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Disturbing, H9N2/H1N1-2/H3N2/H5N1 and SWINE

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    Posted: April 14 2009 at 10:04am
.
 Tuesday April 14, 2009
.........................................
Mary (hoping Time /Newsweek/US News &World Report will pick up on this)
 
 
Are young children being infected with?
 
 
 
H9N2
............
Raging in pigs in CHINA SINCE 2006
.........................................................
 
 
 excerpt-
 
China currently has a very grim situation of -
 

 
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV),
 
also known as Blue-Ear Pig Disease

This economically important    pandemic disease  
 
causes reproductive failure in breeding stock (PREGNANT)  and respiratory tract
 
illness in >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>YOUNG pigs.

 
 
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porcine_Reproductive_and_Respiratory_Syndrome
...........................................................................................................
 
 
excerpt- (PubMed)

 
... our finding provides further evidence about the interspecies transmission of avian influenza viruses
 
to pigs and emphasizes the importance of reinforcing swine influenza virus (SIV) surveillance,
 
especially after the emergence of highly pathogenic PRRSVs in pigs in China.
 

...All the eight gene segments of the four swine H9N2 viruses
 
 
are highly homologous to
 
 
A/Pigeon/Nanchang/2-0461/00 (H9N2)
 
or
 
A/Wild Duck/Nanchang/2-0480/00 (H9N2).
 

from- PubMed
 
 
China.Yu H, Hua RH, Wei TC, Zhou YJ, Tian ZJ, Li GX, Liu TQ, Tong GZ.
National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150001, China.
 
As pigs are susceptible to infection with both avian and human influenza A viruses, they have been proposed to be an intermediate host for the adaptation of avian influenza viruses to humans.
 
 
In April 2006, a disease caused by highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) occurred in several pig farms and subsequently overwhelmed almost half of China with more than 2,000,000 cases of pig infection. Here we report a case in which four swine H9N2 influenza viruses were isolated from pigs infected by highly pathogenic PRRSVs in Guangxi province in China.
 
 
All the eight gene segments of the four swine H9N2 viruses are highly homologous to
A/Pigeon/Nanchang/2-0461/00 (H9N2) or A/Wild Duck/Nanchang/2-0480/00 (H9N2).
Phylogenetic analyses of eight genes show that the swine H9N2 influenza viruses are of avian origin
and may be the descendants of A/Duck/Hong Kong/Y280/97-like viruses.

Molecular analysis of the HA gene indicates that our H9N2 isolates might have high-affinity binding to the alpha2,6-NeuAcGal receptor found in human cells. In conclusion,

 our finding provides further evidence about the interspecies transmission of avian influenza viruses to pigs and emphasizes the importance of reinforcing swine influenza virus (SIV) surveillance, especially after the emergence of highly pathogenic PRRSVs in pigs in China.
PMID: 18403137 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Related articles
Swine infection with H9N2 influenza viruses in China in 2004. Virus Genes. 2008 Jun; 36(3):461-9. Epub 2008 Apr 10.
[Virus Genes. 2008]
Antigenic and genetic characterization of H9N2 swine influenza viruses in China. J Gen Virol. 2007 Jul; 88(Pt 7):2035-41.
[J Gen Virol. 2007]
Cocirculation of avian H9N2 and contemporary "human" H3N2 influenza A viruses in pigs in southeastern China: potential for genetic reassortment? J Virol. 2001 Oct; 75(20):9679-86.
[J Virol. 2001]
ReviewAvian influenza and human health. Acta Trop. 2002 Jul; 83(1):1-6.
[Acta Trop. 2002]
ReviewRecent zoonoses caused by influenza A viruses. Rev Sci Tech. 2000 Apr; 19(1):197-225.
[Rev Sci Tech. 2000]

....................................................................................................................
 
China is making an effort, but will it be enough?
 
 
excerpt from...
 
 
 
 
Dazhu County People's Government Office
 

Do a good job in the spring of 2009 on animal epidemic prevention notice
People's Government of the township, county-level departments:
    
 
For the full completion of the work of animal epidemic prevention this year, the goals and tasks, to enhance the immune animal density and the quality of immunization to ensure that the county clean without major animal disease epidemic and the quality and safety of livestock products. Now do a good job this spring on the practical matters related to animal epidemic prevention notice is as follows. First, to enhance understanding, strengthen leadership
 
 
This year, the national major animal epidemic situation is very grim situation.
 
Beijing, Shandong, Shanxi, Hunan, Xinjiang, Guizhou, Guangxi

and other places there were eight cases of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza cases.

Hubei, Xinjiang, Shanghai, Shanxi and other places also have foot and mouth disease and

highly pathogenic livestock Blue ear pig disease and other major animal epidemic situation.
 
Spring season and transport of animals is the peak period is the season of high animal disease, prevention and control of serious abnormal situation.
 
To this end, the township should attach great importance to the departments concerned, a careful analysis of the current major international and domestic animal disease situation, to further enhance the sense of urgency and responsibility, immediate action, the full deployment,

carefully organized and scientific prevention and control, increase investment, effective and orderly to carry out a good spring animal disease prevention and control work. 
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Veterinary Microbiology : Isolation and pathotyping of H9N2 avian ...
Further characterization of Indian H9N2 isolates is required to understand ..... We also thank the DADF, MOA, Government of India for their co-operation and ...
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  • .................
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    more from Google
     
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  •  
     
     
    ...................................
     
     
     
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    Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 14 2009 at 10:38am
    .
    How 'Silent' is H9N2?
     
     
    China and Hong Kong seem to be rather open on the DANGER of H9N2
    ....................................................................................................................
     
     
    Excerpt from Yahoo Hong Kong
     
    Wednesday, April 15  
     
    24°C 88 % Temperature 24 ° C Humidity 88%
     
     
    ......................................
     
    Ming Pao Daily News,
     
     a newsletter with his family a long time girl living in Shenzhen, Hong Kong Tuen Mun Hospital due to a doctor, was diagnosed with avian influenza H9N2 infection.
     
     ...Experts advise:
     
     
     Do not underestimate the threat of H9N2

    Experts believe that the world's attention to the focus of bird flu, mostly on high pathogenicity, mortality of the H5N1 virus, the threat of H9N2 had not been sufficient attention.
     
     
    Professor Wei Bosi in July this year attended a seminar in Hong Kong, warning of the
     
    greater risk of H9N2, which is a silent virus, more easily transmitted.
     
    H9N2 avian influenza virus characteristics, are considered more "human" and more capable
     
    than the impact of H5N1 human cell receptors, so that the virus easier to invasive cells.
     
    Now on the H5N1 bird flu worldwide, there are more comprehensive measures to deal
     
    with, but experts believe that the world should be on guard against the same H9N2 bird flu
     

    Experts believe that the world's attention to the focus of bird flu, mostly on high
     
    pathogenicity, mortality of the H5N1 virus, the threat of H9N2 had not been sufficient
     
    attention. Professor Wei Bosi in July this year attended a seminar in Hong Kong, warning of
     
    the greater risk of H9N2, which is a silent virus, more easily transmitted.
     
    H9N2 avian influenza virus characteristics, are considered more "human" and more capable
     
    than the impact of H5N1 human cell receptors, so that the virus easier to invasive cells.
     
    Now on the H5N1 bird flu worldwide, there are more comprehensive measures to deal
     
    with, but experts believe that the world should be on guard against the same H9N2 bird flu
     
     
    Welcome to respond to

    editorial@mingpao.com 

     
    article here-
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    Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 14 2009 at 10:57am
     
    They do test.... and thery do know, what is where...
     
     
    The FLOCKSCREEN™ AI-4 kit,
     
    combines the AI-1 and AI-3 kits in a single product, providing a 400 test product that may
     
    be used to detect Group A, H5, H7 and H9 targets in any combination up to a total
     
    maximum of 400 reactions.
     
    ........................................
     
     
    .....................
     
