Avain Influenza: Be Aware, Be Prepared

Monday, I called the state health office but was hung up upon finishing my story to the person on the line. I was busy on Tuesday. I’ve made the call to the Malaysian health ministry yesterday and was answered by an officer confident that Malaysia was avian influenza free. He however told me to report such incidence to state health departments. I refer to him about my case with the state health department ignoring my report. He then suggests asking for a health officer prior reporting. I was redirected to call my local town health office after the following call to the state health department. Finally my town health office diverted my report to the local veterinary office.

At last someone who understands the situation responded to my account. But instead of sending someone over, he suggests I bring the bird to him. “What? It’s one week old and decomposing? Never mind if it’s rotten, it’s probably safe now.” It was obvious that these people don’t watch CSI dramas. Ok, I give up with expert help. I think I’ll throw the body into a chicken or pig farm for faster analytical results.

In the news, a three-day council of war on avian influenza opened in Geneva Monday ended yesterday. International health experts have agreed an outline global strategy to tackle bird flu.

The measures, announced at the end of a three-day conference in Geneva, called for an immediate improvement in animal health surveillance.
Experts said every dead or dying bird should be investigated and the results reported within 24 hours, and that countries must improve their disease early-warning system and share information about suspected outbreaks with one another.
They also warned that countries also needed to develop and rehearse plans to deal with a flu pandemic, for example deciding whether schools would be closed, and who would get anti-flu drugs when there were not enough for everybody.
"Once a pandemic virus appears, it will be too late," the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Lee Jong-wook, said. (Source-BBC News)

If you have any encounter of suspicious sick or dead birds in Malaysia, please contact your nearest Veterinary Office as they are prepared to deal with such situations. Visit Contacts of Malaysia Department of Veterinary Offices around the country for your nearest veterinary officer.

News Source:

• Experts outline bird flu strategy | BBC NEWS
• Flu Pandemic Now Just a Matter of Time, Conference Told | Deutsche Welle

Links:

• Avian Flu Guidance to Handling Suspected Host
• Avian Influenza | Wikipedia
• Avian Influenza | WHO
• Avian Influenza Guide | Malaysia Department of Veterinary (in Malay)
• Bird Flu | In Depth | BBC NEWS
• Contacts of Malaysia Department of Veterinary Offices around the country