Agric-Kulture (Series 4)

--- THE AVIAN INFLUENZA SEASON (BIRD FLU) ---

According to news reports from Aljazeera.com, China is on a high alert over new bird flu cases due to fears of deadly H7N9 bird flu virus (which has killed 22 and merely affected 110 humans so far this year). The question I'll like to address is can we have such cases in Nigeria and what can we do to prevent causalities?

This map shows, as at April 2006, the extent to which the bird flu virus has spread to wild and domestic birds (as well as humans)

Brief Intro to the Virus -

Bird flu, also known as Avian Influenza, is a naturally occurring virus among birds, which can make them very sick and kill them. Infected birds can shed the influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they come in contact with these contaminated excretions or contaminated surfaces. Humans can get infected as well, as a result of having contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated with the secretions/ excretions from the infected birds. They can also get infected from eating infected poultry or eggs that have not been well cooked. Good news is the spread of the avian influenza virus(es) - yes! there are different strains, which I won't bore you with - between a sick person and a healthy one is very rare. But what if you work on a farm or purchase an infected bird and get sick?! What happens next?

Ruffled feathers is a sign that your bird may be infected.

An infected human exhibits one (or more) of the following signs/ symptoms, such as eye infections , a fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches (i.e. regular influenza-like illness symptoms), or more distressful ones like pneumonia, acute respiratory distress; and it is sometimes accompanied by nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and neurological changes.

So, there is currently no vaccine for its treatment, however, antiviral medication can help make the illness less severe and also help prevent the flu in people who were exposed to it. Moreover, to prevent being so easily prone to getting infected, please take your health a little more seriously: wash your hands frequently with soap and water, cover your coughs and sneezes with tissue, and try to stay away from others as much as possible if they are sick. In addition, be mindful of whom you exchange handshakes with ... 'cause people can be really dirrrrrty (my own two-cents).

Hope this has given you a positive insight on why good animal care is very important. For more information, please check out this (Nigerian) site, The Poultry Site

Keep safe, people!

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Thank you for tuning in to another issue of Agric-Kulture. [Questions and Comments are always welcome]

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