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H5N1 Infections in People and Poultry in Georgia?
Recombinomics Commentary
January 7, 2006
Jambul Maghlakelidze, Head of the Veterinarian Service of Georgia left for Laghodekhi region in rush on Friday to personally check reported death of hens in one of the local farms will alleged symptoms of bird flu.
The hens were found symptoms of bird flu in the family of Laliashvilis in the village of Shroma, Prime-News was said by local Hereti Radio Station; the hens have their limbs red and fluid runs down from their beaks.
Roughly 40 hens have died in one of the villages of Zestafoni region. Signs of illness were analogical to the case in Lagodekhi. Hens had mucus from beakes. Owner of the died hens also has high temperature.
The above reports on poultry deaths in two provinces in Georgia suggest H5N1 has migrated into that country also. Recent H5N1 outbreaks have been reported to the northeast in the Volga Delta and to the northwest on the Crimea Peninsula as well as the Danube Delta.
To the south, H5N1 outbreaks are widespread in poultry and wild birds in Turkey, Some of the earliest reported outbreaks are in the northeast, near Georgia. Moreover, media reports indicated birds have been dying in eastern Turkey as well as countries adjacent to Georgia since October.
Therefore, the two outbreaks at opposite sides of Georgia are cause for concern.
In addition, symptoms in the owner of the hens in Zestafoni are cause for concern because of the proximity to confirmed H5N1 human cases in Turkey.
Details on H5N1 testing of the hens in both provinces as well as the owner in Zestafoni would be useful.
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