Avian Flu Pandemic Issues - Essay Example

A few years back, massive panic spread throughout the world especially in Asia when the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS scare broke out. Massive panic buying of masks was rampant on the streets of major cities. While other protective measures were enforced as an epidemic was feared to ensue. Today, all the hooplas over and the dread have subsided. But are we correct in our complacency. If the Avian flu hits, are we prepared or has everyone gone lax and assumed that it will not reach the threat that scientists has warned us of the previous years' There is an argument that it is not anymore a question of whether it will proliferate into a worldwide pandemic or not, the question that to ask is when (Roberts, par. 1). This viral disease that causes death among animals can be deadly when transmitted to the people who are in direct contact with the poultry. It is a virus that has rarely infected humans, cases have been recorded since 1997. But while it is uncommon the results are deadly. The virus itself can come from expelled droppings of birds with the contagious disease. Contraction can be through the nose, eyes, mouth or as inhaled to the lungs (http://www.osha.gov). Avian Flu Medication The casualty of the disease is what triggers the alert that officials have been very adamant in the safety of people and ensuring an outbreak will be prevented. The H5N1 virus has been confirmed to be present in birds located in over 50 countries. While cases of human transmittal has been recorded in nine countries. Though efforts for drug treatments are ongoing, their effectiveness is yet to be analytically evaluated. Continuing recommendations given by the World Health Organization is still the most up-to-date answer that can be administered to patients diagnosed with the disease. Administering self-medication without proper diagnosis of a health officer is greatly discouraged (WHO). The best management for infected patients remains the neuraminidase inhibitor that should be administered subsequent to a consultation with an expert and availability. In the absence of such drugs, rimantadine or amantadine can be given to suspected cases of H5N1 as immediate treatment though results may not be as effective. These recommendations are mostly based in studies of epidemics in the seasonal perspective and are from significant findings in initial treatments of early onset influenza on otherwise salubrious adults (WHO). The 1918 Spanish Flu In 1918, a seemingly mundane cold shook everyone as it blew into a pandemic that affected 1/5 of the entire population of the globe. About 675, 000 Americans died and around 43, 000 who served in World War I perished because of the influenza. This devastation lasted two years and wreaked havoc to millions around the world (www.virus.stanford.edu). Most felt the effects of the strain and found its way through the shipping trades which was one of the major contributory factor to the proliferation of the disease. They found out that humidity played a factor for the propagation of the infection as scientists raced to produce a cure for the epidemic. Its source is not fully determined even to this date. Some think that it started in China as a rare mutation of the influenza. It is known as the Spanish flu, due to the high death rate in Spanish soldiers during that time (www.virus.stanford.edu). Because it happened right after the war, countries were still dealing with the aftermaths of the conflicts. As a result, the public was more lenient in its reaction and more giving to the general welfare of the country. They were more accepting of the rations and draft imposed to them. Because of the fast influx of death caused by the influenza, many people died without receiving treatment. Scientists had to move fast to figure out ways to cope with the disease. But it was a fact that they were reacting to an already full blown pandemic (www.virus.stanford.edu). The Avian Flu Dread Bird flu, although, normally transpiring in birds poses a pandemic threat when transmitted to human beings. Untamed birds contain these viruses in their digestive systems but do not necessarily get ill due to it. This presents a dilemma when domesticated animals are exposed to these wild birds and eventually pass on the virus into their systems. As humans instigate contact with these animals, through rearing or consumption, the virus can post infection. There had been two major varieties of the disease differentiated between 'low pathogenic' and 'high pathogenic.' The first one causes only minor symptoms among the fowls infected. While the second type of infection distributes swiftly among the flocks. Death rate in such cases reaches between 90-100% of mortality in two days (http://www.cdc.gov). There are many different strains of Avian flu, H5N1 is considered to be one of the most dangerous. The first recorded case pertaining to Bird Flu was in the United Kingdom in 1996, under H7N7 strain, an adult got conjunctivitis when a straw got into her eye while washing a duck's pen. The first record of the H5N1 strain in humans was in Hong Kong in 1997. It was the first direct transmission from poultry to humans. Considered an outbreak, it hospitalized 18 and eventually killed six (http://www.cdc.gov). The Role of the World Health Organization The World Health Organization appointed an independent academic center for summaries and evidences for a clearer evaluation of the cases. Summaries and substantiations were reviewed by professionals for precise assessment. But these cases are yet to yield exact results to serve as landmarks of the study (WHO). Admittedly, the availability of the recommended drugs for the treatment of these cases is invariably low. Oseltamivir, recommended by the WHO is a subject of many discussions. The organization requires that the drugs supplied and stored should be duly registered and licensed in the respective countries they are to be administered. Since the topic of the Avian flu has been introduced to the public by the media and a heightened level of awareness among the people was established, demand for the supply of such drugs has increased. There are even recorded cases of counterfeit drugs sold in the market. Clinicians need to first secure approval from the regulatory commissions before they can give out these