Category: Flu Virus

Respiratory medicine specialist, Leung Chi-chiu, said on Monday that it's unlikely there will be serious flu outbreaks in the short term, despite an increase of cases in the community.

He said Hong Kong's summer flu season has just ended, and the winter season may come in February or March.

"Because we have already had substantial circulation of the influenza virus within our community for some time, we are likely to see a more normal winter season, instead of a major rebound, like what is currently seen in the mainland," he told RTHK.

Paediatrician Patrick Ip from the University of Hong Kong, meanwhile, said even though the winter flu season is coming later than usual, people should not let their guard down.

He told an RTHK radio programme that theres been a rise in the number of people coming down with other respiratory diseases, like Mycoplasma pneumoniae, with over 100 cases reported every month since August.

Read more here:

'Serious flu outbreaks unlikely in the short term' - RTHK -

By Dylan Donnelly, news reporter

Sunday 26 November 2023 18:13, UK

China has said its outbreak of a respiratory illness stems from the flu and other known pathogens - while questions about its origins rise.

A spokesperson from China's National Health Commission said clusters of respiratory infections across the country are caused by an overlap of common viruses.

They cited the influenza virus, rhinoviruses, the respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, the adenovirus as well as bacteria such as mycoplasma pneumoniae as the culprits.

In response, the ministry called for more fever clinics and vaccinations for children and the elderly.

Ministry spokesman Mi Feng also said: "Efforts should be made to increase the opening of relevant clinics and treatment areas, extend service hours and increase the supply of medicines."

The statements come after a Beijing children's hospital earlier told state media CCTV that at least 7,000 patients were being admitted daily to the institution, exceeding capacity.

And last week, the largest paediatric hospital in nearby Tianjin reportedly received more than 13,000 children at its outpatient and emergency departments.

The World Health Organisation formally requested information on the outbreak from China earlier this week, describing the rare request as a "routine" check.

On Thursday, Chinese health officials carried out a teleconference with the WHO, providing data that showed an increase in hospital admissions of children due to diseases commonly seen in the autumn since October.

Advertisement

The WHO added Chinese officials maintained the spike in infections had not overloaded the country's hospitals, and explained they made the request via an international legal mechanism.

Read more from Sky News: Everything we know about new outbreak of respiratory illness Former officer who murdered George Floyd 'expected to survive'

Despite the information, the group also said there was too little data to assess the risk of the reported cases.

Chinese health authorities later said they found no "unusual or novel diseases".

They added they believe the rising infections are also linked to the country's first full cold season after strict Covid restrictions were lifted last December.

Three years on from when the cases were first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in the latter months of 2019 - there is still debate about the origins of the coronavirus outbreak.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Dr Krutika Kuppalli, who is part of the WHO's emergency programme, said the outbreaks "really could be anything".

She warned against jumping to conclusions, saying: "The point is we need information."

View post:

China insists mystery respiratory illness is from flu and known pathogens - not novel virus - Sky News

Monday 27 November 2023 17:38, UK

A new strain of swine flu - similar to a flu virus currently circulating in pigs - has been detected in a human in the UK for the first time.

The person was diagnosed with the infection - influenza A(H1N2)v - as part of routine national flu surveillance after visiting their GP in North Yorkshire with breathing problems, it is understood.

The person involved is not known to have worked with pigs and has fully recovered.

The source of the infection is still unknown and under investigation.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it is monitoring the situation closely and is taking steps to increase surveillance within existing programmes involving GP surgeries and hospitals.

There have been a total of 50 human cases of influenza A(H1N2)v reported globally since 2005; but none of them are related genetically to this strain.

H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 are major subtypes of swine flu A viruses in pigs and occasionally infect humans.

Based on early information, the UKHSA said the strain detected in the UK differs from recent human cases of H1N2 elsewhere in the world, but is similar to viruses in UK pigs.

A person in North Yorkshire has been diagnosed with a strain of flu similar to a virus circulating in pigs.

As this is the first time the virus has been detected in humans in the UK - there are a number of questions the public will want the answers to.

Is this swine flu? Bird flu? Both? Have there been cases in other parts of the world? What do we know about the first case?

Find out all the answers here

Meera Chand, incident director at UKHSA, said: "This is the first time we have detected this virus in humans in the UK, though it is very similar to viruses that have been detected in pigs."

