| A Simple & Easy Way To Dramatically Reduce Your Risk of Catching the BIRD FLU Currently avian influenza, or bird flu, is only known to spread to humans from contact with the faeces or respiratory secretions of infected birds. The bird flu virus does not pass from human to human. However influenza viruses survive by mutating constantly and if the bird flu virus mutates to a form that can be transmitted between humans the consequences could be catastrophic... UN health officials have warned the bird flu virus could mutate at any time and as a human to human virus would be likely to kill from 5 to 150 million people. Vaccine supplies are likely to be inadequate even if an effective vaccine could be produced quickly enough for a rapidly mutating strain of avian influenza. So what can we do to reduce our chances of catching a killer virus like the bird flu? Fortunately the safest, most effective bird flu prevention is almost ridiculously simple... HOW VIRUSES LIKE THE BIRD FLU ARE TRANSMITTED Many people think viruses like the common cold and influenza fly through the air then into your body through your mouth or nose. But most viruses don't fly into your body - they hitchhike! When you have a flu and you sneeze, all those droplets containing the influenza virus travel through the air and often land on items people touch frequently, like doorknobs, desks or telephones. With a virus on your hands all you need to do is touch, scratch or rub your eyes or nose and the virus can enter your body. Over ninety percent of respiratory viruses get into your body when you touch your eyes and nose with your fingernails. Cleaning your hands could be the key to avoiding the common cold and influenzas like the bird flu. You should thoroughly wash and dry your hands every time you go to the toilet and any time you have hand to hand contact with people or contact with birds. The next time you go to rub your eyes or engage in an unmentionable activity with your nostrils remember viruses don't fly into your body- they hitchhike. THE SIMPLE WAY TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ILLNESS The most important thing that can be done to prevent colds and flu is the practice of good handwashing skills," says Pamela Aaltonen, public health expert and associate professor in the School of Nursing at Purdue University. "As the temperatures outside drop and we all start spending more time in enclosed spaces, we start sharing the same organisms, which live on surfaces such as doorknobs and keyboards. That's why it is so crucial to wash these organisms off to prevent their spread." Aaltonen says studies have shown that 40 percent to 60 percent of people don't wash their hands after using the restroom. And those who do wash their hands often don't know the proper technique. "Most people who do wash their hands do so much too quickly," she says. "In order to be effective, hands should be washed with soap from 20 to 25 seconds. The three keys are soap, friction and water. "If we could get the world to embrace handwashing, we would have much less illness." She says hands should be washed after going to restroom; before preparing and eating food; after helping a child to use the bathroom; after changing a diaper; after blowing your nose; coughing or sneezing into your hands; after handling non-human animals or waste; and before carrying out first aid for an open cut or wound. In addition to handwashing, Aaltonen says eating right, getting enough sleep and exercising help bolster the immune system and fight sickness. "Doing these things boosts what we call inherent resistance," she says. "For instance, we see a lot more illness among college students around midterms and finals because they have been skimping on sleep and not eating right." She says it is important to stay home from work or school if you do feel under the weather to avoid carrying germs into a larger population. Also, older people should take special care because pneumonia can develop after a bout with an illness like the flu. Source: http://preventbirdflu.50webs.com/ |
| Avian flu from an animal rights perspective Regretfully we have to acknowledge the emergence of the avian flu virus in Asia and Europe, and its possible fatal effects when effected birds are in direct contact with humans, unless the necessary precautions are taken. Professional advice should be sought by people who are more at risk due to their direct contact with animals at risk. In the interest of public health, we welcome the Government's instructions demanding that all farms be registered and checked. It is worth a mention that the fast spread of the avian flu came about due to lack of basic "animal welfare" in farms in Asia and Europe, such as overcrowded chicken farms for commercial interests. In this vein, we would like to make it clear that in the possible emergence of avian flu in Malta, effected birds should be medically treated, and if killed, this should be done humanely, on the spot, and not thrown alive in refuse bins as has happened in countries like Romania. Regrettably, we acknowledge the fact that in the case of infected birds, the animals who would be killed anyway, either through the