SA prepares for bird flu
2005-10-17 13:27
Johannesburg - The department of health says it is working closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other countries in exploring measures to deal with a possible avian flu outbreak, BuaNews the government news service reported.
This will ensure adequate preparedness and effective response to any possible influenza outbreak that may occur because of the avian flu that is affecting some parts of the world.
"The department is monitoring every development around the world and together with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases we are constantly reviewing the country's flu epidemic prevention and management plan," said spokesperson Solly Mabotha.
According to Mabotha several measures would be put in place to enable the country to respond adequately.
In the absence of a vaccine to prevent the spread of the virus, countries around the world have been discussing a variety of options including the stockpiling of Tamiflu drug, said to be the best medicine available today to treat the virus.
Mabotha said since the drug was not registered in the country, the Medicines Control Council (MCC) had made an urgent request to the health ministry to allow for the quick registration of the drug for use here.
H5N1 strain can mutate, jump species
"This means that the MCC are requesting an approval to give the drug priority over other medicines awaiting evaluation. Response to this effect is expected in due course," he said.
Avian influenza, or "bird flu", is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect birds and - less commonly - pigs.
The WHO says that there is evidence the H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus - which has been circulating in birds - has a unique capacity to mutate and jump species barrier causing a disease with high mortality in humans.
The first priority - according to the WHO - is to reduce opportunities for human exposure to the largest reservoir of the virus, which are infected poultry.
This is achieved through the rapid detection of poultry outbreaks and the emergency introduction of control measures, including the destruction of all infected or exposed poultry stock, and the proper disposal of carcasses.
No immediate danger to SA
To date no cases of bird flu caused by the H5N1 strain have been reported in South Africa.
The recent strain - H5N2 last detected in August 2004 at ostrich farms in the Eastern Cape - has since been successfully contained.
Mabotha said despite the fact there was no immediate danger to SA; health authorities had intensified detection control measures to prevent any possible human exposure. "This includes strengthening screening services at the country's major points of entry for people and freight from high-risk areas that has been affected by bird flu, particularly Asia.
"The department is also working closely with the Department of Agriculture to monitor developments concerning animal influenza outbreaks and remains confident the situation is under control;" he said.