Category: Flu Virus

By Taylor Nicioli

(CNN) Some 220 flamingos have been found dead in the province of Catamarcain northwestern Argentina due to an outbreak of avian influenza, otherwise known as bird flu, an official told local media.

Bird flu is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease that naturally spreads through wild aquatic birds, such asducks, geese and swans, but can also infect other bird species, such as domestic poultry, according to theUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The H5N1 strain of avian influenza has spread in more than 80 countries since 2022,according to the World Health Organization, and experts have concerns amid its ongoing impact across continents. H5N1 is the predominant version causing problems in the Americas and Europe, and there areseveral subtypesof the virus reported as the disease continuously mutates, according to WHO.

Around the globe, there have been reports of bird flu outbreaks flaring in various mammals such as seals and farmed mink, detection of H5N1 viruses in domestic cats and dogs, as well as a few cases reported in humans.

Currently, there is no effective treatment for the virus, according tothe New York State Wildlife Health Program.

The infected species known as James flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi), or the puna flamingo is one of three types of flamingos found in northwestern Argentina. The birds pose a risk of spreading the diseaseto new areas during migration.

Originally, the H5N1 strain spread from North America to South America through migratory birds in a span of three months, according to Dr. Johanna Harvey, a postdoctoral researcher of environmental science and technology at the University of Maryland who has studied the strain.

It only takes one infected bird to pass on the virus to a whole flock in a matter of days, Harvey said, adding that flamingos are known to behighly gregarious,social animals that live in large flocks.

The H5N1 strain poses alow risk to humans since December 2021, 11 cases of the strain have been reported in humans globally,according to the CDC.But experts are closely monitoring the lethal pathogens spread to other mammals, such as when more than 50 sea lions were found dead in August in Argentinadue to infection of the virus.

My concerns are that its in a lot of birds, birds are clearly continuing to move it, and its not going away and as these mortalities pile up, the impact on populations, and potentially even (entire) species, is really great, Harvey said. The true magnitude of loss here, I do not believe is well understood and has not been documented, because its a really hard thing to do.

In this latest outbreak, the provincial director of biodiversity for Catamarca, Anabella Ahumada, confirmed the cause of death of hundreds of flamingos to local media, following positive test results for H5N1 in 3 out of 6 samples taken from the dead birds bySENASA, Argentinas National Food Safety and Quality Service.

Park rangers detected the high rates of mortality in the birds near the bodies of water Laguna Grande and Laguna Diamante, Ahumada told local media outlet Catamarca 12. The province has been under epidemiological surveillance since the start of November, Catamarca 12 reported.

The Argentine government has recommended that people do not come into contact with sick or deceased birds without adequate protection.

Across the United States, zoos have been movingtheir captive birds indoorsas the rate of infection continues to rise. In 2022, the Pittsburgh Zoo, the Denver Zoo, the Maryland Zoo and other facilities moved their bird species indoors away from people and other wildlife. Last month, the Dallas Zoo moved its flamingos indoors,NBC 5 in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area reported.

The virus has spread through saliva, mucus and feces from infected birds,according to the CDC. In mammals, some scavenging species have come in contact with the virus by eating infected bird carcasses, Harvey said.

As far as people interacting with wild birds, there doesnt seem to be a huge risk to them, because the number of human cases have remained low globally, so were not too worried about that, said Dr. Krysten Schuler, an assistant research professor in the department of public and ecosystem health at Cornell Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York. But the mutation potential and the wide distribution of this virus are the major risk factors.

James flamingo is listed as near threatened onthe International Union for Conservation of Natures Red List of Threatened Species,Schuler noted. The main threats to the bird include habitat loss caused by mining, as well as human disturbances due to recreational activities, according to IUCN. When the virus affects birds that are already struggling population-wise, it can have the potential to eliminate species, Schuler said.

There is not much that can be done to stop the spread of the virus, but Schuler recommends that people report any unusual animal deaths without an obvious cause to their state wildlife agencies, so they can be notified of what areas the disease is spreading.

