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H7N2 Found In
Second UK Location

From Patricia Doyle, PhD
5-26-7

Hello Jeff - Oh my, now it is suspected H7N2 found in second location. I would conclude all eyes will be watching carefully Wales to see if H5N1 is also found, and it the two Avian viruses ever "exchange" genetic material making a more human friendly H5N1.
 
Stay tuned, as they say. Remember, we are working on the virus's time table, not ours.
 
Patty
 
AVIAN INFLUENZA (89) - UK (WALES): LPAI H7N2, 2ND LOCATION, SUSPECTED
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org>
 
[1] Date: Sat 26 May 2007 Source: BBC NEWS [edited]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/wales/6694611.stm>
 
 
Bird flu testing on 2nd farm
 
-------------------------------
 
Officials investigating an outbreak of mild bird flu are testing birds on a 2nd farm in north Wales. A total of 9 people were tested after the H7N2 strain was found in chickens in the 1st case at a smallholding in Conwy, with 4 people testing positive. The poultry had been bought from the Chelford Market near Macclesfield.
 
The 2nd possible case is about 35 miles (56 km) away on the Llyn Peninsula, Gwynedd, with birds being tested because of links to the market. [For Gwynedd, about 30 miles south/south-east to Conwy, see map at:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=52.9061&lon=-4.1035&scale=1000000&icon=x. - Mod. AS].
 
Chief veterinary officer Dr. Christianne Glossop said there was a police presence at the Gwynedd farm to ensure no "unnecessary access" to the premises. The farm is understood to be on the outskirts of Efailnewydd, near Pwllheli. She said: "We are testing birds at the farm because of its link with Chelford Market on 7 May 2007. "A decision on any further action required regarding birds on the farm will be taken on the basis of the test results."
 
Health officials have stressed that the disease found at the farm in Conwy was the H7N2 strain of bird flu, not the more virulent H5N1. The owners of the Conwy smallholding at Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, near Cerrigydrudion, have tested negative for the virus. The couple called in a vet after the Rhode Island Red birds, which they bought at the market about 2 weeks ago, had started to die. Samples from the birds were sent for testing, and the virus was confirmed on Thursday [24 May 2007].
 
Earlier on Saturday [26 May 2007], Dr. Glossop confirmed the birds had been bought at the market, which is some 70 miles (112 km) away from the Conwy farm, and said it was being regarded as one line of inquiry. [see map of Chelford at: http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=53.26
6&lon=2.2738&scale=1000000&icon=x%3E> - Mod. AS].
 
She said: "An important part of disease control is finding the source of infection. "It has to be a very thorough process with a number of lines of inquiry to follow." Announcing the latest tests of birds on the Llyn Peninsula, she reiterated her appeal for anyone who purchased from or supplied to the market on Mon 7 May, and had not already been contacted by animal health officials, to contact their local office. Similarly, any poultry keeper who visited the market on that day and whose birds have subsequently become ill should do so, Dr. Glossop said.
 
"In the meantime, all bird keepers throughout Wales should continue their efforts to maintain high levels of biosecurity and maintain vigilance by continuing to monitor their birds for signs of disease," she continued. "If you are concerned about the health of your birds you should seek the advice of your veterinary surgeon, if you suspect that your birds have avian influenza you should report it to your local animal health office."
 
Of the 9 people tested for the virus, 3 were taken to hospital, but have now been discharged.
 
Chief medical officer for Wales Tony Jewell said on Friday [25 May 2007]: "I would like to reassure the general public that the risk to their health from this outbreak is very low. This particular strain is not highly pathogenic and is normally only contracted following close contact with infected birds. In addition the symptoms are generally mild."
 
Of the 4 people who have tested positive, 2 were from Wales and the other 2 were from north-west England. The 5 people who tested negative are being treated as having had the virus as a precaution.
 
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) wants to hear from anyone -- who has not already been contacted -- who purchased from or supplied to Chelford Market, Cheshire on Mon 7 May, or any poultry keeper who visited the market on that day whose birds have subsequently become ill. They are asked to contact their local animal health office or the Defra helpline 08459 335577. Lines are open between 0900 BST - 1700 BST 7 days a week.
 
-- Communicated by: Dr. Keith Marshall <<mailto:kcm@cix.co.uk>kcm@cix.co.uk>
 
****** [2] Date: 26 May 2007 Source: Welsh Assembly Government Press Release
http://new.wales.gov.uk/news/presreleasearchive/ai-lleyn-update26may/?lang=en>
 
 
Avian flu update As part of the ongoing investigation into the source of the H7N2 low pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in North Wales, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales Dr Christianne Glossop has ordered samples be taken from birds at a farm in the Llyn Peninsula.
 
Dr Glossop said, "We are testing birds at the farm because of its link with Chelford Market on 7 May 2007. There is a police presence currently at the farm, to ensure no unnecessary access to the premises. A decision on any further action required regarding birds on the farm will be taken on the basis of the test results.
 
"As part of the tracing exercise, I repeat my request for anyone, who has not already been contacted by Animal Health officials, and who has purchased from or supplied to Chelford Market in Cheshire on Monday 7 May 2007 or any poultry keeper who visited Chelford Market on this date whose birds have subsequently become ill, to contact their local Animal Health Office or the Defra helpline.
 
"All bird keepers in Wales should continue their efforts to maintain high levels of biosecurity and maintain vigilance by continuing to monitor their birds for signs of disease. If you are concerned about the health of your birds you should seek the advice of your veterinary surgeon, if you suspect that your birds have avian influenza you should report it to your Local Animal Health Office."
 
The Defra helpline number is 08459 33 55 77. (Open between 9am - 5pm 7 days a week).
 
-- Communicated by: John Morgan <<mailto:davidjohnmorgan@gmail.com>davidjohnmorgan@gmail.com>
 
[The 1st, confirmed H7N2 focus, and the 2nd, suspected one, have both been recorded in Northern Wales. The market which is regarded as their common infection origin is in Cheshire, demonstrating the potential of wide-scale spread of diseases through animal markets. And, it is reminiscent of the foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus spread through sheep traded in UK markets in February 2001.
 
From a subscriber in the UK we have received the following comment: "The infected birds which died were bought at Chelford Market from a private dealer and there is no traceable paperwork. I find it quite incredible that after everything that has happened with regard avian notifiable diseases in the past few years, auctioneers allow private sales out of the back of a van to go on at their premises on a sale day without any formal identification or inspection". Seems deserving a thought. - Mod AS].
Patricia A. Doyle DVM, PhD
Bus Admin, Tropical Agricultural Economics
Univ of West Indies
 
Please visit my "Emerging Diseases" message board at:
http://www.emergingdisease.org/phpbb/index.php
Also my new website:
http://drpdoyle.tripod.com/
Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa
Go with God and in Good Health

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