Tag Archives: virus

International

Rubella cases set another record in Japan!

30 April 2013 (11:54 UTC-07 Tango)/19 Jumada t-Tania 1434/10 Ordibehest 1391/21 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases reporting a record 500 rubella/measles cases every week in April!

At this point there are 4763 cases in Japan, from 01 January to 21 April 2013! Compare that to the yearly average, between 2008-2011, of 288.

In January 2012 there were 19 reported cases in Japan, in January 2013 there were 254 cases, there were at least 2000 cases in April 2013!

Recently it was reported that rubella was making a come back, and that the vaccine might be only temporary.

International

H7N9 update: 126 cases! Taiwan warns of human to human cases!

30 April 2013 (01:49 UTC-07 Tango)/19 Jumada t-Tania 1434/10 Ordibehest 1391/21 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

“Countermeasures have been effective so far, but the situation is still developing…..We cannot afford to take it easy or relax, as we are facing a new virus. We should be prepared for any possible development.”-Li Keqiang, Chinese Premier

Fujian Province reporting their third human case.  A 58 years old man got sick with symptoms of fever and cough, then sought help at the hospital on 28 April.  He tested positive on 30 April.  Anybody who’s been in close contact with him are now being monitored.

The UN World Health Organization says they’ve confirmed 126 human cases of H7N9, in China and Taiwan.

Despite World medical opinion, Taiwan is now warning of human to human infections.  A report points out that there are now three cluster cases involving people related to or living near each other.

China’s Centers for Disease Control also point out that 40% of infected people had no contact with birds.

 

International

H7N9 update: 24 deaths! NIAID warns of human to human cases!

29 April 2013 (15:48 UTC-07 Tango)/18 Jumada t-Tania 1434/09 Ordibehest 1391/20 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

The city of Shanghai reporting a death.  An 89 years old man died 12 days after seeking medical help.  He was from Jiangsu Province.

China’s Ministry of Agriculture and the World Organization for Animal Health restated that if you cook poultry properly you won’t get sick.

Despite World health officials continuing to claim there is no evidence for human to human infections, Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), said: “…we still need to be very prepared for the eventuality of that happening.”

International

H7N9 update: 124 cases! Another human to human case?

29 April 2013 (00:33 UTC-07 Tango)/18 Jumada t-Tania 1434/09 Ordibehest 1391/20 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

A 38 years old man tested positive for the ‘bird’ flu in Zhejiang Province.

In Shandong Province, a four years old boy is hospitalized with H7N9.  He is the son of the first person to become infected in the province.  At this point, local health officials are reluctant to call it a human to human case.  This is the second time someone who is connected to an infected person got sick.  The first one is in Beijing, a four years old boy in quarantine because he is considered a carrier.  A seven years old girl, who lives in the same neighborhood as the boy, got sick, but she has recovered.

An 80 years old man and a 31 years old woman tested positive in Jiangxi Province.

In Fujian Province, a man suspected of being the province’s second case, has tested positive. He is in critical condition.

In Henan Province, a 38 years old man became the third person to be considered recovered, in that province.  He is a live poultry seller.

So far 23 people across China have died from H7N9, since the end of March.

 

Influenza

H7N9 update: 120 cases! The more you’re exposed, the greater your chances of getting sick!

28 April 2013 (00:51 UTC-07 Tango)/17 Jumada t-Tania 1434/08 Ordibehest 1392/19 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

The Chinese province of Hunan reporting its first human case.  A 64 years old woman became sick with pneumonia after working with poultry. She’s in critical condition, but improving.

Travel agencies in Taiwan reporting a 30% drop in bookings to mainland China, after a Taiwan man came back from China sick with H7N9.

On top of that, potential visitors to Taiwan, from Japan, have also been canceling their trips: “…the number of tour groups composed of Japanese corporate employees has declined remarkably.”-Mori Chen, Star Express

Researchers in Canada think the reason so many old men are getting sick, is because of their life long exposure to H7 strains of the flu, as a result of their work with poultry.  A similar antibody-dependent enhancement has been confirmed with dengue fever, and studies have shown that lab animals exposed to flu are more likely to finally get sick than “influenza-naïve animals”.

