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Continued risk of Avian flu in Asia
18 July 2004
WHO continues to be concerned by the simultaneous outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in several Asian countries. In the last two weeks, avian influenza appears to have reemerged in poultry in several countries in Asia.
These outbreaks could either be new outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) virus or a continuation of the outbreaks first reported earlier in the year.
These events, in addition to two new research reports -- about the virus becoming increasingly pathogenic and becoming more widespread in birds in the region -- fuel the World Health Organizations concern about the threat the virus poses to human health.
Effective risk management tools exist to control outbreaks of influenza A(H5N1) when they are detected in poultry operations, but not in wild birds.
China, for example, was quick to employ these tools last week when an outbreak was discovered in Anhui province.
These risk management measures include the culling of infected and exposed birds, stringent biosecurity measures and vaccination. While this approach can still take months or even years to contain the virus completely, these methods have been effective in the past.
In summary, recent developments suggest that:
- the virus is more widespread than previously thought and found in wild birds, and therefore it may be more difficult to eliminate.
- as control measures are strengthened, national governments are encouraged to provide human influenza vaccinations to culling workers.
- all people, especially culling workers, exposed to infected birds need to be provided with antivirals.
- human trials of experimental influenza pandemic vaccines should be accelerated.
- while early identification of avian influenza cases in humans is difficult, stepped up surveillance for the early detection of the disease in humans is essential.
Source: W.H.O.
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