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Post by The March Hare on Jan 27, 2006 21:18:48 GMT 1
Turkey Overcomes Bird Flu
A little more good news on the fight against bird flu
By Mehmet Baki, Ankara
Published: Tuesday, January 24, 2006
zaman.com
Patients, previously diagnosed and treated for bird flu, are one by one being discharged from the hospital. Twelve patients recovered safe and sound return their houses in Van, Ankara, Samsun, and Sanliurfa on Monday.
Four of five patients are still receiving treatment at Van Yuzuncuyil School of Medicine Research Hospital and another at Erzurum Aziziye School of Medicine Hospital.
Turkey's Health Ministry has notified the conditions of these patients are not serious and they have been treated without being place on respiration systems. Four people in various cities lost their lives in Turkey after being diagnosed with bird flu.
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Post by jj on Jan 28, 2006 10:43:35 GMT 1
Thats good news to hear Bob, the reason for us not booking our holiday sooner  |
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Post by marmaris98 on Jan 28, 2006 11:02:49 GMT 1
doesn't bother me
unless you play with chickens i don't think there is any risk
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Post by jj on Jan 28, 2006 11:25:33 GMT 1
doesn't bother me unless you play with chickens i don't think there is any risk Doesn't bother me either Jules but my hubby was being "Victor" again goin on about it, could have throttled him ???because I ended up having problems trying to book for where we wanted to go.........sorted now I'm pleased to say  |
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Post by marmaris98 on Jan 28, 2006 18:00:50 GMT 1
good for you
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Post by juicyjude on Jan 28, 2006 18:17:43 GMT 1
That's really good news, don't think I'll be playing with any chickens anyway, when you play football with them they always FOUL and are sent off!!!! boom boom (s :oorry everyone)
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Post by jj on Jan 29, 2006 17:55:37 GMT 1
Nice one Jude!!!!!  |
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Post by The March Hare on Jan 29, 2006 20:15:09 GMT 1
ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents, issued the following information on 12th January:
“BIRD FLU IN TURKEY. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed a number of cases of bird flu in humans in Turkey during January. The situation there is very similar to the kinds of outbreaks in south east Asia, which have been occurring since 2003 and there is still no evidence of human to human transmission of the disease. The Foreign Office, which takes advice on this issue from the World Health Organisation and the Department of Health, has not changed its advice to Turkey as they report that the risk from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low, provided travellers avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where they may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds. They also advise travellers to ensure that poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked. “
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The facts
• All the evidence shows that the only people who have been infected have had close, direct contact with infected birds.
• There have been no cases of travellers being infected anywhere in the world.
• There have been no cases of transmission from human to human anywhere in the world.
• All of the cases have been amongst villagers, mostly in the far east of Turkey, who often keep poultry in their own homes.
Your questions answered
Is it safe to travel to Turkey?
There have been no cases of travellers being infected by bird flu anywhere in the world. All the evidence shows that the only cases of bird flu have been contracted by direct contact with infected birds and the World Health Organisation says there is no sign that the virus is passing from human to human.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office states: “The risk of avian flu to British nationals visiting countries affected by avian flu is believed to be very low. There is no reason not to travel to these countries.”
Likewise, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs state that "The risk of avian flu to Irish nationals visiting affected countries is believed to be low. There are no specific restrictions for travellers to any of the countries affected by avian influenza as the risk is believed to be low."
How has infection occurred in Turkey?
According to the World Health Organisation, “To date, all evidence indicates that patients have acquired their infections following close contact with diseased poultry. Contact between people and poultry has likely increased during the present cold weather, when the custom among many rural households is to bring poultry into their homes.
Based on experiences during the avian H5N1 outbreaks in Asia, behaviours that carry an especially high risk of infection include the slaughtering, defeathering, butchering, and preparation for consumption of diseased poultry. These behaviours tend to occur most frequently in rural areas where populations traditionally slaughter and consume birds once deaths or signs of illness are seen in poultry flocks.”
Is it possible to catch bird flu?
The following is taken from the WHO web site:
“The risk of avian influenza to humans is almost entirely confined to those who have had close contact with infected domestic poultry. For people who have no contact with domestic or wild birds the risk is almost non-existent.
To date, most human cases of avian influenza have occurred in rural or periurban areas where many households keep small poultry flocks, which often roam freely, sometimes entering homes or sharing outdoor areas where children play. As infected birds shed large quantities of the virus in their faeces, opportunities for exposure to infected droppings or to environments contaminated by the virus are abundant under such conditions. Exposure is considered most likely during slaughter, defeathering, butchering, and preparation of poultry for cooking. “
What precautions should I take in Turkey?
According to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, there are no specific restrictions for travellers to any of the countries affected by avian influenza, ‘as the risk is believed to be very low’.
In Turkey, as in the other countries where cases of bird flu have been reported, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked. Normal cooking destroys the avian influenza virus. No cases of avian influenza have been linked to the consumption of properly cooked poultry and egg products.
