12 February 2004	Thursday	20 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Feb 11: Avian Virus or H5N1 has not been isolated in Pakistan yet, but it is vulnerable at any point of time like all other parts of the world. This was stated by the WHO Medical Officer (Epidemiology) in Pakistan, Dr Faizullah Kakkar at a workshop, jointly organized by Federal Health Ministry and WHO at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).

"The way Avian Influenza is travelling, it is feared that it may also reach Pakistan," he commented. Seeking absolute caution at all levels and all necessary measures to prevent its eruption in Pakistan, he said that the Avian Influenza (Influenza-A) virus isolated in the United States of America, only recently, reinforces the WHO concern and alarm.

The USA happens to be among the affected countries as Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Cambodia, China and Indonesia.

Dr Kakkar reminded that the Influenza-A, discovered more than 100 years ago in Italy, is highly contagious among birds, particularly domestic birds and being extremely pathogenic can infect human beings too through genetic mutation.

"There is, however, no scientific consensus on human to human spread of H5N1 strain," he said. He mentioned that since most of the recent Avian Influenza cases had occurred among poultry bird handlers, thus, it had been strongly advised to provide such people protective gears as masks, gloves, etc.

He further advised those having direct exposure to live birds to be administered vaccines - Oseltamavir or Zanamavir. These two vaccines were not only very expensive, but also not available in Pakistan, leaving locals with no option but to ensure fool proof prevention, he added.

The WHO officer stressed that though Influenza-A was not usually known to humans, however, once transmitted the infection could lead to development of this disease from one person to another with symptoms of avian influenza ranging from typical influenza like symptoms to eye infections, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia and other life threatening complications.

Reminding that the Influenza-A is extremely pathogenic and human beings hold no immunity against it, Dr Faizullah mentioned that the WHO had adopted a five-pronged strategy at global level to address any possible pandemic.

The strategy included upgrading surveillance across the world and ensuring that all countries, without any failure dispatch their samples to the WHO laboratories, where scientists were round-the-clock engaged in sequencing of genes.

This was followed with efforts to contain virus among birds, he said, and added that as per WHO instructions, the infected birds should be necessarily culled. While the masses should also be adequately informed about actual scenario without causing any false alarm, he added.

Dr Faizullah said that the H7N2 strain of Influenza virus had emerged to be the predominant sprain identified in Pakistan along with H9N3 and that these two of low pathogenicity could also mutate into highly pathogenic viruses for other birds.

According to the WHO officer, heating the chicken meat at 70 degrees centigrade as well as taking proper care in handling egg shell and frying or heating content leaves the two absolutely safe for human consumption.

People here in Pakistan were getting unnecessarily alarmed, he said, adding that a hype has been created in Pakistan despite the fact that H5NI virus has not been identified in the country so far.

Referring to the behaviour of Avian Influenza, Dr Faizullah said some were more at risk to get inflicted with it as infants (below one year of age) and aged above 65. Generally, all people with direct exposure to infected birds could be afflicted, he added. He also referred to the "Missing Vessel Phenomenon", registered during the recent outbreak, where pig had been predicted by the WHO as the animal that emerged as a source of further spread of the virus.

According to him, evidence also existed of human being serving as "Mixing Vessel" hence enhancing urgency to protect transporters and farmers. He mentioned that during previous epidemics 11 per cent to 13 per cent of population was infected, while presently 132 million people in the western world were estimated to be infected in case of any outbreak. The number in developing countries could be huge, he observed.

Former DG Health, Dr Mohammad Ali Ansari; NICVD Director, Prof Azhar Farooqui; Prof Mashoor Alam Shah; Lt Gen (retd) Azhar Qureshi; Dr Ayehja Mehnaz; and other experts were also present. -APP