There are now two new outbreaks in China despite hundreds of millions of birds being vaccinated. Reports of avian influenza are occurring almost daily, highlighting significant challenges in controlling the virus in the region.
The two new outbreaks have raised the total number of epidemic points in China to 15 within a month. In Liaoning Province, which has been heavily affected, approximately 72,000 health workers have been deployed to implement anti-influenza measures, including mandatory vaccinations for poultry and health checks twice a day for all farmers living near the outbreak sites. Officials have been instructed: “If you are too tired, close your eyes for a moment to relax, and then continue your work,” said Zhou Liwei, a representative of the Liaoning provincial government.
Despite the rapid spread of the disease, Beijing reported that 174 farmers who had contact with the first two avian influenza patients showed no symptoms. The initial victims of the avian flu included a woman who has died and a boy who has recovered, along with one suspected case. All had contact with infected poultry.
Chinese experts believe that migratory birds are the primary cause of the outbreak and that vaccinating domestic poultry is the best way to break the chain of transmission between wild and domesticated birds.
The shadow of avian influenza loomed over the atmosphere of the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which opened last Friday with 21 member countries. Australian Prime Minister John Howard urged nations to put aside “hesitation or national pride” to be ready to report on the outbreak.
The final declaration from APEC leaders emphasized that preventing the spread of avian influenza is a top priority alongside issues such as trade liberalization and counter-terrorism.
The United Nations has announced plans to establish an early warning system that will map migratory bird flight paths to effectively prevent avian influenza on a global scale. This program will include migration patterns and high-risk areas, specifically where domestic poultry are most likely to come into contact with disease-carrying migratory birds. The new monitoring system is expected to be completed within the next two years, and the United Nations is calling for investment in the project.
Meanwhile, Africa is becoming a focal point of concern for experts as the continent prepares to welcome millions of migratory waterfowl from Europe, Russia, and Asia for the winter. There are predictions that the region’s weak infrastructure will facilitate the spread of the disease. Africa has approximately 1.1 billion free-range chickens and is critically lacking in veterinarians, epidemiologists, and laboratories. None of the 23 African countries currently has a monitoring system in place.
My Linh (according to AFP, Reuters)
