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H5N1 Wild Bird Flu in Lianoning Province China
Recombinomics Commentary
November 3, 2005
The latest OIE report from China describes a major H5N1 outbreak in Badaohao Village, Jinzhou City, Lianoning Province. 8940 chickens died as well as 20 magpies and other wild birds. 369,900 birds have been culled.
This is the fourth OIE report out of China in a little over a week. The outbreak was initially thought to be New Castle Disease, but H5N1 has been detected.
The finding of dead wild birds further suggests that the H5N1 is being spread by migratory birds and the proximity of this Oct 26 outbreak to Korea and Japan suggests H5N1 may have already arrived there.
Sequences from H5N1 wild bird flu contain polymorphisms shared with earlier isolates from South Korean and Japan, suggesting H5N1 will return to these areas via migratory birds.
Earlier reports out of Hunan suggest human cases linked to this H5N1 are likely, increasing the concerns linked to the rapid spread of H5N1 by migratory birds.
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