If there is any potential to do something about it, our best option is right at the beginning, Schuler said.

The-CNN-Wire & 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

See the rest here:

Latest outbreak of deadly bird flu kills 220 flamingos in Argentina ... - ABC 57 News

After bird flu was discovered in dead geese last week at Laurel's South Pond, Montana wildlife officials are alerting area residents of the problem but are keeping the popular recreational spot open.

The nine Canada geese were found dead at Lions Family Park by the pond, located on West Railroad Street, and while the flu is communicable, at this time the park remains open.

Park visitors Debra and Daniel Fields said the news is an unwelcome surprise.

"We will probably stay away from the pond now that we know," Debra said. "We just didn't know. I think people should be concerned always when there's a public issue like this."

MTN News

But amidst those concerns, Chrissy Webb with Montana FWP said it isn't time to panic and that it is standard to see an increase during migration season.

"As of right now, it's not a huge health concern," Webb said Monday morning. "Typically, a lot of this stuff rises seasonally."

The virus is contagious to animals and humans, and that's a big reason why the Fields are planning to stay away from one of their favorite places for the time being.

"People let their cats run around and if a cat comes down here, sees a dead bird, picks it up and takes it home, then that's a problem," Daniel Fields said.

Webb said she understood those concerns and said that's why prevention and awareness are important. FWP hung signs up at Lions Family Park explaining the concern.

MTN News

"There are a few cases of those domestic cats and dogs, where those animals did pass away from this," Webb said. "It hasn't been in Montana and the number of those cases has been pretty few, but making sure to take a few precautions to protect yourself and your pet is important this time of year."

Webb said the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus is to be on the lookout for odd bird behavior, make sure your pet isn't consuming any bird feces and wear gloves when picking up any dead birds.

"We've seen it in some other species but it's still relatively rare at this point, so we don't have to tell people to not go to these places they enjoy at this point," Webb said. "But we do want to just remind them to take precaution when they go to these places."

See original here:

FWP: Laurel park to remain open after discovery of bird flu in wildlife - Q2 News

Outbreaks of the deadly avian flu virus have been detected at two Sonoma County poultry operations near Petaluma, forcing the euthanasia of nearly a quarter of a million ducks and laying hens.

Heres what to know about avian flu.

Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a disease caused by Type A influenza viruses commonly found in bird populations.

Avian flu viruses occur around the world and are commonly spread among aquatic birds, especially during seasonal migrations. It spreads directly through airborne transmission but can also be transmitted when fecal matter from an infected bird comes in contact with feathers, feed, water or soil. It can also be introduced to poultry populations through contaminated shoes, gloves or equipment.

Most strains of bird flu are relatively harmless to their natural hosts, and often cause no symptoms. However the virus can mutate into whats known as highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, which is highly infectious and often deadly. The type that has been detected in Sonoma County has been identified as a highly pathogenic strain.

While the disease can be transmitted to humans most avian influenza viruses result in no symptoms or only mild illness. Some strains, however, can potential be fatal to humans, although cases are rare. Humans are typically infected through close contact with infected birds, bodily fluid droplets, or through bird droppings. Wearing goggles and face masks around bird populations can reduce the risk of infection.

When avian flu is detected in a commercial poultry operation, state and federal guidelines require that the entire flock be euthanized to prevent the spread. Last year, according to Reuters, more than 47 million birds were lost in outbreaks in 42 states, resulting in higher prices for eggs, chicken, turkey and duck for consumers.

(Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control)

Read more:

What you need to know about avian flu - Petaluma Argus Courier

Parents of children and young adults are being urged to get them the nasal flu vaccine before Christmas amid warnings that the circulation of the virus is increasing and younger people are twice as likely to get and spread it as adults.

The vaccine is, for the first time, being offered to those aged 13-17 as well as to children aged two to 12.

This means all children and young adults between the ages of two to 17 can avail of their free flu vaccine, the HSE has said.

