As avian influenza continues to spread around the world, researchers in Japan are turning to human medicine to protect rare and endangered bird species. Anti-virals are turning out good results in experiments so far, with the aim being to protect animals in zoos and keep natural habitats free of dangerous disease.
Under avian flu quarantine guidelines, a record 17.7 million chickens were culled during the past year in Japan. The arrival of migratory birds carrying the virus from overseas could cause further outbreaks.
Omoriyama Zoo in Akita City is known for its breeding program for the endangered Japanese golden eagle. In 2016, a black swan at the zoo died from avian flu.
Under national quarantine guidelines, in the event of a farm outbreak, all chickens and other domestic animals get destroyed. But at zoos and other facilities, it is up to officials to decide how to manage avian flu.
Omoriyama Zoo director Komatsu Mamoru recalls it was difficult to know what to do when the swan died: Prevent the spread of infection, or protect the animals.
The zoo felt it had no choice but to destroy any swans and pelicans that might have come into contact with the infected bird.
But Komatsu did not want to touch the golden eagles. The species' population in Japan is estimated to be around 500, so any losses would have a major impact on breeding.
He consulted with Japan's environment ministry and determined the zoo would not destroy any of the eagles unless an infection was found. They were kept in isolation until the danger passed.
"All lives carry the same weight, but I believe that for species with limited numbers, we must protect them," says Komatsu. "If even one golden eagle was found to be infected, we would have had to dispose of all of them. It was a tense and anxious time."
A research team led by Professor Sakoda Yoshihiro of Hokkaido University examined the zoo's dead black swan.
Sakoda was struck by Komatsu's concerns. "At the time, we did not have the tools to save the infected birds proactively," he recalls. "I felt that to take into account what Komatsu and his colleagues had gone through, we, as virus researchers, needed to consider methods other than killing the birds."
It was Sakoda's idea to trial human flu drugs that suppress the virus's growth in cells. If it worked the same way in birds, it had potential.
The team first worked with four chickens infected with a highly pathogenic avian flu virus. They administered a human anti-viral called Xofluza. All of the birds survived and the results of the experiment were published in an international journal.
The remedy has since proved to be effective elsewhere. In Hokkaido last year, 11 infected wild raptorial birds, including a protected endangered white-tailed sea eagle, were treated with the drug.
Among them, seven survived. It is the first successful treatment of avian flu in a wild bird population.
"The fact that the birds survived shows the data obtained from the chickens was reliable. This kind of step-by-step progress should lead to research on other birds," notes Sakoda.
Finding a cure for avian flu is becoming a race against time. It is a particular concern for the Okinawa rail, a flightless species that can only be found in the Yambaru Forest, in the north of the prefecture's main island. Its current population of about 1,500 makes it in danger of extinction.
Avian flu was confirmed for the first time in Okinawa at a chicken farm last year. Local people are worried there could be another outbreak and what that would mean for the rail.
A National Institute for Environmental Studies study has found the rail may have low resistance to avian flu. If the population gets infected, many may die.
Local veterinarian Nagamine Takashi works at an environment ministry facility that cares for the species and operates a breeding program.
If avian flu virus was introduced, it could immediately spread to 70 rail currently being raised. "We fear that the Okinawa rail here will be all wiped out. The latest research suggests that they may be as susceptible to avian flu as chickens, and we believe the birds here now could disappear in a matter of days," says Nagamine.
Work is underway to see how the rail responds to antivirals. Scientists have been medicating the birds' fish feed and monitoring their response and state of health.
At Hokkaido University, the researchers are analyzing the birds' bloodwork to determine what dosage could be effective.
So far, they have found that the same amount of medicine is less effective in the rail compared with chickens. Further study is underway to prepare a manual that outlines the best dosage and administration procedures.
With the cooperation of zoos and other institutions throughout Japan, Sakoda and his colleagues are exploring ways to treat various rare birds in the case of an outbreak. A key aim is to protect biodiversity.
"We believe that it is our responsibility to protect those species that can be saved," he explains. "I believe the use of medicines to treat rare birds will become more effective in the future as a method to reduce the damage caused by avian flu. We want to collect proper data in Japan, which will lead to the protection of rare birds around the world."
Respiratory medicine specialist, Leung Chi-chiu, said on Monday that it's unlikely there will be serious flu outbreaks in the short term, despite an increase of cases in the community.
