Avian Flu H5N1 ERIC 吳玟晏 JANE 呂嘉心

What is the Avian Flu?  A contagious disease. (only between birds)  Lately, a subtype crossed the species barrier to infect human.  Domestic poultry: –High pathogenic (fatal, internal organs severely injured, within 48 hours) –Low pathogenic (mild symptoms like ruffled feathers, a drop in egg production)

Which viruses cause highly pathogenic disease?  Influenza A viruses have 16 H subtypes and 9 N subtypes. (H and N)  H5 and H7 subtypes are known to cause the highly pathogenic form of the disease.  When they can circulate in poultry populations, they can mutate, and grow unto a pathogenic form.

Sources of the Avian Flu  Avian Flu is infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. The disease, which was first identified in Italy more than 100 years ago, occur worldwide.  1918 outbreaks in Italy, a Pandemic, the virus was H1N1.

Risks  First, if the virus can break the barrier between birds and human beings, it will cause very severe disease.  Second, if given enough opportunities, it will change into a form that is highly infectious for humans and spreads easily from person to person. Then it will start a global outbreak (a pandemic.)

A Timeline of A.F.  1996 = Highly pathogenic H5N1 virus is isolated from a farmed goose in Guangdong.  1997 = Human infections with H5N1 reported in Hong Kong.  2003 ~ = An outbreak in Asia in mid-2003 (some cases are unreported)

A History Chart of A.F.

Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5N1) Reported to WHO 9 December 2005 Date of onset CambodiaChinaIndonesiaThailandViet NamTotal c a se s deaths casescases cases death s cases de at hs cases death s casesdeaths Total Total number of cases includes number of deaths. WHO reports only laboratory-confirmed cases.

References  世界衛生組織禽流感專頁 za/en/ za/en/

Animal to human Environment to human Human to human Transmission

Animal to human  Touching diseased birds  Handling fighting cocks  Playing with poultry  Eating undercooked poultry

Environment to human  Droppings from poultry, migratory birds, etc.  Our situation

Human to human  Rarely reported  Possibility in global influenza pandemic

Whether bird flu comes to Taiwan or not  To come or not? Or When it comes?  Migratory birds  Outbreak of bird flu  What we can do? --Avoid migratory --Keep hands clean

A Correct Way to Wash Your Hands

Wet your hand Remember the correct steps in washing your hands? Soap Your hand Wash really well Rinse your hand Use paper towel     

Sources of information  Internet website

Bird flu hotline  1922   177

Take Care !