Xinhua news is reporting that Myanmar, also known as Burma, is battling a fresh outbreak of Avian Influenza, H5N1. Almost two years ago the country was declared Avian-bird flu free, but in the past month several chickens in one farming area have died of the extremely virulent H5N1 strain. Supposedly, steps have already been taken to curb the spread of the virus;
According to the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department ( LBVD), the first case in the bird flu recurrence this year occurred in Yangon’s Mayangong township and the second in Mingaladon township both in the same February.
Dealing with the first case in Mayangong township, unusual deaths of some chickens were found in a farm where 2,500 chickens were bred and the suspected deaths were proved to have been caused by the HPAI after experiment.
As for the second case in Mingaladon township, two domestically- bred chickens died of virulent avian influenza in a poultry farm and were later confirmed with carrying the virus after laboratory test.
The authorities took control measures by culling hundreds of similar chickens, some ducks and eggs, banning sale of chickens and eggs in six bazaars, 7 km around the poultry farm, where bird flu recurred to prevent the spread of the disease.
These efforts at containment are a good first step, but it’s important to remember that Myanmar is one of the most chaotic areas on Earth. Calling the place ‘governed’ or ‘accessible’ is Orwellian double-talk; Myanmar is, in many ways, a failed state. Just like the virus wasn’t truly stamped out of Myanmar two years ago, so it is not stamped out now.
The concern has always been that areas like Myanmar, which have poor oversight, can end up as incubation hubbs for avian viruses. The worst case scenario is a virus with a long incubation period because infected birds would be able to carry it long distances, without dying, passing it on to other birds, and making it more likely that humans, too, would get infected.
For now, however, as the report from which the graphic on this page was taken , makes clear, H5N1 in the human population has mostly been limited to individuals who have prolonged contact with birds. And, bird migration routes have not been as much of an issue because birds have been dying en route.
My prediction is that H5N1 will never be completely contained because of failed country states like Myanmar which next to ensure that seasonal H5N1 is to become a reality of life – at least until H5N1 and H1N1 mutate to give us a whole new baddy to worry about.
China Healthcare Blog
H5N1 might make a comeback in Southeast Asia
Xinhua news is reporting that Myanmar, also known as Burma, is battling a fresh outbreak of Avian Influenza, H5N1. Almost two years ago the country was declared Avian-bird flu free, but in the past month several chickens in one farming area have died of the extremely virulent H5N1 strain. Supposedly, steps have already been taken to curb the spread of the virus;
These efforts at containment are a good first step, but it’s important to remember that Myanmar is one of the most chaotic areas on Earth. Calling the place ‘governed’ or ‘accessible’ is Orwellian double-talk; Myanmar is, in many ways, a failed state. Just like the virus wasn’t truly stamped out of Myanmar two years ago, so it is not stamped out now.
For now, however, as the report from which the graphic on this page was taken , makes clear, H5N1 in the human population has mostly been limited to individuals who have prolonged contact with birds. And, bird migration routes have not been as much of an issue because birds have been dying en route.
My prediction is that H5N1 will never be completely contained because of failed country states like Myanmar which next to ensure that seasonal H5N1 is to become a reality of life – at least until H5N1 and H1N1 mutate to give us a whole new baddy to worry about.