The
spread of bird flu (H5N1) has led us to Europe and Africa
since the last update in the service newspapers. However,
there hasn’t been a significant change in the risk
to humans to date.
Bird flu has spread rapidly since late 2005 from Asia
to Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The United States
expects it will arrive on its shores before year’s
end.
Since the virus re-emerged in Asia in 2003, outbreaks
have been confirmed in more than 45 countries and territories,
according to data from the World Organisation for Animal
Health (OIE). Since the beginning of January, 2006, more
than 30 countries have reported outbreaks, in most cases
involving wild birds such as swans.
The virus has killed 107 people since 2003 in nine countries
and territories, according to the World Health Organisation
(WHO). Countries with confirmed human cases are: Azerbaijan,
Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey
and Vietnam. Indonesia and Vietnam have the highest number
of cases, accounting for 64 of the total deaths. In total,
the virus is known to have infected 190 people since 2003,
according to WHO. A large proportion of those who have
died are children and young adults.
The H5N1 virus is not new to science. The virus made the
first known jump into humans in Hong Kong in 1997, infecting
18 people and killing six of them. The government ordered
the immediate culling of the territory’s entire poultry
flock, ending the outbreak.
Bird flu has so far not been transmitted from human to
human, but can be caught from close contact with infected
poultry and feathered birds.
Symptoms
Symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical
influenza-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat
and muscle aches, to eye infections (conjunctivitis),
gastrointestinal symptoms, pneumonia, acute respiratory
distress, viral pneumonia, and other severe and life-threatening
complications.
Travel
WHO advises travelers to affected areas to avoid live
animal markets and poultry farms and any free-ranging
or caged poultry. Travelers are not considered at elevated
risk unless there is direct and unprotected exposure to
infected birds (including feathers, faeces and under-cooked
meat and poultry).
If human-to-human transmission, an epidemic or pandemic
occurs, Defence will issue updated advice.
For further information regarding Avian/Pandemic Influenza
or Bird Flu please refer to the brochure published Nov
2005 at http://defweb2.cbr.defence.gov.au/dpedhs/Avian_Flu/Avian_home.htm
or email DOOH@defence.gov.au
