The Facts About Avian Influenza, (Bird Flu).

Avian Influenza is commonly known as bird flu, it is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds, including commercial, wild and pet birds. While all birds are thought to be susceptible to infection, domestic poultry flocks are especially vulnerable to infections that can rapidly reach epidemic proportions.

The disease in birds has two forms:

The first causes mild illness, sometimes expressed only as ruffled feathers, respiratory signs, swollen heads, dullness, reduced egg production and loss of appetite.

Of greater concern is the second form known as ‘Highly pathogenic avian influenza'. This form, which was first recognised in Italy in 1878, is extremely contagious in birds and rapidly fatal, with a mortality rate approaching 100%. Birds can die on the same day that symptoms first appear. Recent outbreaks of a new form of highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N1, have occurred in the far east and more recently in European countries including France , Germany and Italy . We have now had our first case of a dead wild swan testing positive for H5N1 here in the UK .

Avian influenza is spread by the movement of infected birds or contact with respiratory secretions. Apart from being highly contagious, avian influenza viruses are readily transmitted from farm to farm by mechanical means, such as contaminated equipment, vehicles, feed, cages or clothing. Highly pathogenic viruses can survive for long periods in the environment, especially when temperatures are low.

Avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds. Transmission to humans in close contact with poultry or other birds occurs rarely and only with some strains avian influenza. There has been a limited number of cases in which evidence suggests human to human transmission but to date there is no evidence that the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has adapted to spread easily in humans; humans are usually infected only through close contact with live infected poultry or infective material from poultry.

The severity of disease in humans varies from mild disease to severe respiratory disease. This depends on the strain of virus and characteristics of the person infected. Human deaths have been reported following severe disease. In February 2006, the World Health Organisation had confirmed 169 cases of H5N1 in humans in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, China, Turkey and Iraq, leading to 91 deaths.

The means by which people become infected with disease vary but commonly include hand to mouth contact with contaminated objects, inhaling or swallowing minute infective particles, and in some cases via cuts. The main risk of infection to poultry workers from avian influenza is from close contact with sick and dead or dying infected poultry or contaminated dust and faeces.

There is currently no vaccine to protect people against avian influenza infection or disease, though one is being developed. There is however good evidence that avian influenza viruses respond to antiviral drugs.

On the basis of current scientific evidence, the Food Standards Agency advises that avian flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers. This is because for people, the risk of catching the disease is from being in close contact with live poultry that have the disease and not through eating cooked poultry, game or eggs.

The most important control measures are rapid destruction of all infected or exposed birds, proper disposal of carcases and the quarantining and rigorous disinfection of farms.

If it becomes necessary to do a cull of the poultry in affected areas, those people involved in this task will need full protective clothing and respiratory protection. Where there is direct contact with infected persons or animals, P3 protection is required. This should take the form of disposable respirators. For those with no direct contact with the above but want to wear a mask as a precaution, a P2 mask is adequate. P1 medical or hygiene masks are not recommended as they offer insufficient protection for this category of risk. To ensure the appropriate mask is truly effective, it is imperative that it fits the face properly.

Respiratory protection can reduce the danger or infection by viruses but cannot completely prevent it. Biologically active hazards can enter the body through the skin or eyes so additional measures of protection will be necessary when in direct contact with any contaminated animals or people. Additional equipment required includes; goggles, gloves, protective clothing and footwear.

If you require any additional advice or information on this or any other matter, please feel free to contact us by phone, fax or e-mail. Our friendly staff will do there best to find you the right product at the right price.