AVIAN INFLUENZA 2022. Avian influenza is an animal disease caused by A strains of the influenza virus. It is also called “influenza A”. It is an infectious, viral, highly contagious disease affecting domestic birds (poultry) and wild birds which can, depending on the strain, be transmitted to humans. Symptoms, in France … Know everything.
[Mise à jour le 14 janvier 2022 à 15h18] Bird flu or “avian influenza” is a disease of animal origin caused by A strains of the influenza virus. It is also called “influenza A”. It’s a infectious, viral, highly contagious disease, affecting domestic (poultry) and wild birds which can, depending on the strain, be transmitted to humans. In January 2022, the The Minister of Agriculture confirmed several outbreaks of contamination in France. A first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected on November 26 2021 in a commercial laying hen farm in the municipality of Warhem, in the northern department. On December 16, a H5N1 type outbreak was confirmed in a duck farm ready to force-feed in the town of Manciet, in the Gers. This is the first poultry outbreak highlighted in the Southwest since the start of this new episode. As of January 13, 2022, France has 151 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in livestock, 21 cases in wild animals and 5 cases in backyards. “The consumption of meat, foie gras and eggs – and more generally of any poultry-based food product – does not present no risk for humans” recalls the ministry. In Europe, since August 2021, numerous outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been detected in wildlife or in farms, particularly on the shores of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The health authorities of many Member States (Netherlands, Germany, Italy…) have notified of outbreaks in poultry farms (turkeys and broilers, laying hens). twenty-nine countries are now affected throughout the European continent, which has nearly 400 outbreaks in breeding and 700 cases in wildlife. QWhat precautions should be taken? What are the symptoms of bird flu? How is it transmitted? Details.
In January 2022, the The Minister of Agriculture confirmed several outbreaks of contamination in France. A first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected on November 26 in a commercial laying hen farm in the municipality of Warhem, in the northern department. On December 16, a H5N1 type outbreak was confirmed in a duck farm ready to force-feed in the town of Manciet, in the Gers. This is the first poultry outbreak highlighted in the Southwest since the start of this new episode. As of January 13, 2022, France has 151 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in livestock, 21 cases in wild animals and 5 cases in backyards. Many measures are taken to preserve poultry farms. In 2020, the episode of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) experienced by France (between autumn 2020 and spring 2021) was the cause of 492 outbreaks in poultry farming, 20 cases in wild animals and 2 cases in captive animals. About 3.5 million poultry (mainly ducks) were slaughtered in the Southwest during this crisis on the orders of the administration to limit the spread of the virus.
Avian influenza is a disease of animal origin caused by A strains of the influenza virus. It is also called “influenza A”. It’s a infectious, viral, highly contagious disease, affecting domestic (poultry) and wild birds which can, depending on the strain, be transmitted to humans. Many species of wild birds, especially those that live in wetlands and aquatic environments, harbor influenza viruses. The anseriformes (and more particularly the ducks, the geese and swans) as well as charadriiformes (such as seagulls, terns and waders) constitute the main reservoir bird flu virus natural. The infection can be highly contagious in animals and decimate an entire farm in 48 hours only hence its other names “avian plague” and “chicken ebola“Bird flu can also be transmitted to other species such as pigs. It is not a reportable human disease..
“Normally, avian flu does not affect humans” reminds theWorld Health Organization (WHO). But this has already happened, in France in particular. “In most cases, those infected had had close contacts with infected poultry or with contaminated objects by their droppings“ continues the WHO. Transmission occurs via fine dust contaminated by bird droppings or respiratory secretions:
→ Mainly by breathing in this contaminated dust.
→ By receiving projections on the ocular mucous membranes.
→ The contaminated hands can also carry the virus near the respiratory tract or ocular mucous membranes.
You should know that not all avian influenza viruses are transmitted to humans. Four of 144 strains of avian influenza A virus caused human infections: H5N1, H7N3, H7N7 and H9N2. “Some of these infections have been very severe and have sometimes caused death, but in many cases they have remained mild or subclinical in humans” points out the WHO.
“At present, the transmission of the virus does not only happens from animals to humans, but the health authorities fear an evolution of the virus towards a form transmissible from man to man, opening the door to a pandemic” explains thePastor Institute.
Infection can cause all sorts of symptoms in birds, from mild illness, which often goes unnoticed, to rapidly fatal illness that can cause serious outbreaks. In the cases of bird flu transmissible to humans, the disease is generally mild. Among the symptoms:
- a high fever (above 38°C)
- tired,
- muscle aches,
- cough and sore throat.
The appearance of these symptoms in a person who has stayed in a risk area or who has been in contact with infected birds must be dealt with urgently. Bird flu can to complicate with pneumonia with high mortality.
The children, including babies under 1 year old, pregnant women, the the elderly and those presenting certain pathologies, such as cancer or asthma, for example, are more vulnerable and may present more significant complications, in particular pulmonary complications (pulmonary superinfection by pneumococcus) testifying to the seriousness of the disease.
The bird flu virus is spread through contact with infected birds or surfaces and objects contaminated by their droppings. To protect yourself against this, you must wash your hands regularly, wear a mask and waterproof gloves (when handling dead animals or animal waste).
If you travel to (or live in) an area where there is a risk of bird flu, L’Pasteur Institute of Lille recommends:
- avoiding high-risk places, such as poultry farms and live animal markets;
- avoid direct contact with birds, especially hens, chickens, ducks and wild birds;
- avoid surfaces contaminated with bird droppings or secretions;
- to observe the rules of hand hygiene and food hygiene.
In addition, France has put in place a government plan to fight avian flu with different steps to follow depending on the progress of a possible epidemic:
- remove avian reservoirs that may contribute to the spread of the epidemic (slaughter of chickens and other poultry).
- in the event of confirmation of transmission to humans: limitation of movement, closure of borders, stoppage of public transport, etc.
No vaccine is authorized by the European Commission.
“Yes, answer theWHO, provided certain precautions are taken in countries currently affected by outbreaks. ” In areas free of the disease, these products can be prepared and consumed as usual, following good hygiene practices and cooking rules, without fear of being infected with the H5N1 virus. In areas affected by outbreaks, poultry and poultry products can be eaten without danger provided they are well done and properly handled during preparation. the virus is inactivated at temperatures achieved during conventional cooking (at least 70°C in the center of the product or when no part of the flesh is pink anymore). “The consumption of meat, foie gras and eggs – and more generally of any poultry-based food product – does not present no risk for humans” recalls the Ministry of Agriculture in France.
Once the doctor has confirmed the diagnosis of avian flu by taking a sample, he sets up an appropriate treatment based on antivirals. It exists two antiviral treatments against classic or avian influenza viruses, which can be used preventively or curatively (oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®)). These drugs can both help the patient recover more quickly and limit the risk of complications. To be effective, antivirals must be administered within 36 hours after onset the first signs of the disease. The antibiotics are inactive against viruses, their use is only recommended in case of bacterial superinfection. Nowadays, no vaccine is not authorized by the European Commission.
In the event of flu-like symptoms after close contact with infected birds or poultry, or their soiled environment, consult a doctor very quickly and specify your profession.
Sources:
• Avian Flu, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, General Directorate of Forestry and Rural Affairs, General Directorate of Food, July 2006.
• Avian flu, Institut Pasteur.
• Avian influenza, avian influenza and the threat of a pandemic: a new issue in occupational health. INRS. 2006.