Sep 05 Health Alerts
Bird flu suspected in Japan
Monday, 26 September, 2005
In June this year there was a report on the detection of a mild form of bird flu in Japan and surveillance by Japanese authorities since then has confirmed the presence of antibodies to this flu variety in poultry on 31 farms. However, so far there has been no report of sickness in the birds and it is possible that the test results are due to the unauthorised use of a vaccine which has not yet had approval. Japanese authorities have been pro-active in seeking out possible infection rather than waiting to react to the presence of established disease so reports of this kind are to be expected. Reports indicate that continuing surveillance conducted at the national level, targeting commercial poultry farms (excluding broiler farms) in each prefecture, is due to be completed on 22 Sep 2005.
The Travel Doctor TMVC is monitoring reports and will post regular updates.
Avian Influenza in Indonesia update
Thursday, 29 September, 2005
The World Health Organisation has confirmed a third human case of H5N1 avian influenza in Indonesia. As investigations have produced no evidence that the H5N1 virus is spreading easily from person to person, WHO has not raised its current level of pandemic alert. WHO will, however, continue to monitor the situation closely. Given the experience of other H5N1 affected countries in Asia, the detection of further human cases in Indonesia or elsewhere would not be surprising. Laboratory confirmation of cases in Indonesia has led to heightened public concern, intensified surveillance for further cases, and strengthened government commitment to contain the disease. As a result, several patients with respiratory symptoms and a history of possible exposure to the avian virus are being evaluated as part of ongoing surveillance efforts. Samples from these patients have also been sent for analysis by the WHO reference laboratory in Hong Kong. Further information is available on
http://www.who.int/csr/don/archive/disease/influenza/2005_09_22a/en/index.html
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