Advertisement

Chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: "We know that some diseases of animals can be transferred to humans, which is why high standards of animal health, welfare and biosecurity are so important.

"Through our animal and human surveillance systems we work together to protect everyone.

"In this case we are providing specialist veterinary and scientific knowledge to support the UKHSA investigation."

Every time a virus jumps from animals into humans there is a shudder of alarm.

So-called zoonotic diseases have resulted in pandemics in the past, most recently of course COVID.

That's why the UK Health Security Agency is trying to work out how someone in Yorkshire has been infected with a strain of flu so similar to a virus circulating in pigs in the UK.

We don't know much about the individual. But we do know they only had mild symptoms and fully recovered. And they didnt work with pigs. That's the puzzle.

Does it mean that the virus is circulating in people, undetected until now? Health authorities are tracing contacts of the infected person and are trying to identify the source.

Flu normally crosses the species barrier by infecting people in close contact with animals. That's why people who work with chickens are checked for bird flu, which is caused by another strain of the virus.

But even if there is a human case of an animal virus that's usually the end of the story. The virus isn't passed on because it's not well enough adapted to human cells to spread from person to person.

Officially, there is no evidence of human transmission of the new swine flu virus. But it's hard to see an alternative explanation at the moment.

That doesn't mean we are on the verge of a new pandemic. The strain could disappear as quickly as it emerged.

But scientists will want to understand more about the virus to gauge how transmissible it is - and also to be sure it's not more of a risk to people who are vulnerable, either because of age or underlying health conditions.

Pig-keepers have been urged to report any suspicion of swine flu in their herds to their local vet immediately.

It is not known at this stage how transmissible the strain is or if there could be other cases in the UK.

It is also too early to say if the strain could have pandemic potential.

The UKHSA has notified the World Health Organisation (WHO) of the latest case.

This is a limited version of the story so unfortunately this content is not available. Open the full version

In 2009, there was a pandemic in humans caused by flu strain H1N1, commonly referred to as swine flu.

This now circulates in humans seasonally.

See the rest here:

New strain of swine flu detected in person for first time in UK - Sky News

Close contacts of the case are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations

Health officials in the UK are investigating the first confirmed case of a new strain of swine flu, identified as A(H1N2)v. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the virus strain is similar to flu viruses currently circulating in pigs in the UK.

The A(H1N2)v infection was detected in a person during a routine flu screening test at a general practitioner (GP) in North Yorkshire complaining of breathing problems. The individual was tested by their GP after experiencing respiratory symptoms.

Close contacts of the case are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations.

"This is the first time we have detected this virus in humans in the UK, though it is very similar to viruses that have been detected in pigs," Dr Meera Chand, Incident Director at the UKHSA, said.

"We are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce any potential spread. In accordance with established protocols, investigations are underway to learn how the individual acquired the infection and to assess whether there are any further associated cases," she said.

Influenza A(H1) viruses are enzootic in swine populations in most regions of the world. When an influenza virus that normally circulates in swine is detected in a person, it is called a variant influenza virus, as per the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 are major subtypes of swine flu A viruses in pigs and occasionally infect humans.

A total of 50 human cases of influenza A(H1N2)v have been reported globally since 2005. Influenza A(H1N2)v has not previously been detected in humans in the UK. Human infections with swine influenza viruses occur sporadically.

Based on early information, the infection detected in the UK is a distinct clade (1b.1.1), which is different from recent human cases of influenza A(H1N2) elsewhere in the world but is similar to viruses in pigs in the UK.

Also Read:Breakthrough in Uttarkashi workers rescue: Rescue team, ambulancesentertunnel

See the original post here:

UK detects first human case of new swine flu strain; here's all you need to know - Business Today

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on - Nov 29, 2023, 14:26 IST

16

Advertisement

36

46

56

66

Get notifications on latest TOI news

Expand

Next Story

H9N2 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus, belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. It primarily affects birds, with a high prevalence in poultry such as chickens and turkeys. The virus can undergo genetic reassortment, leading to the emergence of new strains. The transmission of H9N2 occurs through direct contact with infected birds, their respiratory secretions, or contaminated environments. The virus can persist in water and on surfaces, contributing to its spread within and between flocks. A human case of H9N2 virus infection in October 2023 in China was reported to WHO

In poultry, H9N2 infections can range from asymptomatic to severe, depending on various factors such as the bird species, age, and the presence of other pathogens. Common symptoms in birds include respiratory distress, reduced egg production, and a drop in feed consumption. In humans, symptoms are similar to those of other influenza viruses and may include fever, cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing.

