Hong Kong Bird Flu Preparedness, 17,000 Chickens Destroyed

News Health Articles - Hong Kong Bird Flu Preparedness, 17,000 Chickens Destroyed. Hong Kong never had a bad history when SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in 2003. Hong Kong also been bothered banish the threat of bird flu in 2006. To be a nightmare does not happen again, Hong Kong has begun to idle to anticipate the Avian Influenza virus (H5N1).

Hong Kong did culling 17,000 chickens after three dead birds confirmed H5N1 strain of bird flu in the past week. The government banned the import and sale of live chickens for three weeks after the discovery of carcasses of infected chickens found in the wholesale market on Tuesday, December 20, 2011.



This incident also raised the alert system will town flu endemic to the level of 'serious'. In addition, two wild birds are also found to have died from the virus. The government says it will trace the source of chicken carcasses, but it was unclear whether the chicken comes from local farms or imported.

"I understand that it will cause inconvenience to the general public and the poultry trade will also experience losses. However, to maintain public health, we need to take steps firmly and effectively to prevent and control the spread of the virus," said the secretary of health and food department Hong Kong, York Chow as reported by the BBC, Wednesday (21/12/2011).

On the day Tuesday, December 20, 2011, an oriental magpie found dead in a secondary school and has tested positive for bird flu. Another high school then closed for a day to be disinfected after a black-headed gull found dead from a virus.

Hong Kong counted quickly take action against infectious diseases after the outbreak of the deadly respiratory disease, SARS, in 2003 killed 300 people in the city and more than 500 people worldwide. While in 2009, as many as 300 people placed in quarantine in Hong Kong after a guest contracted swine flu.

Bird flu or avian influenza (H5N1) is an infectious disease caused by viruses that normally infect birds and mammals. In Southeast Asia most cases of bird flu occurred in poultry or livestock transportation routes. This virus can be transmitted through air or contact through food, drink, and touch.

However, this virus will die in high temperatures. Therefore, meat, eggs, and animals should be thoroughly cooked to avoid infection.

The virus can survive in cold temperatures. Raw foods refrigerated or frozen to keep the virus. Hands should be washed before and after cooking or touching raw food.

Common symptoms that can occur are high fever, respiratory complaints, and (possibly) of the abdomen. Replication of virus in the body can be run quickly so that patients need immediate medical attention.