     
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    Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 14 2009 at 11:09am
     
     
    Girl's H9N2 virus confirmed of avian origin in HK
     
     
    excerpt from-
     
     
     
    ...The virus is highly similar to the H9N2 virus isolated from another case involving a nine-month-old girl in 2007, the center said.

    The virus found in the two-month-old girl was sensitive to antiviral medicines Tamiflu and Amantadine.

    The girl is being treated in Tuen Mun Hospital for another disease. Her symptoms of H9N2 infection have subsided.

    Samples taken from her on Jan. 2 tested negative for H9N2. Her close contacts did not develop symptoms of H9N2 infection.
     
    .....................................
     
     
     
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    .
     
     
    H9N2?
     
     
    Will they tell us the avian strain?
    ......................................................
     
    From Hong Kong
    ..........................................
     

    Egypt: Avian Influenza, human
     
    Egypt reported 4 new human cases of Avian Influenza virus infection.
     
     
    These 4 cases were
     
     
    a 2.5-year-old female from the Qena District, Qena Governorate,
    a 2-year-old boy and
    a 21-month-old boy from Al-Bahaira province, and
    a 6-year-old boy from Shubra El-Khemia, Qalyubia.
     
     
    The first three cases remained in a stable condition and the fourth case’s condition was critical.
     
     
    Of the 63 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 23 have been fatal.
    (Source: World Health Organization 30 March 2009 & ProMED-mail 2, 4 & 6 April 2009)
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    source-

    www.animalagriculture.org/Solutions/Proceedings/Annual%20Meeting/2009/Poultry/Miles,%20Andrea.pdf


    AVIAN INFLUENZA:Current Challenges with H5N1 and H9N2

    Andrea M. Miles, DVM, PhDNational Institute for Animal Agriculture April 1st 2009
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Page 22
    SummaryGood News: Fewer new countries infected with H5N1 in 2008 than in any of the

    previous 5 yearsBad News:• H5N1 is “endemic” in 5 countries• Sporadic H5N1 outbreaks
     
    can be expected to continue • H9N2 is endemic in the Middle East and Asia, can be
     
    expected to spread • H9N2 may be a bigger threat than H5N1 for a
     
    human pandemic due to
     
    prevalence and human susceptibility
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Page 23
    WHO: Priorities for Pandemic Prevention and PreparednessReduce human exposure to
     
    H5N1 virus• Perhaps we should add H9N2?Strengthen early warning systemsIntensify r
     
    rapid containment operations Build local capacityCoordinate global research
     
     
    ..................................
     
     
    From China News
    .................................
     
     
    (Source: Sohu News January 8, 2009)

    Hong Kong: H9N2 cases, gene sequencing showed the virus from birds

     

       
    Hong Kong Center for Health Protection Department of Health, January 7 has been
     
    completed in December 2008 from a two-month-old girl made the H9N2 virus gene
     
    sequencing studies showed that all genes are from birds.
     


       
     A CHP spokesman said that virus samples obtained from girls of all eight gene order has
     
    been completed. He said: "The gene sequencing showed that they are avian in nature,
     
    has not found and the human influenza virus genes portfolio." "Viruses, and another in
     
    2007 involving a nine-month-girls very similar to H9N2 viruses. "
     


     
    .....................................................
     
    Mary  April 14, 2009
     
    ......................................................
     
     
     

    Avian influenza viruses infecting humans.Subbarao K, Katz J.
    Influenza Branch, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
     
     
    DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=5&log$=relatedreviews&logdbfrom=pubmed
     
     
    Avian species, particularly waterfowl, are the natural hosts of influenza A viruses. Influenza viruses bearing each of the 15 hemagglutinin and nine neuraminidase subtypes infect birds and serve as a reservoir from which influenza viruses or genes are introduced into the human population. Viruses with novel hemagglutinin genes derived from avian influenza viruses, with or without other accompanying avian influenza virus genes, have the potential for pandemic spread when the human population lacks protective immunity against the new hemagglutinin.
     

    Avian influenza viruses were thought to be limited in their ability to directly infect humans
     
    until 1997, when 18 human infections with avian influenza H5N1 viruses occurred in Hong Kong.

    In 1999, two human infections with avian influenza H9N2 viruses were also identified in Hong Kong.

    These events established that avian viruses could infect humans
     
    without acquiring human influenza genes by reassortment in an intermediate host
     
    and highlighted challenges associated with the detection of human immune responses to
     
    avian nfluenza viruses and the development of appropriate vaccines.
     
    PMID: 11130181 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
     
    .......................................................................................
     
     
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    Good stuff Mary. This is one of our big possibles to combine with H1N1 or run with H3N2.  These off strains have more of a chance to slip through the cracks.

    ja/mc
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    Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 19 2009 at 5:32pm
     
     
    Reassortant viruses represented by A/Chicken/Hong Kong/G9/97 (H9N2) were the major H9N2 influenza viruses circulating in the Hong Kong markets in 1997 but have not been detected since the chicken slaughter in 1997.
     
    The Qa/HK/G1/97-like viruses were frequently isolated from quail, while Dk/HK/Y280/97-like viruses were predominately associated with chickens. The Qa/HK/G1/97-like viruses were evolving relatively rapidly, especially in their PB2, HA, NP, and NA genes,
     
     
    suggesting that they are in the process of adapting to a new host.
     
    Experimental studies showed that both H9N2 lineages were primarily spread by the
     
    aerosol route and that neither quail nor chickens showed evidence of disease. The high prevalence of quail infected with Qa/HK/G1/97-like virus that contains six gene segments genetically highly related to HK/156/97 (H5N1) virus emphasizes the need for surveillance of mammals including humans.
     
     
    from-
     
    The transmission of H9N2 influenza viruses to humans and the realization that the A/Hong
     
    Kong/156/97-like (H5N1) (abbreviated HK/156/97) genome complex may be present in
     
    H9N2 viruses in southeastern China necessitated a study of the distribution and
     
    characterization of H9N2 viruses in poultry in the Hong Kong SAR in 1999. Serological
     
    studies indicated that H9N2 influenza viruses had infected a high proportion of chickens
     
    and other land-based birds (pigeon, pheasant, quail, guinea fowl, and chukka) from
     
    southeastern China.
     
     
     Two lineages of H9N2 influenza viruses present in the live-poultry markets were represented by A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 (Qa/HK/G1/97)-like and A/Duck/Hong Kong/Y280/97 (Dk/HK/Y280/97)-like viruses. Up to 16% of cages of quail in the poultry markets contained Qa/HK/G1/97-like viruses, while about 5% of cages of other land-based birds were infected with Dk/HK/Y280/97-like viruses. No reassortant between the two H9N2 virus lineages was detected despite their cocirculation in the poultry markets. Reassortant viruses represented by A/Chicken/Hong Kong/G9/97 (H9N2) were the major H9N2 influenza viruses circulating in the Hong Kong markets in 1997 but have not been detected since the chicken slaughter in 1997. The Qa/HK/G1/97-like viruses were frequently isolated from quail, while Dk/HK/Y280/97-like viruses were predominately associated with chickens. The Qa/HK/G1/97-like viruses were evolving relatively rapidly, especially in their PB2, HA, NP, and NA genes, suggesting that they are in the process of adapting to a new host. Experimental studies showed that both H9N2 lineages were primarily spread by the aerosol route and that neither quail nor chickens showed evidence of disease. The high prevalence of quail infected with Qa/HK/G1/97-like virus that contains six gene segments genetically highly related to HK/156/97 (H5N1) virus emphasizes the need for surveillance of mammals including humans.
     
     
    PMID: 11000205 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
     
     
     
    Mary08...
     
     
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    Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 19 2009 at 5:34pm
     
    Vet Microbiol. 2000 May 22;74(1-2):141-7.
    Interspecies transmission of influenza viruses:
    H5N1 virus and a Hong Kong SAR perspective.
    Shortridge KF, Gao P, Guan Y, Ito T, Kawaoka Y, Markwell D, Takada A, Webster RG.
     
     
     
     
    ...It highlights the role of the chicken in the many live poultry markets as the source of the virus for humans. The slaughter of chicken and other poultry across the SAR seemingly averted an influenza pandemic.
     
