13/1/2006
Bird Flu: Challenge to Control Disease in Animals, Says UN Agency Doctor

A UN bird flu expert called on the international community this week to focus on controlling the disease in animals, while it is trying to contain the number of human infections.  Dr. Guenael Rodier, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) Special Adviser on Communicable Diseases, said: "With the emergence of new outbreaks, the challenge is to control the disease in animals."

"The virus in birds is unlikely to disappear quickly. Without watching, we will not be able to prevent new outbreaks," the specialist said, adding that transmission in Turkey appeared to be occurring among families with children. "This may mean that infection occurred because children were playing with dead or infected chickens," he added.

Various experts in veterinary science and epidemiology are investigating the reason for the outbreak. Dr. Rodier emphasizes that the cases indicate infections in humans occurring due to "clear documented contact with poultry". Referring to the virus that causes avian influenza, he said: "There is no evidence to suggest any difference in the disease pattern than what we have previously seen for H5N1.

"More work needs to be done, however, particularly in terms of isolation in hospitals, and in the description of factors causing the spread of infection."