to H16) can be low
pathogenic but only H5 and H7 are known to have
the potential to become highly pathogenic.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
[Details on the housing and husbandry mode
applied on the affected farm as well as
epidemiological and clinical observations will be
helpful. Laboratory results, addressing the
pathogenicity and genetic lineage of the isolate, are anticipated.
Avian H7 influenza viruses from both the Eurasian
and North American lineage have caused outbreaks
in poultry since 2002, with confirmed human
infection occurring during outbreaks in The
Netherlands, British Columbia, and the United
Kingdom.
The most publicised case was recorded in the Netherlands during an
extensive epizootic of HPAI H7N7 virus on commercial poultry farms,
between March and May 2003. One case involved fatal respiratory
distress syndrome in a veterinarian who was in close contact with
infected poultry -- see ProMED ref. below. Reportedly, 86 cases in
poultry workers and 3 cases in people with no poultry
contact were initially confirmed by PCR.
The majority of H7 infections have resulted in
self-limiting conjunctivitis, whereas probable
human-to-human transmission has been rare.
Subscribers are referred to a recent paper,
titled "Contemporary North American influenza H7
viruses possess human receptor specificity:
Implications for virus transmissibility," which
has been presented and discussed in posting 20080527.1728 (http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:3620100093466590::::F2400_P1001_BACK _PAGE,F2400_P1001_ARCHIVE_NUMBER,F2400_P1001_USE_A RCHIVE:1001,20080527.1728,Y). - Mod.AS]
[see also:
Avian influenza H7 - North America: human receptor 20080527.1728 (http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:3620100093466590::::F2400_P1001_BACK _PAGE,F2400_P1001_ARCHIVE_NUMBER,F2400_P1001_USE_A RCHIVE:1001,20080527.1728,Y)
Avian influenza (66): Japan, swan, Denmark, LPAI H7, OIE 20080430.1484 (http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:3620100093466590::::F2400_P1001_BACK _PAGE,F2400_P1001_ARCHIVE_NUMBER,F2400_P1001_USE_A RCHIVE:1001,20080430.1484,Y)
Avian influenza (65): Japan, swan, Denmark, LPAI, H7 20080429.1479 (http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:3620100093466590::::F2400_P1001_BACK _PAGE,F2400_P1001_ARCHIVE_NUMBER,F2400_P1001_USE_A RCHIVE:1001,20080429.1479,Y)
Avian influenza (27): Bulgaria, wild duck, H7, OIE 20080203.0437 (http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:3620100093466590::::F2400_P1001_BACK _PAGE,F2400_P1001_ARCHIVE_NUMBER,F2400_P1001_USE_A RCHIVE:1001,20080203.0437,Y)
Avian influenza (25) - Bulgaria, wild duck, H7 20080202.0415 (http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:3620100093466590::::F2400_P1001_BACK _PAGE,F2400_P1001_ARCHIVE_NUMBER,F2400_P1001_USE_A RCHIVE:1001,20080202.0415,Y)
2007
----
Avian influenza (177): S. Korea, LPAI H7, susp. 20071124.3797 (http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:3620100093466590::::F2400_P1001_BACK _PAGE,F2400_P1001_ARCHIVE_NUMBER,F2400_P1001_USE_A RCHIVE:1001,20071124.3797,Y)
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (35): H7 20070902.2887 (http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:3620100093466590::::F2400_P1001_BACK _PAGE,F2400_P1001_ARCHIVE_NUMBER,F2400_P1001_USE_A RCHIVE:1001,20070902.2887,Y)
2006
----
Avian influenza (170) - Netherlands, LPAI H7 20060805.2160 (http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:3620100093466590::::F2400_P1001_BACK _PAGE,F2400_P1001_ARCHIVE_NUMBER,F2400_P1001_USE_A RCHIVE:1001,20060805.2160,Y)
Avian influenza - worldwide (99): UK H7, Germany 20060427.1226 (http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:3620100093466590::::F2400_P1001_BACK _PAGE,F2400_P1001_ARCHIVE_NUMBER,F2400_P1001_USE_A RCHIVE:1001,20060427.1226,Y)
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Lebanon: RFI 20060402.0988 (http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:3620100093466590::::F2400_P1001_BACK _PAGE,F2400_P1001_ARCHIVE_NUMBER,F2400_P1001_USE_A RCHIVE:1001,20060402.0988,Y)
Avian influenza, H7 - North Korea (02): OIE 20050408.1
2005
----
Avian influenza, human - Netherlands: seroprevalence 20050106.0034 (http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:3620100093466590::::F2400_P1001_BACK _PAGE,F2400_P1001_ARCHIVE_NUMBER,F2400_P1001_USE_A RCHIVE:1001,20050106.0034,Y)
2003
----
