Pakistan is part of tropical region and the virus of bird flu can not incubate in such a hot temperature to spread or become life threat for people. However, the people should cook the chicken meat properly to avoid having chances of such disease.
This was stated by Dr Norbert Nowotny, Professor of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Health Sciences of United Arab Emirates (UAE), while addressing a press conference on 'Bird flu - Are we prepared to face it?', organised by Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) at PMA House here on Friday.
He said that bird flu (H5N1) is an infection caused by 'avian (bird) influenza virus', which occurs naturally in birds.
However, it does not usually affect humans, and people can eat chicken meat without any fear and hesitation, "but the chicken should be cooked well and people should avoid eating raw chicken".
"Influenza 'A' (H5N1) virus, which is also called 'H5N1 virus', is an influenza 'A' virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds and can be deadly for them," he said, adding that bird flu viruses "do not usually infect humans", but more than 100 confirmed cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997.
He said that the first bird flu epidemic 'Spanish flu-H1N1' struck in 1918 and claimed 20 million to 100 million lives--more than the casualties of First World War.
"Another virus, 'Asian flu-H2N2', hit the Asian regions back in 1957 and claimed lives of some 100,000 people, followed by Hong Kong flu (H3N2) that was witnessed in 1957 and claimed 700,000 lives," Dr Norbert said and added that Russian flu (H5N1) dispersed in 1977 infected 18 people, 6 of whom died. However, the entire chicken population of Hong Kong had to be slaughtered within three days.
He said that the recently dispersed virus, human influenza pandemic (H5N1) has badly hit Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. However, he expressed fear that the same virus could be spread over to some other countries like Russia, Turkey, Romania, Croatia, Kuwait and China.
Highlighting the reasons behind dispersion of H5N1 bird flu virus, he said, "H5N1 virus disperses from infected migrating birds that enter a country from different illegal channels or through smuggling or importing birds which are not checked clinically.
"Influenza virus is not resistant as it dies at 7 degree centigrade and since Pakistanis do eat chicken in the form of Bar B Qs etc, there is no chance of having virus in their meal," he said optimistically, ruling out the general opinion that the H5N1 bird flu virus is hazardous for human life.
However, Dr Norbert underlined the symptoms of bird flu in humans and said, "The symptoms of bird flu virus in humans have ranged from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life threatening complications."
He advised masses to avoid self-medication and urged them to consult a doctor and have proper check-up if the symptoms of bird flu appear.
"Do not buy anti-bird flu vaccine from the markets, wear masks, avoid to stay at a crowded place and consult your doctor immediately after the appearance of the symptoms," he stressed.
He also urged the officials concerned to set up surveillance programs and strict monitoring of wild birds as well as poultry.
"During migration season of wild birds all poultry must be kept indoors as the virus could be spread out if a migrated bird dies and a chicken eats it," he said.
He said that no one can predict when a pandemic might occur. However, experts all over the world are watching closely the H5N1 situation in Asia and are preparing for the possibility that the virus may begin to spread more easily and widely from person to person.
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