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Avian
Influenza (Bird Flu)
The
WHO (World Health Organization) issued a statement on
12th January, as follows:
'The
risk of infection for travellers to Turkey is negligible
provided direct contact with dead or diseased domestic
and wild birds is avoided.'
ABTA,
the Association of British Travel Agents, issued the
following information on 12th January:
³BIRD
FLU IN TURKEY. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has
confirmed a number of cases of bird flu in humans in
Turkey during January. The situation there is very
similar to the kinds of outbreaks in south east Asia,
which have been occurring since 2003 and there is still
no evidence of human to human transmission of the
disease. The Foreign Office, which takes advice on this
issue from the World Health Organisation and the
Department of Health, has not changed its advice to
Turkey as they report that the risk from Avian Influenza
is believed to be very low, provided travellers avoid
visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other
places where they may come into close contact with
domestic, caged or wild birds. They also advise
travellers to ensure that poultry and egg dishes are
thoroughly cooked. ³
The
facts
€
All the evidence shows that the only people who have
been infected have had close, direct contact with
infected birds.
€
There have been no cases of travellers being infected
anywhere in the world.
€
There have been no cases of transmission from human to
human anywhere in the world.
€
All of the cases have been amongst villagers, mostly in
the far east of Turkey, who often keep poultry in their
own homes.
Your
questions answered
Is
it safe to travel to Turkey?
There
have been no cases of travellers being infected by bird
flu anywhere in the world. All the evidence shows that
the only cases of bird flu have been contracted by
direct contact with infected birds and the World Health
Organisation says there is no sign that the virus is
passing from human to human.
The
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office states: ³The
risk of avian flu to British nationals visiting
countries affected by avian flu is believed to be very
low. There is no reason not to travel to these
countries.²
Likewise,
the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs states that "The
risk of avian flu to Irish nationals visiting affected
countries is believed to be low. There are no specific
restrictions for travellers to any of the countries
affected by avian influenza as the risk is believed to
be low."
How
has infection occurred in Turkey?
According
to the World Health Organisation, ³To date, all
evidence indicates that patients have acquired their
infections following close contact with diseased
poultry. Contact between people and poultry has likely
increased during the present cold weather, when the
custom among many rural households is to bring poultry
into their homes.
Based
on experiences during the avian H5N1 outbreaks in Asia,
behaviours that carry an especially high risk of
infection include the slaughtering, defeathering,
butchering, and preparation for consumption of diseased
poultry. These behaviours tend to occur most frequently
in rural areas where populations traditionally slaughter
and consume birds once deaths or signs of illness are
seen in poultry flocks.²
Is
it possible to catch bird flu?
The
following is taken from the WHO web site:
³The
risk of avian influenza to humans is almost entirely
confined to those who have had close contact with
infected domestic poultry. For people who have no
contact with domestic or wild birds the risk is almost
non-existent.
To
date, most human cases of avian influenza have occurred
in rural or periurban areas where many households keep
small poultry flocks, which often roam freely, sometimes
entering homes or sharing outdoor areas where children
play. As infected birds shed large quantities of the
virus in their faeces, opportunities for exposure to
infected droppings or to environments contaminated by
the virus are abundant under such conditions. Exposure
is considered most likely during slaughter, defeathering,
butchering, and preparation of poultry for cooking. ³
What
precautions should I take in Turkey?
According
to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, there
are no specific restrictions for travellers to any of
the countries affected by avian influenza, Œas the risk
is believed to be very low¹.
In
Turkey, as in the other countries where cases of bird
flu have been reported, you should avoid visiting live
animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you
may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild
birds and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly
cooked. Normal cooking destroys the avian influenza
virus. No cases of avian influenza have been linked to
the consumption of properly cooked poultry and egg
products.
As
the risks from avian influenza are considered small, the
UK¹s Health Protection Agency does not at present
advise tourists visiting affected areas to carry
anti-viral drugs. There have been no cases of avian flu
in travellers.
What
measures are being taken to contain this outbreak?
The
authorities are taking all measures to contain the
outbreak, including restricting livestock movement in
affected areas, culling of birds and an intensive
programme of public education. No evidence of
human-to-human transmission is reported.
Dr
Marc Danzon, WHO (World Health Organization) Regional
Director for Europe, said: "WHO has constantly
stressed how important it is that that Member States
facing outbreaks of avian influenza act swiftly and
forcefully to prevent any further spread of the disease.
My contacts with the Turkish health authorities have
convinced me that all necessary measures are being taken
to bring the whole situation under control."
The
WHO has confirmed that the Turkish government's
intensive public awareness campaign is having a positive
result in changing behaviour thereby reducing
opportunities for infection to occur. |
