avian influenza - bird flu

World Health OrganizationInfluenza Flu such as birds and pigs climates epidemic... World Health OrganizationWhat is Avian Influenza?. Bird Flu • Disease of wild birds, mainly waterfowl e

World Health Organization

Avian Influenza

Bird flu

• What is influenza?

• What is Avian Influenza?

• What is the current situation?

• Why is WHO concerned?

• What needs to be done?

World Health Organization

Influenza (Flu)

such as birds and pigs

climates

epidemic)

Influenza pandemics in the 20 th Century

1918: “Spanish Flu” 1957: “Asian Flu” 1968: “Hong Kong Flu”

40-50 million

deaths

1 million deaths

1 million deaths

•New virus strain

•No immunity

•Able to spread easily from person to person

World Health Organization

Structure of influenza A

H (hemagglutinin)

N (neuraminidase)

Influenza A viruses are classified by H and N types

World Health Organization

What is Avian Influenza?

Bird Flu

• Disease of wild birds, mainly waterfowl (e.g wild ducks)

• Does not usually cause severe illness in wild birds

• Domestic birds are more susceptible to some strains

• Virus excreted in faeces and respiratory secretions

• Human infections with avian influenza can occur, but rarely

• Influenza pandemics are thought to be caused by viruses that are avian/human influenza hybrids

Recent human infections by Avian Influenza

World Health Organization

How might a pandemic strain appear?

(First Mechanism)

Migratory water

birds

Domestic birds

How might a pandemic strain appear?

(Second Mechanism)

Migratory water

birds

Domestic birds

World Health Organization

How might a pandemic strain appear?

(Third Mechanism)

Migratory water

birds

Domestic birds

Current avian influenza situation

World Health Organization

Provinces with confirmed H5N1 Poultry Infection (N=42)

Confirmed Human Cases (N=10)

Situation in Viet Nam: Feb 1, 2004

Why is WHO concerned?

developing

World Health Organization

What do we have to do?

– Contain the outbreak in animals

– Protect humans

– Detect and investigate human cases

– Characterise the virus

– Prepare a vaccine prototype

How will it be done?

– Education and advice

– Protection for people killing sick chickens

– Infection control in health care settings

– Early diagnosis and treatment

– Enhanced surveillance

– Investigate the source of infection

World Health Organization

Vaccination

• Current vaccine

– Does not protect against H5N1

– Would reduce the chance of human /

avian co-infection and reassortment

– Must be used early (first 48 hours)

– Can protect against infection

World Health Organization

General advice

• Avoid high risk areas – farms, live poultry markets

• If you do have contact with a high risk environment

- wash your hands well

• If you develop a fever (>37.5)

– consult your doctor

– stay at home

• If you visit a patient - follow advice of hospital staff

• WHO does not recommend any travel restrictions

Food safety

take care and wash eggs

is inactivated by cooking

World Health Organization

Thank you