It’s
only a-day old kid that is yet to realize that Nigeria is currently bewildered
by the reemergence of Avian Influenza popularly known as ‘Bird flu’. When Ebola
virus was on board in the country some months ago, as an analyst and activist,
in most of my commentaries I categorically stated that Nigeria would surely
overcome the scourge if we could employ severe and sustainable measure just as
we did during the era of avian influenza.
To have used avian influenza as an instance as regards severe approach
towards containing an epidemic signified that undoubtedly every needed step was
taken when the country firstly experienced the disease (Bird flu) in 2006. To
this end, the capital question that needs to be asked at this point is: why the
reemergence, or why is the country experiencing the outbreak for a second time
barely after nine years of its initial occurrence?
The country was able to overcome the said pandemic infection during its
previous outbreak, specifically in 2006, owing to the tactical and drastic
approach employed by the government and other concerned bodies. This implies
that the reemergence of the menace might not be unconnected to the fact that we
went to sleep or on a recess; that is, apathy on the part of the concerned
authorities and personnel regarding sustenance of the measure initially
utilized. In view of this assertion, it’s high time we are awoke.
Presently, survey indicates that seven outbreaks of highly pathogenic
Avian Influenza have been discovered in Nigeria. Six of the A(H5N1) outbreaks
were reported in the central and northern regions of the country, which
affected states like Kano, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT);
over 21 thousand birds were reportedly killed while over 17 thousand were
destroyed in these six outbreaks. Another outbreak occurred in the southern
region of Bayelsa, affecting 8-week old pullets; 850 poultry died whereas 2150
were destroyed in this very outbreak. Officials said that farm workers visit
other farms in the affected areas, which has great implications for possible
infection routes and biosecurity.
Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of birds particularly
wild water fowls like ducks and geese among other such animals as pigs, whales
and horses. Most avian influenza viruses don’t infect humans; however, some to
include A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) have caused serious infections in people. It is
noted that outbreaks of A1 in poultry may raise global public health concerns
as a result of their effect on poultry populations, their potential to cause
serious disease in people, and their pandemic potential.
The majority of human cases of A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) infection have been
associated with direct or indirect contact with infected live or dead poultry.
There is no evidence that the virus can be spread to people through properly
cooked food. It’s worthy to acknowledge that controlling the disease in animals
is the first and basic step towards curtailing risks to humans. It often causes
no apparent signs of illness among the infected animals.
A1 viruses can sometimes spread to domestic poultry and cause
large-scale outbreaks of serious disease. Some of these A1 viruses have also been
reported to cross the species barrier and cause disease or subclinical
infections in humans and other mammals. We need to note that A1 viruses are
divided into two major classes based on their ability to cause disease in
poultry namely, high pathogenicity and low pathogenicity.
Highly pathogenic viruses usually result in high death rates, up to 100%
mortality within forty-eight hours in some poultry species. On the other hand,
lowly pathogenic viruses also cause outbreaks in poultry but are not generally
associated with severe disease or attack.
The case fatality rate for A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) virus infections in
people is much higher compared to that of seasonal influenza infections. The
A(H7N9) virus mostly affects people with underlying medical conditions. In many
patients, the disease caused by the A(H5N1) virus follows an unusually
aggressive clinical course with rapid deterioration and high fatality. Like
most emerging disease, A(H5N1) influenza in humans is yet to be well
understood.
The incubation period for A(H5N1) Avian Influenza may be longer than
that for normal seasonal influenza which is around two to three days. Current data
for A(H5N1) infection indicate an incubation period ranging from two to eight days or possibly as
long as seventeen days. Whilst, present data for A(H7N9) infection indicate an
incubation period ranging from two to eight days.
Initial symptoms of Avian Influenza include high fever usually with a temperature
higher than 38 degrees Celsius, and other influenza-like symptoms including
cough and sore-throat. In some patients, signs such as diarrhoea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, chest pain, and bleeding from the nose and gums might also be
noticed. One feature often seen in most patients is the development of lower
respiratory tract in the early stage of the illness; also, a hoarse voice,
respiratory distress, and a crackling sound when inhaling are commonly
observed. Sputum production varies in individuals and sometimes bloody.
