Avian Influenza and the Pandemic Threat

• Influenza Activity Widespread in Southern Hemisphere

FLU ACTIVITY WIDESPREAD IN PARTS OF SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
Influenza activity is widespread across most of Australia and is running above baseline levels in New Zealand, though activity patterns and circulating virus strains vary among Southern Hemisphere countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest global flu update. {CIDRAP News, 6 Aug}

• CDC Warning On Swine Flu

PIG FLU WARNING IN THE US
The US CDC has issued a warning about the risk of pig flu to coincide with the season for state and country fairs. There have been twenty-nine cases so far this year. {Digital Journal, 6 Aug}

CDC REPORTS FAIR GOERS SHOULD TAKE PRECAUTION AGAINST SWINE FLU
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 12 new cases of swine flu in three U.S. states. Those states include one case in Hawaii, 10 cases in Ohio and one case in Indiana. {Medical Daily, 6 Aug}

• DNA Vaccines

CO-ADMINISTRATION OF AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS H5 PLASMID DNA WITH CHICKEN IL-15 AND IL-18 ENHANCED CHICKENS IMMUNE RESPONSES
Background: DNA vaccines offer several advantages over conventional vaccines in the development of effective vaccines against avian influenza virus (AIV). However, one of the limitations of the DNA vaccine in poultry is that it induces poor immune ... {7thSpace Interactive, 6 Aug}

SCIENTISTS MAP CRITICAL PORTION OF FLU ENZYME
Scientists recently mapped the three-dimensional structure of a portion of the influenza virus that is critical in the replication process. Experts say that the knowledge could potentially lead to a new class of influenza drugs, according to Business-Standard.com. {Vaccine News Daily, 6 Aug}

• USA: H3N2 at State Fairs

COMMENTARY: CONFIRMED H3N2V CASE AT OHIO STATE FAIR
The commentary discusses confirmed H3N2v case at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus, Ohio. {Recombinomics, 7 Aug}

COMMENTARY: CONFIRMED H3N2V CASES AT MONROE COUNTY FAIR - INDIANA
The commentary discusses confirmed H3N2v cases at the Monroe County Fair in Indiana. {Recombinomics, 7 Aug}

VARIANT H3N2 CASES CLIMB IN INDIANA, OHIO
Indiana and Ohio reported a total of 14 more cases of variant swine-origin H3N2 influenza (H3N2v) today and over the weekend, raising the apparent US total in recent weeks to 30 and continuing a string of cases related to agricultural fairs. {CIDRAP News, 6 Aug}

PRO/AH> INFLUENZA (65): SWINE INFLUENZA, A/(H3N2)V, OIE STATUS
Swine Flu H1N1 — Worldwide/UnknownThe undersigned's commentary to ProMED-mail's posting "Influenza (64): USA A/(H3N2)v CDC report," archive number 20120805.1228593, suggested that the subclinical or mild cases of influenza virus A/(H3N2)v recently recorded in swine in the USA are "not regarded as OIE-notifiable swine influenza."This is in need of correction and clarification.Swine influenza is not a listed disease with the OIE. The current list includes the following 7 swine diseases: African swine fever, classical {ProMED-mail, 6 Aug}

SWINE FLU AND AGRICULTURAL FAIRS, CDC ISSUE PRECAUTION
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are asking people attending agricultural fairs to take precautions when around pigs because of a rise in the number of cases of a new strain of "swine flu" virus in humans. Especially vulnerable groups, such as the sick, the under 5s, pregnant women and seniors should avoid contact with the animals altogether, they urge... {Medical News Today, 6 Aug}

• India: H1N1 Cases Rise

SWINE FLU CASES IN MUMBAI RISE TO 250
With four swine flu cases detected on Tuesday, the tally of infected patients has risen to 250 since January, this year. In August, 37 positive cases have been reported. {Daily News & Analysis, 7 Aug}

AVIAN INFLUENZA SURVEILLANCE REVEALS PRESENCE OF LOW PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUSES IN POULTRY DURING 2009-2011 IN THE WEST BENGAL STATE, INDIA
More than 70 outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 have been reported in poultry in the western and north-eastern parts of India. Therefore, in view of the recent HPAI H5N1 outbreaks in poultry, active AI surveillance ... {7thSpace Interactive, 7 Aug}