STOP BIRD FLU!!!

The avian influenza virus ravaging poultry in some countries now and death of humans in other countries, have been linked to migratory birds that harbor the virus.The interaction of the migratory birds/ waterfowl/game birds with the domestic birds results in the fulminating HPAI infection. The virus is spread from bird to bird and flock to flock by direct/indirect contact with droppings & secretions and contaminated feed/water. The virus can be stopped by practicing basic bio security protocol, isolation and hand hygiene. The virus can be stopped in the following ways; 1) Curb smuggling of exotic birds into the country. 2) Strict custom regulations concerning import of poultry products/ birds from countries battling with the virus. 3)Enhanced bio-security in farms, live bird markets,and slaughter houses. 4)Avoid contact with infected carcasses and proper disposal of affected birds. 5)Active surveillance of farms/live bird markets/slaughter houses. 6) Early diagnosis and commencement of treatment using Tamiflu,in human subjects. 7)Mass sensitization of citizens on the virus, its mode of spread,signs of infection, and prevention strategies. 8)Hand washing policy in daily activities, the importance should be emphasized to the citizens. 9)Wear protective clothing if you work with birds. 10)wear mask,gloves if you work in an hospital,attending to infected humans. 11) Site poultry away from living quarters. 12)Control human and vehicular traffic to farms. The bird flu can be stopped, lets stop it together. BE PROACTIVE! STOP THE BIRD FLU VIRUS! USE VIRKON® S,ITS A POTENT DISINFECTANT! USE IT NOW! ITS IN YOUR HANDS.

PREVENTION OF INFECTION WITH BIRD FLU VIRUS IN MAN.

The bird flu virus infection in man can be prevented by observing a simple technique of washing,disinfection , decontamination and wearing protective clothing such as overalls,gloves,boots , googles and nose masks. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING; This is very important for poultry workers, handlers and veterinary officers that are in constant contact with birds of various specie.The protective clothing include boots, aprons,overalls,gloves and hair nets. The protective clothing must be washed and disinfected daily to prevent spread of infection.When there is an incidence,the protective clothing must be discarded.When working in a farm with an outbreak of the bird flu virus,utmost care must be taken to prevent infection.All biosecurity protocol must be observed. HAND WASHING. This is of high importance, hands must be washed and dipped in disinfectants that are potent against major poultry diseases especially avian influenza.Hands are to be washed and disinfected any time you touch/handle poultry. Hand washing should also be encouraged whenever you touch/come in contact with poultry implements,tools and equipment.It is of utmost importance to wash and sanitize any tools or implements that are introduced to your farm. Hand washing and sanitizing is a sure way to stay safe. PROCESSING LIVE POULTRY. Ensure the poultry is clean and not infected.Do not buy dead birds,do not process dead birds. Do not consume under-cooked or un cooked poultry. The exchange of egg crates is also a possible route of infection,thus when you want to buy eggs,ensure crates are clean and hand wash immediately after touching crates. ensure you discard paper crates and always disinfect plastic crates. Hand washing after handling,processing poultry.Sanitizing will go a step further to ensure safety.. Avian influenza can be prevented; Inculcate good hygiene protocol of hand washing and sanitizing every time you touch poultry and handle poultry products.

AVIAN INFLUENZA IN MAN.

Avian influenza also referred to as bird flu caused by the bird flu virus is of various strains and virulence.The various strains of the bird flu virus has various virulence in various animal specie including man. The H5N1 strain is very virulent in chicken and highly pathogenic in man. The possible route of infection with the bird flu virus are as follows; 1) contact with infected birds. 2)contact with surfaces,floors,clothing and tools contaminated with infected poultry droppings. 3)Living in close proximity with poultry houses and sharing gadgets,implements and tools. 4)Processing infected poultry. 5)Handling dead infected poultry. 6)Visiting aviaries,parks and wild life resorts where there is an incidence and where large numbers of reservoir host. 7)Purchasing artworks or decorations made from infected birds such as feather pens,hand fans and feather mosaics. 8)Purchasing furnishings made from infected poultry such as pillows,foot cushions,throw pillows with feather stuffing's. 9)Visitations to live bird markets with various species of birds from various sources with critical health status. 10) Handling infected organs from birds especially when collecting samples. Avian influenza in man can be treated if the patients starts medication and treatment early.The signs include fever,severe headaches,followed by chest pain,coughing and sneezing.This is accompanied by muscular pains and generalized body weakness. The patient is usually isolated and treated with Tamiflu,the prognosis of which depends on the time of initiation of treatment. Avian influenza is deadly but preventable,stay safe. Hand washing after handling poultry and also restriction of visits to parks and zoos where incidence of bird flu has been reported.The simple technique of isolation,disinfection will curb the spread.

BIRD FLU.