    This perspective from Hong Kong SAR marks the coming-of-age of acceptance of the role of avian hosts as a source of pandemic human influenza viruses and offers the prospect of providing a good baseline for influenza pandemic preparedness in the future. Improved surveillance is the key.
     
     
    This is illustrated through the H9N2 virus which appears to have provided the 'replicating' genes for the H5N1 virus and which has since been isolated in the SAR from poultry, pigs and humans highlighting its propensity for interspecies transmission.

    PMID: 10799786 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

     
     
     
     
    ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.
    Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=4&log$=relatedreview
    s&logdbfrom=pubmed
     
     
     
    Mary08................
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     http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/biofacts/avflu_human.html


    CIDRAP
    ...............

    A recent report, however, suggests that human infections with H9N2 viruses

    may be more common than previously recognized (see References: Wan

    2008). The authors also concluded that H9N2 viruses can evolve extensively

    and reassort, suggesting that they may be capable of undergoing further

    adaptation for more efficient transmission among mammals, including

    humans.

    more on H9N2...

    Clinical signs ranged from very mild disease to high morbidity and mortality when the virus was associated with a secondary pathogen


    http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1637/7590-040206R1.1

    ...........................

    Mary08
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    .
     
     
     
    Swine flu cases in Calif. worry health officials
    .....................................................................
     
     
    Why am I NOT SURPRISED?
     
    hello?
     
     
    .....................................
     
     
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porcine_Reproductive_and_Respiratory_Syndrome
    ...........................................................................................................
     
     
    excerpt- (PubMed)

     
    ... our finding provides further evidence about the interspecies transmission of avian influenza viruses
     
    to pigs and emphasizes the importance of reinforcing swine influenza virus (SIV) surveillance,
     
    especially after the emergence of highly pathogenic PRRSVs in pigs in China.
     

    ...All the eight gene segments of the four swine H9N2 viruses
     
     
    are highly homologous to
     
     
    A/Pigeon/Nanchang/2-0461/00 (H9N2)
     
    or
     
    A/Wild Duck/Nanchang/2-0480/00 (H9N2).
     
     
    ................................................................................
     
     
     
     
     
     2008

    Isolation and Identification of Swine Influenza A Subtype H3N2 Strain
    and Sequencing of the Virus Genome 

    SUN Zhi-yong;GUO Wan-zhu; HAN Guo-quan;CHEN Jin-hui;WANG Xiao-yu;XU Zhi-wen
     
    1.Animal Biotechnology Centre of Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan 625014,China;2.Dongguan  Inspection and Quarantine Bureau,Dongguan 523072,China
     
    Abstract 
     
    A influenza virus strain was isolated from a pig farm in Sichuan province and identified by HA, HI and RT-PCR and some other methods,
    then it was named A/swine/Sichuan/01/2006(H3N2).
    The virus could not only passage stably in SPF embryonated eggs but also multiply in MDCK cell line and induce conspicuous pathological changes.
     
    The sequence analysis indicated that the nucleotide sequence of
    A/swine/Sichuan/01/2006(H3N2) strain shared 99% homology with standard strains

     
    A/swine/Hong Kong/4361/99(H3N2),
     
    A/New York/429/2003(H3N2),
     
    A/Queensland/6/ 2000 (H3N2) and
     
    A/New South Wales/4/1999(H3N2).

     
    The results of sequence analysis indicated that the genome of
    A/swine/Sichuan/01/2006(H3N2)strain
     
    includes 8 fragments and the total sequence is 13 577 bp.

    Phylogenetic trees based on HA and NA protein gene deduced
     
    amino acid sequence showed that
     
    A/swine/Sichuan/01/2006(H3N2)
    have close relationship with the standard strains
     
     
    A/Queensland/6/2000(H3N2) and
     
    A/South Australia/ 81 / 2000 (H3N2).

     

    .................................
     
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    Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2009 at 2:43pm
     
     
     
    H3N2 has tended to dominate in prevalence over H1N1, H1N2, and influenza B.

    Measured resistance to the standard antiviral drugs amantadine and rimantadine in H3N2

     
    has increased from 1% in 1994 ...

    to 91% in 2005. [1]


    Influenza A virus subtypes H1N1, H1N2, H3N1 and H3N2 are all known to

    cause Swine influenza viruses infections. [2] [3]    Also recently H2N3. [4]

     

    Swine flu cases in Calif. worry health officials
    .....................................................................
     
    ......................................................................................................................................... 
     
    variant of H1N1 was responsible for the Spanish flu pandemic that killed some 50 million to 100 million people worldwide over about a year in 1918 and 1919. [1]
     
    A different variant exists in pig populations. Controversy arose in October 2005, after the H1N1 genome was published in the journal Science. Many fear that this information could be used for bioterrorism.

    "When he compared the 1918 virus with today's human flu viruses, Dr. Taubenberger noticed that it had alterations in just 25 to 30 of the virus's 4,400 amino acids. Those few changes turned a bird virus into a killer that could spread from person to person." [2]

    Low pathogenic H1N1 strains still exist in the wild today, causing roughly half of all flu infections in 2006. [3]

    source
    wapedia
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    2001.....on line.....2003

     
    Evolving H3N2 and emerging H1N2 swine influenza viruses in the United States
    ..........................................................................................................................................
     
     

    Richard J. Webbya, Sabrina L. Swensonb, Scott L. Kraussa, Sagar M. Goyalc, Kurt D. Rossowc and Robert G. Webstera, d, ,
     
    Abstract
    Background: Reassortant H3N2 influenza viruses have recently become established in swine populations throughout the United States.
    Viruses of two genotypes (a human and swine virus reassortant and a human, swine, and avian virus reassortant) were isolated from swine during the index disease outbreaks.

    Methods: To identify the genetic composition of the currently circulating viruses, we sequenced the genes of seven isolates from different infected herds.

    Results: Six viruses contained the human/swine/avian gene complex, but the complex was associated with three phylogenetically distinct human H3 haemagglutinins (HA).

    The remaining virus was an H1N2 reassortant containing seven genes similar to those of swine H3N2 viruses

    and an HA gene derived from a classical-swine H1N1 virus.

    The non-HA genes of this H1N2 virus were more similar to those of swine H3N2 viruses than to those of the recently reported H1N2 swine virus from Indiana [J. Clin. Microbiol. 38 (2000) 2453].
     
    This finding suggests that each of the H1N2 viruses were derived through independent reassortment events.

    Conclusions: We conclude that viruses containing the avian-like genes are primarily responsible for the increased prevalence of
    H3N2 viruses throughout U.S. swine populations. H3N2 viruses have continued to spread and have undergone further reassortment with human and swine viruses resulting in the emergence of viruses with distinct antigenicity and subtype.
    Author Keywords: Porcine influenza A virus; Reassortant virus; Antigenic drift
     
     

    source-
    version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=6b53af024e3aca7b1cf8314f8abec057
     
     
    ........................................
     
     
     
     
     
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    Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2009 at 3:16pm
     
     
    In the United States, the classic H1N1 subtype was exclusively prevalent among swine populations before 1998;
     
     
    however, since late August 1998, H3N2 subtypes have been isolated from pigs. Most H3N2
     
    virus isolates are triple reassortants, containing genes from human (HA, NA, and PB1),
     
    swine (NS, NP, and M), and avian (PB2 and PA) lineages. [...] Present vaccination
     
    strategies for SIV control and prevention in swine farms typically include the use of 1 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 3 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."

