H10N7 detected in massive harbor seal die-off

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   H10N7 detected in massive harbor seal die-off

H10N7 avian flu has been implicated in a massive die-off of harbor seals this year on the west coast of Sweden, according to a report in Eurosurveillance today. The subtype has not been reported before in seals, nor has influenza A of any type been reported in European seals, the authors say.

A team of Swedish scientists wrote than 425 dead, stranded harbor seals were counted along the coast from March through October. Typically 30 to 40 are found dead in the area each year.

Lung samples from two of the seals tested positive by polymerase chain reaction for H10N7. Phylogenetic analysis showed the strain to be closely related to other avian flu strains in wild and domestic birds in Europe.

Samples were collected 4.5 months apart, showing the virus had been circulating in the area for some time, the authors noted. They did not specify whether other seals were tested.

The researchers conclude, "From a public health perspective, extended circulation within a mammalian host not only demonstrates that this strain is capable of infecting and circulating in mammals, but it increases the opportunity for mutations to occur that may facilitate human infection."

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2014/11/news-scan-nov-20-2014

http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=20967

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
arirish Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: June 19 2013 Location: Arkansas Status: Offline Points: 39215	Post Options Post Reply Quote arirish Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: H10N7 detected in massive harbor seal die-off Posted: November 24 2014 at 7:28am
	H10N7 detected in massive harbor seal die-off H10N7 avian flu has been implicated in a massive die-off of harbor seals this year on the west coast of Sweden, according to a report in Eurosurveillance today. The subtype has not been reported before in seals, nor has influenza A of any type been reported in European seals, the authors say. A team of Swedish scientists wrote than 425 dead, stranded harbor seals were counted along the coast from March through October. Typically 30 to 40 are found dead in the area each year. Lung samples from two of the seals tested positive by polymerase chain reaction for H10N7. Phylogenetic analysis showed the strain to be closely related to other avian flu strains in wild and domestic birds in Europe. Samples were collected 4.5 months apart, showing the virus had been circulating in the area for some time, the authors noted. They did not specify whether other seals were tested. The researchers conclude, "From a public health perspective, extended circulation within a mammalian host not only demonstrates that this strain is capable of infecting and circulating in mammals, but it increases the opportunity for mutations to occur that may facilitate human infection." http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2014/11/news-scan-nov-20-2014 http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=20967
	Buy more ammo!