Bangladesh reports human H5N1 avian influenza death
The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research in Dhaka has reported the seventh case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza, according to a IEDCR release.
According to Bangladeshi health authorities, the victim was a 1 year 11 months old male child from Chauddogram, Comilla. He was admitted to Comilla Medical College Hospital, later transferred to Dhaka Shishu Hospital and then to a private clinic. He died on 18th February, 2013. This is the first death case of H5N1 in Bangladesh.
H5N1 avian influenza
Image/CDC
The H5N1 avian influenza was laboratory confirmed by the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, a WHO reference laboratory.
According to the ongoing epidemiological investigation, the IEDCR says there is a strong epidemiological link with backyard poultry deaths. No other case was found among contacts during the investigation.
According to a Gulf Times report, four flu viruses — H1N1, H5N1, H3N2 and H9N2 — are circulating in Bangladesh that scientists say can be devastating.
IEDCR experts suggested that people should eat well-cooked poultry products and strictly maintain bio-security in farms.
Bangladesh identified its first bird flu infection in human on May 22, 2008.
According to the WHO, the primary risk factor for human infection with the virus appears to be direct or indirect exposure to infected live or dead poultry or contaminated environments.
They go on to say there is no evidence to suggest that the H5N1 virus can be transmitted to humans through properly prepared poultry or eggs. A few human cases have been linked to consumption of dishes made of raw, contaminated poultry blood. However, slaughter, defeathering, handling carcasses of infected poultry, and preparing poultry for consumption, especially in household settings, are likely to be risk factors.
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It is a matter of regret that Bangladesh Government is not publishing this news in mass media like BTV to teach the cooking method of poultry products.
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