AVIAN INFLUENZA # SULTANPUR NATIONAL PARK IN INDIA.

Avian influenza has killed migratory birds in Sultanpur national park and bird sanctuary in India,according to mail online at least 45 birds has died as @ 11/1/2015. A total of 14 were sighted on the 10/1/2015,amid scare over the highly pathogenic strain of Avian influenza spreading in the region.The forest and wildlife department are on alert about the issue.The district administrator has also alerted neighboring Delhi country parts to keep a close eye on ill or dead birds in their respective areas. The forest officer awaits directives from the state headquarters on line of action which could include culling the birds or closure of the park. The role of the migratory birds in the spread of the bird flu virus cannot be over emphasized, hence the interest in their health status and recent route map. This period also plays a role in the spread of bird flu virus, as this season corresponds to their breeding season; thus the mass movements of migratory birds at this time.This period facilitates their breeding, causing them to move out in large numbers,in different directions to various locations. LOOK out for cases of dead birds,ducks or even wild birds/ birds not common to your district and report to the vet authority near you. BE PROACTIVE; BIO SECURITY AND SURVEILLANCE IS STILL THE BEST WAY TO STOP THE VIRUS.

AVIAN INFLUENZA: INDIA BANS U.S POULTRY.

India has banned the importation of poultry products from U.S in the wake of the recent bird flu crisis. The U.S normally dumps chicken legs in India,but right now the importation has been stopped to prevent the possible transfer of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. BE PRO ACTIVE! STOP THE BIRD FLU VIRUS.

AVIAN INFLUENZA IN HUMANS.

The bird flu in humans normally starts with cold,nasal secretions that could easily be overlooked as common flu,especially in this harmattan period.The flu signs continues with rapid increase in body temperature, severe headaches coupled with muscle pain. This progresses to gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting,diarrhoea and stomach cramps. The patient will also have a tightening of the chest muscle resulting in chest pain, then there will be bleeding in nose and gums. The signs do vary per individuals, but if you have flu symptoms that does not abate even with medication after 3 days, and you have been in contact lately with game birds, or poultry, or you have handled dead birds,or processed poultry birds,or consumed chicken ,or you just returned from a country battling the bird flu, please visit the hospital. The way to nib the virus is early diagnosis: so is it cold?,periodic flu attack? or bird flu? check it out.BE PROACTIVE.KEEP CLEANING WITH DISINFECTANTS,WASH HANDS AND COOK POULTRY PRODUCTS PROPERLY BEFORE CONSUMPTION. DO NOT TOUCH DEAD BIRDS. WHEN YOU TOUCH OR HANDLE BIRDS,WASH HANDS IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU HAVE INCREASED CASES OF MORTALITY ON THE FARM; CALL YOUR VET. DONT BUY PROCESSED POULTRY PRODUCTS OF UNKNOWN SOURCE. IF YOU OBSERVE INCREASED MORTALITY OF BIRDS IN POULTRY FARM AROUND YOU, REPORT TO THE VET AUTHORITY IN YOUR AREA. DISPOSE DEAD BIRDS PROPERLY.

Avian influenza: Emerging infectious disease.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)A virus subtype H5,have been circulating among poultry in several countries in Asia and Africa for many years. The HPAI virus have caused hundreds of infections in humans and has poised public health threat.This prompted the government of China to embark on mass vaccination of flock and culling of infected birds. The protocol was effective because the virus was curtailed,thus saving lives and preserving animal production lines, but it had some major disadvantages. The protocol is expensive, and the government is currently seeking ways to stop the mass vaccination.The key disadvantage was that subclinical levels of HPAI was found among vaccinated chicken,where the H5N1 had evolved into multiple H5N2 genotypes which are all vaccine-escape variants.(emerging infections journal vol 20. Num 12-Dec 2014) The vaccination played an important role at the onset,but resulted in production of other variants that are highly pathogenic and pose a more fatal threat .This clearly shows that vaccination of flock is not the way to combat the virus, rather education of the populace,bio security,surveillance,rapid diagnosis and culling/destruction of infected birds.

AVIAN INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS.