It is available from participating GPs and pharmacies. Parents and guardians may need to make an appointment and provide their childrens PPS numbers. The HSE is also offering the nasal vaccine to children in senior infants and all children in primary age special schools.

Dr Aparna Keegan, consultant in public health medicine at the HSEs national immunisation office, said in coming weeks and into the seasonal break flu and other winter viruses would begin circulating more widely as socialising increased.

We know children are twice as likely as adults to catch and spread flu and this poses a threat to them and others. Young children, in particular, are more likely than adults to be very sick from flu, she said.

Vaccinating children protects them and their siblings, parents, grandparents and those who are vulnerable.

[Winter period will feature more trolley waits and increased pressure, says HSE boss]

Flu can cause serious illness in children, Dr Keegan said. The number of laboratory confirmed influenza-hospitalised cases in children aged 0-14 years for the 2022/2023 season was 1,274.

Children are given the nasal vaccine via a spray into each nostril, said the HSE, adding that it is pain-free. Recipients could breathe normally and many reported the spray tickled when being provided.

Go here to read the rest:

Flu vaccine: HSE warns of seasonal virus spread as nasal vaccine ... - The Irish Times

NEW YORK -- Egg and turkey prices are down. But a deadly bird flu is still threatening poultry flocks, turkey in particular.

So while breakfast is likely to stay cheap, get ready for more expensive turkey sandwiches.

Last year, a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) devastated chicken flocks, with egg-laying hens bearing the brunt. The virus was one reason for the massive spike in egg prices. But this year, the virus got off to a slow start, allowing egg supplies to bounce back.

The current outbreak of HPAI hit the United States in February 2022, and ripped through poultry farms across the country. By the end of last year, about 60 million birds had been killed because of the virus. Today, the total tally is up to about 68 million, a sign that the disease has slowed, but not disappeared, in 2023.

After a mostly virus-free start to the year, cases started ticking up in the fall. In the past month, Iowa farms have killed over 2.8 million birds this season due to the virus. Earlier in November, an Ohio egg farm slaughtered over 1.3 million birds because of the flu.

"Nationally, we are seeing an uptick, again, in some commercial premises across the US," Dennis Summers, Ohio's state veterinarian and chief of the state's division of animal health, said in an interview with CNN.

In the US, the deadly flu has been spreading as wild birds migrate south this fall. If they land and mingle with backyard flocks, or their droppings are dragged into chicken coops, the virus can be introduced to commercial operations, he explained. When that happens, the entire flock is eradicated to prevent the disease from spreading.

The fall migratory season lasts until about the end of the year, said Summers. So what happens in the next month or so will help determine the trajectory of the virus this year, and how many more farms are affected.

"We're just hoping that we can hold on and get through this until (the flu) mutates to a non-pathogenic form," Summers said. "And then we can go from there."

Even with millions of chickens culled at egg farms, there are plenty of eggs this year, said Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board, a farmer-funded group that is dedicated to increasing US demand for eggs.

"We've seen some small-scale outbreaks so far on a few egg farms," she said. "Supply is strong, there's plenty of eggs." According to the USDA, egg production was up 4% in October compared to last year.

As egg supplies bounced back, prices have fallen, declining about 22% in the 12 months through October, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

So far, many of the egg farms where the virus was detected - and birds culled - have been focused on selling whites and yolks to food makers, rather than to grocery stores as shell eggs, noted Ryan Hojnowski, egg market analyst and reporter for Urner Barry, which publishes market information.

With these factors in mind, prices are unlikely to skyrocket again. "It doesn't seem like there's a catalyst as of right now, this second, that is pointing toward a price action being anything what it was like last year," said Hojnowski. Still, he said, it's a "very fluid situation."

But when it comes to turkey, price hikes are on the horizon.

This year, turkey prices were low ahead of Thanksgiving - partially because turkey farmers expected an outbreak in the spring that didn't really happen, boosting turkey supplies, explained Matt Busardo, poultry market reporter at Urner Barry. But the uptick of bird flu cases has hit turkey farms hard, and threatens to tighten supply in groceries this spring.

