A mutated strain of avian influenza has recently been discovered in samples from Cambodia; however, it is still unclear whether this strain is more pathogenic than the H5N1 virus that previously claimed the lives of four individuals in the region.
Philippe Buchy, head of the Virology Department at the Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, stated that testing of the samples is ongoing and “it is currently unclear if there have been any significant advancements regarding the virus’s ability to transmit between humans or from birds to humans.” He also added that mutations of the H5 virus strain are quite common and that “these have been reviewed by WHO H5 experts, but they have not disclosed any findings.”
Since March, Cambodia has reported no new cases in either humans or poultry. However, the country currently lacks the means to test for and identify new strains of influenza, making it very challenging to manage the risk of future outbreaks.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government is working to reassure the public after the discovery of a second fatality due to avian influenza. Yesterday, the country’s Ministry of Health announced that the new victim was a 35-year-old female farmer named Xu, who died after 11 days of high fever and pneumonia-like symptoms. “Her condition was very severe, and all efforts to save her were unsuccessful. The patient had contact with sick poultry,” reported the People’s Daily regarding this woman from Anhui province, located about 100 kilometers from where a 24-year-old pregnant woman died earlier in November and was confirmed as China’s first avian influenza victim.
Yesterday, China experienced another outbreak in poultry in the Xinjiang region, bringing the total number of outbreaks this year to 25. “The concern over the virus’s potential to transmit between humans is growing with each new case in either humans or poultry,” stated China’s Daily.
In light of the rising avian influenza crisis, China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd is making efforts to advance a clinical trial for a newly developed vaccine. However, it may take up to a year before this “pandemic influenza vaccine” completes its phase two clinical trials and becomes available on the market at a lower cost than a standard influenza vaccination.
Asia has a new avian influenza outbreak in Aceh province, Indonesia, which was heavily affected by last year’s tsunami. The Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture reported that the outbreak emerged three weeks ago. The culprit is the H5N1 virus, which has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of chickens across three districts in the province. To date, all deceased and sick chickens have been culled. Aceh is implementing disinfection measures at outbreak sites and urging farmers to “be more vigilant” regarding their poultry.
My Linh (according to AFP, AP)
