Bird Flu and Avian Influenza Information For Travellers
Issue Date: November 4 2005
There is no cause for alarm as the risk to travellers at this time is negligible, however travellers should be aware of the following:
- WHO (World Health Organisation) does not recommend any travel restrictions
- Dont eat raw bird - chicken, duck, eggs, blood etc. The virus cannot survive high temperatures so properly cooked chicken is not a risk
- Travellers should avoid contact with poultry farms and live animal markets while travelling in all countries
- Frequent careful handwashing is a wise precaution and prevents many travel diseases
- There is no specific bird flu vaccine available yet. The current influenza vaccine will not protect you from bird flu.
- Proper pre-travel health preparation is important for all countries - please contact our admin staff to make an appointment.
For more information:
Background Information On Avian Influenza
The media attention on this virus is because of what MIGHT happen at some time in the future, not what is happening now
- Based on historical patterns there are 3-4 influenza pandemics every century
- The one in 1918-19 caused 40-50million deaths, many of these in fit young 'healthy' people. This was in the age before rapid aeroplane travel, and such massive urban crowding as we have today
- Avian influenza (Bird Flu) is often a mild disease in wild ducks etc
- It was first described about 100 years ago
- When a virus jumps into a new species it often causes more serious disease in the new host
- Bird flu seems to have 'jumped' into domestic poultry and is killing a lot of chickens in many different countries in Asia
- The virus can survive a little while on machinery, cages, clothes etc
- Experts believe a world pandemic of human influenza was averted in Hong Kong on 1997 by the slaughter of 1.5million chickens over 3 days - This time the virus has become more widespread in poultry before it was recognized so it is much greater logistical challenge to kill all the potentially infected birds
- So far the only human deaths have been in persons who have caught this virus directly from birds. As at 20 October WHO reports 118 cases and 61 deaths in humans.
- There has so far been no transmission of the bird flu virus from person to person (the way human influenza is transmitted)
Influenza viruses have the ability to mix up their DNA and thus escape the hosts immune system. Changing their outer coating makes the body treat this mixed up virus as a brand new virus so the victim has no immunity to it.
The major concern is that if a person who contracts this bird flu virus is ALSO carrying the human influenza virus, the two virus could mix and make a SUPER VIRUS which might have the ability to be spread from person to person like the human influenza virus.
Whenever a virus jumps into a new species, it tends to wreak more havok in the victim. The 'usual' virus has evolved with the 'usual host' so there is a sort of truce between host and virus. If there was a SUPER VIRUS it is likely to be more deadly than the current human influenza virus.
Authorities are concerned about the evolution of a 'super virus' - particularly if it had a high fatality rate, and spread as easily as the human influenza virus - especially given the possibility of rapid dissemination on aeroplanes.
There are now reports of infected birds being found across Russia and Asia. It is not surprising that poultry is being infected by wild birds - there are a very large number of these domesticated poultry across Asia - see map.
The 'super virus' has not developed yet, and the risk is low, but but it is important that authorities take every precaution NOW to PREVENT problems in the the future. We must be also be ready to contain the virus should it arise. (It is more difficult to get pandora back in the box, as it were.)
WHO has been planning for the next pandemic for some time and their system works pretty well - SARS was brought under control by all the resources and planning for the next influenza pandemic.
About Oseltamivir (Trade name Tamiflu)
Oseltamivir (also known as Tamiflu) is the prescription medication that has been mentioned in the DFAT bulletin on Avian Influenza. The Australian Authorities do not recommend short term travellers to affected areas carry the medication.
The Department of Health is advising Australians who reside in an avian influenza affected area for an extended period, to consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine for treatment. This is because long term residents are at a greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time, and, in the event of a more widespread outbreak amongst humans, it may be difficult to access appropriate medicines.
This medication is currently in short supply in most pharmacies due to the increased demand generated by the media, and the government initiative to stockpile the medication so that it is available in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza, and for the people who really need it.
Oseltamivir is an antiviral drug only available on prescription. It is usually prescribed for persons with regular human influenza who are at greater risk of complications ( e.g. persons who have other medical problems as well as influenza).
- Oseltamivir has been shown in clinical trials to shorten the duration of human influenza by a day BUT you must start the medication within 48 hours of developing symptoms of influenza.
- This medication has not been scientifically proven to work in cases of avian influenza - it has only shown effectiveness against avian influenza in limited studies on mice only.
- It has been stockpiled by the government because, in the event of an actual outbreak, the medication is currently all that we have.
- An avian influenza vaccine is being developed but is not available yet.
Short term travellers to at risk areas are not recommended to carry oseltamivir - even if it were available.
In Summary
At this time I can only reinforce the message from WHO - it really is as safe as usual to travel to Asia - just don't visit any poultry farms, or live animal markets, and dont eat raw chicken (these are not a big part of most travellers itinerary anyway).
The media spotlight is intense, but you are still more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident on your way to work than be affected by the bird flu - even if you are visiting ASIA.
Bon Voyage (But regularly check the WHO web site for updates)
