Avian Influenza watch.

The bird flu virus continues to cause havoc in poultry around the world and in certain cases death in humans have been recorded.The bird flu virus strains detected in poultry around the world varies across board,new strains have been detected that are of varying pathogenicity. The H5N1 infection in Egypt has been on the increase,but there has not been any significant genetic mutation in the flu strain to explain rise in human infection. Its known that the bird flu virus can mutate easily,cross species and result in a very pathogenic strain that can cause death in man and other species. The fight to stop bird flu virus is on going ,and all measures are geared towards enhanced bio security. The prevention / control of bird flu is done broadly on 2 level; hygiene and isolation. The bird flu virus is real, prevent it. The effort to stop the virus is communal; everybody must be involved, be alert. Notify vet authorities if you notice high mortality in poultry farm or live bird markets, raise an alarm if you notice people processing dead birds, or transporting dead birds, or dumping dead birds on street corners. The law enforcement agents should be on the look-out for individuals who are in possession of dead birds,such cases demand instant notification. The virus can be stopped in its track with these measures, but if we turn away /turn the other eye then we are courting trouble. Be proactive! stop bird flu virus!