Bird Flu

Well it seems that slowly but steadily the bird flu virus is spreading. Asia, Africa and now Europe all are having fresh cases. I give some insight into this bird flu.

Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.
During an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry, there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds.
Influenza A (H5N1) virus – also called “H5N1 virus” – is an influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds, is highly contagious among birds, and can be deadly to them. H5N1 virus does not usually infect people, but infections with these viruses have occurred in humans. Most of these cases have resulted from people having direct or close contact with H5N1-infected poultry or H5N1-contaminated surfaces
Of the few avian influenza viruses that have crossed the species barrier to infect humans, H5N1 has caused the largest number of detected cases of severe disease and death in humans. In the current outbreaks in Asia and Europe more than half of those infected with the virus have died. Most cases have occurred in previously healthy children and young adults. However, it is possible that the only cases currently being reported are those in the most severely ill people, and that the full range of illness caused by the H5N1 virus has not yet been defined. For the most current information about avian influenza and cumulative case numbers, see the World Health Organization (WHO) avian influenza website.
So far, the spread of H5N1 virus from person to person has been limited and has not continued beyond one person. Nonetheless, because all influenza viruses have the ability to change, scientists are concerned that H5N1 virus one day could be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to another. Because these viruses do not commonly infect humans, there is little or no immune protection against them in the human population. If H5N1 virus were to gain the capacity to spread easily from person to person, an influenza pandemic (worldwide outbreak of disease) could begin. For more information about influenza pandemics, see the CDC Pandemic Influenza website and PandemicFlu.gov.
Treatment and vaccination for H5N1 virus in humans
The H5N1 virus that has caused human illness and death in Asia is resistant to amantadine and rimantadine, two antiviral medications commonly used for influenza. Two other antiviral medications, oseltamavir and zanamavir, would probably work to treat influenza caused by H5N1 virus, but additional studies still need to be done to demonstrate their effectiveness.
There currently is no commercially available vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus that is being seen in Asia and Europe. However, vaccine development efforts are taking place. Research studies to test a vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus began in April 2005, and a series of clinical trials is under way. For more information about H5N1 vaccine development process, visit the National Institutes of Health website.

Basic prevention for human beings involves hygiene and simple hand wash. For those living in high risk areas and growing chicken in the backyard the following WHO gudeline will be most helpful. I give some brief points and the link to the page.


The spread of bird flu in affected areas can normally be prevented.
• People should avoid contact with chickens, ducks or other poultry unless absolutely necessary. This is the best way to prevent infection with the bird flu virus.

• Children are at high risk because they may play where poultry are found. Teach your children the following basic guidelines:
o Avoid contact with any birds, their feathers, faeces and other waste.
o Do not keep birds as pets.
o Wash hands with soap and water after any contact.
o Not to sleep near poultry.
• Do not transport live or dead chickens, ducks or other poultry from one place to another even if you think your birds are healthy.

• Handling of poultry in affected areas should be done within the area without transporting them to other areas.
• Do not prepare poultry from affected areas as food for your family or animals. The slaughter and preparation of such birds for food is dangerous.

• If you unintentionally come into contact with poultry in an affected area, such as touching the bird's body, touching its faeces or other animal dirt, or walking on soil contaminated with poultry faeces:
o wash your hands well with soap and water after each contact;
o remove your shoes outside the house and clean them of all dirt; and
o check your temperature for 7 days at least once daily. If you develop a high temperature (>37.5°C), visit a doctor or the nearest health care facility immediately.

The linkhttp://www.wpro.who.int/NR/rdonlyres/04FA6993-8CD1-4B72-ACB9-EB0EBD3D0CB1/0/Advice10022004rev08112004.pdf

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/avian_influenza/en/index.html