# 958
NAMRU-3 is our Naval Medical Research Unit in Cairo, and they have been a key component in the fight against bird flu in the middle east. They have the skills and laboratory equipment required to isolate, and identify, various influenza viruses, including the H5N1 strain.
This article, which appeared in the Arab press, and has been translated into English, appears to suggest that NAMRU-3 is investigating some anomalies in the virus that has been detected in Qena.
First, it appears there are inconsistencies between the human virus samples obtained, and that found in poultry. There have also been cases reported where no direct contact with poultry have been documented. Both suggest at least the possibility of another vector than simple bird-to-human transmission (B2H).
Second, the virus appears to be surviving at much higher temperatures this year. Last year, the virus had practically gone dormant for the summer, with no human cases reported between May and October. This year, Egypt has reported several human cases in June.
This article suggests that the virus has somehow mutated (or evolved) in Egypt. If so, we are lucky that at least here we have NAMRU-3 on the scene and dealing with the virus samples.
A Hat tip to Pugmom on the Wiki for finding this article.
As always, with machine translated news articles, the results can be a bit difficult to follow. Caveat Lector.
Americans looking likely evolution of avian influenza virus in Qena
July 1, 2007Cairo - Began on Saturday a group of members of the Organization of American (Numero 3) [NAMRU-3] analysis of samples survey to humans and birds were taken from several locations centers and villages Qena Governorate to detect the presence of the mystery of casualties avian [influenza] without there being any positive cases of bird samples being analyzed.
The team members received (Numero 3) [NAMRU-3] Friday dawn results for the analysis of samples which were sent to the organization's headquarters to conduct tests on it is not that they did not disclose the results yet also held two meetings with the two teams of veterinarians and preserved to discuss the most important features that have been observed during the sampling process for the past two months.
The team members Numero 3 [NAMRU-3] to Qena Governorate commissioned by the Minister of Health Dr. Hatem Gabali after finally notes a contradiction in human samples and the samples will be taken from birds [alt. trans. - [NAMRU-3] after notes finally there inconsistencies in samples human and the samples that be taken from birds], according to the Al-Ahram newspaper.
A source veterinarian that the emergence of cases of infection status of human beings did critics finally died and one girl Dietary Tuhami wounds healed and the other Imad Mohammed Aldermli not matched by a positive cases of bird samples that have been taken but that the situation had not died of bird promiscuity home and the lack of evidence of their presence in the house of her family.
On the other hand, medical sources said it was likely that the disease has taken sophisticated form a new special that it was unlikely emergence of cases during the summer and in particular the South at temperatures in excess of 41 degrees Celsius.
