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Bird Flu
BIRD FLU PROTECTION
With the recent media attention and hype that has been given to the outbreaks of Bird Flu in Asia and other overseas countries, it is important that the Australian public is made aware of exactly what it is and how it affects humans, so that false facts are not spread and fear and confusion created.
What is bird flu?
Avian influenza, or bird flu, is an infectious disease that is caused by a type of influenza virus. As the name implies, the disease mostly affects birds, but it can also affect humans, as well as animals such as cats and pigs.
The first cases of bird flu in humans were reported in 1997 in Hong Kong. Since then, there have been a few isolated outbreaks among humans in various parts of the world, with most infections traced to contact with sick birds. Many of the cases of bird flu in humans have occurred in Asia. This is thought to be mainly due to traditional farming methods used in many Asian countries, where people live in close contact with animals.
While there have not been any reports of human infections with bird flu in Australia, several outbreaks have occurred among commercial flocks of birds. The most recent outbreak was in New South Wales in 1997. All outbreaks of bird flu among poultry in Australia have been successfully contained and eradicated.
Why has there been so much media interest in the recent outbreaks?
There are different subtypes and strains of the virus that causes bird flu, and some cause more severe disease than others. The subtype of the virus that has caused the recent outbreaks of bird flu in Asia is called influenza A (H5N1) virus, or simply H5N1 virus. The H5N1 subtype of the bird flu virus is very aggressive, and can cause serious infections in both birds and humans. Nearly 100 per cent of susceptible birds die from this infection, and of the small number of human cases, more than half of those infected have died.
What are the symptoms?
In most people, the initial symptoms of avian flu are similar to the symptoms that you experience when you have the regular form of the flu ?fever, muscle aches and pains, and cough. The symptoms generally appear within 5 days of being infected with the virus.
Those people who are infected with aggressive, or virulent, subtypes of the virus (such as H5N1) may develop complications such as pneumonia. Another serious complication is a condition known as acute respiratory distress syndrome, which causes life-threatening breathing problems due to the lungs filling with fluid rather than with air.
How is bird flu treated?
Oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu) and zanamivir (brand name Relenza) ?antiviral medications used to treat regular flu ?may be helpful in the treatment of bird flu. However, their effectiveness against the H5N1 subtype of the virus is uncertain, and there are also concerns about the availability and cost of these medications. To have any effect, these medications need to be taken within 2 days of the symptoms first appearing.
Is there a bird flu vaccine?
There is currently no vaccine against bird flu. Vaccines are being developed, but it usually takes several months to produce significant quantities of a new vaccine that is capable of providing protection against a new viral subtype.
What type of safety equipment can be used to protect against the Bird Flu?
The World Health Organisation issued a recommendation that those people who are at risk of being exposed to the bird flu should be fitted with appropriate personal protective equipment including:
- protective clothing such as disposable coveralls
- heavy duty rubber work gloves that may be disinfected
- N95 disposable respirator masks (the Australian equivalent is the P2) or face mask respirators with replaceable filters
- safety goggles
- rubber or polyurethane boots that can be disinfected or protective foot covers that can be discarded
For further information or updates regarding the Bird Flu and other health issues, check out the World Health Organisation website at www.who.int.
* Sourced from WHO Avian Influenza Guidelines found at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/guidelines/Avian%20Influenza.pdf and MyDr.com.au found at http://www.mydr.com.au/?Article=4163
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