virus (though this could be treated - see below) or through the usual killing for human consumption (whether or not we approve of the practice). But treatment due to dogs euthanised by the least painful means possible should also apply to these animals. The fact that dogs are considered as "pets" and chickens wrongly considered as property does not change the fact that both are sentient and conscious creatures and both suffer. Morally just treatment would require that infected birds are euthanised, that is killed with the least painful means possible. We are therefore very pleased with the Director of the Food and Veterinary Regulations Division Dr Mireille Vella's statement that (in the event of) "the confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu, various measures are undertaken such as the killing of the animals in the infected holding in a humane manner", and also Dr Carmel Lino Vella's comment that "In putting down the birds, animal welfare aspects have to be kept in mind". What we question is whether, considering that infected birds could be quarantined and treated with antibiotics, this would not be the humane option. Of course, economic interests dictate otherwise, considering that non-human animals are still considered as replacable property. But at least, the minimum requirement that infected animals be killed humanely is being considered. We would also expect that people do not take an alarmist approach. Preventive measures such as killing healthy wild birds like pigeons and migratory birds should not be resorted to. Hunting infected birds will not solve anything since the virus is still transmitted to humans unless precautionary measures are taken by the hunters, or other people who come into contact with migratory birds, even if the birds are dead. In the case where the bird in question cannot transmit the virus to humans or other animals, that is, if it is not a carrier of the virus, hunting this bird would in any case be unnecessary. With regards to pigeons, it is worth noting that Dr Mireille Vella, was quoted by The Times as saying that "although care always had to be exerted, pigeons were not carriers and usually died within the hour of contracting the disease. Pigeons could act as a sentinel to indicate that the virus has arrived in Malta. If we see 50 dead pigeons, then we would know that something might be wrong. However it was important that nobody poisoned pigeons in a bid to cause alarm". It is also worthy of note that poisoning is animal cruelty and falls under the animal welfare act. Furthermore, if any action is to be taken either to control the pigeon population, or else to prevent or stop the avian flu virus, any decision may only be taken by the Government's Animal Welfare Council, chaired by the Chief Government Vet. It is also important to note that poison intended for pigeons may be lethal to other animals as well, such as stray cats, and may also put humans in danger, particularly young children who may touch the poison and put their fingers in their mouth, as often young children do. We expect the Government to prosecute on animal cruelty charges any Local Council which takes it into its own hands to poison pigeons or other animals. Regarding roof-top tanks with defective lids, which present the risk of dead birds ending up in these tanks, a possibility that was mentioned in a letter to The Times, we trust the public is responsible enough to check that tanks are always securely covered, in the interest of their own health, irrespective of whether avian flu arrives in Malta or not. Regarding the safety of consuming non-human animal products, though people were reassured that, for instance, chickens from affected countries would not be imported, and while it has been stated that the virus is killed if their flesh is cooked at the right temperature, the public would be well advised that the best way to avoid the virus is by going vegetarian or vegan. While cooking may kill the virus, a chicken, for instance, is not automatically transferred to the cooker. Chickenss have to be handled by humans to be cooked, and handling infected animals may transfer the virus to the human handler. See also: The price of meat: Bird flu Eating meat threatens millions with bird flu |
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| (Above) CIUT interview with Michael Greger, M.D., a founding member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and an internationally recognized lecturer on nutrition and food safety issues. Dr. Greger is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Agriculture and the Tufts University School of Medicine. He is currently the Director of Public Health and Animal Agriculture for HSUS (Humane Society of the United States). |