He said Hong Kong's summer flu season has just ended, and the winter season may come in February or March.
"Because we have already had substantial circulation of the influenza virus within our community for some time, we are likely to see a more normal winter season, instead of a major rebound, like what is currently seen in the mainland," he told RTHK.
Paediatrician Patrick Ip from the University of Hong Kong, meanwhile, said even though the winter flu season is coming later than usual, people should not let their guard down.
He told an RTHK radio programme that theres been a rise in the number of people coming down with other respiratory diseases, like Mycoplasma pneumoniae, with over 100 cases reported every month since August.
FILE - A person prepares a COVID-19 vaccine shot in an undated photo. (Associated Press)
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (TND)
A New Zealand IT worker was arrested Sunday over accusations he was involved in "unauthorised disclosure and misuse of data involving the COVID-19 vaccine, 1News reports.
Barry Young, 56, allegedly accessed a computer network within public health agency "Te Whatu Ora" for dishonest purposes and downloaded a terabyte of data. Young then published the information online and used it to bolster claims the agency was covering up vaccine deaths.
Te Whatu Ora CEO Margie Apa said the claims pushed by the employee are misinformation.
New Zealand Health Minister Shane Reti also spoke out on the breach, calling it concerning.
We take the security of our data very seriously and are extremely disappointed at this gross breach of trust by this individual and his alleged involvement in spreading harmful misinformation, Reti said, while referring to the man as a conspiracy theorist.
Young faces up to seven years in prison for the offense. When he arrived in Wellington District Court for an initial hearing, a room of supporters rose and clapped for him, causing the judge to threaten to send them out. Young later yelled freedom before exiting the court.
Young will be released on bail until his trial at a later date.
Te Whatu Ora maintains only four deaths could be possibly linked to the vaccine of the more than 12 million issued throughout New Zealand.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced last week he would sue pharmaceutical company Pfizer for allegedly misrepresenting the efficacy of its COVID-19 vaccine. He also accusing the pharmaceutical company of "conspiring to censor public discourse."
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File photo. Te Whatu Ora chief executive Margie Apa Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The leak of Te Whatu Ora vaccine-related information online is a "devastating breach of trust", the organisation's chief executive Margie Apa says.
The health agency had resecured systems and was continuing to scan the internet and media for any further appearance of the data.
The staff member accused of leaking the data was due to appear in Wellington District Court on Monday, charged with accessing a computer system for dishonest purposes.
In a statement, Te Whatu Ora chief executive Margie Apa said the individual allegedly downloaded a large amount of vaccine-related information which was then published on an overseas site.
The person had no clinical background or expert vaccine knowledge and appeared to be trying to spread misinformation, she alleged.
Te Whatu Ora found out about the breach on Thursday morning through an email an individual had sent to a number of officials, she told Morning Report.
"Basically that he had information that suggested there were excess mortalities due to the Covid vaccine that were not reported, and purported to have made connections to data that proved that, which is not true."
The data had been taken down from the overseas website and an Employment Relations Authority injunction was preventing it from being published elsewhere.
The data seemed to be "large amounts of vaccine-related information" and appeared to have been anonymised, Apa said. Analysis was continuing, but so far no NHI numbers or personally identifiable information was believed to have been released.
"We have taken action since Thursday morning to resecure our whole system, which includes resetting a whole lot of access codes.
"We're scanning the international internet and web and media to look for data that looks like ours appearing, which is how we picked up the US-based website on Friday midnight."
She said the leak was an "isolated incident" and a "devastating breach of trust".
The man facing charges had worked in a small team of specialised people who were "incredibly devastated" by what happened.
Apa said said misinformation about vaccines was particularly concerning at a time when Covid-19 cases were high.
"Rates are going up, we are seeing hospitalisations so we really want to keep promoting to New Zealanders who are eligible for Covid boosters to get them."
Disinformaton Project director of research Sanjana Hattotuwa said the situation was unprecedented for New Zealand.
"It is the most significant event or development on social media since the start of the Disinformation Project's study on what the [World Health Organization] calls the infodemic, which is the disinformation, misinformation around Covid-19."
Labour's leader Chris Hipkins said the data breach was concerning.
"All government agencies who hold people's personal information do so with a degree of trust from the public, and they need to very scrupulously make sure they're protecting that data, so this is very concerning.
