AVIAN
INFLUENZA A/H5N1, MIGRATORY BIRDS - RUSSIA (SIBERIA)
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A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Wed 27 Oct 2004
From: Natalia Pchenitchnaia <fogel@jeo.ru>
Source: Agency Mednovosti.ru, 25 Oct 2004
[in Russian, translated by NP,edited]
<http://pda.mednovosti.ru>
Avian influenza discovered in Novosibirskaya region (Russia)
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According to the Interfax news agency, avian influenza type H5N1 has been
discovered in migratory birds in the Novosibirskaya region. As suggested
by Alexander Shestopalov, the head of the zoonoses
laboratory in the State Scientific Center for Virology and Biotechnology
"Vector," preliminary data indicate that the virus was brought from south-east
Asia by migratory birds, such as ducks and geese, which annually winter there.
The analysis of tests of samples obtained from the birds in the spring and
the autumn months is proceeding, with final results expected in December
2004. Shestopalov stated that the H5N1 virus was identified in birds sampled
last year [2003].
The birds, which probably are carriers of the influenza virus, live generally
in the lowland zone of Barabinsko-Kulundinskoj (Novosibirsk area), which
is known as a crossroads for migrating birds. "It is a
rather sparsely populated area with many lakes; therefore, direct contact
of the carrier birds with people is unlikely," Shestopalov noted.
Scientists have warned of possible mutations, and genetic reassortment, of
avian and human influenza viruses. They have warned that conditions for such
a scenario might prevail [also] on Russian territory.
--
Natalia Pchenitchnaia, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor
Department of Infectious Diseases
Rostov State Medical University
Rostov-on-Don, Russia
<fogel@jeo.ru>
[Waterfowl are known to play a significant role in the spread of influenza
A viruses. Migratory birds were blamed for the outbreaks of bird flu in Asian
countries during the current and previous HPAI outbreaks. First hand details
of the Russian observations, and, specifically, the genetic make-up of isolates,
will be useful, as will details of similar investigations in other countries
to which waterfowl seasonally return from south-east Asia. - Mod.AS].
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