8354

	va1-sg19016.securesites.net

	version=3.1.8





***************************************************







Migrant birds have tested positive for the H7 strain of bird flu

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The H7 strain of the bird flu virus has been detected in Egypt for 

the 1st time.



A total of 9 migrant birds, all of them ducks, tested positive for 

the virus when 6432 samples were taken from the approximately one 

million birds that annually migrate over Al-Manzalah Lake in the 

Sharqiya governorate from central and eastern Europe. The recently 

identified H7 strain is thought to pose little risk, certainly in 

comparison with the virulent H5N1 strain of the virus.



The H7 strain samples are now being tested at both the Ministry of 

Health and Population (MOHP) and Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) 

laboratories in order to determine the N subtype. Avian influenza has 

16 H & 9 N subtypes. Only viruses of the H5 and H7 subtypes comprise 

the pathogenic form of the disease, though not all H5 and H7 subtypes 

cause severe disease in poultry.



Abdel-Rahman Shahin, spokesman at the MOHP, explains that the H5 and 

H7 viruses are usually introduced to poultry in a low pathogenic 

form. It is only after several months that they mutate into highly 

pathogenic strains. The appearance of the H7 strain is therefore a 

cause for concern. The virus has been known to infect humans but is 

less virulent than the H5N1 strain. Shahin also warned that Egypt 

must remain alert for yet other strains of the virus given that it 

lies on major bird migration routes.



Since the H5N1 virus was 1st detected in poultry in Egypt in February 

2006, 38 cases of human infection have been reported, of which 15 

resulted in fatalities. The most recent case was a 25-year-old  from 

Damietta governorate, 150km [93.2 miles] north of Cairo, who tested 

positive for the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus in late July [2007].



The 1st human infection by the H7 virus was reported in Britain in 

1996 after a woman was diagnosed who had come into direct contact 

with infected ducks. A 2nd case was reported in the USA in 2002. A 

year later 89 people tested positive, 83 in Holland and the remaining 

6 in Germany and Belgium. Only one human fatality has been reported 

following contact with poultry infected with the H7 strain [a veterinarian].



Veterinary experts, though, warn that the presence of both the H7 and 

H5N1 viruses in Egypt could facilitate further genetic mutations, 

which can be caused by the combination of the 2 types of avian 

influenza virus which are currently present in Egypt. A combination 

of the genetic patterns of both viruses, says veterinarian Sami Taha, 

could result in the appearance of a human-to-human mutation. The H7 

strain's poultry-to-poultry transmission patterns are very similar to 

those of the deadlier H5N1 virus which means, says Taha, it could 

develop similar poultry-to-human propensities. "Air temperature has 

no impact on the spread of the virus... it can easily flourish in 

high and low temperatures infecting massive numbers of poultry."



Shahin insists the H7 strain poses no threat as yet to Egypt's 

recently recovered poultry industry, which currently produces 2 

million birds daily. Poultry remains safe to eat, and he stresses 

that the new strain has only been detected in migratory birds.



Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Amin Abaza 

issued a press release saying that 38 percent of poultry in Egypt had 

been vaccinated against the H5N1 bird flu virus. Abaza notes that 

while the ministry has managed to contain the virus, the fact that an 

estimated 5 million people continue to raise poultry at home, 

especially in the rural areas, constitutes an ongoing threat. 

According to Shahin, vaccines used to combat the H5N1 strain will be 

used for the H7 virus until new drugs are developed.





["...vaccines used to combat the H5N1 strain will be used for the H7 

virus."  Can anyone confirm that this is a viable option?  If poultry 

vaccines can really cross-protect across hemagglutinins, why does 

anyone bother to make specific vaccines? - Mod.JW]



--



Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (34)  20070828.2815

Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (33)  20070820.2719

Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (25)  20070521.1613

Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (20)  20070427.1379

Avian influenza H7N2, human - UK (Wales) (08) 20070606.1830

2006

----

Avian influenza (170) - Netherlands, LPAI H7 20060805.2160

Avian influenza, human, H7N3 - UK (England)(03) 20060501.1265

2004

----

Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (14)          20040407.0946

Avian influenza A (H7) virus, human - Canada (BC) (03)   20040406.0935

2003

----

....................jd/mhj/ejp/jw