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The Bird Flu Situation

The Bird Flu Situation. Facts about Bird Flu. What is Bird Flu?. A highly contagious poultry disease caused by a virus Can infect a variety of other birds Domestic poultry such as chickens and turkeys most susceptible. How do humans get infected?.

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The Bird Flu Situation

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  1. TheBird FluSituation

  2. Facts aboutBird Flu

  3. What is Bird Flu? • A highly contagious poultry diseasecaused by a virus • Can infect a variety of other birds • Domestic poultry such aschickens and turkeysmost susceptible

  4. How do humans get infected? • Through close contact with infected birdse.g. breathing in particles from their droppings • Rare for bird flu to infect humans • No evidence of human-to-human transmission to dateaccording to WHO

  5. What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans? • Fever, cough, muscle ache, runny nose, and sore throat • Some may get eye infectionsand have difficulty breathing • Pneumonia or othercomplications may occurat a later stage

  6. Can bird flu be cured? • Tamiflu, an anti-viral drug, appears to be effective in treating bird flu • Further testing being doneto confirm effectiveness

  7. Past cases of Bird Flu infecting humans Hong Kong (1997) • H5N1 virus infected both chickens and humans • First time an avian influenza virus found to transmit directly from birds to humans • 18 people hospitalised and 6 died • 1.5 million chickens killed • Virus spread primarily from birds to humans; rare person-to-person infection noted

  8. Past cases of Bird Flu infecting humans Netherlands (2003) • H7N7 virusinfections among poultry workers and their families in the Netherlands during an outbreak of avian flu among poultry • More than 80 cases of H7N7 illness reported and 1 patient died

  9. Bird Flu Outbreak 2004 • In birds: Outbreaks of H5N1 virus confirmed among poultry in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong (in a single peregrine falcon), Indonesia, Japan, Laos, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam (as at 4 Feb 2004) • In people: Cases of H5N1 infection in Vietnam and Thailand. Deaths have been reported.

  10. The Situation inSingapore

  11. Should I be alarmed? • Bird flu is NOT a significant public health threat to Singapore • There are few poultry farms in Singapore, and the slaughter of poultry is not carried out in wet markets

  12. What has been done? • Imports of live poultry and birds, poultry meat and eggs from bird flu-affected countries banned • Stepped-up inspection and testing of imported eggs and poultry at points of entry • Stepped-up checks onlocal poultry farmsand slaughterhouses

  13. What has been done? • Farms required to implement biosecurity measures e.g. bird-proofing poultry houses, disinfecting vehicles • Farm and slaughterhouse employees briefed on how to recognise signs of bird flu, and required to report unusual deathsor suspicion of the disease • Farms closed to visitors

  14. Are we prepared for an outbreak? • Within an hour of the first bird flu case being detected, AVA and related agencies will be mobilised to control the situation • All hospitals and doctors advised to be on alert • Suspected cases will be sent to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for assessment, and to Communicable Diseases Centre 2 for isolation if necessary

  15. Culling plans • Will start culling all birds in local farms as soon as clinical signs of bird flu appear with positive test results • All farms will be “sealed up” during culling • Eggs produced will be destroyed • Ex-gratia payment will be made to owners of the farms for the poultry culled • Measures necessary to eradicate disease, safeguard public health and maintain public confidence

  16. Eatingchickensand other poultry

  17. Is it safe to eat chickens, eggs, and other poultry products? • The poultry and eggs available in the market are safe to eat • No evidence that you can get bird flu by eating chicken, eggs and other poultry

  18. What about cannedpoultry products? • Canned poultry products such as essence of chicken are also safe to eat • All canned productsundergo a heat treatmentprocess that effectivelydestroys any viruses

  19. Food Supply • With more countries affected by bird flu, prices may go up temporarily • Shortfall could be met by: • Alternative sources • Buffer stocks of frozen poultry meat • Liquid and powdered eggs

  20. Tips for cooking poultry • Separate raw food from cooked food • Wash your hands before and after preparing food • Cook poultry meat thoroughly • Avoid eating raw orhalf-boiled eggs orsemi-cooked meat

  21. Live Birdsin Singapore

  22. Can other birds spread the disease? • Crows, mynahs and pigeons in Singapore are not knownto carry bird flu. • Migratory birds can becarriers. • AVA, NParks and NEA conduct regular checks on birds in Singapore. • So far, no flu viruseshave been detected

  23. Is it safe to visit the Jurong Bird Park and the Zoo? • Singapore is free from bird flu • It is safe to go to places where birds can be founde.g. Sungei Buloh,Jurong Bird Park or the Zoo

  24. Is it safe to keep birds or poultry as pets? • All imported live birds monitored by AVA for infectious diseases • Risk of pet birds getting infected low • Precaution: Keep birds inenclosure so that they do notcome into contact with wild birds • Wash your hands thoroughlywith soap after handling your pets

  25. What are the signs of infection? • Sudden death • Lack of energy and appetite • Swelling of head, eyelids,comb, wattles and legs • Purple discolouration of thewattles and combs • Nasal discharge • Coughing and sneezing • Diarrhoea

  26. Who can help if I decided to give up my pet birds or chickens? • AVA’s Centre for Animal Welfare and Control can help put down your pets humanely • Hotline Number: 1800-476 1600

  27. Travelling Overseas

  28. Is it safe to visit countries with cases of bird flu? • WHO has not advised any travel restrictions so far • No quarantined when you return • When visiting affected countries, avoid farms and live poultry and birds, and adopt good hygiene practices

  29. Should I get vaccinated against influenza before I travel? • MOH recommendation: • Children aged 6 months and older shouldbe vaccinated if travelling to temperate countries in the Northern Hemisphere • Persons likely to beexposed to infectedchickens or farmsshould alsobe vaccinated

  30. Should I get vaccinated against influenza before I travel? • Purpose of vaccination is to avoid risk of people being infected bybird and humanvirus at thesame time

  31. What should I do if I suspect I have bird flu? • Consult your doctor immediately if you have had contact with live birds or travelled to a country which has cases of bird flu • Or call 993 for a special ambulance to take you to the Communicable Disease Centre for evaluation

  32. Sources of information • Internet websites • www.birdflu.gov.sg • www.epic.gov.sg • www.ava.gov.sg • www.moh.gov.sg

  33. Sources of information • AVA Hotline:1800-226 2250 • MOH Hotline:1800-333-9999

  34. ThankYou

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