Implementing strict biosecurity measures is essential to prevent the introduction and spread of H9N2 in poultry farms. This includes controlling access to farms, regular disinfection of facilities, and ensuring that personnel and equipment are free from contamination. Regular surveillance of poultry populations is crucial for early detection of H9N2 infections. Monitoring bird health, conducting routine testing, and promptly reporting any unusual illness can help prevent the spread of the virus.

Practicing good hygiene is essential in both commercial and backyard poultry settings. This includes proper waste disposal, regular cleaning and disinfection of equipment and facilities, and the use of protective clothing by farm workers. Educating poultry farmers, workers, and the general public about the risks associated with H9N2 is important for prevention. Awareness campaigns can help disseminate information on proper hygiene practices, the importance of early detection, and the potential consequences of the virus. To avoid spreading to humans, those in contact with the infected animals should clean their hands regularly and disinfect their clothes and belongings if they are in direct contact with the birds.

"Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the reported outbreak of H9N2 cases and clusters of respiratory illness in children in northern China. There is low risk to India from both the avian influenza case reported from China as well as the clusters of respiratory illness," as per an official statement made on November 24. The overall risk assessment by WHO indicates a low probability of human to human spread and low case fatality rate among human cases of H9N2 reported to WHO so far.

China pneumonia outbreak in kids: Is it treatable?

Read the original:

H9N2 avian influenza virus or bird flu: Causes, symptoms and preventive measures - IndiaTimes

A swine flu pandemic in 2009 killed hundreds of thousands of people.Credit: Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty

Scientists are working to better understand a type of swine flu that was detected in a person in the United Kingdom for the first time. Swine flu typically circulates in pigs but caused a human pandemic in 2009 that killed an estimated 284,000 people.

The virus detected in the UK individual was influenza A subtype H1N2, which is known to have infected 50 people worldwide since 2005. None of those previous cases is related genetically to the UK variant, according to information released on 27 November by the UKs Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

The UK case was detected after doctors carried out a genetic test on a person in North Yorkshire who reported flu-like symptoms. The patient has now made a full recovery. The UKSHA says that it is is still investigating how the person got infected.

Scientists and medics are now working to understand more about the genetics of this human infection, as well as monitoring for evidence of human-to-human transmission.

Its really important that these cases are monitored, because if anything is going any further we really want to know about it, says Ed Hutchinson a virologist at the University of Glasgow, UK.

Spillover infections of respiratory viruses, including influenza, from one species to another are quite common. The reason its popped up now is that it was spreading in pigs, says Paul Hunter an epidemiologist at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK.

Respiratory viruses spread through close contact, so people working with pigs are at particular risk although any close contact with an infected animal could pass on the virus. In the majority of cases, spillovers are thought to go undetected, because the person doesnt feel ill and the virus travels no further.

The UK spillover was detected in part because the infected person felt unwell enough to see a doctor. The country has a surveillance system for respiratory viruses, and if a person comes to a doctor with flu-like symptoms, the physician is encouraged to swab them and send that sample off for analysis, says Hutchinson.

Once a virus has spilled over into people, scientists look for evidence that it is spreading between them. Until you get evidence that its starting to spread more widely and increasing in numbers, you dont know its going to be a threat, says Hunter. There is no evidence that this has happened yet in the case of H1N2 detected in the United Kingdom.

Hutchinson says that such onward spread is rare. The question is, can the virus replicate enough in that person in order to not just infect them but to pass on to another human, and thats actually really hard for viruses to do if theyre not in the right host, he says. So, usually for a spillover case, that doesnt happen.

However, influenza viruses are unusual in that they are able to breed, meaning that different viruses can combine their genes during replication. This helps the viruses to adapt from one species to another.

If you get two different viruses infecting the same cell at the same time, the virus can come out which has some genes from one parent virus, and some genes from the other parent virus, Hutchinson says. This is called reassortment.