    Avian influenza virus H3N2
    H3N2

    H3N2 is a subtype of the Influenzavirus A. Its name derives from the forms of the two kinds of proteins on the surface of its coat, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase ....
     is endemic in pig
    Pig

    Pigs, also called hogs or swine, are a genus of even-toed ungulates within the Family Suidae. The name pig, hog, or swine most commonly refers to the Domestic pig in everyday parlance, but technically encompasses several distinct species, including the Wild Boar....
    s in China
    China

    China is a Culture of China, an ancient civilization, and, depending on perspective, a national or multinational entity extending over a large area in East Asia....
     and has been detected in pigs in Vietnam, increasing fears of the emergence of new variant strains. Health experts say pigs can carry human influenza
    Influenza

    Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease that affects birds and mammals caused by RNA viruses of the biological family Orthomyxoviridae ....
     viruses, which can combine (i.e. exchange homologous genome sub-units by genetic reassortment
    Reassortment

    Reassortment is the mixing of the genetics of two similar viruses that are infecting the same cell. In particular, reassortment occurs among influenza viruses, whose genomes consist of 8 distinct segments of RNA....
    ) with H5N1
    H5N1

    Influenza A virus subtype H5N1, also known as "bird flu," A or simply H5N1, is a subtype of the Influenzavirus A which can cause illness in humans and many other animal species....
    , passing genes and mutating into a form which can pass easily among humans. H3N2 evolved from H2N2
     
     
    H2N2

    H2N2 is a subtype of the species Influenzavirus A . H2N2 has mutated into various strains including the Asian Flu strain , H3N2, and various strains found in birds....
     by antigenic shift
    Antigenic shift

    Antigenic shift is the process by which at least two different strains of a virus, , especially influenza, combine to form a new subtype having a mixture of the surface antigens of the two original strains....

     and caused the Hong Kong Flu pandemic of 1968 and 1969 that killed up to 750,000 humans. The dominant strain of annual flu in humans in January 2006 is H3N2
    H3N2

    H3N2 is a subtype of the Influenzavirus A. Its name derives from the forms of the two kinds of proteins on the surface of its coat, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase ....
    . Measured resistance to the standard antiviral drugs amantadine
    Amantadine

    Amantadine is the organic compound known formally as 1-aminoadamantane. The molecule consists of adamantane backbone that is substituted at one of the four methyne positions with an amino group....
     and rimantadine
    Rimantadine

    Rimantadine is an orally administered antiviral drug used to treat, and in rare cases prevent, Influenzavirus A infection. When taken within one to two days of developing symptoms, rimantadine can shorten the duration and moderate the severity of influenza....
     in H3N2 in humans has increased to 91% in 2005.
     
    A combination of these two subtypes of the species known as the avian influenza virus in a country like China is a worst case scenario.
     
     
     In August 2004, researchers in China found H5N1 in pigs.
    ................................................................................................................

     

     

     
     
    ...........................
     


     
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    It is generally believed that pigs can serve as an intermediate host for the transmission of avian influenza viruses to humans or as mixing vessels for the generation of avian–human reassortant viruses. Here we describe the antigenic and genetic characterization of two influenza A (H1N1) viruses, which were isolated in The Netherlands from two patients who suffered from pneumonia.
     
    Both viruses proved to be antigenically and genetically similar to avian-like swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses which currently circulate in European pigs.
     
     
     It is concluded that European swine H1N1 viruses can infect humans directly, causing serious disease without the need for any reassortment event.
     
     
    version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=f39d1787633c80e6fbf9aba974163537
     
     
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    .
     
     
    (I Swear Their Gonna Kill Us All)
     
     
    how bright is this?  
     
    Well ya know pigs can't get H5N1 all that easy....so what we went and did was to stuff it up their noses just to see what we could see....you know....whatever might happen if ya just kinda mix the stuff all together in a pig....what can ya get?  Cause for sure we want to have a vaccine ready to knock it out, damn the human race anyway.  Hand me that pig ...
     
     
     
    ....................................................................................................................................
     
     

    Location: Exotic and Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research Unit

    Title: Domestic pigs have low susceptibility to H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses

    Authors
    item Lipatov, Aleksandr
    item Kwon, Yong Kuk - USDA, FAS, VISITING SCI
    item Sarmento, Luciana
    item Lager, Kelly
    item Spackman, Erica
    item Suarez, David
    item Swayne, David

    Submitted to: Public Library of Science for Pathogens
    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
    Publication Acceptance Date: May 14, 2008
    Publication Date: July 1, 2008
    Citation: Lipatov, A.S., Kwon, Y., Sarmento, L., Lager, K.M., Spackman, E., Suarez, D.L., Swayne, D.E. 2008. Domestic pigs have low susceptibility to H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Public Library of Science for Pathogens [serial online]. 4(7):e1000102. Available: http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.ppat.1000102.

    Interpretive Summary: The ability of the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAI) to infect and cause disease in pigs is unknown. We exposed groups of conventional 2-3-week-old domestic piglets in the nose with one of four different H5N1 HPAI viruses or swine influenza viruses (SIV) of H3N2 and H1N1 subtypes. The pigs were more resistant to infection with the H5N1 HPAI virus than to the H3N2/H1N1 SIV. None of the pigs developed disease, but with two of the H5N1 HPAI viruses, exposed pigs lost weight and developed mild pneumonia. The H5N1 viruses only grew in the respiratory tract, but a lower amount of virus was produced than with infections by the two SIV. Feeding raw H5N1 infected poultry meat to pigs transmitted the virus causing infection detected by an antibody response, but no disease. Pigs had a low susceptibility to infection with H5N1 HPAI.

    Technical Abstract: Background. Genetic reassortment of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAI) with currently circulating human influenza A strains is one possibility that could lead to efficient human-to-human transmissibility. Domestic pigs which are susceptible to infection with both human and avian influenza A viruses are one of the natural hosts where such reassortment events could occur. The susceptibility of pigs to infection with various H5N1 HPAI viruses was characterized in this study. Methods and Findings. Two to three weeks-old domestic piglets were intranasally inoculated with 106 EID50 of A/Vietnam/1203/04 (VN/04), A/chicken/Indonesia/7/03 (Ck/Indo/03), A/Whooper swan/Mongolia/244/05 (WS/Mong/05), and A/Muscovy duck/Vietnam/ 209/06 (MDk/VN/06) viruses. Swine H3N2 and H1N1 viruses were studied as a positive control for swine influenza virus infection. The pathogenicity of the H5N1 HPAI viruses was also characterized in mouse and ferrets animal models. Inoculation of pigs with H5N1 viruses did not result in clinical signs when administered intranasally or when consumed in infected chicken meat. Mild weight loss was seen in pigs inoculated with WS/Mong/05, Ck/Indo/03 H5N1 and H1N1 swine influenza viruses. WS/Mong/05, Ck/Indo/03 and VN/04 viruses were detected in nasal swabs of inoculated pigs mainly on days 1 and 2. Titers of H5N1 viruses in nasal swabs were remarkably lower compared with swine influenza viruses. Replication of all four H5N1 viruses in pigs was restricted to the respiratory tract, mainly to the lungs. Titers of H5N1 viruses in the lungs were lower than those of swine viruses. Histological examination revealed mild to moderate bronchiolitis and focal alveolitis in the lungs of pigs infected with H5N1 viruses while infection with swine influenza viruses resulted in severe tracheobronchitis and bronchopneumonia. Conclusions. Pigs had lower susceptibility to infection with H5N1 HPAI. Inoculation of pigs with H5N1 viruses resulted in asymptomatic infection restricted to the respiratory tract in contrast to mouse and ferrets animal models, where some of the studied viruses are highly pathogenic and replicate systemically.

       

     
    %20
    Project Team
    Spackman, Erica
    Pantin-Jackwood, Mary
    Afonso, Claudio
    Suarez, David
    Swayne, David
     
    %20
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       Development and Evaluation of Recombinant Fowl Poxvirus Vaccines Against Avian Influenza
       Development of Transgenic Chickens Resistant to Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease
       Evaluation and Development of Vaccines and Vaccine Seed Strains for H5n1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Control in Indonesia
       Molecular and Antigenic Assessment of Circulating H5n1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Strains and Evaluation of Vaccine Efficacy
       Icg Support for Seprl Study of Vietnames H5n1 Poultry Isolates.
       Studies to Reduce Transmission of H5n1 Hpai Virus, and Assess Infectivity and Transmissibility of H5n1 Hpai Viruses for Pigs
       Thermal Inactivation of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus (Hpaiv) in Egg Products
     
     
    Last Modified: 04/20/2009
     
     
     
     
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    Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2009 at 5:47pm

     http://www.lookatvietnam.com/2009/04/blue-ear-pig-disease-now-under-control.html

     

    Blue-ear pig disease now under control

    ................................................................................................................

