Avian Virus or H5N1 has not been isolated till date in Pakistan yet but the country is vulnerable at any point of time like all other parts of the world, WHO Medical Officer (Epidemiology) to Pakistan, Dr Faizullah Kakar informed a workshop, jointly organised by Federal Health Ministry and WHO at Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center (JPMC) here on Wednesday.
"The way Avian Influenza is travelling it is feared it may also reach Pakistan," he commented.
Stressing absolute caution at all levels and all necessary measures to prevent its eruption in Pakistan, he said the Avian Influenza (Influenza-A) virus isolated in United States of America, only recently, reinforces WHO concern and alarm.
USA happens to be the new arrival among the affected countries as Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Cambodia, China and Indonesia.
Dr Kakkar reminded that Influenza-A discovered more than 100 years ago in Italy is highly contagious among birds, particularly domestic birds and being extremely pathogenic can infect human beings too through genetic mutation.
"There is, however, no scientific consensus on human to human spread of H5NI strain," he said.
He mentioned that since most of the recent Avian Influenza cases have occurred among poultry bird handlers, it is strongly advised to provide them protective gears as masks, gloves, etc.
He further advised those having direct exposure to live birds to be administered vaccines namely - Oseltamavir or Zanamavir. This was said to be important as Influenza-A vaccines.
Ironically these two vaccines are not only very expensive but also not available in Pakistan, leaving locals with no option but to ensure fool proof prevention.
The WHO officer stressed that though Influenza-A is not usually known to humans, however, once transmitted the infection could lead to development of this disease from one person to another with symptoms of Avian Influenza ranging from typical influenza like symptoms to eye infections, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia and other life threatening complications.
Influenza-A is extremely pathogenic and that human beings hold no immunity against it, he reminded, mentioning that WHO has adopted a five pronged strategy at global level to address any possible epidemic.
The strategy included upgrading surveillance across the world and ensuring that all countries, without any failure, despatch their samples to WHO laboratories where scientists are engaged round the clock in sequencing of genes.
This, he said was followed by efforts to contain virus among birds and as per WHO instruction infected birds have to be necessarily culled, while masses are to be adequately informed about actual scenario without causing any false alarm.
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