Bird flu still a threat to human health: WHO | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Bird flu still a threat to human health: WHO

IANS | By, Manila
Mar 24, 2010 05:25 PM IST

Avian influenza remains a threat to human health despite a decline in cases since a peak in 2006, the World Health Organisation warned on Wednesday.

Avian influenza remains a threat to human health despite a decline in cases since a peak in 2006, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Wednesday.

HT Image
HT Image

WHO noted that so far this year, 21 human cases of H5N1, including seven deaths, have been reported.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

"Sixteen of those were in Egypt, including five deaths, four in Vietnam, including one death, and one in Indonesia, who died," WHO's regional office in Manila said in a statement.

It added that Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Israel, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam have reported outbreaks of the disease in poultry or wild bird flocks.

WHO said the presence of H5N1 in poultry poses a health risk to humans, who could get infected through direct contact with contaminated birds.

It also warned that "the virus could undergo a process of reassortment with another influenza virus and produce a completely new strain."

"There is a constant risk that the H5N1 virus will combine with another strain of influenza," said Dr Takeshi Kasai, regional advisor for communicable disease surveillance and response.

"The influenza virus is unpredictable," he said. "In areas where H5N1 is endemic, WHO and its partners are working to build surveillance systems to identify changes in the behaviour of the virus, raising awareness about the risks and protective measures, and building skills and capacity to respond to outbreaks quickly."

WHO urged people to protect themselves when handling, transporting, slaughtering or processing infected poultry and to maintain good personal and food hygiene to decrease the risk of infection.

It also stressed the need for farms to report any death or illness in their flocks to animal health authorities.

In 2006, WHO recorded 115 human cases of avian influenza with 79 deaths. The number of cases has declined since then, with 73 cases and 32 deaths reported last year.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On