BuaNews (Tshwane)
15 August 2007
Pretoria — The Northern Cape Department of Health's Rapid Response Team recently underwent a three-day training session in preparation for a possible pandemic of the avian Influenza type A virus.
"Outbreaks of influenza in animals, especially when happening simultaneously with annual outbreaks in humans, increase the chances of a pandemic through the merging of animal and human influenza virus," the department explained.
"During the last few years, the world has faced several threats with pandemic potential, making the occurrence of the next pandemic possible."
As a pro-active measure, the Northern Cape Department of Health in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders developed an Influenza Implementation and contingency plan, which defines the responsibilities of the national and provincial authorities in case of influenza pandemic.
The Rapid Response Team is made up of stakeholders from the Departments of Health, Agriculture, and the South African Defence Force, as well as representatives from the relevant laboratories, municipalities and the private sector.
Training will be cascaded to the districts and training sessions for various stakeholder groups will be facilitated, while education and information sessions will also target the greater public.
The department explained that Pandemic Influenza differs from seasonal Influenza in that it appears in the human population rarely and unpredictably; the human population lacks any immunity to it; and all age groups - including healthy young adults - may be at increased risk for serious complications.
The national Department of Agriculture says South Africa remains free from the H5N1 avian influenza.
The H5N1 strain has killed millions of birds and poultry around the world as well as more than 192 humans thus far, mostly in Asia. Of the 319 human cases and 192 deaths so far, 256 and 165 cases respectively have been in the Asia-Pacific region.
Although the country is clear of the H5N1 strain, the emergence of the H5N2 strain of avian flu, which is harmless to humans, was detected at an ostrich farm about 30km west of Mossel Bay in July last year.
This led to the department culling 8 000 ostriches on that Western Cape property.
H5N1 Avian Influenza is currently presenting in wild and domestic birds in more and more countries, with occasional outbreaks among humans resulting in a very high death rate.
Furthermore, scientists believe that a pandemic strain of influenza is most likely to develop from an avian Influenza type A virus, such as the H5N1 strain.
At present, human infection from this virus is being transmitted to humans and other animals through contact with infected birds or the respiratory secretions and faeces of infected birds.
It is important to note however, said the department, that the virus cannot be transmitted through eating chicken and eggs if they are properly cooked.
The initial symptoms of Avian Influenza are similar to seasonal influenza.
They are generally respiratory and include the sudden and acute onset of cough, sore throat and runny nose accompanied by a high fever.
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