Basically the more you come into contact with a disease the weaker your immune system gets, even you if you never show symptoms: “…..we should also stay open to the possibility that pre-existing cross-reactive antibodies may actually facilitate the viral infection process, a phenomenon best recognised for dengue through the mechanism of antibody dependent enhancement.”-Danuta M. Skowronski, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Virus-host interactions and the unusual age and sex distribution of human cases of influenza A(H7N9) in China, April 2013 

 

International

Norovirus / Tummy Bug update 27 April 2013: Scottish hospital worst case! Dogs going down!

Westchester County, New York U.S.A., reporting at least 100 people got sick at a weekend fundraising event at the Rye Brook hotel.  County health officials say there could be more cases.

In New Hampshire U.S.A., a second test confirmed that the Pembroke Academy drama club got sick from norovirus.  The drama club said they got sick after eating a take out order from Olive Garden.

Saint Clair County, Michigan U.S.A., reporting outbreaks.  County officials say at least five long-term care facilities, hospital facilities and schools were hit with norovirus.

In Montana U.S.A., state Department of Health and Human Services officials reporting a spike in cases.   At least 20 outbreaks affecting 500 people have hit the sparsely populated Big Sky Treasure state, since the beginning of the year.  Officials say that’s twice the normal yearly cases.

In Dorset, England U.K., the Poole Hospital ended its visitor restrictions. Hospital officials restricted visitation early this month, blaming it on norovirus cases not only in the hospital but in the local community as well.

In Edinburgh, Scotland U.K., the Liberton Hospital is still under restrictions after nearly two months.  At least 321 patients have become sick with norovirus. Hospital officials say it’s the worst outbreak they’ve seen, and are begging for help: “We have had a ­continuing problem with ­norovirus and are actively ­seeking information.”-Alison McCallum, NHS Lothian

On the Isle of Man, British Empire, a stomach bug outbreak is being blamed on unsanitary handling of livestock.  Some of the cases have been confirmed to be Cryptosporidium (a parasite) and Campylobacter (a bacteria).

In Cheshire, England U.K.,  a company claims to have created a cleanser that will kill many microbes, including norovirus, in less than one minute. The company also claims hospitals in Germany and Austria are using it. It’s called Noroclear, and does not use any harsh chemicals like bleach.   Company officials acknowledge there are other products which work, but none work in less than a minute.  They would not reveal what Noroclear is made from.

On the Jersey Channel Islands, British Empire, people are being told not to go to hospitals or health clinics if they are sick with norovirus.  This is an effort to reduce the spread of the virus.  There is no treatment for norovirus.

In Canada, the Saskatoon Health Region warning of yet another tummy bug outbreak.  This time as many as 500 are sick, after attending a provincial dance competition.  Health officials say the number of cases could go up because at least 1000 people attended the competition.

In Galway, Ireland, visitation has been restricted at University College Hospital.  Hospital officials say they are dealing with an outbreak, and to prevent filling all beds with vomiting bug patients they want people to stay away, especially if they’ve been sick with the bug.

The Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, in Scotland U.K., has been hit with an outbreak yet again.  This time at least 28 patients and nine staff are sick.

The Muddy Boots farm in Fife, Scotland U.K., under investigation after 16 cases of cryptosporidiosis (a parasite). The farm owners don’t like being blamed: “All the tests they conducted have come back negative. They are not willing to clear us….”-Treina Samson

In Cumbria, England U.K., the Furness General Hospital is reporting an escalation in the outbreak there.  Wards have been closed, as well as admissions: “Despite every effort by the trust, the highly contagious bug has continued to spread and the MAU is now significantly affected. In order to ensure that the hospital can return to normal as soon as possible, the decision has been made to close the MAU to admissions….”-spokesman for Morecambe Bay NHS

In Cornwall, England U.K., a man was prevented from seeing his dying wife at the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske.  They blamed a norovirus outbreak.  The man’s wife died from cancer the next day.  Just more proof of how sucky the British Empire health system is.

In Pennsylvania U.S.A., the outbreak at Saint Katharine of Siena School in Wayne continues.  At latest count, 140 students and teachers became sick.  Also, a dog camp in North Hills closed after dogs became sick.  They will remain closed until 02 May.

‘Tis the season for cicadas.  Entomologists are warning that while your pets wont be killed by eating these loud bugs, if they eat too many they could suffer the same symptoms as norovirus.  Before getting too concerned try to remember if your dog or cat was munching down on some of these faux locusts.

