"Puzzling" latest WHO Flu Fact Sheet

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   The Reporter (Addis Ababa) 

February 4, 2006 

Posted to the web February 6, 2006 

"The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new fact sheet on 

avian influenza, the first since the disease moved out of Asia into Europe.

The document summarizes the course of bird flu in its two-year spread 

across Eurasia. In regard to the human cases that have 

appeared in six nations, the fact sheet points out some puzzling 

unknown factors. Human cases of disease have not appeared in 

commercial poultry enterprises or culling operations, as might be 

expected. Instead, the majority of cases have stricken previously 

healthy children and young adults exposed to small flocks kept 

indomestic settings.

Other bird species, including domestic poultry, develop disease when 

infected with avian influenza viruses. In poultry, the viruses cause two 

distinctly different form of disease one common and mild, the other rare 

and highly lethal. In the mild form, signs of illness may be expressed only 

as ruffled feathers, reduced egg production, or mild effects on the 

respiratory system. Outbreaks can be so mild they escape detection 

unless regular testing for viruses is in place.

In contrast, the second and far less common highly pathogenic form is 

difficult to miss. First identified in Italy in 1878, highly pathogenic avian 

influenza is characterized by sudden onset of severe disease, rapid 

contagion, and a mortality rate that can approach 100% within 48 hours. 

In this form of the disease, the virus not only affects the respiratory tract, 

as in the mild form, but also invades multiple organs and tissues. The 

resulting massive internal haemorrhaging has earned it the lay name of 

"chicken Ebola".

 For example, the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus can survive in bird faeces 

for at least 35 days at low temperature (4 C). At a much higher 

temperature (37 C), H5N1 viruses have been shown to survive, in faecal 

samples, for six days.

The use of poor quality vaccines or vaccines that poorly match the 

circulating virus strain may accelerate mutation of the virus. Poor quality 

animal vaccines may also pose a risk for human health, as they may allow 

infected birds to shed virus while still appearing to be disease-free."

">http://allafrica.com/stories/200602060166.html">

Edited by Rick

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: "Puzzling" latest WHO Flu Fact Sheet Posted: February 06 2006 at 8:15am
	The Reporter (Addis Ababa) February 4, 2006 Posted to the web February 6, 2006 "The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new fact sheet on avian influenza, the first since the disease moved out of Asia into Europe. The document summarizes the course of bird flu in its two-year spread across Eurasia. In regard to the human cases that have appeared in six nations, the fact sheet points out some puzzling unknown factors. Human cases of disease have not appeared in commercial poultry enterprises or culling operations, as might be expected. Instead, the majority of cases have stricken previously healthy children and young adults exposed to small flocks kept indomestic settings. Other bird species, including domestic poultry, develop disease when infected with avian influenza viruses. In poultry, the viruses cause two distinctly different form of disease one common and mild, the other rare and highly lethal. In the mild form, signs of illness may be expressed only as ruffled feathers, reduced egg production, or mild effects on the respiratory system. Outbreaks can be so mild they escape detection unless regular testing for viruses is in place. In contrast, the second and far less common highly pathogenic form is difficult to miss. First identified in Italy in 1878, highly pathogenic avian influenza is characterized by sudden onset of severe disease, rapid contagion, and a mortality rate that can approach 100% within 48 hours. In this form of the disease, the virus not only affects the respiratory tract, as in the mild form, but also invades multiple organs and tissues. The resulting massive internal haemorrhaging has earned it the lay name of "chicken Ebola". For example, the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus can survive in bird faeces for at least 35 days at low temperature (4 C). At a much higher temperature (37 C), H5N1 viruses have been shown to survive, in faecal samples, for six days. The use of poor quality vaccines or vaccines that poorly match the circulating virus strain may accelerate mutation of the virus. Poor quality animal vaccines may also pose a risk for human health, as they may allow infected birds to shed virus while still appearing to be disease-free." ">http://allafrica.com/stories/200602060166.html"> Edited by Rick