The WHO experts working in NWFP are doubtful that the recent deaths in the area said to be caused by bird flu might be due to inhalation of insecticides. Sources told Business Recorder here on Monday that the experts are trying to detect the actual reasons behind the recent deaths in NWFP and the team has finished its initial investigation in Pakistan.
The sources said that the last case was reported on December 6. "Health officials have conducted initial testing of the samples, and found them to be positive, but WHO has sent the specimens to one of its laboratories for confirmation," they added.
According to the Health Ministry six people initially tested positive for the virus last month, while the WHO said eight infections were reported. Officials in the Ministry said that the difference in numbers was possibly due to a technicality, as the six patients tested positive with an internationally recommended method while a less reliable test was used on other people.
Officials confirmed that there are no chances of human-to-human transmission of the Avian Influenza. "If this is the case then there would have been more cases of bird flu. Therefore, it is confirmed that it could not be spread from one person to another," officials added.
On the other hand, according to WHO officials, the human-to-human transmission is possible as limited bird flu may have occurred in Pakistan through human-to-human contact. However, international health experts are investigating the cause of virus transmitted in Pakistan.
The poultry experts said it is difficult to say that human-to-human transmission is impossible. "There are chances that may be after 30 years the virus could fully develop in another person and affect him," they added. They further said that the news about the outbreak of bird flu in NWFP has not affected the domestic market of poultry industry.
However, the people associated with poultry industry in NWFP hesitated to disclose the loss they have incurred due to the outbreak of bird flu in their region because they think that by telling the actual figures it might affect the poultry industry.