Health Articles : Infections : Bird Flu
Bird Flu Virus : Bird Flu Thailand
Bird Flu UpdateAvian influenza is an infection caused due to avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among all birds. Wild birds worldwide ..... Thailand was first hit by the devastation and the havocs caused by the 1918-19 pandemic known as the Spanish flu that encircled the world. Recently in November 2003 the country reported cases of an epidemic that caused death to more than 30,000 poultry birds approximately. At that time the Thai Government classified the disease as chicken cholera. However after researches carried out by the World health Organizations it was confirmed the causes of the deaths due to outbreak of the avian virus. Later on 23rd of January 2004 the first cases of the transmission of the virus from the poultry to the humans were reported. Several deaths were reported in various regions and were classified as the result of avian flu.
The world health organization has classified the spread of the disease in most the regions of the country and are concerned over the matter that it poses a potential threat for a possible human outbreak in the near future. The main cause of the outbreak was figured out as the H5N1 virus that caused deaths to 40 people in the 2003 and 2004. The virus is highly contagious and can get transmitted through the feces, feathers and nasal secretions. The domesticated birds in most part of Thailand are believed to have been infected through contact with the wild waterfowls that migrates to the swamps and marshes in the southern part of the country. Authorities have also suggested that Thailand being the largest exporter of poultry in the South East, have poor conditions regarding the health and the hygienic conditions of the birds. This has been concluded after several surveillance programs are carried out throughout the nation after the out break of the epidemics.
In view of the present situation the Thai government has decided to cull more 2.7 poultry birds most of which are free range ducks. The government has decided to act upon the step after a research by the United Nations health officials concluded that ducks have been found to shed high levels of the H5N1 virus without appearing ill. This may bring down a heavy blow to the farming industry of the country as more than 32% of the total income depends on the import of poultry. Moreover after the recent outbreaks, most of the European and the Middle East counties have banned the import of birds, eggs or any other poultry products from Thailand.
Bird Flu In ChinaBird flu is a severe infection of the wild birds with various strains of influenza viruses. Initially it is very difficult to detect the infected birds as most of .....
Bird Flu SpreadBird influenza viruses circulate among birds worldwide. Certain birds, normally the water birds, act as hosts for influenza viruses by carrying the virus .....
|