Scientists at University of Hong Kong publish new data on bird flu
2007 NOV 13 -- According to a study from Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, "Live poultry markets (LPMs) are a recognized source of influenza viruses. Since 2001 and 2003, respectively, a first and second monthly ''rest-day'' has been implemented in Hong Kong's LPMs, when stalls are cleared of unsold poultry and disinfected." "We assessed the incremental effectiveness of each rest-day and the banning of live quail sales in 2002 in reducing (H9N2) subtype isolation rates for chickens and minor poultry, by using a multivariable Poisson generalized linear model. There was a 58% reduction (p = 0.001) in virus isolation after 1 monthly rest-day in minor poultry compared with 27% (p = 0.22) in chickens. Combining 1 rest-day with the removal of quails further reduced virus isolation in chickens but not in minor poultry," wrote E.H.Y. Lau and colleagues, University of Hong Kong. The researchers concluded: "However, an additional rest-day each month did not appear to affect isolation rates for either species." Lau and colleagues published their study in Emerging Infectious Diseases (Effect of interventions on influenza a (H9N2) isolation in Hong kong's live poultry markets, 1999-2005. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2007;13(9):1340-1347). For more information, contact G.M. Leung, University of Hong Kong, Dept. of Community Medical, Li Ka Shing Faculty Medical, Hong Kong Special Administration Reg, 21 Sassoon Rd., Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. Publisher contact information for the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases is: Center Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. Keywords: People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Avian Flu, Avian Influenza, Bird Flu, University of Hong Kong. This article was prepared by Health Risk Factor Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Health Risk Factor Week via NewsRx.com.
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