Till to date, there had been 117 confirmed cases of avian flu in humans in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, leading to 60 deaths. However, avian flu is not a food-borne virus, so eating chicken is safe, but WHO recommends that all meat should be cooked to a temperature of at least 70C and eggs should also be thoroughly cooked.
The only people thought to be at risk are those involved in the slaughter and preparation of meat that may be infected. A person who had to dry out the chicken meat, or to sniff the carcass might be at any risk. But even then, it would be very hard to become infected.
This was told by Associate Professor of Medicine, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Dr S. M. Munir while delivering his presentation at a seminar on "Are we prepared for the Bird Flu threat?", organised by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) at its Vicky Zeitlin Media Library here on October 20.
Talking on clinical presentation and prevention, he said like humans and other species, birds were susceptible to flu and there were 15 types of bird or avian flu. The most contagious strains, which are usually fatal in birds are H5 and H7. The type currently causing concern is the deadly strain H5N1 and even within this strain, variations are seen and slightly different strains are being seen in different countries affected with this outbreak, he told.
Migratory wildfowl, notably wild ducks are natural carriers of the viruses, but are unlikely to actually develop an infection. Domestic birds are particularly susceptible in epidemics and this is why the confirmation of the H5N1 strain in birds in Turkey and Romania is causing concern.
Pakistan has seen cases of the H7 and H9 strains of bird flu in poultry, but no cases of these strains have been passed to humans. As it is carried by birds, there is no definite way of preventing bird flu spread, however, other precautionary measures can be taken to save domestic flocks, he said.
Humans could catch the disease through close contact with live infected birds. Birds excrete the virus in their faeces, which dries and becomes pulverised and might be fatal if inhaled.
Symptoms are similar to other types of flu like fever, malaise, sore throat and cough. People can also develop conjunctivitis. Scientists have found that bird flu can also affect all parts of body and not just the lungs, which means that many illnesses and even deaths, thought to have been caused by something else, may have been due to the bird flu virus, Dr Munir stated.
He said avian flu could be passed from person to person, although so far it was not in feared mutated from, which could fuel a pandemic. Experts believe the virus could exchange genes with a human flu virus if a person was simultaneously infected with both (viral mutation). Once the virus gained the ability to pass easily between humans the results could be catastrophic and world-wide experts predict anything between 2 million and 50 million deaths, he further referred.
About vaccination, he said there was not yet a definitive vaccine, but prototypes, which offer protection against the H5N1 strain, are being produced. The antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu are already available that may help limit symptoms and reduce the chances of spread of disease. Prevention should be given importance, for which culling and surveillance programs be chalked out.
System of quarantine, drug distribution, disease monitoring and improving world-wide communication between professionals in animal and human health should be evolved, which will improve early detection of virus. Travellers should avoid domesticated birds, open-air markets. They should frequently wash hands, watch kids, steer clean of raw eggs and ask about a flu shot, he recommended.
People working with ducks and poultry should wash their hands after contact with the birds.
Children are at particular risk from bird flu, and should be kept away from poultry and ducks. Those who are particularly at risk from flu and its complications, such as the elderly and those with respiratory or heart disease, should consider getting vaccine each year, he suggested.
Other speaker Dr Ejaz Ahmad, Deputy Director General, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) stressed that preparation should be made before actually suffering the problems, as in Pakistan, there was no surveillance and monitoring of such migratory birds suspected to be infected with avian flu.
Wetland and water surface infected by the feces of infected birds can also spread the virus. It is known that Poultry Research Centre is working to develop some vaccine for flu. It has 12 diagnostic laboratories in the country for bird flu and a vaccine can be developed within 3-4 weeks. Migratory birds have start coming at Sandspit in Karachi, as they usually come in the months of November, December and January
Such migratory birds should be monitored in their respective countries for infection and regional co-operation mechanism be developed. Pet trade in spreading of this virus is also important, so rules should be strictly enforced in this regard, Dr Ejaz emphasised.
Earlier, Director PPF Samina Ishaq delivered welcome address.