Over 80,000 Chickens To Be Killed In Hong Kong After Bird Flu Found

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Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Veterinary
Article Date: 09 Dec 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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Authorities in Hong Kong say over 80,000 chickens will be culled after a poultry farm was found to have chickens infected with avian influenza (bird flu). The last time bird flu was detected in Hong Kong was in 2002.

About 60 dead chickens were found in the farm, according to York Chow, Health Secretary. Tests have confirmed the birds died from the H5N1 virus - the most virulent strain. He added that all chickens within a 2-mile (3-km) radius of the infected farm will be culled. Just one other farm is within that area.

Two New Confirmed Human Bird Flu Cases in Indonesia

The Indonesian Ninistry of Health says there are two new confirmed cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

A nine-year-old girl from Riau Province became ill on November 7th and was hospitalized on November 12th. She made a full recovery and left hospital on November 27th. Laboratory tests confirmed H5N1 infections. Authorities say an investigation points to dead poultry near her home as the source.

A two-year-old girl from East Jakarta developed symptoms on November 18th, and was taken to hospital on November 26th - she died three days later. Tests confirmed H5N1 infection. Investigations indicate she had been possibly exposed at a live bird market.

139 people have become ill with the H5N1 avian influenza virus to date in Indonesia - 113 of them died.

What is Bird Flu (Avian Influenza)?

Bird flu (avian influenza) is a disease caused by viruses. It is a contagious disease which infects only birds, and occasionally pigs. The avian influenza viruses attack specific species - they have sometimes jumped the species barrier and infected people. However, this has been extremely rare, and continues to be rare.

As far as farmed birds are concerned (poultry), there are two main types of avian influenza - one is fairly mild while the other is deadly (for birds).

Scientists fear the H5N1 bird flu strain may eventually mutate and infect humans more easily. If this happens there is a risk of a global pandemic.

Mild

Low pathogenic forms of bird flu may cause a bird to have more ruffled feathers and lay fewer eggs. This form is often undetected among farmed poultry (in many cases the bird is infected, and then gets better and nobody noticed).

Deadly (H5N1)

The highly pathogenic form of bird flu is much more dangerous. It has a mortality rate of virtually 100% and spreads very rapidly among flocks of birds. A bird infected with the more virulent type of bird flu (the highly pathogenic form) experiences deterioration of many internal organs.

Written by - Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
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