Sunday, May 27, 2007

UK: The Count Of Suspected H7N2 Cases Is 11

 

# 814

 

After hinting yesterday that the number of suspected infections from the outbreak of H7N2 on a small holding in Wales had increased, today we learn the number of people showing symptoms is 11. 

 

Thus far, H7N2 has been a far less serious infection than the H5N1 strain.  But it is worrisome anytime a new flu variant, even a mild one, crosses over from birds to man. 

 

This from the BBC.

 

 

 

11 ill as bird flu tests continue

 

Tests are being carried out at a farm near Pwllheli, Llyn Peninsula

 

Officials investigating two possible cases of bird flu in north Wales have traced 26 people who may have been in contact with the disease.

 

Eleven of these people have shown flu-like symptoms, but none has been seriously ill.

 

Officials said there was not a "significant risk" to public health.

 

One mild form of bird flu has been confirmed at a smallholding in Conwy, and tests should reveal if there is a second case on a Llyn Peninsula farm.

 

The National Public Health Service for Wales defined possible contacts of bird flu as people who had been in contact with affected premises, or have either handled or come very close to known infected poultry.

 

It also included those who had had close contact with another person who has or is suspected as having bird flu.

 

Four people - two from Wales and two from north-west England - have been found to have contracted bird flu following the outbreak at Corwen.

 

A further four are being treated as having had the disease.

 

The latest figures come as officials examine two properties.

 

The confirmed case involved a smallholding at Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, near Cerrigydrudion, Conwy.

 

Owners Tony Williams and Barbara Cowling, who have tested negative for the virus, called in a vet after their Rhode Island Red chickens began to die.

 

An outbreak was confirmed at the Conwy smallholding on Thursday

 

They bought the chickens at Chelford Market at Macclesfield, Cheshire, some 70 miles (112 km) away, on 7 May.

(cont.)