(H7N9 watch) Chef, 38, dies, scientists suggest testing birds in markets to trace silent killer

[mainer]

Source: The Standard (Hong Kong)

The latest fatality was a 38-year-old man who worked as a chef, Zhejiang media reported. The province's other case was a 67-year-old retiree being treated in hospital, the Zhejiang Daily newspaper said.

Two other deaths have been reported, both in Shanghai. Other cases have been reported in eastern Jiangsu and Anhui, the government has said.

Meanwhile, scientists said that based on information from genetic data and lab tests in China, the H7N9 virus appears to infect some birds without triggering noticeable symptoms, AP reported.

“We speculate that when this virus is maintained in poultry the disease will not appear, and similar in pigs, if they are infected, so nobody recognizes the infection in animals around them, then the transmission from animal to human may occur,'' said Dr Masato Tashiro, director of the World Health Organization's influenza research center in Tokyo and one of the specialists who studied the genetic data. “In terms of this phenomenon, it's more problematic.’’



Read more: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=34300

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A virus deadly to humans, which appears not to affect the bird or pig carriers? This is not good.

[Renew Deal]

1. This article gives a lot of context on this situation

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022601762

[mainer]

3. What makes this new virus worrisome is that birds remain healthy

So we can't track the natural carriers.

It appears this strain is a result of gene reassortment among three bird viruses, making it more infectious in mammals.

[Sunlei]

6. if it was really bad all the zillions of chinese pet treats would have killed us by now

keep an eye on those who have to eat the foods even humans won't eat

[Myrina]

2. Mother Nature's revenge ...

n/t

[Turborama]

7. Really? Is that how you'd react if they were family or friends? n/t

[Myrina]

8. Clutch pearls, gasp, OH! the outrage!!

Hate to tell you but friends and family of all of us are dying every fucking day from apathetic - and even downright malicious - treatment by all facets of 'health', 'medical', 'environmental' and 'governmental' agencies in this country.

Where's everyone else's outrage about that?

[Duer 157099]

4. Where are these guys when we need them??

[dipsydoodle]

10. I've got the complete series on DVD

[Duer 157099]

11. I think it's one of the best shows that nobody knows about

[dipsydoodle]

12. lol

I was enthralled when we had it on tv years ago in the UK and the bought the dvd set at a later date.

[Marrah_G]

5. I suggest Author Richard Preston for books on this topic

Also Nathan Wolfe has a good one called Viral Storm.

[mainer]

9. Every confirmed case so far is either dead or in critical condition

Although I suspect they will soon find serologic evidence of exposure in those who have not become critically ill.

[mainer]

13. Fifth death. Fourteen cases now. Pigeon carriers?

So far, China has confirmed 14 H7N9 cases -- six in Shanghai, four in Jiangsu, three in Zhejiang and one in Anhui, in the first known human infections of the lesser-known strain. Of all, four died in Shanghai and one died in Zhejiang.

China's Ministry of Agriculture said Thursday the H7N9 avian flu virus has been detected from pigeon samples collected at a marketplace in Songjiang District of Shanghai.

After gene sequence analysis, the national avian flu reference laboratory concluded that the strain of the H7N9 virus found on pigeons was highly congenetic with those found on persons infected with H7N9 virus.



http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-04/04/c_132285178.htm

[darkangel218]

14. What i dont get is, why are all the avian flu viruses coming from China?

What is so special about Chinese chicken? We have chicken too, but ours don't develope weird deadly viruses