Avian influenza ; in the news.

The H5N1 bird flu virus has been detected in the following states in Nigeria; Lagos,Ogun,Edo,Delta,Rivers,Kano and Plateau. A total of 140,390 birds have been exposed to the virus out of which 22,573 have died, and others culled. The farms have been decontaminated,quarantined and bio-security protocol enhanced .The area of infection include:21 commercial farms,9 live bird markets and a private zoo. The H5N1 virus has registered its presence in Egypt,with number of cases increased to 21 ,with 16 deaths.The infection occured in people who had close contact with infected birds/contaminated surfaces,handling and processing of birds. Israel has joined in the HPAI trend,as the virus has been discovered in Aviel farm,as @ 20/1/15; 15,000 birds have died.In a Palestinian coop,4000 birds have died. The H5N1 virus has affected 30000 birds in Israel,with 15,000 deaths and other birds destroyed. The culling of affected flock is ongoing,backyard birds will also be culled. The health officials in Israel have provided 100 safety suits for those handling infected birds, and also 1000 Tamiflu bottles provided in hospitals. The HPAI infection across the globe is a wake up call for all to imbibe high levels of bio-security protocol and ensure strict compliance. WE CAN STOP THE BIRD FLU VIRUS! STEP UP YOUR BIO-SECURITY PROTOCOL! USE VIRKON® S. The power is in your hands! Wash hands with soap and water and sanitize hands.

Avian influenza ;Tracking.

The Rivers state government of Nigeria has confirmed the bird flu virus in a poultry farm in the state.The birds have been culled,farm decontaminated and quarantined.The farms in the vicinity of the affected farm have been advised to enhance bio-security protocol. Avian influenza virus has been detected in a back yard poultry in Idaho state in the U.S..The surveillance conducted revealed several cases of H5N8 in wild ducks,H5N2 also confirmed in 3 falcons from a private,non commercial flock in Canyon county,this has been linked to contact with wild waterfowl and a small backyard poultry in the area has also tested for H5N2. A new outbreak of avian influenza has been detected in Washington state,all poultry owners have been advised to prevent contact of their birds with migratory birds.The bird flu virus found in chickens,geese,ducks was confirmed to be H5N2, hence bio-security has been enhanced in that area. Egypt has reported 20 new H5N1 cases in 2015 and 5 deaths.The avian influenza situation in the country has led to thee constitution of a high-level supreme national committee on bird flu. The health ministry of Egypt has supplied 250,000 Tamiflu bottles to hospitals and health care units to treat patients who have contacted the H5N1. The ministry also provided masks for control of flu.The deaths recorded are in people who had close contact with poultry such as; those living in the poultry area, those processing and those in live bird markets. It is very important to practice good hygiene of hand washing with soap/ sanitize hands when you handle poultry/poultry products. The power to stop bird flu is in your hands. STOP THE BIRD FLU VIRUS! BE PROACTIVE!

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!

ITS IN OUR HANDS; STOP BIRD FLU.

The power to stop the bird flu virus lies in our hands; practice good hygiene,isolation of affected victims, quarantine and depopulation of affected farms, cooking of poultry/ poultry products. Wash hands thoroughly when youve handled poultry, do not touch dead birds. Use potent disinfectant as part of your bio-security protocol. IT ALL STARTS WITH YOUR HANDS; TOUCHING# HOLDING# CARRYING# LIFTING# TRANSFER# ; so stop the virus with your hands. ALL hands on deck; use VIRKON® S, and most important key wash hands regularly and sanitize them. HANDS ON! STOP THE BIRD FLU VIRUS!.

Bird flu.

STOP THE BIRD FLU VIRUS! 1) Avoid contact with dead poultry, wild birds and strange birds of unknown origin. 2)Avoid contact with droppings of poultry, prevent contamination of poultry feed and water. 3)Wash hands immediately after handling birds. 4) Stay away from bird sanctuaries,parks and gardens where various bird species are kept. 5)Respect quarantine notifications on farms and areas around quarantined zones. 6)Do not smuggle in birds from other countries to yours. 7) Do not attempt to cover-up infection on farms or markets; notify the vet authorities. 8) Proper disposal of affected birds are essential. 9) Enhance bio-security measures on the farm, live bird markets and areas around these sites. The bird flu virus can be stopped by active surveillance, enhanced bio-security and practice hygiene and isolation. BE PROACTIVE! STOP BIRD FLU VIRUS!.

BIRD FLU IN THE NEWS.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus is currently affecting poultry in some countries and causing death in some others. The bird flu virus H7N9 has killed 2 people in China,Egypt has recorded the 3rd death in 2015. Libya has also recorded 4 human cases resulting in death, 3 of the victims died in Tripoli while the 4th person died in Tobruk ,across border to Egypt. Taiwan battles the worst H5N2 infection, H5N3 and H5N8,this has led to culling of over 112,375 ducks,geese and chicken. The flu virus has also caused mortality in poultry in Kano,Lagos and also a zoo in V.G.C, the birds have been culled and farm decontaminated and quarantined. The bird flu virus has been detected on 2 farms in Belize,Spain due to active surveillance. The birds on the affected farms showed mild clinical signs of avian influenza virus, but on analyzing the samples, the bird flu virus was confirmed. The agricultural and health services department have encouraged commercial and backyard farmers to step up their bio-security protocol, and notify the authorities of any unusual signs in poultry. BE PROACTIVE! BE ALERT! STOP BIRD FLU VIRUS! USE VIRKON® S,IN BIO-SECURITY PROTOCOL.

BIRD FLU WATCH.

H7N9 kills 2 people in China,Taiwan battles worst H5N2 outbreak and Egypt report 3rd bird flu death in 2015. The ever changing bird flu virus makes it a potential global threat in terms of economic loss and also death of man. The capacity of the virus to mutate enables it to cross species and cause fulminating infection in these species, this is the reason why it poses a pandemic threat. The bird flu virus infection has been linked to wild birds/waterbirds and migratory birds which act as reservoir .The key prevention will be to keep wild birds away from poultry.These can be achieved as by the following measures ; do not handle birds of unknown origin, dont touch dead birds, wash hands immediately after handling poultry, do not buy processed birds from unknown origin, if you observe high mortality in poultry in your area notify vet authorities in your area. The surveillance of live bird markets, farms and control/border points are paramount in the preventive measure. BE ALERT! BE PROACTIVE ! STOP BIRD FLU VIRUS!.