WHO failing to report human-to-human transmission of H5N1 bird flu virus

(NewsTarget) Statements published by the U.N.'s World Health Organization (WHO) concerning bird flu outbreaks have not been candid, say critics who accuse the organization of being less than truthful to the public for fear of causing panic.

Although cluster outbreaks have occurred in Asia, Turkey, and Iraq this year, WHO refused to admit that they could be caused by human-to-human transmission, even though it was aware such transmissions were possible years earlier. Following an Indonesian outbreak that was difficult to conceal, WHO spokeswoman Maria Cheng finally admitted that there were "about a half dozen" instances of human-to-human transmission. WHO maintains that these clusters occurred due to group contact with a common infected animal source; however, no other agency has been allowed to examine the evidence to determine if WHO's conclusion is correct.

WHO stated that "even if human-to-human transmission did occur, it was in a very limited way," and immediately reassured the scientific community that it did not extend beyond the immediate community. Scientific evidence has shown that the H5N1 strain, which is deadly to humans, can be passed from person to person.

After genetic data leaked from a conference, Researcher Dr. Henry L. Niman was able to determine that although WHO did not give incorrect avian flu data, it withheld important truths. Extensive viral mutations had occurred to a greater extent than WHO implied.

Certain nations will not allow WHO to have access to or publish their genetic data, in order to have an advantage in developing vaccines that may soon have worldwide demand.

(NewsTarget) News services such as the Bangkok Post are reporting that Thailand has had its first outbreak of H5N1 bird flu since December, and that even more people are displaying flu-like symptoms in areas with sick birds. According to reports, a dead fighting cock from the Northern province of Phichit was identified as having the disease. The Thai agriculture ministry -- which poultry farmers and at least one senator have accused of covering up bird flu outbreaks at the beginning of the month -- confirmed today that the bird from the Ban Mun Nak district was infected, and Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan also confirmed that the H5N1 strain had been confirmed in 20 blood samples from dead fighting birds from Phichit. The birds were all reportedly imported, leading officials to ban the transport of birds and impose quarantine near the areas where the birds died. This move may have come too late as the number of human cases in Thailand, currently confirmed to be 22 by WHO scientists, may rise soon due to a number of suspected cases that have cropped up.

Two sisters, aged 3 and 4, and three males -- aged 59, 86 and 7 -- have been hospitalized in Phichit with suspected bird flu symptoms along with an 11-year-old girl who was admitted after chickens died on her family's farm. Two men aged 35 and 67 were admitted to Uttaradit Provincial Hospital for bird-flu-like symptoms that occurred after they ate spotted doves, and three other Uttaradit province patients are suspected of having bird flu. A 5-year-old boy from Phitsanulok is also still under observation for the disease.

The setbacks come just 19 days after Sudarat announced that Thailand hoped to eradicate bird flu within three years.

There was recently a family cluster in which one member was infected by a bird and passed it among the family members. Here is the report from WHO:

Avian influenza – situation in Indonesia – update 14

23 May 2006

The Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed an additional case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The case occurred in a 32-year-old man. He developed symptoms on 15 May and died on 22 May.

The case is part of a family cluster in the Kubu Sembelang village, Karo District, of North Sumatra. The man is the seventh member of an extended family to become infected with the H5N1 virus and the sixth to die. An additional person, who was the first member of the family to fall ill, died of respiratory disease on 4 May. No specimens were taken prior to her burial and the cause of her death cannot be determined. However, as her clinical course was compatible with H5N1 infection, epidemiologists at the outbreak site include this woman as the initial case in the cluster.

The newly confirmed case is a brother of the initial case. Specimens were taken on 21 May and flown the same day to Jakarta. Tests run overnight confirmed his infection. His 10-year-old son died of H5N1 infection on 13 May. The father was closely involved in caring for his son, and this contact is considered a possible source of infection.

Although the investigation is continuing, preliminary findings indicate that three of the confirmed cases spent the night of 29 April in a small room together with the initial case at a time when she was symptomatic and coughing frequently. These cases include the woman’s two sons and a second brother, aged 25 years, who is the sole surviving case among infected members of this family. Other infected family members lived in adjacent homes.

All confirmed cases in the cluster can be directly linked to close and prolonged exposure to a patient during a phase of severe illness. Although human-to-human transmission cannot be ruled out, the search for a possible alternative source of exposure is continuing.

Both the Ministry of Health and WHO are concerned about the situation in Kubu Sembelang and have intensified investigation and response activities. Priority is now being given to the search for additional cases of influenza-like illness in other family members, close contacts, and the general community. To date, the investigation has found no evidence of spread within the general community and no evidence that efficient human-to-human transmission has occurred.

Analysis of viruses

Full genetic sequencing of two viruses isolated from cases in this cluster has been completed by WHO H5 reference laboratories in Hong Kong and the USA. Sequencing of all eight gene segments found no evidence of genetic reassortment with human or pig influenza viruses and no evidence of significant mutations. The viruses showed no mutations associated with resistance to the neuraminidase inhibitors, including oseltamivir (Tamiflu).

The human viruses from this cluster are genetically similar to viruses isolated from poultry in North Sumatra during a previous outbreak.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.