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Turkey's Avian Flu Cases No Cause for Alarm - Ministry

Posted on: Monday, 10 October 2005, 06:00 CDT

Excerpt from report by Turkish news agency Anatolia on 9 October

The Ministry of Health has announced that the "avian flu" incidents that have occurred in Manyas [western Turkey] are "not related to the great epidemic around the world" and that "there is no question of a flu epidemic that may threaten society across the country."

A statement released by the Ministry of Health says that, regardless of the carrying agent, avian flu is an animal disease observed in winged creatures. It adds that the disease, also known as "chicken plague," is highly contagious among animals and may cause death.

Noting that the flu virus observed in people on a seasonal basis is not the same as the virus that propagates avian flu, the statement continues:

"Avian flu is a disease that may be transmitted to humans who are in close contact with the affected animals, though the probability of that is very low. However the disease has not yet been observed to pass from one human to another. There is no question of the disease being transmitted from an affected human to another. [Passage omitted]

Noting that the flu epidemics seen among humans seasonally in winter months are not related to avian flu, the statement says: "The seasonal flu can be transmitted from human to human and it may have severe effects on individuals who are already stricken by diseases or circumstances that suppress their immune system. Citizens are urged to maintain personal hygiene to protect themselves against seasonal flu and high-risk individuals are recommended to get flu shots."

The statement says that the great flu epidemics that occur around the world every 35 to 40 years develop as a result of a change in the structure of the virus that causes seasonal flu. It continues:

"This epidemic has emerged because of a change in the structure of the virus that generally causes flu in animals or structural changes in the virus causing human flu as a result of the effect of animal viruses on the human virus. [Passage omitted]

The statement says that the avian flu incidents seen in Turkey at present are not in any way related to the great epidemic, that the avian flu seen in Southeast Asia has spread to Central Asia through migrating birds, and that it is spreading to other countries through seasonal migrations of birds.

The statement notes that, because Turkey is on the migration path of migrating birds, it was predicted that avian flu could also be observed in winged animals in Turkey. It continues:

"However, it is impossible to prevent this situation despite all the measures taken. The probability of the disease being transmitted to winged animals that are in contact with wildlife is very high, and the incidence of avian flu in turkeys around Lake Manyas, a bird reserve, confirms this prediction. It is believed that the probability of the disease spreading to integrated winged animal production facilities is extremely small because these animals are not in contact with wildlife."

The statement says that the Ministry of Agriculture and Village Affairs is conducting necessary work for animal health in connection with the avian flu incidents in the Manyas region and that relevant experts from the Ministry of Health were sent to the region after the necessary information was obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture.

The statement says: "The Ministry of Health is conducting work to ensure that the avian flu does not pose a threat to human health."

The statement says that, in this context, producers and workers who are in close contact with the affected animals have been asked to use protective materials specified by the Ministry of Health in their contacts with the diseased and dead animals in order not to contract the disease.

The statement says that individuals who work in the farms where the disease has been observed and who are in close contact with the animals will be provided with seven days of drug treatment and protection in view of the incubation time of the disease and that the Ministry of Health will supply the necessary medications.

The statement says: "The Ministry of Health has instructed health maintenance organizations to start the necessary diagnostic and treatment protocols for persons who fit the incidence description of the disease especially if they have stories of contact in farms where diseased animals have been found."

The statement also says that employers have been asked to inoculate their employees with flu shots to prevent them from contracting seasonal flu and that health workers associated with the disease are being trained.

The statement adds: "At this stage there is no question of a flu epidemic that may threaten humans across the country. Furthermore there have been no human affliction cases stemming from avian flu. Everyone should know that the occurrence of avian flu cases among winged animals in our country does not create a situation that may be cause for alarm. It must also not be forgotten it is important for everyone to act sensibly and calmly so that services can be provided in the best possible manner.

"The Ministry of Health has completed its planning work with regard to the great epidemic expected around the world. The main outlines of the flu pandemic plan are: the control and management of the disease, the monitoring of the disease, the study and treatment of the observed cases, the protection of society, ensuring continuity of services, and research and evaluation."

Source: BBC Monitoring European

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