Update on current outbreaks and human cases

It's begining to look a lot like avian flu season out there...

1. Cambodia has confirmed a new human case

"Cambodia's Health Ministry has confirmed the country's eighth human case of virulent bird flu since 2005.The ministry was quoted by news reports as saying in a statement issued with the UN's World Health Organisation on December 12 that a 19-year-old man from Kandal province, southeast of the capital Phnom Penh, was confirmed to have the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus. The man is being treated at Calmette Hospital in the capital. Cambodian health and agriculture ministry officials have been dispatched to the victim's village to ensure that there is no further spread of the disease. The case, the first this year in Cambodia, comes a day after a senior World Health Organization official warned that Asian nations must remain vigilant against the disease.-Enditem"

http://www.vnanet.vn/Home/EN/tabid/119/itemid/278964/Default.aspx

2. Culling operations in Assam, India are in their 17th day

"Culling operations continued for the 17th day today in Assam, with nearly 3.80 lakh birds culled in six bird-flu affected districts. Director of animal husbandry and veterinary department Dr A Kakati said 17,942 birds were culled, and 33,937 eggs were destroyed today. Culling is expected to be completed by tomorrow, he said. More than 900 members of the rapid response team are active in the affected districts for culling, mopping or combing, surveillance and for disinfection, he said. However, there was no report of avian flu being transmitted to humans, and a strict surveillance was being maintained and measures were being taken, to ensure that the disease does not spread to fresh areas."

http://www.sakaaltimes.com/2008/12/15214011/Culling-operations-on-for-17th.html

3. New H5N1 outbreaks confirmed in birds in West Bengal, India

" Laboratory tests on dead birds have proven a new outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu virus in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, a state government official said on Monday...West Bengal officials said several hundred birds could have been found dead but disputed local media reports that as many as 5,000 birds were dead."

http://in.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idINSP42137920081215?sp=true