Avian influenza has been reported in japan,Canada,Taiwan e.t.c. The necessary bio security measures are in place,surveillance control are also on going. Bio security and surveillance is the only way to stop the virus.The next line of action for countries not yet affected is to be proactive and beef up surveillance,monitoring at points of entry ,at poultry farms ,markets and airports.The same way the Ebola virus infection was monitored and controlled the AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS SHOULD ALSO BE TACKLED. The infection control preparedness measures set in motion has prevented avian infection in Hong Kong. The proactive prevention plan implemented widely in Hong kong healthcare system was a significant factor preventing the spread of influenza strain A H7N9 =BIRD FLU.(Jan 2015 issue of infection control and hospital epidemiology.) The infection control implemented an integrated approach utilizing active and enhanced surveillance,early airborne infection isolation,rapid molecular diagnostic testing and extensive tracing for health workers with unprotected exposure.The enhanced surveillance methods appeared to be an important key to detection of H7N9. With the above course of action and outcome,all hands must be on deck to stop the bird flu virus. BE PROACTIVE =BIO SECURITY +SURVEILLANCE= STOP THE AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS.

AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE..

Japan has culled 37,000 chicken after a 3rd outbreak.Taiwan culls 120,000 birds after detection of H5N2,according to focus Taiwan today. The report suggests that the outbreak on the farm started started in December with sporadic cases confirming avian influenza.The head of agric dept(YAO CHIH-WAY) said his department have put a ban on the movement of chickens and begun to disinfect the farms and will continue monitoring, some wild birds have also died suddenly. In Zhaoqing,following the human cases; control and surveillance measures have been put in action and citizen notified of necessary prevention protocols. The center for health protection of the department of health as @7/jan/15 has been notified of the human cases and they have taken the following steps; The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (January 7) closely monitoring an additional human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Zhaoqing notified by the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province (GDHFPC), and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel. According to the GDHFPC, the male patient, aged 56 with underlying illnesses, was hospitalized for management in critical condition. "Locally, we will remain vigilant and work closely with the World Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the latest developments," a spokesman for the DH said. All boundary control points have implemented health surveillance measures. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks on inbound travelers. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up. The DH's Port Health Office has enhanced body temperature checks by handheld devices. Regarding health education for travelers, the display of posters and broadcasting of health messages in departure and arrival halls, environmental health inspection and provision of regular updates to the travel industry and other stakeholders will be enhanced. Travelers, especially those returning from avian influenza-affected areas with fever or respiratory symptoms, should immediately wear masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors. Health-care professionals should pay special attention to patients who might have had contact with poultry, birds or their droppings in affected areas. The public should remain vigilant and take heed of the advice against avian influenza below: * Do not visit live poultry markets and farms. Avoid contact with poultry, birds and their droppings; * If contact has been made, thoroughly wash hands with soap; * Avoid entering areas where poultry may be slaughtered and contact with surfaces which might be contaminated by droppings of poultry or other animals; * Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating; * Wash hands frequently with soap, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, handling food or eating; after going to the toilet or touching public installations or equipment (including escalator handrails, elevator control panels and door knobs); and when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing; * Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with a tissue and put it into a covered dustbin; * Avoid crowded places and contact with fever patients; and * Wear masks when respiratory symptoms develop or when taking care of fever patients.

BIRD FLU.

AVIAN INFLUENZA; BIRD FLU. The highly pathogenic influenza virus is rearing its head in certain countries around the world and ravaging the poultry industry, Avian influenza virus affects birds such as chickens,turkeys, pheasants,water ducks,parrots,partridges,emus,quails and ostriches,although the susceptibility to virus varies as some birds show more fulminating signs(chickens) and others sub clinical signs(water ducks). The virus can survive outside the host for a considerable time. The route of the infection has been linked to migratory birds which harbor the virus with no clinical signs, their droppings contaminated pond of the water fowls, these pick the virus and their contact with other birds enhance the spread . The mode of spread: is from bird to bird by contact with secretions,dropping and contaminated bedding. Vehicles,equipment and tools also facilitate spread.Personnel moving between farms,abattoirs and poultry markets also facilitate spread,hence BIO SECURITY measures must be adhered to strictly on farms. The avian influenza virus strikes resulting in sudden increased mortality, however these are signs of BIRD FLU. 1) Ruffled feathers. 2)soft shelled eggs, 3)depression and drowsiness. 4)loss of appetite. 5)bluish combs. 6)green diarrhoea. 7)in coordination/paralysis. 8)hemorrhaging on feet and shank. 9}blood tinged discharge from nostrils. 10)respiratory difficulties. 11) edema of comb,wattles and eye lids. The above signs many poultry farmers can relate to because some other conditions also exhibit some of the signs,these leads them to vaccination, treatment after culling some birds.This is where the problem lies, the first step should be for you to take log of activities for the last 2 weeks; what came in?, what activities were out?,who came in?,which standard operations procedure did you or did you not perform?.while you take log of your activities, restrict movement to your farm, dispose dead birds promptly, give your birds vitamins in water and call your vet.