Avian Influenza

Avian Influenza Outbreaks in South-East Asia

Outbreaks of Avian Influenza in Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand have been reported among poultry. In 2008, Bangladesh reported its first human case of Avian Influenza in a 16-month-old male from Komalapur, Dhaka. In late 2007, Myanmar reported its first human case in a seven year old girl from Shan States (East). Both cases in Bangladesh and Myanmar have since recovered.

Indonesia and Thailand are the other countries in our region to have confirmed cases and deaths from Avian Influenza.

WHO has reported 141 laboratory confirmed human cases of avian influenza in Indonesia, with 115 deaths since July 2005. Thailand has reported 25 cases with 17 deaths since December 2003.

The South-East Asia Region accounts for 168 cases and 132 deaths from Avian Influenza A (H5N1).

For more information, see Regional Situation Update

National Institute of Virology, Pune, India designated as WHO H5 Reference Laboratory

The National Institute of Virology, Indian Council of Medical Research, Pune, India (NIV) has been designated as the first WHO Influenza A/H5 Reference Laboratory in the South-East Asia Region. With this designation the global number of H5 Reference Laboratories has increased to 10, five of which are also the WHO Collaborating Centres for Influenza. The terms of reference of H5 Reference Laboratories include provision of diagnostic referral services that support surveillance, epidemiological tracing, and vaccine development as well as training the human resource to enhance their skills.

Avian Influenza - What You Need to know and Do

Bird flu (avian influenza) is caused by a virus. It is present in droppings, respiratory, secretions and blood of the infected birds. Human beings get accidentally infected. In adults, most infections have occurred among those who have removed feathers or slaughtered infected chickens, or children playing around sick or dying chickens.

More Information

Bangla Version [PDF 2.3 MB]

Preventing Bird Flu: Questions and Answers

I don’t have soap or water, how can I make my hands free of bird flu virus? - Use a 70% alcohol – based hand rub solution. Use sufficient quantity to completely cover your hands. Wash your hands using running water and soap as soon as these become available. Please note that alcohol rub only destroys germs. It does not clean the hands. Hand washing does both. How can I protect myself from a patient of bird flu? Stay away from the patient while coughing/sneezing. If possible, cover your nose with tissue paper or a piece of cloth.

More Information

Preventing Bird Flu: Precautions poultry farm workers should take

Always keep chickens “roofed in” so that they do not come in contact with wild or migratory birds. Do not allow ANY chickens or eggs to be taken out from poultry farm. Destroy all eggs. Do not carry chickens from an infected poultry farm to your home for cooking. Disinfect boots or shoes before entering or leaving a poultry farm.