Avian flu returns to Asia

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has reported resurgence of the dreaded avian influenza in at least eight countries in Asia and Africa, and has urged all nations to remain vigilant and fully cooperate with international organisations in keeping this menace under check.

In a statement issued simultaneously in Rome and Bangkok, the FAO has said 2007, new flare-ups of the bird flu have been reported this year, from China, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

The FAO has cautioned that cold weather enhances virus survival. Wild bird migration as well as the movement of animals can play a role in its spread. However, it also pointed out that the number of outbreaks in the first few weeks of this year has been significantly lower than the epidemic waves of last year.

Even while observing that the inter-continental flow of the H5N1 bird flu virus by wild birds migrating from Asia to Europe and Africa had not taken place during this autumn/winter season at the same level as it had in 2005, the FAO has stressed that the virus persists in several Asian countries as well as in Egypt and Nigeria. Other countries may also have it but have yet to declare.

With the start of the first epidemic wave in Asia in late 2003 and early 2004, eight countries became infected. During 2004/05, the situation improved in some countries but remained largely unchanged. In 2005/06, the virus spread from East Asia to Siberia, Eastern Europe, the West Asia and Africa, affecting over 40 countries, including India.

"Recent outbreaks are following a seasonal pattern and do not come as a great surprise. But we need to remain on the alert. It is crucial that countries themselves step up their surveillance, detection and rapid response measures," said Juan Lubroth, senior officer of the FAO Animal Health Service. It will probably take several years to contain and finally eradicate the H5N1 virus from the poultry sector.

This requires a strong commitment from governments, poultry farmers and the international community. Targeting the circulation of the H5N1 virus in poultry should remain a priority.

The FAO has advised against banning backyard poultry or duck-raising as a bird flu prevention measure. This could lead to illegal poultry production.

"Implementing and controlling these bans will be very difficult to achieve. For economic reasons farmers will tend to hide their animals and will not participate in vaccination or movement controls," Lubroth said.

Instead of banning production, farmers should be encouraged to participate in virus control and vaccination campaigns. The FAO also said that the private sector should be more closely involved in avian influenza control campaigns.

For Indonesia, where bird flu virus is currently widespread, the FAO has recommended that in addition to ongoing control measures, day-old chicks should be vaccinated before they leave the hatcheries, as well as blanket vaccination in heavily infected districts.