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.

BIRD FLU.

Washington,Oregon activate bird flu alert. 30 countries restricts US poultry. In Germany, a white stork tested positive to H5N8,the stock and 8 other birds in the ROSTOCK ZOO. Three human cases of H7N9 in ZHAOQING. All border control points have implemented health surveillance measures. 2 people diagnosed with bird flu in egypt as @ 6/1/2015,the human cases upticks in Egypt. Bio security measures up scaled in farms,markets and control points.Airport surveillance also in place,passengers coming into country from AI zones are using masks and are monitored. Citizens are advised about safety measures such as; avoiding crowded zones.Covering mouth when sneezing and coughing.washing and cleaning surfaces with disinfectants, washing hands constantly especially after handling poultry products.

BIRD FLU.

STOP THE VIRUS ! SAVE THE BIRDS.

BIRD FLU.

The bird flu saga continues, as the virus has been identified in birds in backyard poultry in Washington state and Oregon. The highly pathogenic strain has been identified in broiler chicken and turkeys in BC,Canada.The viral infection has led to culling of 42000 birds in Japan as @ 30/12/14, leading to banning of poultry products and birds originating from japan. The banning of poultry products has also extended to the U.S.A as some countries have opted out of importing from them. A second wave of infection has been reported in Washington state, in a farm near the foci infection, and this has been traced to some ducks moved from the foci of infection to this new farm.The 2 farmers are friends so they exchange birds,without knowledge that the ducks had the virus,leading to sudden deaths of birds in this new farm. This has prompted the UTAH,U.S. agric and wildlife authorities to issue a bird flu alert to back yard poultry farmers in the state; advising them to increase their bio security measures.The Utah state is on course of a migratory bird route,thus they enjoined farmers to keep wild birds away from poultry. BIRD FLU UPDATE; based on the flu infection in some parts of the world, the most logical thing will be to be pro active and step up bio security in our farms. BIO SECURITY; the following actions are advised. 1) Restrict movement to your farms. 2)Make a full strength of bleach- water solution and use as foot dips, tyre wash, use in drains ,also use to clean surfaces in the farm. 3)Dont bring in birds from unknown sources, and dont transfer birds between farms. 4) keep poultry away from wild birds and water fowl. 5) Report any case of sudden high motalities in your birds. Be alert and sensitive; step up bio security. Thanks to the poultrysite.com.