WHILE world attention is focused nervously on the spread of SARS, efforts to prevent another epidemic on Europe鈥檚 doorstep have been quietly gaining pace.
The spread of a highly virulent chicken flu virus in the Netherlands has led to a massive cull of more than 11 million birds, around 1/10th of the country鈥檚 flock. The virus responsible has also caused mild eye infections in 66 people. Most were workers involved in the cull, but two people who had not been near chickens have caught the virus from a family member, showing that the infection can be transmitted between people.
If the bird virus continues to infect people, it may get a chance to swap genes with ordinary human flu viruses, potentially producing a strain with surface proteins to which humans have little immunity. Such a strain will be more infectious, or more dangerous 鈥� or both. The fear is that such a virus could spark a lethal pandemic.
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鈥淭he epidemic is by no means under control,鈥� admits Marion Koopmans at the National Institute of Public 午夜福利1000集合 and the Environment in Bilthoven. This month the infection spread to Brabant province, home to 50 million chickens. The army is now helping with the cull, while Europe faces acute egg shortages in the run-up to Easter.
Last month the institute ordered all workers coming into contact with the birds to take a general antiviral drug as well as a vaccine against human flu. Requirements for workers to wear goggles and protective suits are also being more stringently enforced. The initial cases of conjunctivitis involved workers who didn鈥檛 wear protective gear. The measures may be working, as there has only been one new human case since 27 March.
鈥淭he number of human cases is stabilising,鈥� Koopmans told the Society for General Microbiology鈥檚 meeting in Edinburgh last week.
The chicken virus which was first spotted on 1 March, has now spread to 200 farms and is suspected at another 26. As soon as infection is suspected, all the chickens on that farm are culled.
The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries has also banned all movements of chicken and pigs in regions affected by the virus. There are even restrictions on pet chickens roaming outside.