The process is especially concerning when it leads to a virus that has a lot of human-adapted genes, and so is adept at replicating in humans, and that also has proteins on its outside which are what human antibodies use to recognize and destroy viruses that are from a new non-human source.

The virus that caused the 2009 swine flu pandemic was a mixture of different viruses: a swine flu, a human flu and a bird flu all exchanged genes, Hutchinson says. And then another swine flu mixed with that one, to produce a virus which was able to jump into humans, and so that was an unusually complex mixing and matching version, he says.

Over the coming days, scientists will be working to understand more about the genetics of the variant that infected the person in the United Kingdom, using known data from large sets of virus information to see whether it is related to other viruses.

See the article here:

Why has swine flu emerged in a person in the UK and what's next? - Nature.com

Enoch Arhinful, MD, a Cedars-Sinai physician specializing in internal medicine, helps patients understand the importance of receiving the COVID-19 updated vaccine by putting it in context.

I explain to them that, like any virus, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) shifts in its genetic makeup over time, ultimately becoming so different from the initial variant that its difficult for our immune systems to recognize, he said. Imagine having a picture ID of a baby and then, years later, trying to validate that childs identity with the old photo. This new, updated vaccine gives our bodies a current picture of how the virus that causes COVID-19 actually looks today, which allows them to do a better job identifying the virus and fighting it off.

Still, some patients remain resistant to convincing.

With COVID-19, there are patients who, no matter what new evidence comes available, dont seem willing to take up the vaccine, Arhinful said. Some are hesitant because they never got it in the first place, and so they dont have any experience with it. Others may have had a small reaction from the initial vaccine and are worried about that discomfort happening again. However, based on my observation and experience, it appears that the number of people open to the vaccine is steadily increasing.

More here:

COVID-19 and Flu Shots Provide a Double Dose of Protection - Cedars-Sinai

Chinas health ministry says a surge in respiratory illnesses across the country that has drawn the attention of the World Health Organization is caused by the flu and other known pathogens and not by a novel virus

November 26, 2023, 7:14 AM ET

3 min read

BEIJING -- A surge in respiratory illnesses across China that has drawn the attention of the World Health Organization is caused by the flu and other known pathogens and not by a novel virus, the country's health ministry said Sunday.

Recent clusters of respiratory infections are caused by an overlap of common viruses such as the influenza virus, rhinoviruses, the respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, the adenovirus as well as bacteria such as mycoplasma pneumoniae, which is a common culprit for respiratory tract infections, a National Health Commission spokesperson said.

The ministry called on local authorities to open more fever clinics and promote vaccinations among children and the elderly as the country grapples with a wave of respiratory illnesses in its first full winter since the removal of COVID-19 restrictions.

Efforts should be made to increase the opening of relevant clinics and treatment areas, extend service hours and increase the supply of medicines, said ministry spokesman Mi Feng.

He advised people to wear masks and called on local authorities to focus on preventing the spread of illnesses in crowded places such as schools and nursing homes.

The WHO earlier this week formally requested that China provide information about a potentially worrying spike in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia in children, as mentioned by several media reports and a global infectious disease monitoring service.

The emergence of new flu strains or other viruses capable of triggering pandemics typically starts with undiagnosed clusters of respiratory illness. Both SARS and COVID-19 were first reported as unusual types of pneumonia.

Chinese authorities earlier this month blamed the increase in respiratory diseases on the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Other countries also saw a jump in respiratory diseases such as RSV when pandemic restrictions ended.

The WHO said Chinese health officials on Thursday provided the data it requested during a teleconference. Those showed an increase in hospital admissions of children due to diseases including bacterial infection, RSV, influenza and common cold viruses since October.

Chinese officials maintained the spike in patients had not overloaded the countrys hospitals, according to the WHO.

It is rare for the U.N. health agency to publicly ask for more detailed information from countries, as such requests are typically made internally. WHO said it requested further data from China via an international legal mechanism.

According to internal accounts in China, the outbreaks have swamped some hospitals in northern China, including in Beijing, and health authorities have asked the public to take children with less severe symptoms to clinics and other facilities.

WHO said that there was too little information at the moment to properly assess the risk of these reported cases of respiratory illness in children.

Both Chinese authorities and WHO have been accused of a lack of transparency in their initial reports on the COVID-19 pandemic, which started in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.