medications. The WHO also encourages legislation from each countries to allow the use of locally unregistered drugs in cases of emergency, including a more lenient packaging (WHO). Precautionary measures should be implemented to ensure that all safety measures are met to prevent an outbreak of the flu. Signs that might pertain to Avian influenza should be known by poultry farm owners and employees, including other farmers and those who have domesticated fowls. Signs include abrupt death of the animal, hazy motion, discolorations in the body, deformed eggs, deficient appetite and energy, lose bowel movement, swellings, nose discharge, plummet in egg production, coughing and sneezing (www.osha.gov). Those who are exposed to poultry have undoubtedly a higher risk of infection. An intense consideration to hygiene should be given. They must receive vaccination regularly in accordance with the season. Though this may not ensure that the disease will not be contracted by the person, it still falls as a precautionary measure. Those who are already diagnosed with the disease should be monitored extensively within the week of their exposure to the infected birds (www.cdc.gov). Protective clothing and hygienic practices remain the most preferred way to avert from straight skin contact. As much as possible, these clothing must be disposable. It is advised that workers should wear some sort of insulating garment inside their protective gears to safeguard them from heat stress. At the same time, they should know the symptoms for heat stress to guarantee their safety at all times (www.cdc.gov). Though these may be great as preventive measures, it is highly doubtful that all farms and farmers will be able to adapt these steps as they may pose to be too expensive and too time-consuming for the regular farmers. Protecting Against Contraction Gloves should be made out of vinyl or nitrile of light material if it is disposable or should be durable if to be re-used after disinfection. Worker's activities should be given its importance as this may hamper with their necessary movements. It should also be kept in mind that the material is not harmful to the skin, especially to those who already have pre-existing skin allergies to the materials as extended exposure to liquids and sweat might lead to it. The most important of these gears are the respiratory contraptions and eye protectors. These items should be removed first. The workers must adhere to the importance of washing their hands after contact. Disposable towels should be available in the work area. They should wash their gloves with antibacterial soap and water, then, after removing their gloves, wash their hands meticulously for the second time (www.cdc.com). The Dilemma in WHO Recommended Procedures Though all these steps are necessary and cannot be dismissed it might be impossible for a simple Asian chicken farmer to buy gloves and disposable garment every time he enters the cages of his poultry. In the same way, there are many poultries that are not in proper cages so they are more exposed to migratory birds. Potential for contamination is heightened and many factors ultimately contribute to the risk for Avian flu contraction. It is without a doubt that these guidelines should be followed for the protection of the people. These are necessary to prevent the onset of a potentially massive disease that might lead to the death of thousands, even millions if it is not dealt with the utmost magnitude that is inherent in its impending risk. Possible cases of people showing symptoms who had previous contact with such animals should be given attention. Especially in areas with previously confirmed outbreaks of the high pathogenic strain of the disease. As it is yet to be fully comprehended, a lot of the elements is yet to be discerned by researchers. Since it first emerged in 1997, scientists are slowly being able to provide a clearer picture of the disease but continuous efforts are of the essence. The thing that remains to be terrifying about the disease is the high mortality percentage it has and the rapid onset of the disease (WHO). Collective Effort for Prevention The World Health Organization is calling upon all nations to take preventive measures in ensuring that this never reaches a catastrophic pandemic level. An estimated 2-7 million people are projected to die from the disease while millions will be hospitalized as WHO predicts. Based on previous pandemics, specifically the Spanish flu, scientists have started with vaccines that are still in the prototype stages (Roberts, par 6-7). If the strain of H5N1 mutates and becomes easier to be transmitted from birds to humans, then there is no doubt that a pandemic is at hand. The great difference with today's events and in the past is the precedence we have. Knowledge of pandemic history provides answers for current scientists working on a cure. The technology that is available today provides for a better assessment of the virus. Many nations, as often criticized, do not take the threat seriously and are lacking in their implemented preventive measures (Roberts, par. 13). Everyone should take a proactive stance and not for it to hit before taking necessary steps. We cannot afford for another SARS scare and then react to the disaster that will follow. The information that we have provides for the necessary measures that should be adapted as safety precautions although they might translate to massive inconvenience. Ultimately, a collective effort among countries is necessary to fight what could be one of the biggest adversities in our history. Works Cited Avian influenza (bird flu) - key facts. 29 May 2008. < http://www.health.gov.au/avian_influenza>. Avian Influenza Protecting Poultry Workers at Risk. 13 Dec. 2004. . Key Facts About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus. 7 May 2007. < http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm>. Roberts, Michelle. "Are We Prepared for Bird Flu'." 14 Oct. 2005: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4295649.stm. The Influenza Pandemic of 1918. Feb 2005. < http://virus.stanford.edu/uda/>. World Health Organization. WHO Rapid Advice Guidelines on Pharmacological Management of Humans Infected with Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus. 2006. Read More

 

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