Brunei Fully Equipped To Manage Bird Flu Outbreak
By Man Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - Isolation and quarantine facilities are now activated at the Tutong hospital while Panama influenza vaccine is available to reduce the risk of bird flu infection on humans.

Surveillance at all points of entry in the country, including the airport and the Serasa ferry terminal, are also intensified. A joint plan of action has been outlined between relevant agencies.

These are the measures undertaken by the Department of Health Services and the Agriculture Department to manage the bird flu outbreak, which has affected several countries in the region already.

"Vaccination of persons at high risk of exposure to infected poultry, using existing vaccines effective against currently circulating human influenza strains, can reduce the likelihood of co-infection of humans and avian influenza strains thus reduce the risk of genes being exchanged. Currently, there is no available vaccine been produced specific for H5N1 as yet," said Pg Dr Hj Hishamuddin from the Disease Control Division yesterday.

Today, personnel from the Agriculture Department will brief poultry farmers and abattoir workers to enhance their awareness on the bird flu.

Pg Dr Hj Hishamuddin highlighted actions taken by the Disease Control Division, which included monitoring the bird flu situation regionally and worldwide; surveillance on influenza-like illnesses in healthcare facilities; and the setting up of the hotline 2382023 which operates during office hours.

He also disclosed protection procedures that needed to he followed. Workers involved in the culling of poultry, for instance, must wear appropriate clothing and equipment, while personal protection equipment should be easily accessible.

Good hygiene practices need to be applied at poultry farms, abattoirs and markets, he said, while the use of masks, aprons and gloves by workers at poultry farms, abattoirs and markets are recommended. In addition, they should wash their hands before and after the completion of a job, and shower at the end of the day.

Influenza viruses can be killed by adequate heat, therefore good hygiene practices when handling poultry products, like washing hands and thorough cooking at 70 degrees Celsius are recommended.

Surveillance would also be carried out on chicken cullers and on persons exposed to suspected poultry or farms. A treatment protocol is at hand, but there is a need to ensure the availability of medicines and equipment in case patients reach the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) stage.

Pg Dr Hj Hishamuddin said that in the event of a bird flu outbreak, human pathological samples would be sent to Australia while animal samples would go to Singapore.

Meanwhile, Dr Hjh Kalsom said passengers travelling on Brunei-bound flights need not worry about the in-flight meals as influenza viruses are killed by thoroughly cooking the food at 70 degrees Celsius.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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