"I think it's partly about people vetting," he said, as well as technological solutions as well as systems such as multiple authorisations.
Opposition health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said the response had been swift, and she would be asking questions of the new health minister to ensure the breach had been handled properly.
"New Zealanders give their health information to Te Whatu Ora in order to make sure that they are cared for appropriately. When it is used for another purpose and that purpose is vexatious, then that is of course of concern," she said. "It's a matter before the courts, I don't want to speculate."
Hipkins said the public sector would need to guard vigorously against breaches of personal and private data.
"I am pretty concerned about some of the momentum that seems to be building behind some of these conspiracy theories .... they're not grounded in fact".
He said the new government seemed to be "giving a bit of a nod to the conspiracy theorists".
"Things like their reservations about the World Health Organisation actually putting in place steps to stop future pandemics. I think that will embolden the conspiracy theorists."
Health Minister Shane Reti in a statement last week said government's decision to hold off on agreeing to health regulation amendments, which would shorten the time allowed for countries to opt out of changes to one year rather than two, was to ensure a national interest test was conducted.
"The only way to give effect to this is to formally reject the amendments. Rejections may be withdrawn by New Zealand at any time, after which the amendments would come into force," he said.
"Reserving against provides for a pause on New Zealand's response to amendments suggested by the WHO, while they're considered against a national interest test. This is an interim position to give the new government the opportunity to receive advice and fully consider the amendments."
Police have arrested a man in connection with a mass privacy breach of Covid-19 vaccination data.
It comes after Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand launched an employment investigation, accusing a health sector worker of spreading misinformation using government data about Covid-19 vaccines.
A 56-year-old man was arrested this afternoon in relation to the unauthorised disclosure and misuse of data, police said.
He is charged with accessing a computer system for dishonest purposes and will appear in Wellington District Court tomorrow.
As the case is before the court, police cannot comment further, police said.
A man believed to be a Te Whatu Ora staff member was interviewed on a New Zealand conspiracy theory site last week. He claimed he developed a database for the vaccine rollout and quoted from that work.
Former TV presenter and conspiracy theorist Liz Gunn took to X, formerly Twitter, this afternoon to report police surrounded the whistleblowers house at 2.15pm and that an arrest was imminent.
A woman who lost both parents during the pandemic is furious peoples health data is being used to spread misinformation about the safety of the Covid-19 vaccination.
The idea that these clowns [could be] using my loved ones deaths as so-called proof that the jab kills, when it simply doesnt, is truly distressing to me.
Earlier tonight, the ministry said the staff member had no clinical background or expert vaccine knowledge, and there was no evidence vaccination was responsible for excess mortality in New Zealand.
Its alleged an individual downloaded a large amount of vaccine-related information, Te Whatu Ora chief executive Margie Apa said.
The data, as published on an overseas site, appears to have been anonymised. Analysis of the released data is ongoing, but work so far has not found any National Health Index Numbers or personally identifiable information.
Apa said an injunction had been used to have information taken down from an overseas website and cyber security specialists are continuing to scan extensively for any other places where the information may appear.
We sought and were granted an injunction through the Employment Relations Authority that prevents any publication of the data to ensure that we can take all steps to protect the privacy of individuals.
An employment investigation was also underway and the person was no longer at work, Apa said.
The individual has worked in the health system for a number of years. He was authorised to access data as part of his work and was locked out of our systems as soon as we became aware of the unauthorised use, Apa said.
He had been employed since the inception of Te Whatu Ora last year.
She said the organisation took data security very seriously. It was extremely disappointed at this gross breach of trust and the alleged spreading of harmful misinformation.
We can assure the public that we are doing everything we can to respond to this incident and to safeguard their information.
She said a thorough investigation is under way.
What this individual is trying to claim about vaccines is completely wrong and ill-informed, and their comments demonstrate this. The person has no clinical background or expert vaccine knowledge and appears to be trying to spread misinformation, Apa said.
Vaccination is safe and effective, and everyone should keep up to date with their shots to protect themselves, whnau and their communities.
She assured people there was no evidence whatsoever that vaccination is responsible for excess mortality in New Zealand.
We have had a team working through the weekend to respond to this incident and are working closely with other agencies, including the National Cyber Security Centre, police, Department of Internal Affairs and Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Apa said.
We have also been offering advice and support to some individual pharmacies and vaccination sites that were identified in an early video published in relation to the unauthorised disclosure and misuse of data.
