Bird Flu Confirmed In Southern Italy And Greece

Italian Health Minister, Francesco Storace, has confirmed that the majority of seventeen dead swans found in Sicily, southern Italy, had died of the H5N1 bird flu virus strain.


The H5N1 strain is the most virulent (potent, deadly) one.


This means that over the last week bird flu has spread in to Africa (Nigeria) and the European Union.


Francesco Storace said "It is certain that the virus has arrived."


Greek authorities say three dead swans, found in Greece, have tested positive for H5N1 infection.


Italian authorities have implemented a complete ban on the transport of animals in the area. Francesco Storace said no infection has been detected in farmed poultry or domestic birds. Italian authorities say they believe the swans had migrated from Russia.


Unlike many other parts of the world, Western Europe has sophisticated veterinary services. Poultry farming is well regulated and organised. Experts say the likelihood of birds infecting humans in Western Europe is tiny, given that 'backyard poultry' hardly exists.


For the moment, the only way a human can become infected with bird flu is by having constant physical contact with sick birds. Even then, it is not an easy virus to catch. Over 150 million birds have died as a result of bird flu infection since 2003. Only 160 people have been infected (of which about half have died).


It is hard to calculate accurately what the death rate for human infection is. If a patient is treated with antiviral drugs (e.g. Tamiflu) within three days of symptoms appearing, he/she has a very good chance of pulling through. Most human deaths have occurred as a result of either late treatment, or lack of it because of poor health services in many parts of south east Asia. The European Union is well prepared to treat people immediately - the EU probably has the best public health service in the world.


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