Complications of A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) infections include hypoxemia, multiple
organ dysfunction, as well as secondary bacterial and fungal infections.
The fundamental risk factor for human infection, as stated earlier,
appears to be direct or indirect exposure to infected live or dead poultry, or
contaminated environments such as live bird markets. Indeed, controlling
circulation of the A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) viruses in poultry is essential to
reducing the risk of human contraction. There is no proof to suggest that the
aforementioned viruses can be transmitted to humans through properly prepared
poultry meals including meats and eggs.
A few A(H5N1) human cases have been linked to consumption of dishes made
of raw or contaminated poultry blood. More so, slaughtering, defeathering,
handling carcasses of infected poultry and preparing poultry for consumption
especially in household settings are likely to be risk factors. Most
importantly, it’s imperative to comprehend that most humans have little or no
immunity to A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) viruses.
Strong evidence suggests that some antiviral drugs, notably Oseltamivir,
can reduce the duration of viral replication as well as improve prospects of
survival. In suspected cases, the aforesaid drug ought to be prescribed as soon
as possible, ideally within 48 hours following symptom onset, to maximize its
therapeutic benefits. Notwithstanding, given the significant mortality
currently associated with A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) infection and evidence of
prolonged viral replication in this disease, administration of the drug should
also be considered necessary in patients presenting the symptom(s) later in the
course of illness. Mind you; the use of corticosteroids is prohibited.
In cases of severe infection with the viruses, clinicians may need to
consider increasing the recommended daily dose and/or the duration of
treatment. In severely ill A(H5N1) or A(H7N9) patients, or in carriers with
severe gastrointestinal symptoms, drug absorption may be impaired; this
possibility ought to be considered when managing these patients. Furthermore,
most A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) viruses are
predicated to be resistant to adamantine antiviral drugs, which are usually
recommended for use during treatment.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), in view of the persistence
of the prevalent avian influenza viruses in some poultry populations, control
or eradication would require long-term commitments from affected countries as
well as strong coordination between various animal and public health
authorities.
Acknowledging the unarguable fact that prevention is extremely better
than cure, there’s a compelling need for the general public to be thoroughly
educated on the prime causes and mode of transmission of the virus. Since
human-to-human transmission is presently far-fetched or rarely possible, it’s
imperative for us to apply adequate caution while dealing with the primary
hosts of the dreaded virus such as fowls, ducks, pigs, whales, and horses,
among others, particularly the fowls or poultry at large which are the closest
to human beings; hence, the various poultry owners across the federation ought
to be properly sensitized in respect to this obvious fact.
The farmers in question must be meant to comprehend that there’s need
for them or anyone else who intends to enter into their farms to be well
kilted. There’s also a crucial need for the said farms and other related
environments like poultry markets and what have you, to be adequately fumigated
from time-to-time. Every poultry keeper, or livestock farmers in general should
ensure that his/her farm is entitled to a qualified and reliable veterinary
doctor and the medic ought to endeavour to regularly visit the farm. In the
same vein, poultry consumers ought to be conscientized to endeavour to properly
boil or cook any meat or egg before consumption. The media, ministries of
Agriculture, various farmers’ unions, the civil society and the National
Orientation Agency (NOA) have a very vital and cogent role to play in this
aspect.
Similarly, the concerned government authorities or agencies, but not
limited to, ought to regularly make the Avian Influenza vaccine available in
every nook and cranny of the country to enable the citizenry assess them
easily; and such practice should be subsequently sustained even having overcome
the scourge. No doubt, the above proposed measure if holistically adhered to
would go a long way towards salvaging the country in its entirety from this
unforeseen mess. Think about it!
Follow: @mediambassador
No comments:
Post a Comment