Bird flu in RI may infect people

Bird flu in RI may infect people

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

If the latest findings about pigs becoming infected with the
avian influenza virus proves to be true, there is a possibility
that the virus could later infect humans, a researcher has said.

Such a finding might mean that the deadly virus has taken a
step closer to infecting humans.

"Pigs are known to be mixing vessels that allow a change in
the structure of the virus, from a type that cannot infect humans
to one that can," National Institute of Sciences (LIPI) molecular
virology researcher Andi Utama said on Thursday.

Last week, a local newspaper reported that a researcher at
Airlangga University had found that the virus, previously known
to infect only poultry, had infected pigs.

The infection of pigs by the H5N1 virus is made possible by a
continuous mutation of the micro-organism, which allows it to
infect intermediate hosts such as pigs or horses, Andi said.

"Those most likely to be infected are people working with the
pigs," he said. "We still need further studies to determine
whether it would then be transferable to humans."

However, in his research paper, Andi stated that the creation
of a new virus could happen if a pig was infected with the avian
flu and human flu virus at the same time. Although such a newly
formed virus has not been found, it could be transferable to
humans.

He added that one possible precaution against an outbreak of
the virus was vaccination. "It should be given both to pigs and
poultry, as well as to humans," he said.

Currently, the Veterinary Research Agency has only developed
vaccines for poultry, as the development of human vaccines was
still difficult.

Despite the difficulties and lack of research on the
development of avian flu vaccines that could be used on humans,
safeguards could still be taken by minimizing direct contact with
animals that could have been infected.

The Ministry of Health has suggested on its website that
people working on farms should wear masks and be sprayed with
disinfectant before and after entering livestock areas.

Andi added that consumers of poultry and pigs should not worry
about getting infected. If meat is cooked properly, avian flu
viruses will be killed as it cannot survive high temperatures.
(003)