AVIAN INFLUENZA. Avian influenza also referred to as bird flu is caused by the avian influenza virus and affects all species of birds and also affects man. The virus has the virulent and non virulent strains with varying pathogenicity. The H5N1 strain is highly pathogenic and of very important because it affects man and can result in death if not properly managed. The pathogenicity of the strain is typed according to species and virulence and the pandemic nature of the virus makes it a global concern. The bird flu virus has been identified in various species of birds and in other animals, its ability to change host and mutate is the major cause of concern. The bird flu virus has been linked to wild birds, migratory birds and the water fowl which has been identified as the reservoir host. The migratory birds have been identified as carriers of the virus, spreading the virus but not showing any classical sign of the infection. The bird flu virus is passed from bird to bird by contact with infected birds. ROUTES OF INFECTION OF THE INFLUENZA VIRUS. 1) Contact with wild birds. 2) Contamination of feed and water by dropping of infected birds. 3) Contamination of farm sites and surfaces with droppings. 4) Handling dead birds that are incubating virus. 5) Large body of water near farm site, where migratory birds aggregate is a foci of infection 6) Rearing various bird species in a place , especially ornamental birds and domestic birds. CLINICAL SIGNS. The first indication that there is an incidence of bird flu is sudden high mortality, the birds will die suddenly and in large numbers with the birds exhibiting severe nervous signs of vigorous turning and trembling culminating in death. The birds also have purplish-bluish combs, shanks and skin discoloration. The birds may also show bulbous combs and wattle with shut eyes. These signs also include diarrhea, sneezing, depression ,bleeding from eyes and mouth ,ruffled feathers severe depression and shell less and broken eggs.

UNCONVENTIONAL ROUTES OF INFECTION WITH BIRD FLU VIRUS.

UNCONVENTIONAL ROUTES OF INFECTION WITH THE AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS. The H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus has been identified as the highly pathogenic strain that also affects man and if not properly managed can result in death. There are many routes of possible infection with the bird flu virus but some subtle unconventional routes are also a major cause of concern, these include the following; 1) Visitors on farm premises. 2) Exchange of farm tools and implements with neighborhood farmers. 3) Absence of foot dips, hand dips and washing points in farms, feed mills and drug stores. 4) Absence of proper litter management. 5) Contaminated feed stuff. 6) Water pollution. 7) Lack of proper waste disposal/manure. Non restriction of visitors to farm site is a major source of spread of diseases not only avian influenza but also other diseases. Visitors moving in and out of farm site act as fomites bringing in loads of pathogenic organisms setting up a foci of infection in the farm site. 

Most visitors come through other farms thus bringing in pathogenic organism from one point to another. Visitors must be barred from farm sites to forestall introduction of pathogens.

 2) Exchange of farm tools and implements with neighborhood farms, may appear inconsequential but it’s a grave risk as pathogens are exchanged freely between farms. A simple gesture of exchange of tools is a breech on bio security protocol that must be prevented. 

 3) Absence foot dips, tyre dips and hand dips, this is a major route of infection. Many farms don’t have tyre dips, neither do they spray tyres with disinfectants, before allowing such vehicles on farm premises. The hand dips are very important, a worker that has handled contaminated matter but have refused to wash and dip hands in disinfectant solution is a ready source for spread of infection. Farmers that have dips , don’t use proven disinfectants of high potency to prevent infection. The dips with disinfectants are not replenished at regular intervals, thus making a mockery of the whole process. 

 4) litter management is very important in poultry as a lot of pathogens arise from poor litter management. Farmers don’t usually take care of their litter especially in case of wetness. 

The most important aspect of litter management is litter treatment. The litter can be treated using potent disinfectant, this can be used in the powdery forms and sprayed on litter. When turned, this will kill any incubating pathogen without any detrimental effect on birds. 

 Waste disposal/manure; waste disposal management on the farm is another point of concern, as many farmers don’t dispose their waste properly, leaving them open on farm without any form of treatment on the farm, thus allowing flies and other pathogenic organisms breed in that area causing a nucleus of infection right on the farm. Some farmers bag their waste, but still don’t treat the areas where the bags are kept which is still a point of infection. 

The farmers that bag and prepare to sell make the mistake of allowing merchants to come in to the farm with their sacks to procure manure. This is also another route of infection, as the sacks brought in may harbor pathogens. Water pollution. 

 The water source is also another point of infection, and a major route of infection. If water source or point is not well covered, allowing birds to defecate in it thus contaminating the water source. The water source must also be disinfected to ensure safety , and prevent pathogenic organisms from infecting birds and contaminating floors and drinkers.

CLASSICAL SIGNS OF BIRD FLU.

BIRD FLU # WAY FORWARD.

The avian influenza virus still affecting poultry and causing severe economic losses,thus a seminar was organized for farmers to highlight ways to stop the virus,,and what to do in case of an outbreak. The seminar centered on bio security, steps and chemical agents of choice.The core of what i discussed can be read here; http://veterinarymedicineechbeebolanle-ojuri.blogspot.com/2015/07/bio-security-on-farms.html. The importance of foot dip,tyre dips and hand washing was emphasized while the sharing of tools,implements was discouraged as this is a possible infection route. The importance of early reporting was also emphasized as this is the key factor to compensation.