As the risks from avian influenza are considered small, the UK’s Health Protection Agency does not at present advise tourists visiting affected areas to carry anti-viral drugs. There have been no cases of avian flu in travellers.
What measures are being taken to contain this outbreak?
The authorities are taking all measures to contain the outbreak, including restricting livestock movement in affected areas, culling of birds and an intensive programme of public education. No evidence of human-to-human transmission is reported. There is no disease in urban areas or in any of the resort areas.
Dr Marc Danzon, WHO (World Health Organization) Regional Director for Europe, said: "WHO has constantly stressed how important it is that that Member States facing outbreaks of avian influenza act swiftly and forcefully to prevent any further spread of the disease. My contacts with the Turkish health authorities have convinced me that all necessary measures are being taken to bring the whole situation under control."
27 January 2006 - 17:04:32 - 2 day(s)
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Post by juicyjude on Jan 30, 2006 20:50:05 GMT 1
Tfhjanks for that info Bob  |
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Post by jj on Jan 31, 2006 15:10:22 GMT 1
Thank you Bob |
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Post by The March Hare on Apr 7, 2006 7:40:02 GMT 1
It has finally been confirmed that the swan did have the H5N1 strain. There is also speculation that the type of swan is one that is resident in the UK i.e. doesn't migrate and therefore must have been infected by another bird.
What will the people who have cancelled foreign holidays do now? Maybe there will be a rush for deserted islands with no bird population!
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Post by marmaris98 on Apr 7, 2006 9:15:57 GMT 1
ha ha like it
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Post by juicyjude on Apr 7, 2006 20:47:47 GMT 1
Does it mean we can't go to "hen" parties now? ;D
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Post by The March Hare on Apr 8, 2006 7:37:20 GMT 1
Does it mean we can't go to "hen" parties now? ;D Good one |
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Post by The March Hare on Apr 8, 2006 7:38:13 GMT 1
Probably a bigger chance of getting hit by a bus than getting bird flu. I feel sorry for the swans, bet they will want to cull them. Can't understand all the fuss. More people have died from measles in Britain, this year, than died from bird flu in Turkey yet I don't see barriers up at Dover or any airport to prevent tourists from coming in nor have I heard of any country boycotting us. I will be going to Turkey regardless, best holiday I ever had there was during the first Iraq War when we used to lie on the beach watching the fighter jets zooming in to land at the nearby military airport. There were very few other tourists and it was bliss. I'm a greta believe in "what's for you wont go bye you" which means if your number up your numbers up it doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing.
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Post by juicyjude on Apr 8, 2006 9:58:54 GMT 1
Yes it's not made us concerned about our Turkish holiday one bit. It would take a lot to stop us going there, I know they have had bombs in some Turkish resorts but at the end of the day we had a bomb in the centre of Warrington many years ago when two little boys died .
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Post by marmaris98 on Apr 8, 2006 10:46:09 GMT 1
yes both very true, i agree with you both
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Post by The March Hare on Apr 10, 2006 7:33:33 GMT 1
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Government health officials are on Red Alert following reports that a bird has died from bird flu. The Bird, a swan living in a loch in Scotland, became ill and then died. Friends of the swan are still in shock but issued the following statement.
“He was OK one day, felt sick the next day and died the next day. We’re all still in shock.”
Government officials are playing down the significance of the death.
Dr Mort Ality of The Department of Health says,
“Yes, a swan has died after contracting bird flu. If I was a bird I’d really worried, anyone living with swans should take measures to minimise their risk. Most of all just keep away from them, especially if they start sneezing. Personally I’d have them all shot, well ok, maybe not shot, poisoning might be better.
“There’s no need for the general public to be concerned at all. Go about your normal daily business and try not to worry, just make sure that you don’t leave home without your face mask on and if you see any birds run like the wind.”
Prime Minister, Tony Blair, speaking from Australia where he is on an extended visit, says he is confident that UK has all the proper precautions in place to combat an outbreak of Bird Flu.
“Look. “ He said, “It’s just one swan in a remote part of Scotland. I’m not worried, after all I’m about a million miles away and I’m not going back till it’s sorted out. If it does spread to humans I’ll be the first to get any vaccine anyway. The general public will take a few casualties but the British people are a resilient race and basically will put up with any nuts we throw at them. They lived with Thatcher in charge for years . They’ve been lied to for ten years by me and still come back for more! I just have the feeling that catching a cold from a swan 500 miles away from where most of them live isn’t going to keep people awake at night.”
The swan is to be buried in a private ceremony next Tuesday. Relatives have asked the media to respect their wishes and not attend the service.
A media spokesman thingy Rash said.
“I don’t think they need worry about anyone getting too near. Not unless they are wearing a full contamination protection suit anyway.”
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Post by juicyjude on Apr 10, 2006 13:14:48 GMT 1
Nice one Bob |
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Post by jj on Apr 10, 2006 19:30:06 GMT 1
Doesn't bother me at all, Iceland do some lovely chickens at the moment!!! he he
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