| Avian flu and animal rights abuse - Kyaw S. Win Hundreds of thousands of chickens in Thailand and as much as a million were slaughtered in Asia due to the orders executed by government policies. Bird flu could have been managed with antibiotics and sensitive and naturally-harmonious care towards animal breeding practices. It is certainly an unimpressive aggression towards Thai chickens concerning the recent bird flu paranoia. Instead of going back to the ignorant sacrificial solution by slaughtering hundreds of thousands of lovely fowls, Thai Agricultural Ministry should be treating the chickens with antibiotics that our competent veterinarians advise. Viva la medical science. Modern science and international cooperation could assist in curing the ill animals which must be lower than what human intelligence can estimate. In fact poultry businesses in the UK and worldwide have fed antibiotics to the animals since the 1950s to increase the weight of chickens or to rid of bacterial exposure in chicks, while significantly reducing the lifespan of the poor little animals. Industry and pollutions further threaten all lives on this planet with new viruses and cancers. Now humanity have progressed a bit more: massacre the animals consumed by our collective paranoia, not hunger or capitalist commercialism. World governments' ease in abusing the animal rights to life is appalling: (a) the EU and UK enthusiastically burned the possibly mad cows, oops not mad people, (b) Malaysia did bury pigs alive into hellish holes 2 years ago, (c) China culled hudreds of exotic civet cats in fear of the communist government’s probe into delicacy cuisines, and (d) in Burma stray dogs may be poisoned by the city council to please the elites’ eyes. The ministry ought to stop the horrible treatment of our fellow earthlings, two-legged chicken friends, and begin to demonstrate that we are a real developing nation with knowhow and healthcare accessible to all, including chickens. KYAW S. WIN Source: http://www8.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/world/2004/02/285628.html |
| Avian Flu: The way forward - Dr Carmel Lino Vella (Veterinary Surgeon). A lot has been written regarding the simulation exercise carried out recently to test the effectiveness of the response to an avian influenza suspected presence on a farm. Unfortunately, this initiative, that was primarily a veterinary exercise, was given more importance in relation to movement control in the surveillance zone rather than the activities that were carried out by veterinary and para-veterinary officials. The local authorities recognise the necessary assistance needed from the police, civil protection and the army. In fact, this has been entrenched in the Veterinary Services Act. One must recall that the foot and mouth disease could not be contained in the UK till Tony Blair took over and got the army engaged in the disposal of carcases. Under the EU acquis, member states must have in place a contingency plan for a number of notifiable diseases and that such plans have to be put at a test to ensure effective response. Once a report of a suspected case reaches the chief veterinary officer (CVO) an immediate investigation is carried out and at the same time the CVO sets up and puts in motion a National Disease Control Centre (NDCC), which centre will, under the CVO's direct command, coordinate all activities as set up under the contingency plan. A movement restriction will be imposed on the affected farm and any contagious farm that is considered at a high risk. The epidiomological investigations on the farm would be initiated and would include aging of the lesions, listing of movement of livestock, personnel and traffic, carrying out a census of the stock etc. Such information would then be transmitted to the NDCC (including sealed biological samples for testing) for the expert group to advise on the best possible way to tackle the disease. It is up to the CVO, on considering the experts' report, to decide on immediate depopulation or otherwise prior to laboratory confirmation. Once the disease is confirmed, a number of activities would be put into action. A local disease control centre would be set up to deal with the depopulation and disposal of carcases, the disinfection of the farm and the destruction of any material that could act as a future vector. In putting down the birds, animal welfare aspects have to be kept in mind and as such the local plan lays down the rule that birds have to be put down using carbon dioxide. The horrendous ways of handling and killing birds that we have seen recently on TV must be condemned. Surveillance zones and protection zones are set up. Within the surveillance zone, besides movement restrictions, all farms have to be visited and screened for the disease. Activity within the protection zone is not so restrictive but screening of all farms is also carried out. The use of vaccination depends on the epidemiology of the disease but in Malta once the vaccine is available immediate cover of all flocks would be carried out. In carrying out all the necessary activities the veterinary and supporting staff, as well as the private practitioners that might be enrolled to help with the limited government staff complement, must have had the necessary training. It must also be assured that the veterinary division has all the necessary equipment to immediately deal with a disease outbreak. The recent exercise must have shown any deficiencies and it is the responsibility of the government to provide the tools. One must emphasise that the spread within the eastern countries has been due to deficiencies in the veterinary controls and that help from the UN has been slow in coming. In this day and age human health is highly dependent on the strength and organisation of the veterinary services within each state due to the spread of zoonotic diseases and food contamination at the point of production and processing. The World Animal Health Organisation has set up a guidance for the organisation of veterinary services and such guidance should be followed and, hopefully, in the future state veterinary services would be accredited. Such accreditation can then allow for free trade as envisaged by WTO. Dr Carmel Lino Vella, Veterinary Surgeon, Mosta. |