"Just since October, there's been two and a half million or so turkey losses," Busardo noted. Most of those were "meat birds," he said - headed to slaughter to be turned into deli meat, rather than sold as whole birds for roasting.

"When spring rolls around and everyone wants to get their turkey clubs... that's what this impacts the most," he said. "What we're seeing now shows that there's going to be a tighter supply come spring."

In Minnesota, roughly 1.6 million birds have been killed in the last month, many of them turkeys.

The state is especially vulnerable to bird flu because of its geographic properties, noted Ohio's Summers. "There's tons of lakes and ponds up there," he said. "So those migratory birds will land."

If migrations slow - as they very well may, thanks to frigid weather - infections could also, lessening the impact on turkey supply and prices.

In general this year, "bird losses ... are quite small relative to last year's impact," said Christine McCracken, senior animal protein analyst at Rabobank. "However, timing is everything," she said, noting that there could "be some spot shortages and/or pricing volatility given the potential for regional losses."

Busardo doesn't expect turkey prices to surge as much as they did with eggs. In part that's because unlike eggs, turkey isn't a kitchen staple - meaning that higher prices could just lead people to skip that turkey sandwich after all.

Read this article:

Turkey prices are down. A deadly bird flu could change that - WLS-TV

Surge in COVID-19, flu and RSV cases prompt vaccine recommendations

By: Katerina Belales Dec 4, 2023, 5:25pm Updated on: Dec 4, 2023

Health authorities nationwide are raising concerns over a surge in respiratory illnesses, prompting the Westchester County Department of Health to issue an urgent call for winter vaccinations.

Amid increased risks, particularly for individuals over 60, officials stress the importance of receiving vaccinations against COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

While current COVID-19 cases might not match previous peaks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a concerning statistic a weekly average of 1,000 deaths and 15,000 hospitalizations due to the virus. Concurrently, respiratory virus cases, particularly among children, are on the rise. RSV is identified as a significant contributor to hospitalizations in this demographic.

For more information about vaccine accessibility, click here.

Visit link:

Surge in COVID-19, flu and RSV cases prompt vaccine ... - News 12 Westchester

TOKYO, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A highly pathogenic avian influenza virus of the H5 subtype has been detected in a wild bird found in central Tokyo, marking the first instance of avian influenza infection in a wild bird during the current avian flu season in the city, according to local authorities.

The body of a buzzard, or Buteo japonicus, was discovered in the central Chiyoda Ward of Tokyo last Tuesday, and the preliminary test results conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government were negative, according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Bureau.

Subsequent genetic testing by the National Institute for Environmental Studies, however, confirmed that the buzzard was indeed infected with the highly pathogenic H5 subtype of avian influenza, information released by the bureau on Monday showed.

Data from the Japanese Ministry of the Environment indicated that this is the first time during the current avian influenza season that Tokyo has detected a case of avian influenza infection in a wild bird.

Across Japan, more than 40 cases of wild birds infected with avian influenza have been reported.

In response to the discovery, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has designated a 10-kilometer radius around the location where the dead bird was found as a key monitoring area for wild birds.

Poultry farmers, parks, zoos, and other relevant entities within the metropolitan area were also urged to heighten vigilance, strengthen monitoring, and implement preventive measures.

Last week, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries reported two outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in farms located in prefectures of Saitama and Kagoshima, bringing the occurrences of avian influenza outbreaks on poultry farms in Japan during the current influenza season to four in total.

Read the original here:

Tokyo reports 1st avian influenza case in wild bird - Xinhua

Reno/Sparks, Nev. Dec. 1, 2023 Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH), formerly Washoe County Health District, is reporting the first influenza-associated death in Washoe County for the current flu season: A female in her 70s with underlying health conditions.

Those considered to be at a higher risk of serious complications from respiratory disease include young children, older adults, pregnant women and anyone with a chronic health condition. Healthy people can experience severe complications as well.

