Avian Flu Bits and Pieces

'Scientists studying virus samples from the human outbreak of avian flu in Turkey have identified three mutations in the virus's sequence. They say that at least two of these look likely to make the virus better adapted to humans.The Turkey outbreak is unusual, because of the large family clusters of cases; the fact that many of those infected have only mild symptoms; and the speed with which infections have arisen — twenty cases, including four deaths, in less than two weeks. So scientists are urgently trying to establish whether the virus is behaving differently in this outbreak from previous ones in Asia. In particular, international teams are investigating the possibility that the virus is moving between people.'

'The H5N1 avian influenza virus can survive for more than a month in bird droppings in cold weather and for nearly a week even in hot summer temperatures, the World Health Organization said on Friday.
When people become infected with bird flu, they get a high fever and pneumonia very quickly, according to an updated fact sheet from the WHO, posted on the Internet at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/avianinfluenza_
factsheetJan2006/en/
The new fact sheet incorporates the most recent findings on the avian flu virus, which WHO says is causing by far the worst outbreak among both birds and people ever recorded. Bird droppings may be a significant source of its spread to both people and birds, the WHO said.'

Finland will have its plans for the avian flu pandemic ready in a few weeks. On Thursday the government was briefed on preparations drawn up by the relevant ministries. "We are coordinating the preparations so that the orchestra will function properly," said Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen. Veterinarians already have instructions on how to combat avian flu and other poultry diseases, and health care officials have their own instructions in case of a pandemic. The migration of aquatic birds from the eastern Mediterranean will be prepared for by keeping poultry indoors in areas where the birds land to rest.
"Our readiness to prevent and treat contagious diseases has improved and we also have permanent resources to combat other diseases," notes the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Doses of the drug Tamiflu, which has been acquired for all citizens, will remain viable for years.
Posted on The Human Stain