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Pathogenic Guide: Avian Flu & Avian Flu A
Bird Flu - H5N1
What is Avian Flu?
Avian influenza, or “bird flu”, is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that
normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs. Avian influenza viruses are highly
species-specific, but have, on rare occasions, crossed the species barrier to infect humans.
In domestic poultry, infection with avian influenza viruses causes two main forms of
disease, distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The so-called “low pathogenic” form commonly causes only mild symptoms (ruffled feathers, a drop in egg production) and may easily go undetected. The highly pathogenic form is far more dramatic. It spreads very rapidly through poultry flocks, causes disease affecting multiple
internal organs, and has a mortality that can approach 100%, often within 48 hours.
Where can Avian Flu be found?
Wild aquatic birds, ducks, geese and gulls and shorebirds are carriers of the full variety
of influenza virus A¹ subtypes, and thus, most probably constitute the natural reservoir
of all influenza A viruses. While all bird species are thought to be susceptible, some
domestic poultry species - chickens, turkey, guinea fowl, quail and pheasants - are
known to be especially vulnerable to the sequelae of infection.
Lower the risks of Avian Flu
How is it spread?
• Good hand hygiene is the number
one way to prevent the spread of
germs.
• Avoid touching poultry or their
faeces.
• Poultry eggs stained with dirt
should be washed and wiped dry
before putting them into the refrigerator or storage.
• Uncooked poultry meat should be
kept in well covered containers.
• Practice good Hygiene Habits.
Clean surfaces with a heavy duty
fast acting cleaner disinfectant,
such as CidalSan® Ultra.
Avian influenza is most often spread by contact between infected birds and healthy
birds. It may also be spread indirectly through contact with contaminated equipment
and materials. The avian influenza virus is found in secretions from the nares (nostrils),
mouth, and eyes of infected birds and is also excreted in their droppings.
The spread of avian influenza between poultry facilities almost always results from the
movement of infected birds or contaminated people and equipment (including clothing,
boots, and vehicles). Avian influenza virus can also be found on the outer surfaces of
egg shells (but rarely inside); therefore, egg transfer is a potential means of avian influenza transmission. Airborne transmission of avian influenza virus from farm to farm is
not likely.
H5N1 can be spread from birds to people as a result of direct contact with infected
birds, such as during home slaughter and plucking of infected poultry. Public health
concerns centre around the potential for the virus to mutate or combine with other
influenza viruses to a form that could easily spread from person to person. If that happens, there is a risk that the virus could rapidly spread worldwide and cause large
numbers of humans to become ill or die (a pandemic).
What does it cause?
• When working in poultry facilities
follow hygiene procedures
(including maintaining proper hygiene procedures concerning
clothing, boots, machines and
vehicles)
The most common symptoms of avian flu in birds are: ruffled feathers, reduced egg
production, respiratory distress. In some cases, domestic birds may die the same day
symptoms appear.
The most common symptoms of avian influenza in humans are: fever, cough, sore
throat , muscle aches, eye infections, pneumonia.
How is it treated?
Currently the most common treatment used is a medication called Tamiflu. Tamiflu
prevents the virus from escaping its host cell.
1
Influenza viruses are grouped into three types, designated A, B, and C. Influenza A and B viruses are of concern for human
health. Only influenza A viruses can cause pandemics.
Pathogenic Guide: Avian Flu & Avian Flu A
Bird Flu - H5N1
Aseptix Prevention Measures
• Educate workers about the importance of strict adherence to and proper use of hand hygiene after contact with infected or
exposed poultry, contact with contaminated surfaces, or after removing gloves. Hand hygiene should consist of washing with
soap and water for 15-20 seconds or the use of other standard hand-disinfection procedures as specified by state government,
industry, or global outbreak-response guidelines.
• Ensure that personnel have access to appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), instructions and training in PPE use, and
respirator fit-testing.
• Persons exposed to avian influenza A-infected or potentially infected poultry are recommended to follow good infection control practices including careful attention to hand hygiene, and to use personal protective equipment. In addition, they should be
vaccinated against seasonal influenza and should take influenza antiviral agents for prophylaxis. Exposed persons should be carefully monitored for symptoms that develop during and in the week after exposure to infected poultry or to potentially avian
influenza-contaminated environments.
The Aseptix Infection Prevention program provides;
• Ultra fast 30 seconds kill on Avian Flu with surface disinfectants.
• Proven cleaning power and leaving no residue. Disinfect and remove surface soils
(e.g. dirty & blood) without leaving a residue behind that could attract grime and
help bacteria grow.
• Time & Cost Efficient. All Aseptix products are ready-to-use and clean & disinfect
in one. So labor costs which are often the highest costs in infection prevention
will be reduced. Aseptix provides a range of the fastest Infection Prevention programs.
• Aseptix provides a clear-cut ultra safe procedure. All products clean & disinfect
in one without compromising the indoor air quality or a person’s respiratory or
immune system like harsh cleaning materials tend to do. A weakened immune
system makes a person much more susceptible to an Avian Flu infection.
• Futhermore Aseptix products will not deteriorate hard surfaces and other materials, like alcohol based products do. Avian Flu is eliminated by applying Aseptix
products to disease transfer surfaces. There is no chance to misunderstand the
procedure and Avian Flu will be eliminated in one simple cleaning step.
• Environmentally Preferable. Avoid fixing one problem by causing another. Combat Avian Flu without introducing potential hazardous chemicals into your environment (hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen before reaching the water and sewer systems).
• No use precautions, no hazard labeling, simple use instructions, high compliance.
Recommended Procedures for proper infection control:
• Thoroughly clean all common skin-contact surfaces daily.
• Use appropriate Aseptix product for disinfecting disease transfer points:
- Spray surface
- Leave on surface for 30 seconds
- Wipe surface with a clean cloth, wipe or paper towel
• Use a clean cloth or paper towel each time they become visibly soiled and each
time you move to a different room.
• Maintain good hand hygiene. Use Aseptix hand soaps and hand rubs which have
fast Avian Flu efficacy and are mild to the skin
Contact Information
Aseptix BV
Bredestraat 11
3632 AX Loenen aan de Vecht
The Netherlands
phone
+31 (0)294 230 113
fax
+31 (0)294 233 104
internet www.aseptix.com
Pathogenic Guide Avian Flu 2007