Louise Richardson, whose parents were vaccinated against Covid-19 but died soon afterwards, is upset at the thought her mother and father could have been part of the data breach.
Richardson said her parents did not die from the vaccine, but because they were old and already unwell.
She understood names were taken from Health NZs Invercargill records which may have included her parents details. She believed people could use this information to reach completely wrong conclusions.
The idea that these clowns [could be] using my loved ones deaths as so-called proof that the jab kills, when it simply doesnt, is truly distressing to me.
Richardson said she was following this matter pretty closely and was absolutely furious that her late parents confidential information was likely out there in the cookersphere.
At a Pilsen schools gym, 12-year-old Sofia Lemus sat down to get her third COVID-19 shot. The seventh grader, who wore stacks of friendship bracelets on her wrists, pulled up her sleeves, saying she wanted to get the vaccine so she didnt get sick.
I was a little bit scared, because I thought it was going to hurt, Lemus said. But it didnt hurt so I was OK.
About a dozen kids received free vaccines Sunday at a clinic organized by Peoples Resource Network and the Chicago Department of Public Health at St. Procopius Dual Language School. They offered flu, COVID-19 and other childhood vaccines, except for chickenpox, to children from 6 weeks to 19 years old.
COVID-19 hospitalization rates have started to rise again in Illinois, with health officials urging residents to get fully protected with booster shots and the flu vaccine in time for the holidays. During the week of Nov. 25, about 1,000 new people were admitted to hospitals with COVID-19, a 20% increase compared with the previous week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Illinois Department of Health reported that hospital data also shows increases in flu and RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, across the state. The hospital admission level in Cook County is considered low, however, according to the CDC. About 500 hospitalizations were recorded in the week ending Nov. 25, a 14% increase from the previous week.
Dr. Howard Ehrman, the co-founder of Peoples Resource Network, said its important to meet people where they are when distributing vaccines. Undocumented, uninsured and African American kids and adults generally have lower immunization rates, putting them at higher risk of getting sick, Ehrman said.
Numbers are going up everywhere, including Chicago and Illinois, he said. So if you dont get vaccinated, you run a much higher risk of getting really sick, being hospitalized and dying.
The CDC recommends that children ages 6 months or older get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu.
Ehrman also warned of declining measles, mumps and rubella vaccination rates in schools nationwide, including at Chicago Public Schools. He said many people dont realize the importance of vaccines until its too late.
We want people to reestablish the whole idea of community and the fact that we have to care about each other. Were not just here as individuals, he said. We go to work, we go to school, we go shopping, we take the bus, were part of a community. And if we dont take care of everybody, people are going to get sick and die.
Lonette Sims, the chair of the Peoples Resource Network, said they had another clinic a few weeks ago for adults, where they vaccinated about 150 people. More clinics are in the works for next year, she said. The group is pushing for the Take Vaccine to the People Chicago Ordinance, to give more resources to the Department of Public Health.
People should get vaccines to protect their health, and it can also protect people within the community who might not be able to get a vaccine, she said.
For Denis Lemus, Sofias dad, protecting his kids is top of mind. Lemus, who attends St. Procopius Catholic Church, also got a COVID-19 and flu shot at the clinic for adults.
I believe wholeheartedly in the vaccine, he said. If everyone were to get it, (infection rates) would probably slow down.
rjohnson@chicagotribune.com
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MILWAUKEE Only 9% of Milwaukee County residents have gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Ben Weston, the Chief Health Policy Advisor for Milwaukee County said that's putting people at risk.
"Even if you've gotten vaccines in the past, that immunity doesn't last forever. So, getting that fall vaccine is critical," Weston said.
He said a low vaccine rate is most concerning for older adults. Across the county, people 65 and older have a vaccine rate of about 29%. While that's higher than the general population, Weston said it's still not enough.
"That's just not nearly high enough to protect the most vulnerable in our community," Weston said.
The City of Milwaukee's numbers are worse. Just 5% of city residents have received the most updated booster of the vaccine. The Milwaukee Health Department said it will have off-site clinics throughout December to try and get more people vaccinated.
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CHICAGO (CBS) -- Thousands of lives could have been saved if the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved COVID-19 boosters sooner, along with stronger public health messaging, according to a new study.