    April 13, 2009   about News, SocialBlue-ear pig disease has been brought under control thanks to the introduction of a series of tough measures to combat diseases in cattle and poultry on a nationwide scale.

    LookAtVietnam - Blue-ear pig disease has been brought under control thanks to the introduction of a series of tough measures to combat diseases in cattle and poultry on a nationwide scale, according to the Department of Animal Health, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

    This disease broke out in Quang Nam province in February and spread quickly to 31 communes in such 4 districts of Dien Ban, Que Son, Thang Binh and Duy Xuyen, infecting 3,000 pigs. However, on April 11, the province announced that it had dealt with the outbreak successfully and had put it under control.

    Meanwhile, Bac Giang province has been taken off the national list of provinces infected with foot-and-mouth disease but Kon Tum and Son La provinces have still reported cases of the disease in the last 21 days.

    Now bird flu is only existent in Dien Bien province.

    VietNamNet/VOV

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    Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2009 at 5:55pm
     
     
     
    It is still a problem in China..... in 2009
     
     

    Blue-Ear Pig Disease Sweeps China

    By Anna Boyd
    14:21, August 20th 2007
     
    Veterinarians across China are fighting a deadly disease threatening the pig population, the blue-ear virus being reported in 26 of the 33 Chinese provinces.

    According to the authorities, this new strain of virus affects most categories of pigs including boars. The original form of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)- also known as blue-ear pig disease- affected only sows and piglets, but across time it suffered mutations and became more deadly.

    Approximately 257,000 cases have been reported by the authorities, but other sources sustain the number of infested pigs reaches millions. Veterinary officials and farmers began a campaign of immunization across the country, about 175,000 animals being culled.

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    .
     
     
    China currently has a very grim situation of -
     

     
    Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV),
     
    also known as Blue-Ear Pig Disease

    This economically important    pandemic disease  
     
    causes reproductive failure in breeding stock (PREGNANT)  and respiratory tract
     
    illness in >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>YOUNG pigs.

     
     
     
     
     
    .........................
     
     
     
    never fear... the LAB is here-
     
     

    May 30 2007 ~ US: Rapid diagnosis mobile laboratory to offer a rapid diagnosis for animal diseases like avian influenza, foot and mouth disease

      To respond more quickly to potentially dangerous animal health emergencies, the Department of Agriculture has begun using a new mobile laboratory.
      As part of the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System, the mobile laboratory has a bio-safety Level-3 (BSL-3) containment space, meaning its air handling system prevents the escape of any pathogens that could endanger humans or animals.
      In addition, it is equipped with a showering facility, bio-safety cabinets, refrigerators and freezers, and decontamination equipment. The laboratory is being fitted with other testing instruments to offer a rapid diagnosis for other animal diseases like avian influenza, foot and mouth disease or mad cow disease, among others.
      ( Thanks for this link to FMD News - a service provided by the FMD Surveillance and Modeling Laboratory, University of California at Davis )
          .................................
            On becoming milder...

                          May 30 2007 ~ Dr. Marion Lyons : "Investigations also show that, when it spreads from person to person, the illness experienced becomes milder."

                            CIDRAP News quotes Dr Lyons who is the Lead Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for the National Public Health Service for Wales.
                            Today, a ProMed moderator said (CP) :" There is no unequivocal evidence to suggest that the H7N2 virus exhibits an enhanced ability to spread from person to person..
                            CIDRAP news quotes other experts, who say the focus on the H5N1 subtype's pandemic potential is justified. "We know that H7 can cause outbreaks in chickens and that it can occasionally jump the species barrier, but it has not done it nearly to the extent of the H5N1 virus," said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
                            David Halvorson, DVM, a veterinarian in avian health at the University of Minnesota in St Paul, told CIDRAP News that H5 and H7 subtypes both have the ability to generate a highly pathogenic virus of the same subtype, but there's no way to project when and if such evolution will occur."
                              a ton of reading here-
                                A ton of reading here-
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                                  Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2009 at 8:02pm
                                   
                                   
                                  As of week 03/2008, 16 European countries have reported significant influenza activity
                                   
                                  (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Northern Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland).
                                   
                                   
                                  Of the total virus detections since week 40/2007 (N=3447), 81% have been influenza A and 19% influenza B, and
                                   
                                  the predominant viruses circulating in most countries have been A(H1N1) similar to the A/Solomon Islands/3/2007 vaccine strain [1].
                                   
                                   The presence of oseltamivir-resistant viruses circulating in the community in several European countries (Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and United Kingdom)
                                   
                                   is in marked contrast to the previous winter seasons of 2004/2005, 2005/2006, and 2006/2007, when oseltamivir resistance was detected in <1% of circulating strains from 24 countries.

                                  A total of 437 influenza A(H1N1) viruses,

                                   
                                  isolated between November 2007 and January 2008,
                                   
                                  were tested using measurement of neuraminidase (NA) enzyme activity in the presence of oseltamivir to determine the drug-sensitivity (IC50) of the viral enzyme (2) in conjunction with sequence analysis of the viral neuraminidase gene.
                                   
                                  To date, oseltamivir-resistant viruses have been detected in nine countries
                                   
                                   
                                   (Table 1);
                                   
                                   
                                   in particular, 26 of 37 (70%) in Norway, 15 of 87(17%) in France, 3 of 43 (7.0%) in Germany and 8 of 162(5%) in the United Kingdom carry the same mutation, causing the substitution of histidine by tyrosine at residue 274 (H274Y) of the neuraminidase, which is known to confer a high level resistance to oseltamivir.
                                   
                                   Viruses bearing this mutation, when tested in enzyme assays, showed a reduction of approximately 400 fold in susceptibility to oseltamivir (IC50 values increased from approximately 1nM to more than 400nM). All these viruses remain sensitive to the other anti-neuraminidase drug zanamivir and to the anti-M2 drugs amantadine and rimantadine.

                                  The resistant (H274Y) viruses have been isolated from both adults and children, ranging from 1 month to 61 years in age, with the majority of viruses being isolated from adults. So far, there is no information that any of these viruses, in any country, has been obtained from a person who has either been treated or been in close contact with another individual who has been treated with oseltamivir.

                                   
                                  We therefore conclude that the identification of these oseltamivir-resistant viruses as a substantial proportion of circulating viruses, particularly in Norway, is the first clear evidence that influenza A(H1N1) virus with the H274Y mutation can readily transmit between individuals.
                                   
                                   
                                  (It is concluded that European swine H1N1 viruses can
                                   
                                  infect humans directly, causing serious disease
                                   
                                  without the need for any reassortment event. )
                                   
                                  More extensive surveillance within Europe and in other parts of the world is required
                                   
                                  to establish the relative prevalence and geographical distribution of these resistant viruses,
                                   
                                  and to evaluate their potential impact on the effectiveness of drug use. The spectrum of clinical illness associated with infection by oseltamivir-resistant viruses remains to be fully determined, although limited information from initial clinical cases does not suggest unusual disease syndromes. Although the resistant viruses have been isolated from November through January, the ability of these viruses to persist throughout the influenza season, and from one season to the next, will require continuous world-wide surveillance by the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network. Determining the origins and genesis of these drug-resistant strains, which appear to have emerged in regions of the world where there is little drug pressure, will be important in understanding the emergence and persistence of oseltamivir resistance in relation to the evolution of influenza viruses and drug use.

                                  Acknowledgements: We would like thank all members of EISS laboratories for contributing viruses and data, particularly VIRGIL colleagues Dr Bruno Lina (Lyon) and Dr Sylvie van der Werf (Paris). Funding support from EU FP6 Programme for VIRGIL Contract No 503359.


