Archive for April, 2008
The recent news on a son-to-father bird flu infection should not cause alarm. Studies done on the samples taken from father and son shows that the virus has not yet mutated into a highly contagious strain. The people with whom the father and son came into contact with were also not infected, an indication that the virus must have been passed on due to very intimate contact. This is good news as people are fearing a pandemic. But despite this development, authorities and researchers are still on the watch for further spread, and are continuously searching for a vaccine to fight the deadly disease.
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A recent report has confirmed that a father and son in China had been infected with bird flu, wherein the son caught the virus in a poultry market, and the father caught the flu from his son. The 24-year old son died while the 52-year old father survived after being treated and vaccinated in a H5N1 clinical trial. Other family members, colleagues and friends were also treated to make sure the virus does not spread. All the others tested negative for the H5N1 virus, which means the virus does not easily spread through casual contact. Samples of the virus from father and son showed almost identical genetic characteristics.
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The previous articles might sound too paranoid. But the fact is flu spreads fast and easy. Vaccines take time to be developed, manufactured and distributed. Not everyone have access to treatment and proper health care. The virus may mutate with every infection, and a new set of vaccines will have to be developed. Most of the time, the population dismiss a certain case as “it will never happen†until it is already happening.
Prevention is the key. And prevention should not be an individual effort, but a collaborative effort between and among governments, health institutions and citizens. Let us be aware of the developments on the bird flu.
Links:
World Health Organization - Avian Influenza
How to survive bird flu
Bird flu cases have been recorded in South East Asia, particularly in Indonesia, Thailand Cambodia and Malaysia. In the Philippines, no cases have been recorded so far, but it might not have a clean record for long if smuggling of wild birds from its neighboring countries is not stopped. Smuggling of goods has been rampant in the Philippines, and birds are no exception. Some of these birds are endangered, and despite existing laws that prohibits such practices, implementation of the law has been weak.
The government’s role is not only in providing health care during outbreaks, but also protecting its borders for threats. Protecting wildlife and protecting the citizens for possible flu outbreaks should be a priority to the government.
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Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly, as poultry manure is a common fertilizer. Thoroughly cook poultry meat, up to 82 degrees Celcius (180 degree Fahrenheit) for 5 to 10 minutes. Also avoid sharing utensils, or using “underwashed†utensil in public food courts or canteens.
Your area’s water supply might also be infected if a bird dropping contaminates the water reservoir. Consult with the water supply company on their safety and purifying measures to make sure the water is clean enough for human consumption.
Wearing respiratory masks may look too paranoid, but once another “outbreak†is announced, masks will be a great protection.
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