Avian flu
Photo: AFP
Several opinion-based articles have been published in DS about the recent outbreak of avian flu, its implications and media coverage of this particular issue. I would like to highlight some of the issues that made public health experts across the world very concerned about the continuing outbreak of avian influenza in poultry and the danger of its being contracted by humans. First, I should address some of the scientific facts. Although the number of cases of humans being infected is still low, the danger is of course there. We all know that it is a type of influenza caused by a virus usually limited to the bird population, but it has crossed the species barrier. Since 2003, the virus has gained the capacity to not only affect the poultry, but also to cause deadly diseases among humans. As it is a new type of influenza, we do not have any immunity against it. This lack of immunity and certain deadly characteristics of this particular virus resulted in fatal infection. Besides being very infectious in nature, the influenza A virus has extraordinary adapting capabilities to change its genes and broaden its host range. This has happened before, in the 1918 pandemic Influenza A virus strain originated from avian sources and caused the most deadly pandemic in recent history. There are questions about excessive media coverage. I don't think this is correct. We must remember that this is an emerging infectious disease, that has the potential to spread across the world. The current virus strain (Influenza A H5N1) originated from southern part of China and is now deeply entrenched in poultry population in over 40 countries in three continents, including Bangladesh, and it shows no signs of slowing down. In Bangladesh, three relevant government agencies have started preparing for it since 2005. Now it is time to adapt and face the challenge. And we need the media more than before to be part of that procedure.
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