                                  References

                                  1. European Influenza Surveillance Scheme. Increased influenza activity in Europe. EISS Weekly Electronic Bulletin 2008; 25 January 2008: 250. Available from: http://www.eiss.org
                                  2. Methodology used for testing in vitro susceptibility of influenza viruses to oseltamivir and zanamivir was described by the Neuraminidase Inhibitor Susceptibility Network (NISN) in Wetherall et al, J Clin Microl. 2003;41;742-50. Surveillance of the antiviral susceptibility of influenza viruses circulating in Europe is supported by the EU-funded VIRGIL programme (Contract No 503359), in collaboration with EISS and the WHO.

                                   



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                                  Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2009 at 8:23pm
                                   
                                   
                                  FOUR HOURS AGO.... 
                                   

                                  Swine Flu Sickens 2 California Kids

                                  CDC Believes Flu Was Contracted in Person-to-Person Spread
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                  By Daniel J. DeNoon
                                  WebMD Health News
                                  Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

                                  April 21, 2009 -- Two California children got sick with a mysterious new strain of swine flu -- and the CDC thinks they got the pig virus via person-to-person contact.

                                  Both kids, a 10-year-old boy from San Diego County and a 9-year-old girl from Imperial County, are now well. However, the girl had a 104.3-degree fever before she recovered. And the boy traveled by airplane from San Diego to Dallas while he still had flu symptoms.

                                  Is this the first sign of a flu pandemic? That's possible, but not likely, says Lyn Finelli, DrPH, chief of flu surveillance at the CDC.

                                  "While we have a low index of suspicion this is a pandemic, we are being careful to rule out any possibility," Finelli says. "We don't know yet."

                                  "We have here detection of two cases of swine flu virus in children. We are trying to figure out where they came from and how serious they are," says Dan Jernigan, MD, MPH, deputy director of the CDC's influenza division.

                                  The CDC has dozens of people tracing the children's contacts, beginning with close family members. Each of the children had two family members come down with the flu -- in both cases, one family member had the flu before the child had the flu, and one after.

                                  All recovered, but flu virus was not obtained from any of these family members while they still had symptoms. Over the weekend, the CDC developed a specific test for the new swine flu virus; testing of the children's contacts is now under way. It's likely that the tests will reveal other people who recovered from the infection.

                                  CDC has not activated its Atlanta-based command center. But California has, Finelli says, and is putting all available health care workers on the job of tracking down the children's contacts.

                                  Both children attended school, and California authorities are planning to trace the children's school contacts.

                                  Meanwhile, the 10-year-old boy remains in the Dallas area and has made a full recovery from his one-week symptoms of fever, cough, and vomiting.

                                  So far, the CDC says, Texas health authorities have not found any new infections. The boy traveled to Texas with three other children unaccompanied by adults; crew members who assisted the children are now being tested.

                                  The CDC is withholding the name of the airline that flew the boy and his three companions from San Diego to Dallas on April 3.

                                  Swine flu viruses don't normally infect humans. When they do, it's almost always because of contact with an infected pig. But neither child had any direct contact with pigs.

                                  Moreover, the viruses recovered from the children are not like the swine flu viruses common among pigs. That raises the specter of human-to-human spread of the virus, Finelli says.

                                   
                                  ARTICLE CONTINUED HERE....
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                  PLEASE ALSO READ THE POST ABOVE THIS ONE FOR INFO FROM EUROPE....
                                   
                                   
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                                  Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2009 at 8:34pm
                                  April 21, 2009 / 58 (Dispatch);1-3
                                          CDC
                                  %20

                                  %20

                                  Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Infection in Two Children --- Southern California, March--April 2009

                                  On April 17, 2009, CDC determined that two cases of febrile respiratory illness occurring in children who resided in adjacent counties in southern California were caused by infection with a swine influenza A (H1N1) virus. The viruses from the two cases are closely related genetically, resistant to amantadine and rimantadine, and contain a unique combination of gene segments that previously has not been reported among swine or human influenza viruses in the United States or elsewhere. Neither child had contact with pigs; the source of the infection is unknown. Investigations to identify the source of infection and to determine whether additional persons have been ill from infection with similar swine influenza viruses are ongoing. This report briefly describes the two cases and the investigations currently under way. Although this is not a new subtype of influenza A in humans, concern exists that this new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) is substantially different from human influenza A (H1N1) viruses, that a large proportion of the population might be susceptible to infection, and that the seasonal influenza vaccine H1N1 strain might not provide protection. The lack of known exposure to pigs in the two cases increases the possibility that human-to-human transmission of this new influenza virus has occurred. Clinicians should consider animal as well as seasonal influenza virus infections in their differential diagnosis of patients who have febrile respiratory illness and who 1) live in San Diego and Imperial counties or 2) traveled to these counties or were in contact with ill persons from these counties in the 7 days preceding their illness onset, or 3) had recent exposure to pigs. Clinicians who suspect swine influenza virus infections in a patient should obtain a respiratory specimen and contact their state or local health department to facilitate testing at a state public health laboratory.

                                  Case Reports

                                  Patient A. On April 13, 2009, CDC was notified of a case of respiratory illness in a boy aged 10 years who lives in San Diego County, California. The patient had onset of fever, cough, and vomiting on March 30, 2009. He was taken to an outpatient clinic, and a nasopharyngeal swab was collected for testing as part of a clinical study. The boy received symptomatic treatment, and all his symptoms resolved uneventfully within approximately 1 week. The child had not received influenza vaccine during this influenza season. Initial testing at the clinic using an investigational diagnostic device identified an influenza A virus, but the test was negative for human influenza subtypes H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1. The San Diego County Health Department was notified, and per protocol, the specimen was sent for further confirmatory testing to reference laboratories, where the sample was verified to be an unsubtypable influenza A strain. On April 14, 2009, CDC received clinical specimens and determined that the virus was swine influenza A (H1N1). The boy and his family reported that the child had had no exposure to pigs. Investigation of potential animal exposures among the boy's contacts is continuing. The patient's mother had respiratory symptoms without fever in the first few days of April 2009, and a brother aged 8 years had a respiratory illness 2 weeks before illness onset in the patient and had a second illness with cough, fever, and rhinorrhea on April 11, 2009. However, no respiratory specimens were collected from either the mother or brother during their acute illnesses. Public health officials are conducting case and contact investigations to determine whether illness has occurred among other relatives and contacts in California, and during the family's travel to Texas on April 3, 2009.

                                  Patient B. CDC received an influenza specimen on April 17, 2009, that had been forwarded as an unsubtypable influenza A virus from the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego, California. CDC identified this specimen as a swine influenza A (H1N1) virus on April 17, 2009, and notified the California Department of Public Health. The source of the specimen, patient B, is a girl aged 9 years who resides in Imperial County, California, adjacent to San Diego County. On March 28, 2009, she had onset of cough and fever (104.3°F [40.2°C]). She was taken to an outpatient facility that was participating in an influenza surveillance project, treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium and an antihistamine, and has since recovered uneventfully. The child had not received influenza vaccine during this influenza season. The patient and her parents reported no exposure to pigs, although the girl did attend an agricultural fair where pigs were exhibited approximately 4 weeks before illness onset. She reported that she did not see pigs at the fair and went only to the amusement section of the fair. The Imperial County Public Health Department and the California Department of Public Health are now conducting an investigation to determine possible sources of infection and to identify any additional human cases. The patient's brother aged 13 years had influenza-like symptoms on April 1, 2009, and a male cousin aged 13 years living in the home had influenza-like symptoms on March 25, 2009, 3 days before onset of the patient's symptoms. The brother and cousin were not tested for influenza at the time of their illnesses.

                                  Epidemiologic and Laboratory Investigations

                                  As of April 21, 2009, no epidemiologic link between patients A and B had been identified, and no additional cases of infection with the identified strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) had been identified. Surveillance data from Imperial and San Diego counties, and from California overall, showed declining influenza activity at the time of the two patients' illnesses. Case and contact investigations by the county and state departments of health in California and Texas are ongoing. Enhanced surveillance for possible additional cases is being implemented in the area.