More:

China says a surge in respiratory illnesses is caused by flu and other known pathogens - ABC News

An employee works on a rack of slaughtered ducks at a poultry farm in Eugenie les Bains, France, January 24, 2017, as France scales back preventive slaughtering of ducks to counter bird flu after the culling of 800,000 birds this month helped slow the spread of the disease. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau/File photo Acquire Licensing Rights

PARIS, Nov 28 (Reuters) - France has detected an outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu virus on a turkey farm in the northwest of the country, the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday, as a seasonal wave of infections spreads across Europe.

The outbreak in the Brittany region, France's first farm case this autumn, occurred near where an infected wild bird was found, the ministry said in a statement.

Several cases among wild birds have been recorded in recent days, it said, adding the government had raised its national alert level for bird flu to moderate from negligible.

Poultry flocks in areas particularly exposed to contact with wild birds would now be confined indoors, the ministry said.

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has led to the culling of hundreds of millions birds in the past years. It usually strikes in Europe during autumn and winter and has recently been detected on farms in countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Croatia and Hungary.

To counter the disease, which has disrupted the supply of poultry meat and eggs and sent prices rocketing in parts of the world in recent years, France launched a vaccination campaign against bird flu in early October.

The French programme is being initially limited to ducks, which are the most vulnerable to the virus. Ducks accounted for only 8% of total French poultry output in 2022.

Reporting by Gus Trompiz and Sybille de La Hamaide; Editing by Kirsten Donovan

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

See the article here:

France reports bird flu on turkey farm as disease spreads in Europe - Reuters

This article has been reviewed according to ScienceX's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

trusted source

proofread

close

With winter approaching, birds are migrating south to escape the cold and take advantage of more abundant food sources.

But birds aren't the only ones taking advantage of this migratory ritual. Avian influenza viruses, more commonly known as bird flu, can spread across the country if migrating birds carry the viruses with them on their pre-winter journey.

As a result, Dr. Isabelle Louge, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, advises poultry owners to remain vigilant against the spread of bird flu this winter because it can be deadly for our avian counterparts.

Bird flu typically follows migratory patterns, mainly through waterfowl (ducks and geese) droppings. Yet, Louge says the virus can also spread through infected poultry or people and through contact with contaminated equipment, including clothing and shoes.

"Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or highly contagious bird flu, is a periodic problem in poultry flocks and is spread both bird-to-bird and when birds come into contact with contaminated objects and surfaces," Louge said. "The past few years have seen outbreaks of HPAI spreading very easily among birds and often causing high losses in a flock."

Because HPAI is contagious, Louge says owners should be familiar with and watch for signs of bird flu. If signs are present, humans and other animals will need to steer clear so that they don't become infected as well.

"The first sign of the disease among poultry is dead birds, but other signs include ruffled feathers, depression, gasping, difficulty breathing, swelling of the head and neck, and diarrhea," Louge said. "The virus that causes avian influenza also can recombine with other influenza viruses found in humans, pigs, and other species."

If owners find that their birds are exhibiting these symptoms, Louge strongly suggests reporting the outbreak to the state veterinary office or the U.S. Department of Agriculture to receive professional help.

"It is important for all of us to work together to keep the spread under control," Louge said.

In addition, owners should stay up to date with nearby outbreaks so that they can implement safety measures sooner, preventing the disease from spreading.

"If HPAI has been detected in your area, it is best to keep your flock fully indoorsin a clean, well-ventilated coop with fresh feed and waterto avoid contact with any potential wild birds that could spread the virus," Louge said.

There are various methods, or biosecurity measures, that can help prevent flocks from becoming sick when exposed to new birds. Quarantining new birds from existing flocks is one measure that can keep your birds safe from the virus.

"Owners should quarantine any new poultry brought to the farm for at least 30 days to ensure they are not sick, and they should work with these birds last so that they are clean when working with the home flock," Louge said

Owners should also consider designing outdoor areas to completely exclude access for wild birds, not sharing farm equipment with other poultry farmers, and routinely disinfecting any equipment used around flocks.

Avian influenza can harm poultry flocks, so following biosecurity measures is necessary to keep both you and your flock safe from illness. Not only are you keeping your farm healthy, but you are helping stop the spread of illness to nearby farms.

Go here to read the rest:

Protecting poultry from bird flu - Phys.org