Guidelines
for
Prevention
and Control of Human Cases of
Avian Influenza Disease (Bird Flu)
Developed with joint collaboration of
the
Public Health Laboratories Division (PHLD),
National
World Health Organization (WHO) and
Global Infectious Disease Surveillance
and Alert System,
January 2006
Epidemic
Investigation Cell (EIC),
Public Health Laboratories Division
National Institute of Health ,
Islamabad
Tel: 051- 9255237, 9255117, Fax: 051-9255099
E-mail: edoffice@apollo.net.pk
Table of Contents
2. Description and Epidemiology
Suscepti-bility
and resistance
3. Clinical management of human cases of avian
influenza
Collection
of clinical specimens
Storage
and transpor-tation of clinical specimens
Care
and management of human cases
Hospital
infection control guidance
4. Prevention and control measures
Management
of viral disease among poultry
Decontamination
of protective clothing
Advice
for people living in areas affected by avian influenza
Respiratory
etiquette for those with flu-like illness
1. Introduction
Avian
Influenza, a contagious poultry disease caused by type A strains of the
influenza virus, may result in rapid systemic illness and death to susceptible
birds. Domestic chickens and
turkeys are most severely affected; mortality in these birds often exceeds 50%.[1] Outbreaks of a highly pathogenic strain
of the subtype H5N1 have been reported in South-east
Asia since 2003, causing the unprecedented loss of about 150 million birds, and
the disease is now considered “entrenched” in areas of
Avian influenza does not
usually infect humans, however, once transmitted, the infection may lead to
development of disease with symptoms ranging from typical influenza-like
symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches) to eye infections,
pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia, and other severe and
life-threatening complications.[3]
In the current outbreak, 147 confirmed cases of avian influenza viruses
infecting humans, including 78 deaths, have been reported from six countries:
2. Description and Epidemiology
Infectious agent |
H5N1 strain of Type A Influenza virus
or other pathogenic avian influenza virus |
Occurrence |
·
Since October 2003,
H5N1 has been reported in poultry in |