                                  Preliminary genetic characterization of the influenza viruses has identified them as swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses. The viruses are similar to each other, and the majority of their genes, including the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, are similar to those of swine influenza viruses that have circulated among U.S. pigs since approximately 1999; however, two genes coding for the neuraminidase (NA) and matrix (M) proteins are similar to corresponding genes of swine influenza viruses of the Eurasian lineage (1). This particular genetic combination of swine influenza virus segments has not been recognized previously among swine or human isolates in the United States, or elsewhere based on analyses of influenza genomic sequences available on GenBank.* Viruses with this combination of genes are not known to be circulating among swine in the United States; however, no formal national surveillance system exists to determine what viruses are prevalent in the U.S. swine population. Recent collaboration between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and CDC has led to development of a pilot swine influenza virus surveillance program to better understand the epidemiology and ecology of swine influenza virus infections in swine and humans.

                                   The viruses in these two patients demonstrate antiviral resistance to amantadine and rimantadine, and testing to determine susceptibility to the neuraminidase inhibitor drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir is under way. Because these viruses carry a unique combination of genes, no information currently is available regarding the efficiency of transmission in swine or in humans. Investigations to understand transmission of this virus are ongoing.

                                  Reported by: M Ginsberg, MD, J Hopkins, MPH, A Maroufi, MPH, G Dunne, DVM, DR Sunega, J Giessick, P McVay, MD, San Diego County Health and Human Svcs; K Lopez, MD, P Kriner, MPH, K Lopez, S Munday, MD, Imperial County Public Health Dept; K  Harriman, PhD, B Sun, DVM, G Chavez, MD, D Hatch, MD, R Schechter, MD, D Vugia, MD, J Louie, MD, California Dept of Public Health. W Chung, MD, Dallas County Health and Human Svcs; N Pascoe, S Penfield, MD, J Zoretic, MD, V Fonseca, MD, Texas Dept of State Health Svcs. P Blair, PhD, D Faix, PhD, Naval Health Research Center; J Tueller, MD, Navy Medical Center, San Diego, California. T Gomez, DVM, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Svc, US Dept of Agriculture. F Averhoff, MD, F Alavrado-Ramy, MD, S Waterman, MD, J Neatherlin, MPH, Div of Global Migration and Quarantine; L Finelli, DrPH, S Jain, MD, L Brammer, MPH, J Bresee, MD, C Bridges, MD, S Doshi, MD, R Donis, PhD, R Garten, PhD, J Katz, PhD, S Klimov, PhD, D Jernigan, MD, S Lindstrom, PhD, B Shu, MD, T Uyeki, MD, X Xu, MD, N Cox, PhD, Influenza Div, National Center for Infectious and Respiratory Diseases, CDC.

                                  Editorial Note:

                                  In the past, CDC has received reports of approximately one human swine influenza virus infection every 1--2 years in the United States (2,3). However, during December 2005--January 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza were reported; five of these 12 cases occurred in patients who had direct exposure to pigs, six in patients reported being near pigs, and the exposure in one case was unknown (1,4,5). In the United States, novel influenza A virus infections in humans, including swine influenza infections, have been nationally notifiable conditions since 2007. The recent increased reporting might be, in part, a result of increased influenza testing capabilities in public health laboratories, but genetic changes in swine influenza viruses and other factors also might be a factor (1,4,5). Although the vast majority of human infections with animal influenza viruses do not result in human-to-human transmission (2,3), each case should be fully investigated to be certain that such viruses are not spreading among humans and to limit further exposure of humans to infected animals, if infected animals are identified. Such investigations should include close collaboration between state and local public health officials with animal health officials.

                                  The lack of known exposure to pigs in the two cases described in this report increases the possibility that human-to-human transmission of this new influenza virus has occurred. Clinicians should consider animal as well as seasonal influenza virus infections in the differential diagnosis of patients with febrile respiratory illness who live in San Diego and Imperial counties or have traveled to these areas or been in contact with ill persons from these areas in the 7 days before their illness onset. In addition, clinicians should consider animal influenza infections among persons with febrile respiratory illness who have been near pigs, such as attending fairs or other places where pigs might be displayed. Clinicians who suspect swine influenza virus infections in humans should obtain a nasopharyngeal swab from the patient, place the swab in a viral transport medium, and contact their state or local health department to facilitate transport and timely diagnosis at a state public health laboratory. CDC requests that state public health laboratories send all influenza A specimens that cannot be subtyped to the CDC, Influenza Division, Virus Surveillance and Diagnostics Branch Laboratory.

                                  Interim guidance on infection control, treatment, and chemoprophylaxis for swine influenza is available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/recommendations.htm. Additional information about swine influenza is available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/index.htm.

                                  References

                                  1. Vincent AL, Ma W, Lager KM, Janke BH, Richt JA. Swine influenza viruses: a North American perspective. Adv Virus Res 2008;72:127--54.
                                  2. Myers KP, Olsen CW, Gray GC. Cases of swine influenza in humans: a review of the literature. Clin Infect Dis 2007;44:1084--8.
                                  3. Wells DL, Hopfensperger DJ, Arden NH, et al. Swine influenza virus infections. Transmission from ill pigs to humans at a Wisconsin agricultural fair and subsequent probable person-to-person transmission. JAMA 1991;265:478--81.
                                  4. Vincent AL, Swenson SL, Lager KM, Gauger PC, Loiacono C, Zhang Y. Characterization of an influenza A virus isolated from pigs during an outbreak of respiratory disease in swine and people during a county fair in the United States. Vet Microbiol 2009;online publication ahead of print.
                                  5. Newman AP, Reisdorf E, Beinemann J, et al. Human case of swine influenza A (H1N1) triple reassortant virus infection, Wisconsin. Emerg Infect Dis 2008;14:1470--2.

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                                  Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2009 at 8:43pm
                                   
                                   
                                  Because these viruses carry a unique combination of genes, no information currently is available regarding the efficiency of transmission in swine or in humans.
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                  EXCERPT FROM POST
                                  ABOVE ..  CDC REPORT
                                  ......................................
                                   
                                   
                                  The lack of known exposure to pigs in the two cases described in this report increases the possibility that human-to-human transmission of this new influenza virus has occurred.
                                   
                                   
                                  Clinicians should consider animal as well as seasonal influenza virus infections in the differential diagnosis of patients with febrile respiratory illness who live in San Diego and Imperial counties or have traveled to these areas or been in contact with ill persons from these areas in the 7 days before their illness onset.
                                   
                                   
                                  In addition, clinicians should consider animal influenza infections among persons with febrile respiratory illness who have been near pigs, such as attending fairs or other places where pigs might be displayed.
                                   
                                   
                                  Clinicians who suspect swine influenza virus infections in humans should obtain a nasopharyngeal swab from the patient, place the swab in a viral transport medium, and contact their state or local health department to facilitate transport and timely diagnosis at a state public health laboratory.
                                   
                                  CDC requests that state public health laboratories send all influenza A specimens that cannot be subtyped to the CDC, Influenza Division, Virus Surveillance and Diagnostics Branch Laboratory.
                                   
                                   
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                                  Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2009 at 8:58pm
                                   
                                   
                                  Please Note
                                  .......................
                                   
                                   

                                  South Dakota reports swine flu case

                                  .............................................................................................

                                  Lisa Schnirring * Staff Writer

                                  Jan 15, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – Public health officials from South Dakota yesterday reported a swine influenza infection in a 19-year-old male college student, the second case in the United States in the past 2 months.

                                  The South Dakota Department of Health (SDDH) said in a press release that the patient got sick 5 weeks ago and that the state's public health laboratory had identified the influenza A/H1 portion of the virus and that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified the swine components of the virus.

                                  The CDC typically receives about one report of a human swine flu case a year, the SDDH statement said. In late November the CDC, in one of its seasonal influenza activity updates, reported on a patient from Texas who was infected with swine influenza after exposure to pigs, including a sick one.

