Archive for the ‘Outbreaks’ Category
According to reports, a 16-month-old baby boy in Bangladesh contracted the bird flu virus. Although the country first got its reported case last February 2007, the bird flu virus became dormant.
The boy from a slum in the capital Dhaka “has survived. He has been quarantined and his condition has improved,” Health Ministry official Mahmudur Rahman told agencies.
Authorities said that although the boy did not live near poultry farms, he might have gotten it from chickens brought by his parents from a farm. In response the Health Ministry has set up isolation units at all public clinics.
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South Korea’s response to the bird flu maybe considered as extreme but it needs to be done. The country has decided to “disinfect†all poultry farms, the agriculture ministry said last Tuesday.
“The government will take strong steps to stop the spread of bird flu, which is causing enormous damage to our poultry industry,” an agriculture official told AFP.
In the country’s capital, Seoul, 15,000 ducks, chickens, pet birds, and school aviaries are put down to stop the spread of the disease after there was a second confirmed case there. On the nationwide front, 6.8 million fowls have been culled since April 1.
It must be noted here that although the bird flu virus is highly contagious, it rarely causes any harm to the carrier. Thus, even while infected with an avian flu virus, the animal does not have “flu”. Typically, flu virus is adapted by one species of bird, and in turn spreads to another species. This happens more with the domestication of chickens and turkeys, as the avian flu virus acquired by one species rapidly mutates and infects the other species as well. This rapid spread can be stopped only by killing every domestic bird in the affected area.
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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