Pigs Spread Virus - H5N1 - Captain Trips?
In the wake of news that migratory birds appear to have transported the H5N1 avian influenza strain to parts of Russia, European governments are boosting biosecurity on the assumption the virus's migration westward will continue.
Migratory birds will spread H5N1 worldwide starting in late August. Free range chickens, outdoor poultry and swine are subject to the virus.
As witnessed by the "Suis" outbreak in China, which has now spread to Hong Kong, swine are a vessel through which H5N1 from infected birds can be mutated and transmitted to humans.
Government officials are in discussions with farmers about restricting the movement of pigs as well as poultry.
Scientists fear that pigs can act as "mixing vessels" for flu viruses that would otherwise be mainly harmful to birds -- although humans in close contact can be infected and killed by such viruses -- and turn them into a highly contagious disease that spreads easily between humans.
Obvious methods of passing the virus from birds or swine to humans are through physical contact or consumption of inflected meat or eggs.
Birds and swine can also pass the virus through virus laced bird droppings or swine feces and foot and mouth disease.
Once introduced in the environment via FMD or fecal matter the virus remains active in the soil and water supply, even after the removal of the inflected animals.
Humans and animals who tread through the ground in infected areas will tranport the virus on their feet or shoes to new areas.
70% of the pork imported to Hong Kong comes from Sichaun in China. Hong Kong airport is international.
With the spread through Asia, Indonesia, Russia and possibly India, migrating birds, poultry eggs/meat & swine meat will be a lesser evil should humans begin to transport the virus through international travel.
Pessimists say that should H5N1 mutate and become easily passed human to human; tens of millions could die, and the world economy could be pushed into its biggest slump since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
In the event of an Asian bird flu outbreak, the Australian Government has plans to seal off the country from the world, closing air and sea ports. Its contingency plan also calls for compulsory quarantine, closing schools, public transport and places of work.
Fear of Pigs
Migratory birds will spread H5N1 worldwide starting in late August. Free range chickens, outdoor poultry and swine are subject to the virus.
As witnessed by the "Suis" outbreak in China, which has now spread to Hong Kong, swine are a vessel through which H5N1 from infected birds can be mutated and transmitted to humans.
Government officials are in discussions with farmers about restricting the movement of pigs as well as poultry.
Scientists fear that pigs can act as "mixing vessels" for flu viruses that would otherwise be mainly harmful to birds -- although humans in close contact can be infected and killed by such viruses -- and turn them into a highly contagious disease that spreads easily between humans.
Obvious methods of passing the virus from birds or swine to humans are through physical contact or consumption of inflected meat or eggs.
Birds and swine can also pass the virus through virus laced bird droppings or swine feces and foot and mouth disease.
Once introduced in the environment via FMD or fecal matter the virus remains active in the soil and water supply, even after the removal of the inflected animals.
Humans and animals who tread through the ground in infected areas will tranport the virus on their feet or shoes to new areas.
70% of the pork imported to Hong Kong comes from Sichaun in China. Hong Kong airport is international.
With the spread through Asia, Indonesia, Russia and possibly India, migrating birds, poultry eggs/meat & swine meat will be a lesser evil should humans begin to transport the virus through international travel.
Pessimists say that should H5N1 mutate and become easily passed human to human; tens of millions could die, and the world economy could be pushed into its biggest slump since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
In the event of an Asian bird flu outbreak, the Australian Government has plans to seal off the country from the world, closing air and sea ports. Its contingency plan also calls for compulsory quarantine, closing schools, public transport and places of work.
Fear of Pigs
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