NEWS SCAN: Jakarta poultry enforcement, waterfowl avian flu survey, animal feed Salmonella guidance

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Salmonella

Aug 2, 2010

Cullers enforce Jakarta's residential poultry ban
Animal health officials in East Jakarta have culled 1,309 backyard birds so far this year as they enforce a ban on such birds in residential areas that was instituted to slow the spread of H5N1 avian influenza, Berita Jakarta, a Jakarta provincial government news source, reported Jul 30. Officials are also dismantling or destroying the poultry cages they find near residential areas. The ban prohibits Jakarta residents from raising poultry within 25 meters (82 feet) of residential areas.
Jul 30 Berita Jakarta story

Researchers document flu subtypes in Texas Gulf Coast waterfowl
A study on influenza A in hunter-harvested waterfowl on the Gulf Coast of Texas over three consecutive hunting seasons found evidence of the virus in 8.5% of 5,363 samples, according to a report from Texas researchers in Emerging Infectious Diseases. Virus isolation found 134 influenza A viruses, including H1–H7, H10, H11, and N1–N9 subtypes. They isolated the low-pathogenic H7 subtype during January, September, and November of 2007 and in January 2008. The group isolated the low-pathogenic H5 subtype in November and December of 2007. They concluded that the survey helps characterize avian flu circulation in a previously understudied waterfowl wintering area and documents that the virus subtypes are present in migratory waterfowl that are near commercial poultry operations.
Aug Emerg Infect Dis study

FDA releases draft guidance on Salmonella in animal feed
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued a draft compliance guide for controlling Salmonella in animal feed. It is asking interested individuals to submit written comments on the proposal by Nov 1, 2010. The finalized draft will guide FDA policies related to animal feed or feed ingredient, such as pet food or pet treats, that are contaminated with Salmonella and come in direct contact with humans.
Aug 2 FDA press release

This week's top reads

  1. FDA significantly limits COVID-19 vaccine recommendations

    Critics said today’s announcement is more evidence of the current administration’s willingness to undermine public trust in vaccines.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    FDA building

  2. USDA suspends southern border livestock imports over New World screwworm threat

    As cattle detections track northward, Mexico recently reported its first human case.

    Lisa Schnirring
    screwworm larva

  3. Meta-analysis: Zika-infected pregnant moms 4 times more likely to have babies with microcephaly

    Five of 22 studies noted that over 50% of newborns had microcephaly, and the same number of studies observed that over 5% had congenital Zika syndrome. 

    Mary Van Beusekom

  4. Woman dies of Creutzfeldt-Jakob almost 50 years after taking prion-contaminated growth hormone

    The patient, who presented with gait imbalance and tremors, wasn't diagnosed until she was in a coma, shortly before she died.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Woman in hospital bed

  5. HHS expected to discontinue COVID vaccine recommendations for some groups

    When CDC advisers widened their recommendation in 2023, most members were swayed by data, including those for long COVID, showing that no group is at low risk for the virus.

    Lisa Schnirring

  6. Data suggest COVID-19 reinfections less likely to cause long COVID

    The risk of long COVID was two to three times higher after the initial infection (14.8%) than after first (5.8%) or second (5.3%) reinfections.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    LONG COID

  7. WHO advisers say current strains OK for COVID vaccine production

    Current vaccine strains show high neutralization against the latest variants, but the LP.8.1 antigen may provide similar or moderately higher cross-reactive antibody response.

    Lisa Schnirring
    senior vaccination

  8. Texas announces more measles cases, including first in Dallas area

    Two cases near the Dallas area are now included in the large outbreak, which now totals 717 cases.

    Lisa Schnirring

  9. US measles outbreak grows to 1,024 cases

    Texas remains the country's hot spot, with 718 cases. 

    Chris Dall
    Doctor treating child with measles

  10. Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster

    Since 2023, the country has ramped up MERS-CoV testing as part of sentinel surveillance.

    Lisa Schnirring
    hospital isolation

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