BREAKING NEWS! BREAKING NEWS!! BREAKING NEWS!!! Ogun State Government confirms outbreak of Avian Influenza otherwise known as H5N1 and also known as BIRD FLU in Ota, Sagamu among others. So far seven states have reported the outbreak in Nigeria. Vanguard Newspapers. 27/01/15 We have not forgotten so soon the havoc this disease did in Europe and Asia. Millions of birds/fowls were slaughtered to prevent a total outbreak. My fear however, is that we eat all manners of frozen chicken imported and refrigerated from God knows where and with God knows what. With our poverty level (poverty of the mind and poverty of the pocket) rather slaughtering infected chickens, I see our smart profiteering Nigerians selling same to unsuspecting Nigerians thereby endangering larger populace. Please let us all educate ourselves about this new threat, Ota is just nearby and for all you know, it may already be here. INTRODUCTION TO BIRD FLU Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious viral illness that spreads among birds. In rare cases it can affect humans. There are many types of bird flu, most of which are harmless to humans. However, two types have caused serious concern in recent years. These are the H5N1 (since 1997) and H7N9 (since 2013) viruses. Although these viruses dont infect people easily and are usually not transmitted from human to human, several people have been infected around the world, leading to a number of deaths. Other bird flu viruses (particularly H7N7 and H9N2) have also infected people, but these have rarely caused severe illness. Bird flu affects many species of birds, including chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese. It can be passed between commercial, wild and pet birds. Birds do not always get sick from infection, so seemingly healthy birds may still pose a risk to people who come into contact with them. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Like other types of flu, bird flu symptoms often include a high temperature, aching muscles, headache and respiratory symptoms such as a cough or runny nose. Most people with the condition rapidly develop more severe respiratory problems. Diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal (tummy) pain, chest pain, and bleeding from the nose and gums have also been reported as early symptoms in some people. Within days, potentially fatal complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiple organ failure may develop. Having flu-like symptoms is extremely unlikely to mean you have bird flu, unless you have been in recent close contact with birds in an area where outbreaks have been reported. HUMAN CASES The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that by July 2013, 633 people had been infected with the H5N1 virus and 377 had died. These cases occurred in Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. Indonesia, Egypt and Vietnam experienced most cases and fatalities. Risk factors for human infection RISK FACTOR FOR HUMAN INFECTION (W.H.O.) The primary risk factor for human infection appears to be direct or indirect exposure to infected live or dead poultry or contaminated environments, such as live bird markets. Controlling circulation of the A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) viruses in poultry is essential to reducing the risk of human infection. Given the persistence of the A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) viruses in some poultry populations, control will require long-term commitments from countries and strong coordination between animal and public health authorities. There is no evidence to suggest that the A(H5N1)and A(H7N9) viruses can be transmitted to humans through properly prepared poultry or eggs. A few A(H5N1) human cases have been linked to consumption of dishes made of raw, contaminated poultry blood. However, slaughter, defeathering, handling carcasses of infected poultry, and preparing poultry for consumption, especially in household settings, are likely to be risk factors. Most cases were among middle-aged to elderly men. With the exception of one person, who traveled to Taiwan while infected, there have been no reports of human infections outside mainland China. For both viruses, there have been some reports of limited human to human transmission, usually as a result of very close contact between family members. People who have had bird flu generally developed the virus after coming into close and prolonged contact with infected birds. Millions of birds have been killed during outbreaks to prevent the disease spreading and being passed on to people. HOW BIRD FLU SPREADS TO HUMANS Bird flu is spread through direct contact with infected birds (dead or alive), an infected birds droppings, or secretions from their eyes or respiratory tract. Close and prolonged contact with an infected bird is generally required for the infection to spread to humans. For example: touching infected birds that are dead or alive inhaling or being in contact with dried dust from the droppings or bedding of infected birds inhaling or being in contact with droplets sneezed by infected birds culling, slaughtering, butchering or preparing infected poultry for cooking Bird flu is not transmitted through cooked food. Poultry and eggs are safe to eat in areas that have experienced outbreaks of bird flu. There have been few reports of bird flu passing from person to person. Although it is difficult to prevent the spread of bird flu between birds, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk when you visit areas where outbreaks have been reported, such as: avoid visiting live animal markets and poultry farms avoid contact with surfaces that are contaminated with bird droppings dont pick up or touch birds (dead or alive) dont eat or handle undercooked or raw poultry, egg or duck dishes dont bring any live poultry products back to the NIGERIA, including feathers always practice good personal hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly PLEASE LET US ALL ACT NOW & FAST
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 11:53:19 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015