Pakistan: Seasonal birds fly in fears of bird flu with them

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.samaa.tv/News28022-Season...with_them.aspx

Seasonal birds fly in fears of bird flu with them
Upadated on: 22 Nov 10 02:40 PM
Staff Report

KARACHI: The arrival of sea birds has begun with the onset of winter; experts have expressed their concern about the outbreak of bird flu....

[Shiloh]

Re: Pakistan: Seasonal birds fly in fears of bird flu with them

Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-12-2010_pg7_7

Monday, December 27, 2010
Pakistan faces ?bird flu? threat
* Experts say migratory birds core source of infection
Staff Report

KARACHI: A flock of birds flying across the sea at the time of sunset presents an appealing vista, but no one knows that one of these birds is carrying a life-threatening virus for the person enjoying the panorama.

As winter sets in Siberia, Russia approximately 150 bird species migrate to Pakistan and other countries in a large number and dwell in these countries till March.

These migratory birds are considered as a core source of viral diseases particularly bird flue. All birds are thought to be susceptible of avian influenza virus infection. Many wild bird species carry these viruses with no apparent signs of harm.

Avian influenza, generally known as bird flu, is an infectious disease of birds caused by H5N1 strains of the influenza virus. Bird flu is largely considered an epidemic, inflicting losses to the poultry sector as well as the lives of human beings across the globe as it is a human transferable disease.

Apart from being highly infectious among poultry, avian influenza viruses are very dangerous for the lives of human beings. H5N1, H7N3, H7N7, and H9N2 types of avian influenza virus are human infections. The highly pathogenic H5N1 virus can survive in bird faeces for at least 35 days at low temperature (4 degree centigrade). At a much higher temperature (37 degree centigrade), H5N1 viruses have been shown to survive, in fecal samples for six days.

In general the H5N1 virus is the greatest present concern for human health as it has crossed the species barrier to infect humans on at least four occasions in last two decades. H5N1 is also presently the virus of the greatest concern because of the possibility that other avian influenza viruses, known to infect humans, might cause a pandemic cannot be ruled out...