Canada reports first human case of H3N2v influenza.

On Dec. 16, WHO was notified of a confirmed human case of influenza A(H3N2) variant virus in Canada. The case developed respiratory infection symptoms on Oct. 24, was hospitalized on Nov. 8 with the diagnosis of pneumonia, and has recovered, according to the Influenza at the Human-Animal Interface Report. The exact location in Canada was not listed in the report. This is the first human case of A/Indiana/08/2011-like H3N2v influenza virus infection reported to WHO from Canada. Human infection with influenza A(H3N2)v viruses detected elsewhere have typically resulted in mild disease, although some have been hospitalized and at least one A(H3N2)v associated death has been reported. The case has confirmed exposure to ill swine on a farm. Animal health and epidemiological investigations are ongoing. Partial sequence analysis of all 8 gene segments of the virus isolated from the case indicates they are closely related to influenza A(H3N2) swine influenza viruses currently circulating in swine in North America. Influenza A(H1N2) and A(H3N2) viruses circulate in swine populations in many regions of the world. Depending on geographic location, the genetic characteristics of these viruses differ. Most human cases are exposed to the swine influenza viruses through contact with infected swine or contaminated environments. Human infection tends to result in mild clinical illness, although some cases have been hospitalized with more severe disease and one fatal case has been reported. Since these viruses continue to be detected in swine populations, further human cases can be expected. source

Korean authorities investigate suspect Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease case.

Officials in the Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea’s seventh largest metropolis, are investigating a suspected Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) in a 40-year-old school employee, according to local media .In Korea, a woman in her 50s who was diagnosed with CJD for the first time in November 2011 and subsequently died . In January 2013, the second death in Korea was confirmed. According to the report. the case was identified in mid-December and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (MRI) testing performed at the hospital revealed that the patient was suspected of having CJD. In Ulsan, three people were suspected of having CJD last year, and health authorities are conducting epidemiological investigations. CJD is a rare brain disease that affects approximately one person per million people worldwide per year when CJD occurs a normal brain protein changes into an abnormal form called a “prion” and accumulates in brain cells. CJD can occur sporadically, from genetic mutation, or it can be acquired. It is not easily transmitted from person to person. There is no specific treatment or therapy that has been shown to stop the progression of the disease. Diagnosis for CJD is not easy as Physicians often make a presumptive diagnosis of CJD using typical signs, symptoms and progression of the disease. Testing of the cerebrospinal fluid can indicate CJD; however, a confirmed diagnosis of CJD requires testing of brain tissue obtained either at biopsy or autopsy Source 6

Coca-Cola turns label waste into 90 million Smartwater bottles

Coca-Cola turns label waste into 90 million Smartwater bottles: Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has partnered with Avery Dennison, Viridor and PET UK to turn label waste into products, including the production of 90 million nutrient-fortified Smartwater bottles.

French group: Vitamin D-linked infant death not a supplement issue; Health Minister agrees

French group: Vitamin D-linked infant death not a supplement issue; Health Minister agrees: The French food supplements trade group Synadiet has clarified that the Uvestérol D vitamin D product linked to an infant death before Christmas was a prescription-only medicine and not available as a food supplement to the public.

Goat polio.

Goat polio also referred to as polioencephalomalcia in goats is as a result of vitamin B1 deficiency usually occurs when goat is fed high level of grain and low roughage diet.The goats have uncoordinated movements,muscle tremors and rigidity. There is circling, staggering and apparent blindness, diarrhoea and a star gazing stance which is characteristic sign of the condition. Goat polio if untreated could result in death within 24-72 hours with convulsions and fever characteristic of fatal stage. The conditions can be treated by vitamin B1 injection alongside penicillin with plenty of water to drink.

Backyard Birds Culled After Bird Flu Outbreak in Wales.

The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales has confirmed Avian Influenza H5N8 in a backyard flock of chickens and ducks on a premises near Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire. Prior to confirmation it was decided to cull the birds on strong suspicion of disease. A 3 km Protection Zone and 10 km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the infected premises, to limit the risk of the disease spreading and as part of the wider surveillance and disease control measures. The prevention zone across all of Wales, which requires all keepers of poultry and other captive birds to keep their birds indoors, or take appropriate steps to keep them separate, and protect them from wild birds, still remains in place, as does the temporary suspension on gatherings of poultry.

Deworming in ruminants and parasite resistance.

Deworming farm animals is part of preventive protocol to ensure the animals are healthy but years of overuse and abuse of dewormers is a major concern because of the development of resistance by worms, lice and blowflies to many of the chemicals used to control them. Farmers administer dewormers to their livestock to enhance growth and productivity, but with continued use, parasites have grown increasingly resistant to many of these drugs, forcing farmers to seek out alternative drugs or rely on their own concoctions for parasite control. Farmers are seeking out herbal interventions alongside rotating dewormers to beat the resistant parasite. A change in management practices such as prompt clearing of fecal material which is the source of eggs of the parasite as there is a constant infection and reinfection especially when animals are grazing in areas with high fecal material,but if grazing area is rotated allowing time for new grasses to grow it will limit contact with fecal matter and hence parasite eggs. Deworming animals based on the fecal tests carried out to determine the types of parasites present and worm load will prevent blind-deworming using drugs not specific for herd. This fecal analysis will also provide a template for a proper deworming routine. The mixing of young and older animals should be prevented as the younger ones are highly susceptible to infections and are a constant source of infection as in primary infection in young grazing animals during their first exposure. An ideal parasite monitoring schedules and non-chemical strategies such as nutrition, genetics and pasture management will help ensure health and productivity. The environment must be clean with fecal matter away from stalls to prevent flystrike which is caused by blowflies attracted to smelly, warm, moist environments such as feces build ups sweaty, moist skin folds and open wounds.