The simultaneous prevalence of avian and human flu in Taiwan might increase the risk of genetic mutation of the combined flu viruses, further developing new strains which could endanger human lives, the Cabinet's Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday.
The department's Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced yesterday that regular body-temperature checks would be carried out in elementary and high schools nationwide, beginning Feb. 10. Regular temperature checks will continue to at least the end of next month.
According to Shih Wen-yi (
According to Shih, human flu seasons in most countries in Southeast Asian begin in June, from the start of the rainy season.
Shih said that Taiwanese health officials are especially worried about the danger posed by the avian flu virus' getting into people who already carry the human flu virus.
"If the weak strain, H5N2, found at many farms in Taiwan, eventually develops into a stronger one which can transfer to humans, we need to worry about the danger caused by the possible genetic mutation," Shih said.
According to a report of the UK-based Guardian published on Jan. 29, Western experts pointed out that a big concern now is "fast-track mutation" that happens when a person carrying a human flu virus also catches avian flu. If that happens, the viruses can trade genes, leading, in the worst case scenario, to a lethal and highly infectious virus, which no one has immunity to.
In addition, Shih said that it's not just humans at risk. Pigs might also be affected by both the weaker strains of avian flu and human flu and could thus provide viruses with a fertile breeding ground for developing genetic mutations. After that, the mutated flu virus strains might jump species and infect humans, leading to the spread of unmanageable diseases.
Ho Mei-shang (
Whether environmental and climate factors this year will boost the spread of avian flu in other countries deserves further research, he said.
Meanwhile, the Council of Agriculture (COA) is dealing with complaints from vendors in Huan-nan Public Market in Taipei as well as fears spread on farms in many counties that have been affected by animal diseases, including avian flu, for weeks.
Chiang Yi-nan (
The bureau yesterday corrected its statement and said the strain was found in samples collected from a wholesale market nearby, where live poultry was traded.
"Please forgive us for the mistake which was made because of our haste," Chiang said to vendors.
Consumers yesterday were reluctant to visit the market due to the bureau's announcement on Thursday. Agriculture officials stressed that consumers should remain calm because H5N2 could not exist in the meat of well-cooked ducks and chickens.
Minister of the COA, Lee Ching-lung (
According to bureau deputy director general Yeh Ying (
Yeh said that chickens and ducks on affected farms nationwide would be slaughtered in the near future. In Tainan County, more than 15,000 chickens on affected farms, where H5N2 was found, are scheduled to be slaughtered today. The cause of the mysterious deaths of chickens on three other farms in the county remained unclear yesterday.
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