                                  Human infections with novel influenza A subtypes now are nationally notifiable diseases in the United States

                                  Lon Kightlinger, PhD, epidemiologist for the SDDH, said in the statement that swine influenza in humans is rare. "Most often the cases occur in people with direct exposure to pigs, such as swine farm workers," he said. "Human-to-human transmission is very rare."

                                  Kightlinger told CIDRAP News that an investigation into the source of the man's illness did not reveal direct contact with pigs; however, officials are exploring whether he had indirect contact.

                                  Human infections with novel influenza A subtypes now are nationally notifiable diseases in the United States.

                                  In a recent report in the September issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases on a 2005 Wisconsin case, the authors wrote that triple reassortant H1N1 subtypes are the predominant genotype in North American pigs and that human swine flu illnesses often mimic seasonal flu infections. They recommended that clinicians ask patients with unexplained influenza-like illnesses about exposure to animals, including pigs, and visits to petting zoos and county fairs.

                                  The CDC had noted that swine flu outbreaks in pigs typically occur in late fall and winter and that seasonal influenza vaccines are likely to partially protect against swine H3N2 viruses, but not the H1N1 subtype.

                                  See also:

                                  Jan 14 SDDH press release

                                  Nov 24, 2008, CIDRAP News story "CDC reports swine flu virus in Texas patient"

                                  CDC swine flu background

                                   
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                                  Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2009 at 9:03pm
                                   
                                   
                                  What do we know about human-to-human spread of swine flu?

                                  In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman was hospitalized for pneumonia and died 8 days later. A swine H1N1 flu virus was detected. Four days before getting sick, the patient visited a county fair swine exhibition where there was widespread influenza-like illness among the swine.
                                   
                                  ...fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
                                   
                                  Not known to have a high death rate...
                                   
                                  from
                                   
                                   
                                   
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                                  Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2009 at 9:19pm
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                  Classical Swine Fever in Israel

                                  Note: Defra's Global Animal Health (GAH) monitors outbreaks of high impact diseases around the world. Classical Swine Fever (CSF) is among those diseases of major concern.

                                  http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/monitoring/pdf/csf-israel090305.pdf

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                                  Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2009 at 10:21pm

                                  Journal of Clinical Microbiology, March 2009, p. 796-799, Vol. 47, No. 3
                                  0095-1137/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.01228-08
                                  Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

                                  Characterization of a Canadian Mink H3N2 Influenza A Virus Isolate Genetically Related to Triple Reassortant Swine Influenza Virus%7btriangledown%7d

                                  Carl A. Gagnon,1,2* Grant Spearman,3 Andre Hamel,4 Dale L. Godson,5 Audrey Fortin,2 Guy Fontaine,1 and Donald Tremblay1

                                  Service de Diagnostic,1 Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada,2 Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada,3 Veterinary Diagnostic Services Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada,4 Prairie Diagnostic Services, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada5

                                  Received 28 June 2008/ Returned for modification 3 November 2008/ Accepted 22 December 2008

                                  In 2007, an H3N2 influenza A virus was isolated from Canadian mink. This virus was found to be phylogenetically related to a triple reassortant influenza virus which emerged in Canadian swine in 2005, but it is antigenically distinct. The transmission of the virus from swine to mink seems to have occurred following the feeding of animals with a ration composed of uncooked meat by-products of swine obtained from slaughterhouse facilities.

                                   
                                  .........................
                                   
                                   
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                                  Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2009 at 10:52pm
                                   
                                   
                                  So what do they KNOW...that the pigs have?  besides H5N1....
                                  ................................................................................................................................
                                  since...December 22, 2003
                                   

                                  Reassortant H1N1

                                  The new strain - known as reassortant H1N1 (rH1N1) - emerged from a process called genetic reassortment, which occurs when a single cell is infected by two different influenza viruses. The result is a "progeny virus" containing genetic material from both "parents."

                                  In the case of the reassortant H1N1, the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) are derived from the classical H1N1 (cH1N1) virus, but internal polymerase genes are derived from the H3N2 virus.

                                  "In other words, the outside of rH1N1 looks like a classical H1N1, but its internal genes are derived from H3N2," explains Robyn Fleck, DVM, swine technical service veterinarian for Schering-Plough Animal Health. "Reassortant H1N1 also acts differently from the old classical H1N1. It picks up mutations at an increased rate, thereby evading the pig's immune system."

                                  article here-
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                  and then..
                                   
                                   
                                  variants of ....triple-reassortant H3N2 and H1N2...... and reassortant H1N1
                                   
                                   
                                  Since 1998, SIV has moved from a single, stable virus to a virus with the ability to
                                   
                                  reconfigure itself to the point where it may avoid control by existing vaccines.  
                                   
                                   
                                  This bodes ill for stopping the reassortng with H4n6 found in Ontario Canada in 1999
                                   
                                  and H5N1 found in pigs in China....in August, 2004....and H9N2 since 2006.
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                  .........................
                                   
                                   
                                   
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                                  Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2009 at 11:50pm
                                  How Bright is That?

                                  Did you know?
                                  ...Swine Influenza Virus is not a reportable disease in livestock. ...
                                  ....................................................................................................................................
                                   
                                  REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSMISSIBLE DISEASES OF SWINE
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                  Swine Influenza Update was presented by Dr. Amy Vincent, National Animal Disease Center.
                                   
                                  Dr. Vincent presented a background on the rise of influenza virus infections in swine. H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2 viruses are currently circulating in the U.S. swine population.
                                   
                                   
                                  Emerge via drift, shift, interspecies transmission, or re-emergence. Double and triple reassortants emerged in 1997-1998. In 2003-2005, a human-like H1N1 emerged.
                                   
                                   
                                  H1N1 viruses have predominated since 2007. New genetic cluster of influenza viruses have been detected in the U.S. Two separate introductions of human H1 viruses have occurred containing the TRIG cassette which has been highly successful in swine.
                                   
                                   
                                  Limited serum cross-reactivity with swine H1. Zoonotic potential is unknown.
                                   
                                  An H2N3 virus has been detected from two swine farms in Missouri with some changes suggesting adaptation from avian to mammal receptor binding. No human illness has been reported. No evidence that the virus is still circulating.


                                  During the 2007 Ohio county fair, pigs and people had flu-like symptoms. A swine H1N1 from the pigs was detected. Clinical signs were reproduced in pigs at the National Animal Disease Center (NADC). These produced more severe clinical signs then normally observed with influenza alone. They also produced severe lung lesions. Genetically there is nothing different about this group of viruses, but has increased virulence, increased shedding,

                                  ...New surveillance streams, including serological analysis stream, are anticipated early summer 2009. This will include National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratories.

                                  Swine Influenza Surveillance System was presented by Dr. John Korslund, Veterinary Services (VS). VS submitted 2010 budget request for SIV reagent preparation, strain prevalence data, and reports of declining efficacy of commercial vaccines. CDC approached VS with request for proposals for SIV surveillance related to zoonotic issues.
                                  VS put together a proposal to CDC’s Coordinating Center forInfectious Diseases under Dr. Lonnie King. VS’ proposed 2015 vision SIV goals:
                                  •improve SIV epidemiology; •speed vaccine approval; •improve swine diagnostics; •proactive response toward a potential pH issue; and •retain jurisdiction over animal health issues. SIV Surveillance plan: Case definition for isolates of interest: •Diagnostic laboratory submissions: o non-typable isolates; o “novel” SIV isolates; and o unusually severe or atypical clinical presentations •Suspected concurrent human and swine SIV infection:o public venue; and o pig herd linked epidemiologically.

                                  The current plan would ask veterinarians to voluntarily report suspected human infection and lays out the distribution of isolates and information between stakeholder groups.
                                  All on-farm submissions are voluntary because SIV is not a reportable disease in livestock.
                                   
                                   
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                                  Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 22 2009 at 8:21am
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                  The San Diego County boy and his 8-year-old brother flew from California to Dallas in early
                                   
                                  April and are currently with relatives in Texas. Health officials also are trying to contact the
                                   
                                  plane's flight crew and two children who sat near the boys, CDC officials said.
                                   
                                   
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                                  .............
                                   
                                   
                                   
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