| Continuous efforts to be prepared - Dr Mireille Vella The Food and Veterinary Regulation Division within the Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry would like to remind the public that the contingency plan sets out the structures and systems that would be implemented in the eventuality of an outbreak of disease. The plan is soundly based in the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Malta. It reflects the importance of a close partnership with those who would be involved in an outbreak, including farmers who share the responsibility for preventing the spread of disease. The plan is a living document and its constant revision provides a valuable opportunity to review, revise and update the arrangements. The plan consists of a number of measures including the preliminary investigation (the initial epidemiological enquiry, movement restrictions, clinical inspection, public health issues, post mortem examinations, killing for diagnosis, collection and dispatch of samples, reports and action pending laboratory results). In the confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu, various measures are undertaken such as the killing of the animals in the infected holding in a humane manner, disposal of carcasses, destruction of material, further epidemiological enquiries, cleaning and disinfection, preventive killing, the establishment of protection and surveillance zones and the repopulation of the infected holding. Various scenarios are included in the contingency plan such as an outbreak in a slaughterhouse and the measures to be taken. The simulation was evaluating not only the response time, which is fundamental in an outbreak, but the various above-mentioned measures which are described in detail in the contingency plan. Measures have always been taken such as regular inspections on farms, movement permits, animal welfare inspections, inspections at hatcheries and slaughterhouses. Additional measures were the issuing of information on what the symptoms of Bird Flu are; biosecurity measures which have to be taken at farm level such as hygiene; monitoring of the duck population on the island; close cooperation with Birdlife Malta and hunting organisations such as FKNK in the collection of samples; regular contact with customs at the Airport, port and Freeport and other entities; standard operating procedures for hunters in handling birds; modification and approval by the European Commission of the surveillance programme for Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu in poultry flocks and migratory wild birds. Malta has been closely monitoring the situation in the affected areas and borders have been closed in line with the European Commission’s decisions. One has to remember that animals and products of animal origin and products not fit for human consumption coming in from Third Countries are subjected to rigorous controls through the Border Inspections Posts present in the airport, port and freeport (approved by the European Commission). Transshipments are also checked through the manifests, thus ensuring that no products are coming in from affected areas. One also has to remember that measures and decisions such as those for hunting are based on sound scientific measures and Malta, like all other member states, is following the scientific advice being provided by experts. It has to be pointed out that there is no justification for the implementation of unilateral decisions. However, in the absence of any EU directive for a hunting ban, information has been forwarded to all hunters to ensure proper and safe handling of wild birds. It must be also stated that hunters, like many other stakeholders, have been very cooperative and comprehensive of the government’s initiatives in the best interests of public health and the local poultry sector. In cases like these, the government can only do its utmost to be in the best position to enforce and act in case of an emergency. However, much depends also on the general public’s cooperation, and this was highlighted further in the registration scheme that is being done on a voluntary basis. On a positive note, it must be stressed that this cooperation is forthcoming and it strengthens the government’s confidence in improving upon its defences and its state of preparedness in the eventuality of an outbreak of avian influenza on our shores. Dr Mireille Vella, Director Food and Veterinary Regulations Division Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment |