Darjeeling: 24 human cases?

(from croftsblog)

Thousands of birds culled in India after 24 cases of bird flu reported.

(Snip) I’m skeptical. First, the source of the report is the animal-husbandry department, not the health department. Second, 24 human H5N1 cases would set India’s media on fire, complete with scathing reports on government incompetence and terrified villagers. But I don’t find the story in The Statesman, which is a major West Bengal newspaper. The Telegraph has only a brief item on the confirmation of B2B H5N1 in Siliguri.

So it’s an interesting report, and I’ll certainly check for corroboration, but the story as given sounds highly unlikely.

http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/h5n1/2009/02/darjeeling-24-human-cases.html

Flu finally arrives in central Illinois

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Map, News) – Influenza, strep throat and other upper respiratory infections is showing up later than usual in central Illinois.

Dr. Lamont Tyler of OSF St. Joseph PromptCare said this season’s flu vaccine has been more effective than last year’s in battling prevalent strains of influenza. As a result, PromptCare had been averaging one or two verified influenza cases each day.

That has changed recently, with the clinic now averaging seven cases a day. PromptCare is averaging more than 10 cases each day of strep throat, in addition to gastroenteritis and other upper respiratory infections.

Dr. Marlito Favila of HealthPoint in Normal says the clinic is also seeing increased numbers of influenza, pneumonia, sinus infections, bronchitis and ear infections.

http://www.examiner.com/a-1872532~Flu_finally_arrives_in_central_Illinois.html

60 Students Sick with Flu-Like Symptoms

A private school in South Jersey is shutting down because many students are sick with flu-like symptoms. Nearly 60 of the school’s 425 students were absent Tuesday, and many others went home sick, the principal said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29383753/

India – West Bengal to begin culling after reports of bird flu in Siliguri

Authorities in West Bengal have said about 5,000 birds would be culled after Siliguri reported cases of H5N1 strain of bird flu virus.
The cases were sent to a testing lab in Bhopal and results were positive. Officials said they would begin culling soon.

The culling operation will be carried out within a three kilometers radius. We have not yet received information on bird census. Tentatively 5,000 need to be culled, said Kausturi Sengupta, acting Sub Divisional Officer, Siliguri.

Officials have also put a ban on the buying and selling of the hens or other poultry products within a span of three kilometers.

http://news.smashits.com/354702/West-Bengal-to-begin-culling-after-reports-of-bird-flu-in-Siliguri.htm

Update to India article

(This is an article just found. It is debunking the orginal story of 24 suspect bf cases. You decide.-cottontop)

Status Report on Avian Influenza outbreak as on (25.02.09)

– West Bengal

- District Darjeeling
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, GOI has notified fresh Avian Influenza outbreak in Punding Forest Busty [block Kurseong], district Darjeeling on 24th February, 2009.

- District Dakshin Dinajpur
- Containment measures are continuing in the notified areas of Dakshin Dinajpur.
- Central Rapid Response Team of MoHFW is assisting the state health authorities.
- Culling activity has been completed on 21.2.2009.
- A total of 8273 birds have been culled.

- 75 cullers are under chemoprophylaxis.

- Surveillance activities is continuing in 0-3 Km and 3-10 Km. In 0-3 Km area total population of 22566 is covered on daily basis. 24 cases of URI/Fever have been identified in the community on 24.2.2009 but had no exposure history to sick/dead poultry.
………….
DS/GK/flu-478

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=47976

Thousands of birds culled in India after 24 cases of bird flu reported

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bird flu, cottontop, darjeeling, flu news network, H5N1, india, Thousands of birds culled in India after 24 cases of bird flu reported

http://www.chinaview.cn 2009-02-26 17:27:36

NEW DELHI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) — The Indian government has culled more than 8,000 birds in the east India’s Darjeeling area after 24cases of bird flu have been reported recently, government officials said on Thursday. The bird flu outbreak took place in Punding Forest of Darjeeling area, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries officials said. Containment and surveillance measures are being carried out in the area while a rapid response team sent by the central government was assisting local health authorities there, said the officials. All the bird flu cases had no exposure to poultry, said the officials who are monitoring the situation on a daily basis.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/26/content_10903560.htm