People are advised to get the flu vaccine if they have not already, stay home from work or school if sick, and wash your hands with warm water and soap frequently.

The way its trending, we expect to see increases in both influenza and RSV throughout 2023, said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer in Washoe County. With the winter season upon us, there are more group gatherings and more time spent inside with less ventilation, which increases the chances of disease transmission. If you havent received a flu or COVID-19 vaccine yet, now is a great time. And for those in sensitive groups like those aged 60 years and older, people who are pregnant, and infants, check with your doctor about the new RSV vaccine.

See the NNPH flu surveillance page

Vaccines are available

If you have insurance, http://www.vaccines.gov is a popular website to use to schedule both flu and COVID-19 vaccines that are free or low cost. For those uninsured or underinsured, NNPH can help with immunizations.

For the new RSV vaccine, call local pharmacies or your medical provider to check for availability. The CDC recommends the vaccine for people aged 60 or older, people who are 32-36 weeks pregnant entering RSV season in October, infants aged 8 months and younger born during or entering their first RSV season, and infants and children aged 8-19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season. Learn more from the CDC.

Flu basics

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. People 65 years and older, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at higher risk of serious flu complications. Learn more from the CDC.

Symptoms include:

According to the CDC, the virus is most easily spread from person to person when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk to another in close proximity. The person with flu is contagious approximately one day before symptoms appear and up to 5-7 days after. Learn more about how the virus spreads.

RSV basics

Per the CDC, RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious.

People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4-6 days after infection. According to the CDC, symptoms of RSV infection usually include:

Per the CDC, these symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties. Almost all children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday.

Please note the Washoe County Health District changed its name to Northern Nevada Public Health on Aug. 31, 2023. More information is here.

Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making District Board of Health. NNPH consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness.More info can be found here.

Read the original:

NNPH Reports First Flu-Associated Death of 2023-24 Flu Season ... - Washoe Life

Looking back, 2020 doesnt seem very long ago. When it comes to talking about COVID-19 and vaccines, it can seem like a lifetime. 2023 will be only the third year with both COVID-19 and the flu actively circulating at the same time.

When it comes to COVID-19, the trend is promising, with a slight decrease or no change in positivity rates and emergency department visits for the week of October 22 to October 28, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

However, the number of deaths shows that the virus is still out there and needs to be taken seriously. According to the CDC, there have been 176 provisional deaths in Oklahoma due to COVID-19 in the last three months.

Regarding the flu, the CDC reports that activity remains low but continues to increase slightly. The percentage of positive Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) rates is also rising.

RSV is a potentially dangerous, highly contagious virus that can cause respiratory disease. Symptoms can appear like the common cold. Anyone can get RSV, but it can be more serious for adults 60 and older, including those with underlying medical conditions, as well as babies.

The time of year with colder weather and holidays means more people will congregate indoors, where these viruses can spread more easily, potentially creating a tripledemic with all three viruses circulating simultaneously.

Andrea Winters, a resident pharmacist at the Choctaw Nation Health Center, says you should be particularly concerned if youre not vaccinated, That is a concern with RSV, flu and COVID-19. However, we do have all three vaccines here at Choctaw Nation.

Brandi Burris, a Registered Nurse with the Choctaw Nation, echoes Winters, saying, Vaccines are always the best defense that a person can use to protect themselves and others.

2023 is the first year vaccines have been available for all three of these major respiratory viruses. Monoclonal antibody injection (Nirsevimab) helps protect our infants from severe RSV illness. However, currently, it is in limited supply.

The Choctaw Nation has all three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use: Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax. The Novavax vaccine is new and is different from the mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna in that it is more like the flu vaccine and already contains the spiked protein. In contrast, the mRNA vaccines teach the body to grow the spiked protein.

Unlike mRNA vaccines, the spike protein is already pre-made in the Novavax vaccine; its a shortcut. All this is happening outside of the body; we just give the end product, the spike protein, said Winters.

It will vary which vaccine is available at the outlying clinics due to the storage requirements.