Avian influenza, human - Netherlands (10): fatal case 20030420.0967 (http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:3620100093466590::::F2400_P1001_BACK _PAGE,F2400_P1001_ARCHIVE_NUMBER,F2400_P1001_USE_A RCHIVE:1001,20030420.0967,Y)]
....................arn/ejp/jw
.Commentary
Transmission Concerns for High Path H7 In England
Recombinomics Commentary 16:07
June 4, 2008
As at least 50 percent of the people exposed to infected poultry had H7 antibodies detectable with the modified assay, it was estimated that avian influenza A/H7N7 virus infection occurred in at least 1000, and perhaps as many as 2000 people. The seroprevalence of H7 antibodies in people without contact with infected poultry, but with close household contact to an infected poultry worker, was 59 percent. This suggests that the population at risk for avian influenza was not limited to those with direct contact to infected poultry, and that person-to-person transmission may have occurred on a large scale
From February 18 to June 1, 2004, a total of 77 symptomatic persons were reported to the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. Fifty-seven had suspected (n = 55) or confirmed (n = 2) avian influenza infections.
An outbreak of the H7 strain of bird flu at a farm in central England is "highly pathogenic", officials said on Wednesday.
All the chickens on the farm have been slaughtered following detection of the virus, which does not pose a high risk to humans, at the farm in Banbury, Oxfordshire late on Tuesday.
The above comments describe high path H7 outbreaks. The H7N7 outbreak in The Netherlands was PCR confirmed in 89 cullers (http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/101/5/1356), but H7 antibodies were in more than 1000 contacts (http://www.recombinomics.com/News/01060503/Efficient_H7N7.html). The H7N3 outbreak the following year was linked to 2 confirmed cases but 55 suspected cases. The current case has been confirmed to be high path H7, but details have not been released other than the standard propaganda statement on a lack of human risk or transmission.
This myth (http://www.recombinomics.com/News/12240705/H7_Media_Myth.html) is regularly stated by DEFRA and then distributed by the popular press. It has no scientific basis and is support by an insensitive or fatally flawed assay and limited testing.
Recent experiments have demonstrated increase affinity for human receptors, adding additional evidence for the efficient H7 transmission to mammals, including humans. The detection of H7 is poor. The current outbreaks in England and the United States were likely due to wild birds, yet neither surveillance systems detected H7 in wild birds. In the US, the surveillance also failed to detect the H7N3 (http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06040801/H7N3_AR.html) virus in the birds that developed antibodies.
The outbreak in the United States is assumed to be low path because the infected flocks did not have evidence of disease. However, the low path H7N2 outbreak in England a year ago was also linked to many patients with symptoms. Four of these patients were confirmed, but others had a relatively severe course and were hospitalized, although none were linked to pneumonia and/or death.
Although most of the H7 bird outbreaks have associated confirmed cases, the low sensitivity of the assays raises questions about the extent of spread in humans.
The positive examples above clearly demonstrate that humans are easily infected with H7, and the outbreaks last year clearly show that such infections need not be high path H7.
04/06/2008 - 1:16:13 PM
The strain of H7 bird flu found in chickens at a farm in Oxfordshire is the highly pathogenic type, British officials said today.
The avian flu virus was found yesterday in laying hens at the farm in Banbury, England, and all birds on the site were slaughtered.
Further tests are in progress to identify the exact type of the virus, while an investigation is under way to find where the disease came from.
http://www.eecho.ie/news/story/?trs=mhgbeyqleyql
04 June 2008 13:26
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EAST Anglian farmers face worrying times after it emerged today that the strain of bird flu found in chickens on an Oxfordshire farm is “highly pathogenic” - the first time it has been identified as such in Britain.
The H7 avian flu virus was discovered yesterday in hens at the farm in Banbury.
All birds on the site were slaughtered.
While the H7 strain has been found in Britain on several occasions before this is the first time it has been identified in the highly pathogenic, or deadly, form.
Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens said: “I would stress the need for poultry keepers to be extremely vigilant, practise the highest levels of biosecurity and report any suspicions of disease to their local Animal Health Office immediately.”
http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/news/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=News&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=IPED04%20Jun%202008%2013%3A23%3A45%3A543
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06040803/More_H7_MM.html
The Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens, has today confirmed Avian Influenza in chickens on premises near Banbury in Oxfordshire after preliminary tests were positive for the H7 strain. All birds on the premises will be slaughtered as a precautionary measure.
Laboratory testing continues and results which will allow confirmation of whether the strain is high or low pathogenicity will follow. A detailed epidemiological investigation to better understand the origin and development of the disease is underway.
A Temporary Control Zone with a 3km inner zone and a 10km outer zone is being established around the Infected Premises. A number of measures apply. All birds must be housed or otherwise isolated from contact with wild birds in the inner zone. Bird gatherings are banned and all other movements of birds and some products are banned in the whole of the Temporary Control Zone. Defra is urgently considering whether any wider measures may be needed.
Poultry keepers are urged to be extremely vigilant, practice the highest levels of biosecurity and report any suspicions of disease to their local Animal Health Office immediately.
The Health Protection Agency has advised that it is important to remember that H7 avian flu remains largely a disease of birds. The virus does not transmit easily to humans, as evidenced by the small number of confirmed infections worldwide to date. Almost all human H7 infections documented so far have been associated with close contact with dead or dying poultry. The risk to human health posed by H7 avian influenza viruses remains low. Nonetheless, the local Health Protection Unit will be identifying and following up those who may have had contact with the infected poultry and provide guidance and advice, and preventative medication as appropriate.
Dr Judith Hilton, Food Standards Agency head of microbiological safety, said:
“This case of bird flu on a premises in Banbury, Oxfordshire poses no safety implications for the human food chain. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. The science shows that the virus isn't contracted by eating food – but usually by close contact with infected birds.”
All poultry keepers on the GB Poultry Register are being notified, and the EU Commission has been informed.
Further information:
Defra's information regarding avian influenza (bird flu) (http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/index.htm)
Food Standards Agency (http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/webpage/birdflu/birdflufaq/)
Health Protection Agency information (http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1160495617087)Page last modified: 3 June 2008 18:25
Page published: 3 June 2008
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2008/animal-0603.htm
Since I'm not familiar with the people, birds, lifestyles or business practices in Oxfordshire, I wouldn't rule out causes other than migratory birds.
If the birds aren't there now, then it's possible they weren't there last year at the almost exactly same time, nor the year before.
I suppose it is possible there were some late-comers; or the occasional one passing over shed virus.
I think it's a mistake to be so focused on one issue that others are over-looked.
Please. There is ZERO evidence of trade. The outbreak actually began three weeks ago and again the bird watchers really have ZERO credibility on avian influenza.
Persistence of A/H7 in animal population across European countries cannot be discounted, thus human exposure to H7 subtype may be wider than expected but no major outbreaks happened so far.
I think that spotted focused attention paid by agricultural watchdogs to these issues do not preclude a better human epidemiological evaluation, including the lack of H7 isolation during seasonal human influenza surveillance.
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06030801/H7_England_Again.html
New bird flu outbreak near Banbury 'went undetected for three weeks'
Valerie Elliott, Countryside Editor
Free-range chickens on the farm at the centre of the latest avian flu alert have been infected with the disease for three weeks, The Times has learnt.
A local veterinary surgeon was called to Eastwood Farm in the village of Shenington, near Banbury, Oxfordshire, after an increase of mortality in hens in one 3,000-bird shed.
The birds were treated with antibiotics. The owner however raised the alarm on Monday when 10 per cent of his 25,000 flock were found dead. Only then was avian flu suspected.
Government vets are now urgently checking poultry in the neighbourbhood to ascertain whether the disease has already spread to other farms.
Related Links
Scientists identify new strain of bird flu (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article4009755.ece)
Why bird flu stories aren't all bad news (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article3728978.ece)
Bird flu 'passed person to person' (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article3701724.ece)
Veterinary epidemiologists are also tracing all movements of vehicles, people, eggs and birds on and off the farm in the past month to identify the source of the disease.
The most likely theory, owever is that the avian flu virus, identified today as the highly pathogenic H7 strain, was brought on to the farm by an infected wild bird.
The cull of the rest of the birds is now under way.
The risks of H7 to human health are low, unlike the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu virus. However there have been cases in Britain where farm workers have suffered conjunctivitis and flu-like symptoms.
