THREAT OF AVIAN FLU… TRANSMIT RATE IS LOW, LETHALITY HIGH!

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THE THREAT OF AVIAN FLU IS GROWING…. THE TRANSMISSION RATE IS LOW, THE LETHALITY IS HIGH!

The increase in cases of highly pathogenic avian flu is causing great anxiety around the world. After the cases that were also observed in Europe after Asia, the eyes turned to the countries located on the migration route of the birds

An increase in “highly pathogenic” cases of avian flu reported to the World Animal Health Organization in recent weeks has caused great concern around the world. The rapid spread of cases that broke out in Asia to Europe has led to measures in some countries.

The danger of avian flu, which has been detected in 14 countries around the world, is being monitored with great caution. In addition to the loss of life caused by previous years, the poultry industry has also been alarmed by the disease, which has led to the culling of millions of birds.
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AVIAN INFLUENZA HAS BEEN DETECTED AROUND THE WORLD

  • Avian flu warning is more contagious and deadly than coronavirus Bird flu warning! It is more contagious and deadly than coronavirus
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  • A highly pathogenic avian flu virus has been detected at a poultry farm in the Nord region of France, which announced an increased risk level earlier this month due to the rapid spread of avian flu.
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  • The same is the case in the UK: after it was announced that a ‘highly pathogenic’ H5N1 strain had been found on a farm, it was decided to cull chickens and turkeys in coops while the area was quarantined.
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  • South Korea has announced that 24 thousand ducks will be culled after highly contagious avian flu was detected at a duck farm in South Jeollan province.
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  • After a case of avian flu in the Japanese province of Akita, it was announced that about 143 thousand chickens will be culled.

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Since 2003, the highest number of deaths due to avian flu has been recorded in Indonesia with 168 people. Then came Egypt (120) and Vietnam (64).

According to official records, a total of 4 people died in Turkey in 2006, 3 of whom were from the same family, which was described as the deadliest season of avian flu. There were no casualties in the following years.

An avian flu alert in the UK… The region has been quarantined on bird flu alert in the UK… The area is quarantined

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THE TRANSMISSION RATE OF AVIAN FLU IS LOW, THE MORTALITY RATE IS HIGH

So what is the situation of Turkey when avian flu is causing concern in the world? Chairman of the Central Council of the Turkish Veterinary Association (TVHB) and Member of the Scientific Board of Coronavirus Infectious Diseases Specialist Prof. Doctor, related to the subject he answered the questions of.

Specialist Prof. Doctor, who said that avian flu is more deadly compared to coronavirus and SARS, said that this disease, which has spread to 14 countries so far, is a topic that should be given great importance from the point of view of our country.

“A 1997 study conducted in Hong Kong found that 5 out of 17 people who contracted avian flu lost their lives. So the mortality rate is about 30 percent. However, currently, the world average is 2-3 percent in coronavirus-related deaths,” Diseases Specialist Prof. Doctor said, noting that the transmission rate of the disease is low, but the mortality rate is quite high.

Prof. Doctor also mentioned that avian flu can be found in both animals and humans, and explained that currently the disease is more common in waterfowl. The most important point to note here is that Turkey is located on the migration route of migratory birds.

Studies on the avian flu that has emerged in the Bohemian region of the Czech Republic are continuing. Spokesman for the State Veterinary Service (SVS), announced that about 70 geese have died on goose farms near by, while the rest have already begun to be culled.

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WE NEED TO WARN BUSINESSES

Turkey Medicals spokeswoman said, “There are no cases of avian flu in our country yet. However, because the waterfowl are tired of migrating, they take a break on our land. That’s where the risk for our country begins to appear,” was said, and continued:

“It may not be right to say ‘the world is on the verge of a great danger’, but we cannot know that the disease that has spread to 14 countries so far will not increase further in the coming days. Because it is spread by migratory birds, you cannot take great measures either. That is why we need to warn our country, especially business owners, about this situation.’’

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AVIAN FLU ALARM IN BELGIANCEAN AVIAN FLU ALARM IN BELGIUM!