When it comes to who is eligible for the vaccines, Burris says, Everyone ages six months and up can have a flu and COVID vaccine. There are two RSV vaccines available on the market for people aged 60 and older: Arexvy and Abrysvo. Abrysvo is also recommended during the RSV season for use during 32 through 36 weeks of pregnancy.

COVID-19, flu and RSV are all spread in similar ways:

Burris says that besides injections, there are healthy habits that you can use in your daily life that can help prevent these illnesses. Hand hygiene, cover your cough and sneezes, stay home when youre sick. When its impossible to stay home, try to keep your distance from others, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your home and work areas, and wearing a mask if youre ill or at high risk for infections, she said.

As you gather with friends and family for the holiday season, Winters says that preemptively testing yourself for COVID-19 may be a good idea.

I think thats always just a very thoughtful, cautious thing to do. Especially if you feel sick or you may have been exposed, and youre going to be around a lot of people, especially your elderly family members, said Winters.

COVID-19 test kits are still available to tribal members on the Chahta Achvffa portal.

Winters says that if youre going to get vaccinated, the time is now. It takes 14 days for the flu shot to get into the body and start creating those memory cells and start working. So, youre still exposed for 14 days to the Flu. COVID-19 and RSV both take time to start working as well.

You can get all three of these vaccines simultaneously, and Both Burris and Winters encourage you to get the vaccines youre eligible for.

When it comes to choosing or picking one vaccine over another, Burris says that is a difficult question.

Im often asked by a parent requesting an alternative vaccine schedule, which one should I get today. I feel as if I am choosing which disease you would like to risk getting, said Burris.

Often, this question of picking vaccines comes from some common misconceptions about vaccines in general. Winters says one of the big ones she hears is that theyre not safe in pregnancy.

Thats what people always ask me, or they tell me as more of a statement. These [vaccines] are absolutely safe in pregnancy, Winters said.

Some of the other misconceptions or myths that Winters and Burris have heard are:

Myth: I dont need vaccines. My natural immunity is better than a vaccination.

Fact: Many preventable diseases are dangerous and can cause lasting side effects. Its much safer and easier to get vaccines, instead. Plus, being vaccinated helps keep you from spreading the disease to unvaccinated people around you.

Myth: Vaccines cause autism spectrum disorder.

Fact: There is proof that vaccines do not cause autism. A study published more than 20 years ago first suggested that vaccines cause the disability known as autism spectrum disorder, but it has been disproved.

Myth: Vaccines dont work

Fact: Vaccines prevent many diseases that used to make people very sick. Now that people are vaccinated for those diseases, theyre no longer common. One example is measles. It used to be a serious respiratory illness that affected children. But once the vaccine was developed and people were immunized, it has almost been eliminated.

Myth: Vaccines give you the disease you are vaccinating against.

Fact: None of these vaccines contain any live virus. Therefore, they cannot give you the disease.

Myth: I get sick every time I take the vaccine.

Fact: Vaccines can cause mild side effects such as pain at the injection site, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, headache, fever, and sometimes nausea. These symptoms resolve in a couple of days. Vaccines rarely cause serious reactions.

You can schedule an appointment by contacting your primary care clinic or through the CNHSA app. If you are just curious about what immunizations you may need or have questions about the vaccines, call your clinics Community Health Nurse. You can also get these vaccines while at your doctors appointment, Burris said.

If you dont live on the reservation, Winters says you should make an appointment with your primary care provider and inquire about your current vaccines.

Your provider has many avenues to ensure you are up to date and make necessary recommendations, she said.

Follow this link:

Being vaccinated is still the best way to protect yourself, friends and ... - Choctaw Nation

As avian influenza continues to spread around the world, researchers in Japan are turning to human medicine to protect rare and endangered bird species. Anti-virals are turning out good results in experiments so far, with the aim being to protect animals in zoos and keep natural habitats free of dangerous disease.

Under avian flu quarantine guidelines, a record 17.7 million chickens were culled during the past year in Japan. The arrival of migratory birds carrying the virus from overseas could cause further outbreaks.

