UN says swine flu in Chile turkeys may spread, adapt

[Guest guest]

Coming soon--Turkey Flu!

Winnie

http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2009/08/28/news/433647.txt

Friday, August 28, 2009 3:18 AM EDT

UN says swine flu in Chile turkeys may spread, adapt

ROME (AP) — The United Nations warned Thursday that the swine flu recently

detected in turkeys in Chile may spread to other poultry. It urged greater

monitoring worldwide to prevent the virus from combining with the deadlier H5N1

strain of bird flu.

The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization said developing countries in

particular need better ways to respond in case a combination of the two flu

viruses emerges. Experts think it would be unlikely for swine flu to swap genes

with H5N1 bird flu but, since flu viruses are unpredictable, they cannot rule

out the possibility.

The UN said it would be greatly concerned if swine flu were to combine with bird

flu, which isn't as contagious but is far more deadly.

Last week, Chile announced swine flu had jumped to turkeys, raising new concerns

about the ability of the virus to infect other species. That gives swine flu

more opportunities to mutate into a more dangerous form.

Officials stressed the birds had suffered only mild symptoms and were being

allowed to recover rather than be culled.

The Food and Agriculture Organization warned swine flu could spread to other

poultry farms around the world.

The organization's interim chief veterinary officer, Lubroth, noted that

Chile at present doesn't have H5N1 bird flu. " In Southeast Asia, where there is

a lot of the virus circulating in poultry, the introduction of H1N1 (swine flu)

in these populations would be of greater concern. "

The organization is calling for better monitoring of animals and better hygienic

practices at farms to keep infected animals from farm workers and vice versa.

Chile was the fourth country to report a spillover of swine flu from farm

workers showing flu-like symptoms to animals, following Canada, Argentina and

Australia, the Food and Agriculture Organization said.

The organization stressed that the discovery of swine flu in turkeys doesn't

pose an immediate threat to humans and that turkey meat can still be sold

commercially following proper inspections.

Swine flu was declared to be a pandemic, or global outbreak, by the World Health

Organization in June, and it is expected to make a strong return in the fall and

winter. The WHO has said the virus has killed at least 1,800 people worldwide.

[Guest guest]

And how about the* Bull* flu? Oh I forgot its already here.

________________________________

From: " wharrison@... " <wharrison@...>

" Vaccinations@groups " <Vaccinations >; AVN

<AVN >

Sent: Friday, August 28, 2009 1:02:18 PM

Subject: UN says swine flu in Chile turkeys may spread, adapt

Coming soon--Turkey Flu!

Winnie

http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2009/08/28/news/433647.txt

Friday, August 28, 2009 3:18 AM EDT

UN says swine flu in Chile turkeys may spread, adapt

ROME (AP) — The United Nations warned Thursday that the swine flu recently

detected in turkeys in Chile may spread to other poultry. It urged greater

monitoring worldwide to prevent the virus from combining with the deadlier H5N1

strain of bird flu.

The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization said developing countries in

particular need better ways to respond in case a combination of the two flu

viruses emerges. Experts think it would be unlikely for swine flu to swap genes

with H5N1 bird flu but, since flu viruses are unpredictable, they cannot rule

out the possibility.

The UN said it would be greatly concerned if swine flu were to combine with bird

flu, which isn't as contagious but is far more deadly.

Last week, Chile announced swine flu had jumped to turkeys, raising new concerns

about the ability of the virus to infect other species. That gives swine flu

more opportunities to mutate into a more dangerous form.

Officials stressed the birds had suffered only mild symptoms and were being

allowed to recover rather than be culled.

The Food and Agriculture Organization warned swine flu could spread to other

poultry farms around the world.

The organization's interim chief veterinary officer, Lubroth, noted that

Chile at present doesn't have H5N1 bird flu. " In Southeast Asia, where there is

a lot of the virus circulating in poultry, the introduction of H1N1 (swine flu)

in these populations would be of greater concern. "

The organization is calling for better monitoring of animals and better hygienic

practices at farms to keep infected animals from farm workers and vice versa.

Chile was the fourth country to report a spillover of swine flu from farm

workers showing flu-like symptoms to animals, following Canada, Argentina and

Australia, the Food and Agriculture Organization said.

The organization stressed that the discovery of swine flu in turkeys doesn't

pose an immediate threat to humans and that turkey meat can still be sold

commercially following proper inspections.

Swine flu was declared to be a pandemic, or global outbreak, by the World Health

Organization in June, and it is expected to make a strong return in the fall and

winter. The WHO has said the virus has killed at least 1,800 people worldwide.