Phnom Penh - Bird flu has yet to achieve human-to-human transmission, but subtle mutations in the virus are bringing the world closer to a pandemic, the UN's coordinator on avian influenza said on Friday.
"There are some subtle changes in the genetic makeup of H5N1 which suggest that it is making some of the mutations that would enable it to have a higher likelihood of being able to become a human-to-human transmitted virus," said David Nabarro.
"Virologists who study these things say do not get complacent. It is quite feasible that H5N1 could mutate. The fact that it has taken some years should not lead you to believe that we are through the worst."
Nabarro was speaking in Phnom Penh during a one-day visit to Cambodia, which has seen at least four human bird flu deaths.
Difficulties stockpiling anti-virals
He warned that there are difficulties stockpiling enough anti-viral medicines to combat the illness.
"We all would like there to be much more stock of anti-viral medicines. We are in a bit of difficulty because the production capacity, particularly of (Tamiflu), is quite restricted," he said, adding that the UN was in regular talks with drug manufacturers to build up stocks.
The bird flu virus has killed more than 70 people through Asia since 2003 and resulted in the culling of millions of birds, dealing a huge blow to regional poultry industries.
World health bodies have warned that once the virus achieves the ability to transmit from human to human, millions of people could die.
Nabarro, who will also visit Vietnam and Indonesia, commended Cambodia for its effort to combat the virus.
"Cambodia has to be prepared for a possible pandemic and my understanding is that is happening," he said.
"I don't say everything is fine because there is still much more to be done. One of the reasons I came to this country was because I believe there are lessons from Cambodia ... that need to be shared elsewhere."
http://www.news24.com/News24/World/Bird_flu/0,,2-10-1959_1851798,00.html
POSTED: 2:33 am EST December 16, 2005
NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A Connecticut food importer and its owner pleaded guilty Thursday to smuggling chicken feet from Thailand and selling them to specialty grocers around the country, a crime that investigators discovered this year while trying to prevent an outbreak of bird flu.
Chicken feet are an Asian delicacy but imports from Thailand are banned because of concerns about the deadly virus, which has killed at least 69 people in Asia since 2003. Amid concerns about the disease, health inspectors in Ohio searched several grocers in March and discovered chicken feet in stock.
Investigators traced them back to a West Haven company, Food King Inc. Between 2001 and 2005, prosecutors said, the company imported more than 920 cases -- or 27,600 pounds -- of chicken feet and sold them to stores in at least 11 states.
"I know that chicken feet from Thailand are not allowed in the U.S.," owner Vichittra Aramwatananont said in court Thursday.
There were no reports of health problems in connection to the imports, and health officials said the company cooperated with a voluntary recall.
Aramwatananont, who is known in the United States as "Vicki," faces up to six months in prison but is not expected to receive jail time when she is sentenced March 24. The company remains open and will pay $170,000 as part of a plea agreement.
Aramwatananont left court without comment Thursday and is free until sentencing.
Besides Connecticut, the product was shipped to Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Wisconsin, prosecutors said.
Because the item was banned, Food King sold it, for cash, in packages labeled as jellyfish.
"All the stores knew it was, in fact, chicken feet," prosecutor Doug Morabito said.
http://www.wnbc.com/health/5549294/detail.html?rss=ny&psp=news