Omoriyama Zoo in Akita City is known for its breeding program for the endangered Japanese golden eagle. In 2016, a black swan at the zoo died from avian flu.

Under national quarantine guidelines, in the event of a farm outbreak, all chickens and other domestic animals get destroyed. But at zoos and other facilities, it is up to officials to decide how to manage avian flu.

Omoriyama Zoo director Komatsu Mamoru recalls it was difficult to know what to do when the swan died: Prevent the spread of infection, or protect the animals.

The zoo felt it had no choice but to destroy any swans and pelicans that might have come into contact with the infected bird.

But Komatsu did not want to touch the golden eagles. The species' population in Japan is estimated to be around 500, so any losses would have a major impact on breeding.

He consulted with Japan's environment ministry and determined the zoo would not destroy any of the eagles unless an infection was found. They were kept in isolation until the danger passed.

"All lives carry the same weight, but I believe that for species with limited numbers, we must protect them," says Komatsu. "If even one golden eagle was found to be infected, we would have had to dispose of all of them. It was a tense and anxious time."

A research team led by Professor Sakoda Yoshihiro of Hokkaido University examined the zoo's dead black swan.

Sakoda was struck by Komatsu's concerns. "At the time, we did not have the tools to save the infected birds proactively," he recalls. "I felt that to take into account what Komatsu and his colleagues had gone through, we, as virus researchers, needed to consider methods other than killing the birds."

It was Sakoda's idea to trial human flu drugs that suppress the virus's growth in cells. If it worked the same way in birds, it had potential.

The team first worked with four chickens infected with a highly pathogenic avian flu virus. They administered a human anti-viral called Xofluza. All of the birds survived and the results of the experiment were published in an international journal.

The remedy has since proved to be effective elsewhere. In Hokkaido last year, 11 infected wild raptorial birds, including a protected endangered white-tailed sea eagle, were treated with the drug.

Among them, seven survived. It is the first successful treatment of avian flu in a wild bird population.

"The fact that the birds survived shows the data obtained from the chickens was reliable. This kind of step-by-step progress should lead to research on other birds," notes Sakoda.

Finding a cure for avian flu is becoming a race against time. It is a particular concern for the Okinawa rail, a flightless species that can only be found in the Yambaru Forest, in the north of the prefecture's main island. Its current population of about 1,500 makes it in danger of extinction.

Avian flu was confirmed for the first time in Okinawa at a chicken farm last year. Local people are worried there could be another outbreak and what that would mean for the rail.

A National Institute for Environmental Studies study has found the rail may have low resistance to avian flu. If the population gets infected, many may die.

Local veterinarian Nagamine Takashi works at an environment ministry facility that cares for the species and operates a breeding program.

If avian flu virus was introduced, it could immediately spread to 70 rail currently being raised. "We fear that the Okinawa rail here will be all wiped out. The latest research suggests that they may be as susceptible to avian flu as chickens, and we believe the birds here now could disappear in a matter of days," says Nagamine.

Work is underway to see how the rail responds to antivirals. Scientists have been medicating the birds' fish feed and monitoring their response and state of health.

At Hokkaido University, the researchers are analyzing the birds' bloodwork to determine what dosage could be effective.

So far, they have found that the same amount of medicine is less effective in the rail compared with chickens. Further study is underway to prepare a manual that outlines the best dosage and administration procedures.

With the cooperation of zoos and other institutions throughout Japan, Sakoda and his colleagues are exploring ways to treat various rare birds in the case of an outbreak. A key aim is to protect biodiversity.

"We believe that it is our responsibility to protect those species that can be saved," he explains. "I believe the use of medicines to treat rare birds will become more effective in the future as a method to reduce the damage caused by avian flu. We want to collect proper data in Japan, which will lead to the protection of rare birds around the world."

Go here to read the rest:

Human medicine used to treat birds with avian flu | NHK WORLD ... - NHK WORLD