UN: Less H5N1 outbreaks in 2007, BUT…

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization put out an important press release today: The number of outbreaks in the first weeks of 2007 are significantly lower than that of last year, but (and there is a big BUT)…

Well, the good news first. The pattern of intercontinental spread of H5N1 by wild birds have not been seen this winter season at the same level as 2005. Which means that countries previously affected by the bird flu, and on located the geographic paths of migratin birds have learned to control the virus. FAO even goes to say that “the global situation has improved.”

BUT -

This doesn’t mean we can collectively sigh relief. Fully getting rid H5N1 will take several years, especially in the poultry sector. Since outbreaks come in waves, we may yet see another one coming if countries begin putting their guards down. Instead, the FAO advices governments to step up surveillance, detection and rapid response measures, prioritize eradicating the bird flu virus in poultry.

FAO also warned that many outbreaks in birds may have gone unreported. It’s definitely understandable for small and backyard poultry owners to hide the incidence of dead birds for fear that their businesses will be shut down. This is the usual anecdote we read – a family member or poultry worker gets sick because he/she either ate a dead or sick bird, or he/she was improperly disposing of dead birds. We’re always caught playing catch up because no one reported the outbreaks in poultry prior to human infection.

“Absolute transparency about disease outbreaks, involving farmers directly in surveillance and reporting activities and establishing compensation schemes are key to making bird flu control campaigns successful, ” the FAO said in the statement.

[Source and image: New bird flu outbreaks require strong vigilance]

Tags: UN, FAO, H5N1, bird flu, flu, outbreak, avian flu