TheNorthwestern Universitystudy used Israel as a counterfactual or a "what if" scenario to see the possible outcomes that could have happened in the United States.
Researchers estimated that through June 2022, if the U.S. moved at a faster pace to approve it and get people boosted, an estimated 29,000 lives could have been saved -- matching Israel's uptake and speed.
Israel was used because it was the first country to launch the boosters as well as vaccinate its population in July 2021. Researchers used vaccination data, mortality data, and vaccine effectiveness from Milwaukee County, Wisconsin and Israel.
Vaccine availability and eligibility are one thing, but it also depends on people's willingness to get vaccinated. Inconsistent public health messaging also contributed to avoidable deaths, according to researchers.
"The slow, complex U.S. authorization process was combined with muddled public health advice on whether boosters were needed, how badly, when, and by whom," the study said. "Many vaccinated people received the (wrong) message: Two doses is good enough; I don't need a third. To be sure, the effect of faster approval and stronger messaging on booster take-up rates is unknown."
Researchers cite five likely factors that contributed to the slower U.S. approach: the US regulatory system, limited options presented to the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, lack of urgency, low-quality data, and "much attention was focused on the wrong metric: vaccine effectiveness against death rather than remaining mortality risk."
"We provide evidence that this caution, during an ongoing pandemic, had a large cost in terms of lives lost," the study said.
Researchers hope this study can "inform policy judgments about how US regulators can do better in planning for and responding to the next pandemic."
The fullstudywas published on Monday, Dec. 4 in the Journal of Health Affairs.
The City of West Hollywood is encouraging community members to stay up to date on vaccinations and limit the spread of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza (flu) during the autumn and winter seasons.
The City of West Hollywood will host two Vaccination Clinics on Saturday, December 16, 2023 to provide community members, including adults and children six months and older, with free updated COVID-19 vaccines and up-to-date seasonal flu shots. The morning clinic will take place at the West Hollywood Sheriffs Station from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., located at 780 N. San Vicente Boulevard. The afternoon clinic will take place at Fiesta Hall at Plummer Park from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard. Vaccinations will be provided on a drop-in basis; no advance registration is required.
Vaccination Clinics will be operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health in partnership with the City of West Hollywood and the Office of Los Angeles County 3rd District Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath.
Many respiratory viruses circulate year-round in the US and California, typically with more activity in the autumn and winter seasons (October through March). Respiratory viruses can cause cold or flu-like symptoms and serious illness in some people. Illness can be spread through coughing or sneezing, a lack of handwashing, or through indirect exposure in crowded indoor spaces. Being up to date on vaccines is important to help lessen transmission and severity of illness.
Vaccination Clinics will offer the latest versions of vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccine has been updated to target Omicron XBB strains, now the dominant strains in LA County. The flu vaccine is updated each year to provide the best match for dominant strains. Vaccines are safe and staying up to date on both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations is a powerful way to help prevent severe illness and hospitalization. People can get both vaccinations at the same time.
For additional details about vaccines, please visit the LA County Public Health vaccine information webpage at PublicHealth.lacounty.gov/Vaccines.
For community members who cannot attend the Vaccination Clinics on Saturday, December 16, 2023, there are many resources available to stay up to date on vaccines. To find a vaccination site or to make an appointment, please visit www.VaccinateLACounty.com. For more vaccine information, visit PublicHealth.lacounty.gov/Vaccines. Community members who are homebound or have difficulty leaving home safely can request a free home visit for vaccinations. Request an appointment at PublicHealth.lacounty.gov/VaxatHome. There should be no out-of-pocket costs for the updated COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of insurance or immigration status.
For additional information about vaccines, talk with your health care provider or pharmacist, or call the LA County Public Health Call Center at 1-833-540-0473, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For reporters and members of the media seeking additional information about vaccinations in LA County, please contact the Los Angeles County Department of Public at media@ph.lacounty.gov. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call the City of West Hollywoods TTY line (323) 848-6496.
For up-to-date information about City of West Hollywood news and events, follow @wehocity on social media, sign-up for news updates at www.weho.org/email, and visit the Citys calendar of meetings and events at www.weho.org/calendar. West Hollywood City Hall is open for walk-in services at public counters or by appointment by visiting www.weho.org/appointments. City Hall services are accessible by phone at (323) 848-6400 and via website at www.weho.org. Receive text updates by texting WeHo to (323) 848-5000.
