Bird Flu

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Bird Flu

• Bird Flu. www.kolkatabirds.com

Free Range Chickens. www.blackangusacres.com
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What is Bird Flu?
Logo desigin thinking face. http//www.designstar
z.co.uk/images/logo_design_uk_r05_c7.gif

• Is an infection caused by avian influenza viruses
• Birds can asymptomatically carry these viruses in
  their intestines
• The subtype of influenza A virus, H5N1 virus, is
  responsible for bird flu

H5N1 VIRUS ?
Transmission electron micrograph of avian
influenza H5N1 virus. www.sfcdcp.org/.../
Image/avian_flu_virus.jpg
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Transmission

• Transmitted via saliva, nasal secretions and
  feces of infected birds
• The infection is spread to humans when they are
  in contact with infected bird
• The infection is not easily transmitted from
  human to human but it is possible
• It is currently classified as a self-limitng
  disease. Human to human transmission will
  signify a transition to the next WHO pandemic
  phase.

Bird Flu Masks. www.bird-flu-masks.co.uk
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Symptoms

• Symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough,
  muscle aches etc. (Flu-like symptoms)
• These symptoms can progress to eye infections,
  pneumonia and respiratory infections that lead to
  death

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Treatment and Prevention

• As of now, there are NO vaccines against bird flu
• However, prophylactic treatment with
  neuraminidase inhibitors (that interact with the
  N of H5N1) is licensed in the U.K.
• Zanamivir and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) are the most
  common type of NA inhibitor
• The WHO possess three million doses of Tamiflu
  (produced by Roche) to be used to prevent a
  pandemic.

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Confirmed Cases of H5N1
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Migration Route of Birds
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H5N1 Prevalence in Birds
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A Potential Influenza Pandemic

• Is there cause for concern?
• The Harbin Veterinary Institute and St. Jude
  Childrens Research Hospital reported their
  observations of H5n! In mice
• A clear temporal pattern of progressively
  increasing pathogenicity.
• Taubenberger JK. Nature. Oct. 2005

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Anticipating a Pandemic

• "The United States is collaborating closely with
  eight international organizations, including the
  World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and
  Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health
  (OIE), and 88 foreign governments to address the
  situation.
• Methods include planning, greater monitoring,
  and full transparency in reporting and
  investigating avian influenza occurrences
• Wikipedia.com

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The U.S. Plan

• The National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza
  guides our preparedness and response to an
  influenza pandemic, with the intent of (1)
  stopping, slowing or otherwise limiting the
  spread of a pandemic to the United States (2)
  limiting the domestic spread of a pandemic, and
  mitigating disease, suffering and death and (3)
  sustaining infrastructure and mitigating impact
  to the economy and the functioning of society.
• http//www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/pandemic-influe
  nza.html

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The U.S. Plan

• Headed by the Homeland Security Council, the
  document outlines three pillars for pandemic
  prevention
• 1. Preparedness and Communication
• 2. Surveillance and Detection
• 3. Response and Containment

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Possible Economic Impact

• Diminished work force
• Dramatically reduced consumer spending
• Decreased trade
• Decline in travel
• Increased health care
• costs
• Large costs of importing
• drugs

www.fhw.gr
http//www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?new
sid39535
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The International Monetary Funds Predictions

• Cannot estimate numbers until the severity of the
  pandemic is known
• A severe case would result in a sharp but only
  temporary economic disruption
• The global economy should heal quickly once the
  pandemic subsides

http//www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/afp/2006/eng/0
22806.htm
http//www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/cras
h/art/imf.jpg