“What are the symptoms of avian flu in an animal? What should people who are engaged in breeding pay attention to?” Turkey Medicals, who also answered our questions, explained that avian flu begins with difficulty breathing in poultry, fever, bruising on the bones and beards.

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EARLY DETECTION AND INTERVENTION IS VERY IMPORTANT

Referring to the fact that animals in some cases die without even showing symptoms 48 hours after receiving the virus, the Head of the TVHB said: “In humans, symptoms are added to the symptoms of a normal flu infection, as well as severe breathing difficulties. Right now, the people infected in the direction of a proven data. But it can be transmitted from animals to animals and from animals to humans,” she said.

Stating that many poultry animals are being culled in the world at the moment, Turkey Medicals said:

“There is no vaccine for this disease. The most important thing in this disease is to detect the condition early. Early detection and intervention are very, very important. It is necessary to raise awareness of animal owners and citizens. We can prevent some risks as follows: in such cases, chickens in both commercial enterprises and villages should not be left outside. And we also need to protect our pets, especially from wild animals.”

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IN TURKEY WE ARE NOT GOING TO CONSUME POULTRY MEAT, NO?

At this point, the question on everyone’s mind is: “Since the possibility of avian flu has arisen again for Turkey, will we be able to easily consume poultry meat in our kitchens?” On this question, Turkey Medicals said that the probability of transmission of avian flu when eating meat is low, and listed the following warnings:

“But we need to pay attention, albeit weakly. When there is contact with white meat, the hand must be washed immediately. We need to cook the meat especially well. The internal temperature of the meat should rise above 70 degrees. We can also understand this by the fact that the pink color in the meat reaches brown.’’

Poultry culling due to an outbreak of avian flu in India Poultry culling due to an outbreak of avian flu in India.

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THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS IS MAKING EUROPE NERVOUS

Stating that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry had conducted an assessment with the relevant Turkey Food and Control Directorate senior officials in recent weeks, Turkey Medicals said, “In 2005, when this disease appeared in our country, an emergency action plan was created. Later, the disease crisis center was also included in these studies. Here are some things to do during the epidemic process. We also evaluated the up-to-date of this information last week. As of this week, the coordination council will convene and make another assessment,” was said.

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IT CONTAINS A HIGH PROPORTION OF DISEASE-CAUSING SUBSTANCES

Infectious Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. “The increase in cases of bird flu in nature, which first began to appear in the Philippines in the summer, then, in turn, spread to China, Japan, Korea and Kazakhstan, and from there to European countries such as Norway, Germany, Denmark and France,” said. The fact that the spreading virus contains a high proportion of disease-causing organisms and substances makes the whole of Europe nervous,” she said.

“This virus has been detected in nature for now, but the spread of it to humans will also occur within a very short time,” Doctor warned, noting an important point.

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THE SIGNS OF THE DISEASE ARE INTERRELATED

On the other hand, despite the many precautions taken, the increase in the number of coronavirus-induced hospitalizations continues in Germany. Stating that it is being investigated whether avian flu affects this increase, Dr. said, “Because the normal flu, avian flu and coronavirus findings have entered into each other. It is very difficult to distinguish between diseases only through examination. In order to make a distinction, it is necessary to look at PCR or antigen tests,” he said, recalling that avian flu, swine flu and normal flu have been intertwined for a long time.

Turkey Medicals added that seasonal screenings conducted in Turkey since 2005 have occasionally detected a low rate of avian flu virus, but this has not led to an outbreak:

“The fact that avian flu is in nature does not always mean that it will also cause an epidemic in humans. But usually after such determinations, we can see clusters either in the same season or in the next season. The dangerous side of this is that the Turkish flu vaccines currently administered do not cover these viruses in Turkey.’’

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President of Organ Transplant Center at MedicalPark Hospital Antalya

Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.

Physician's Resume:

Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.

Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.

In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.

Awards:

Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.

Certificates:

Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .

Professional Members:

American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.

Disclaimer:

Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Medically Reviewed by Professor Doctor Alper Demirbaş
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