Avian Flu
Aka. Bird Flu
Deadly Statistics
During late 2003 and early 2004, more than 100 million
birds in the affected countries either died from the
disease or were killed in order to try to control the
outbreaks. By March 2004, the outbreak was reported
to be under control. Since late June 2004, however,
new outbreaks of influenza H5N1 among poultry were
reported by several countries in Asia (Cambodia, China
[Tibet], Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia,
Russia [Siberia], Thailand, and Vietnam)
(www.wikipedia.com)
What Causes Avian Flu
Avian influenza can be caused by 1 of around 23
different strains of virus, all of which are type A
members of the Orthomyxoviridae virus family.
However, serious outbreaks such as that currently
affecting Asia usually involve only the H5 and H7
strains. These are highly pathogenic -- that is, easily
spread -- and cause system-wide problems for infected
birds; other strains mainly affect birds' respiratory
systems and are neither as contagious nor as fatal as
H5 and H7.
(http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/focus/2004/36467/index.html)
Web of Causation
Avian Flu
Handling Dead Birds
Improper Cooking Living with Birds
Improperly
Culture
Educate
Build coops
What is it?
Flu from viruses adapted to birds
Occurs naturally in birds world wide, they
carry the viruses in their intestines
The new type of virus is killing wild
migratory birds and also domesticated
chickens, ducks, and various other types
of foul.
How is it Transmitted
Human/bird interaction
Not cooking the meat properly
Handling dead birds improperly
Also transmitted to humans by birds
defecating in the water where Asian
cultures raise their rice crops.
Signs and Symptoms
Fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle
aches
Eye infection (conjunctivitis)
Pneumonia
Aggressive clinical course, with rapid
deterioration (1-3 days) and high fatality
Specific area of interest
Asian countries;
Cambodia, China,
Indonesia, Japan, Laos,
South Korea, Thailand,
and Vietnam
Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Bird flu has struck more
than half of the southern
Mekong Delta
Type of Study Used
An Analytic Experimental Community trial
was used.
Why?
They are implemented to test one or more
specific hypotheses, typically whether an
exposure is a risk factor for a disease or an
intervention is effective in preventing or
curing a disease.
(http://www.epidemiolog.net/evolving/Analytic
StudyDesigns.pdf)
Epidemiological Hypotheses
By mandating the building of chicken coops will
lower the incidence rate of Avian Flu.
Exposure: Building more chicken/bird coops
Health Outcome: Lowering the cases of the
bird flu
Dose Response: 1 coop for every 10 birds
Time Response: 2 years to see a decrease in
incidences among the population
Population: The people of the Mekong Delta
in Vietnam
Five Causation Criteria
1. How strong is the association between Exposure
and Outcome?
The association is very strong; by building one coop
for every ten birds this will lower the incidences of bird
flu among the population.
Criteria Cont.
2. Is the association biologically credible?
There is a strong relationship between the
new coops and the population getting
avian flu.
The new coops will separate the birds from the
humans (mainly children) therefore lowering the
incidences of bird/human interaction.
Criteria cont.
3. Are the results of the epi. studies generally consistent
with respect to the presence and size of association
between exposure and outcome?
Yes the studies prove that the use of the exposure (the coops)
leads to the health outcome (less cases of avian flu).
How?
Well most developed countries don’t live with their fowl and
they don’t have as great of a problems with avian flu as under
developed countries do. Due to the fact that we tend to use
chicken coops, are more educated about handling dead birds,
and we also have the means to cook our foul in a more
sanitary environment.
Criteria cont.
4. Is the time response between exposure
and the health outcome appropriate?
Yes; Two years is an appropriate time
allotment because we don’t know how long it
takes to incubate in the human before the
bird flu shows symptoms.
Criteria cont.
5. Is there dose-response relation between
exposure and outcome?
Yes; For ever 10 birds, build one coop.
Therefore by separating the birds from
roaming around and being in contact with
humans, the incidences of avian flu will most
definitely subside.
Conclusion
By mandating the building of bird coops
the amount of people getting infected
with bird flu will decrease. Therefore
making the Mekong Delta in Vietnam a
more pleasant place to stay.