A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone is in place around the infected premises. Checks are being made on all other poultry farms in the area and keepers have been asked to remain vigilant.
All bird movements and bird gatherings such as markets are banned.
There have been three other cases of H7 avian flu in the UK, on farms in St Helens on Merseyside and near Corwen, north Wales early last summer and in Dereham, Norfolk in May 2006.
The last outbreak of H5N1 in the UK was in wild swans at the Abbotsbury nature reserve in Dorset in the New Year. This popular tourist attraction near Chesil Beach is now open for visitors once more.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4066462.ece
Persistence of A/H7 in animal population across European countries cannot be discounted, thus human exposure to H7 subtype may be wider than expected but no major outbreaks happened so far.
I think that spotted focused attention paid by agricultural watchdogs to these issues do not preclude a better human epidemiological evaluation, including the lack of H7 isolation during seasonal human influenza surveillance.
Most of the human H7 has been linked to eye infections, which are not tested for influenza.
HP & LP technically refers to genetic structure but for our purposes denotes virulence in poultry.
It says little about either ease of transmission or virulence in humans.
Seasonal human flus are LP.
H5N1 comes in both types (as do H7Nx). The H5N1 that has been causing human deaths is HP. In humans H7Nx (inc. the HP form) is normally associated with fairly mild eye infections but has caused more typical ‘flu like illness’ and one death. H7s have generally also show more human-to-human transmission ability than H5N1 (thankfully).
H7N7 was VERY efficiently transmitted H2H
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/01060503/Efficient_H7N7.html
Efficient Human to Human Transmission of H7N7 Bird Flu
Recombinomics Commentary
January 6, 2005
>>As at least 50 percent of the people exposed to infected poultry had H7 antibodies detectable with the modified assay, it was estimated that avian influenza A/H7N7 virus infection occurred in at least 1000, and perhaps as many as 2000 people. The seroprevalence of H7 antibodies in people without contact with infected poultry, but with close household contact to an infected poultry worker, was 59 percent. This suggests that the population at risk for avian influenza was not limited to those with direct contact to infected poultry, and that person-to-person transmission may have occurred on a large scale.<<
Snip from the Dutch report on the study after the H7 outbreak in 2003:
Routine serological tests failed to detect any antibodies, even in the
group of persons with confirmed avian influenza virus conjunctivitis.
A modification of the haemagglutination assay was developed, based on
observations that avian influenza viruses favour binding to red blood cells
from horses rather than turkeys (5).
As at least 50 percent of the people exposed to infected poultry had H7
antibodies detectable with the modified assay, it was estimated that
avian influenza A/H7N7 virus infection
occurred in at least 1000, and perhaps as many as 2000 people.
The seroprevalence of H7 antibodies in people without contact with infected
poultry, but with close household contact to an infected poultry worker,
was 59 percent. This suggests that the population at risk for avian
influenza was not limited to those with direct contact to infected poultry,
and that person-to-person transmission may have occurred on a large scale.
Specificity of the unconventional assay was confirmed by the absence of
reactivity in sera from 100 controls recently vaccinated with influenza
vaccine (2002/2003) (specificity 100 percent).
Assay specificity was further supported by the results of the cohort study:
having measurable antibodies was associated with having conjunctivitis (RR
1.72; 95 percent CI 0.99-2.99), and a lower proportion of the exposed
persons who took prophylactic antiviral medication developed antibodies
(corrected OR 0.48; 95 percent CI 0.25-0.89).
http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:3620100093466590::::F2400_P1001_BACK _PAGE,F2400_P1001_ARCHIVE_NUMBER,F2400_P1001_USE_A RCHIVE:1001,20050106.0034,Y
H7 epizootics recurred for years in this area, and elsewhere in EU.
I think health officials should investigate better seroprevalence among poultry workers, although during seasonal surveillance no abnormal epidemic activity was detected.
Please note the frequency of such H7 epizootics in the abovementioned area (17 / 18 are H7) (http://www.izsvenezie.it/dnn/Portals/0/AI/05_11_Report_Focolai_LPAI.pdf). And confronting this with media coverage of poultry epizootics... So the emergency is rather common...
Attachments: 1, image, phylogenetic tree of a H7 isolate
Most of the outbreaks linked above don't even have the full serotype of the H7 in the poultry. I doubt that there was much serious testing on associated humans.
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06040802/H7_UK_Transmission.html
#If you have any other info about this subject , Please add it free.# |