 

 

 

International

H7N9 update: 119 cases, more evidence it’s not coming from chickens!

27 April 2013 (22:13 UTC-07 Tango 26 April 2013)/16 Jumada t-Tania 1434/07 Ordibehest 1391/18 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

The H7N9 flu has spread to yet another Chinese province.  Fujian Province reporting a man in his 60s became sick with repeated coughing, low fever and a tight chest on 18 April.  The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed H7N9 on 26 April.

Three men, ages ranging from 30s to 60s, confirmed infected in Jiangsu Province.  Two are in serious condition.

A 38 years old farmer in Zhejiang Province, is in serious condition with H7n9.

In Jiangxi Province, a 76 years old woman is in critical condition. She’s the province’s second H7n9 case.  Local health officials say many of her ducks and chickens have died, they are being tested for the virus.

A researcher says he’s found a chicken infected with the exact strain of H7N9 that’s infecting humans.  Many scientific and media sources are claiming this proves the new H7N9 is coming from chickens.  I say no way, because of other data the Chinese government has released.

The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture says they have tested 68o60 birds from poultry slaughterhouses, live poultry markets, poultry farms, and wild birds.  Out of the 68060 samples only 46 were positive for H7N9, only 46.   It gets better.  44 of those were from poultry markets, one was from a pigeon farm, the other one was a wild pigeon.  Not one chicken on a farm or in a slaughterhouse tested positive.  This means the poultry are getting infected at the live poultry markets.  I suspect they’re getting infected from humans, this H7N9 could be a bird flu that’s mutated in humans and is only now infecting birds.

Note that about half the human cases had no contact with birds.

 

International

H7N9 update: 113 cases, 23 deaths!

25 April 2013 (08:57 UTC-07 Tango)/14 Jumada t-Tania 1434/05 Ordibehest 1391/16 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

China’s Ministry of Finance says it will spend $48.6 million USD on fighting the spread of H7N9.

China’s Zhejiang Province reporting a 50 years old woman, and a 60 years old woman in hospital infected with H7N9.  They are in critical condition.

  Henan Province reporting a man testing positive for H7N9.

Jiangxi Province reporting their first possible H7N9 case, a 69 years old man in the city of Nanchang.  The city also quarantined 14 people.  They are awaiting confirmation from the Chinese Center of Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC).

Chinese media have been reporting that deaths are up to 23, but they gave no details.

Yesterday, Taiwan reported the first human case outside mainland China.

 

International, U.S.

H7N9 update: First case outside China! Japan preps to quarantine airports!

24 April 2013 (11:12 UTC-07 Tango)/13 Jumada t-Tania 1434/04 Ordibehest 1391/15 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

Taiwan has confirmed their first human case of H7N9 ‘bird’ flu.  A 53 years old man became sick three days after returning from a trip to Jiangsu Province on mainland China.

The man says he had no contact with birds!

California governor Jerry Brown was recently in China, as well as Wisconsin governor Scott Walker.  Last week the U.S. CDC warned health officials to be on the lookout for people coming from China who might be infected.

In Japan, researchers have been warning how bad the H7N9 virus is, and now the government is preparing for a pandemic.  Plans are to establish quarantine areas in airports, where compulsory examinations of airline passengers will be conducted.

International

H7N9 update: More evidence human infections not from birds! False Flag human made virus?

24 April 2013 (00:18 UTC-07 Tango)/13 Jumada t-Tania 1434/04 Ordibehest 1391/15 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

Researchers with the China Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) released the results of their study of the new H7N9 ‘bird’ flu.

They tested 970 poultry from farms and markets.  Only 20 were positive, and those were from poultry markets.  None of the poultry from the farms, in Shanghai City and Anhui Province, were infected.  This suggests the birds got sick after being brought into contact with humans at the markets!

Three weeks ago Japanese warned that this ‘bird’ flu had mutated into a human flu, and that culling of poultry wouldn’t stop its spread.

The CAAS researchers basically confirmed what Japanese researchers discovered at the beginning of April, that the gene sequence is unique for a H7 flu.

They identified genes from several different viruses, but the HA and NA genes are not identifiable.

It’s interesting that two weeks ago health officials in Thailand and China stated that H7N9 is new to continental Asia, and that it came from the U.S.  A Chinese PLA Air Force officer accused the U.S. of biological warfare.