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Avian Flu in North WalesTuesday, 29 May 2007Cases of the H7 flu virus have been identified following the discovery of avian flu at a smallholding near Corwen in North Wales. The latest update, in English and in Welsh, can be found here.
Please follow the link to download this update in Welsh: Ffliw Adar yng Ngogledd Cymru 29/05/2007 Key messages
Avian flu cases and contacts in peopleBy 3pm yesterday, Monday 28 May, 12 avian flu contacts had been identified who have or have had symptoms of a flu like illness or conjunctivitis. This is unchanged on the day before. No one is seriously ill. The National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS) has identified 221 people who may have had contact with the avian flu:
Seventy nine patients and staff from Ward 6 at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd are being offered tamiflu as a precaution because of contact with a healthcare worker who is being treated for the H7 flu virus. Sixty nine patients and staff from the Accident and Emergency Unit, Trysfan Ward and Gogarth Ward at Ysbyty Gwynedd are also being contacted because a patient, who is now discharged, is also being treated for the avian flu virus. The full list of contacts is constantly changing as possible contacts are added to or taken off the database. Contacts are added if contact was possible. They are taken off if detailed questioning shows that there was no contact. The National Public Health Service (NPHS) is using the following definitions of cases and contacts:
InvestigationsThe National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS) has received microbiological test results from 12 people in Wales so far. These are from swabs taken from the nose and throat and eyes. They have been tested for the Influenza A viruses, including the H7 subtype that has been isolated from the affected poultry. Two tests have been reported as positive for H7 subtype. Definition of a case of avian flu relies as much on clinical symptoms with a history of contact with infected birds or another human case. For this reason, the NPHS is contacting every individual who has been in close contact with the people who are cases. People identified as contacts are being offered medication to reduce the severity of any impact from the infection. The NPHS is continuing to investigate and identify potential contacts today. Dr Marion Lyons, Lead Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for the National Public Health Service for Wales, said: “We are actively managing the outbreak. This involves taking every precaution in identifying possible contacts of the infected poultry or people who have been ill after contact with the infected poultry. “We have assessed the risk to others and can confirm that the healthcare was working at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd during the time when she may possibly have been infectious, between 21 May and 23 May. Consequently the patients and staff with whom the healthcare worker has had contact are being offered tamiflu as a precaution. “The patient at Ysbyty Gwynedd may also have been infectious while at Ysbyty Gwynedd. However as the patient was discharged on 18 May, and the incubation period is eight days, anyone would have had symptoms by 26 May. So, we are contacting all staff and patients to ensure they remained well and to reassure them. “We are contacting every close contact so people who are not contacted by us should not worry.” “We are looking for people who have had flu like symptoms or conjunctivitis. It is the symptoms which are important to identify. It is reassuring that so few of the large number of contacts have had symptoms. “Not all the contacts are being offered tamiflu. This is because, as time passes, it is clear that some people are well past the possible incubation period of a week. In these cases, there is no risk of them becoming ill. “People who have had contact with someone who is well but who we have identified as a contact need not be worried. “People can also be confident that, the more remote the contact with infected birds, the less likely that the symptoms that we have defined would really be H7 flu.” Control MeasuresPeople with symptoms of conjunctivitis and flu and meet the definition of a case have been given treatment. They have been advised to stay at home until they are better. All well contacts are being given medication to reduce the severity of any impact from the infection if their last contact with a case was only a week ago. Public Health MessagesDr Marion Lyons, Lead Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for the National Public Health Service for Wales, said: “We believe the risk to the health of the general public is low. Avian flu is primarily a disease of birds. H7N2 is different to and very mild compared with H5N1. “Of the people with conjunctivitis or a flu-like illness, some did not have close contact with infected poultry. “The illness people are experiencing is, for the most part, not serious. No one is seriously ill. “Preliminary investigations indicate that we cannot exclude person to person spread having occurred in this outbreak. Person to person spread would be very unusual but limited spread of this type has been seen elsewhere in the past in some cases of bird flu. There is no laboratory confirmation. As a precautionary measure the NPHS is continuing to offer people who have had contact with individuals with this illness antiviral medication to minimise the risk of spread. “Investigations also show that, when it spreads from person to person, the illness experienced becomes milder. “Experience of this particular bird flu virus (H7N2) in humans is limited so we are actively managing the public health response.” CommunicationA Special Helpline available for general information about avian flu in people is open from 7am to 8pm daily. The number is 0845 600 3678. Further information will be posted on this website as it becomes available. An information sheet prepared by the NPHS for people who may have been exposed to Avian Flu is available from the link: Information for people who may have been exposed to avian flu This information sheet is also available in Welsh from the link: Gwybodaeth i bobl a allai fod wedi cael eu hamlygu i ffliw adar An updated Q&A information sheet for the public prepared by the NPHS is available to download from the link: Q&A Avian Influenza in North Wales (updated 26/05/2007) This information sheet is also available in Welsh from the link: Gwybodaeth i’r Cyhoedd ar ffurf Cwestiynau ac Atebion am Ffliw Adar H7N2 yng Ngogledd Cymru Situation updates are also available from the Welsh Assembly Government website at: http://new.wales.gov.uk/news/presreleasearchive/?lang=en A map detailing the Avian Influenza Restricted Zone declared in accordance with Article 55 of the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No.2) Order 2006 is also given on the Welsh Assembly website at: http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/ahw/disease_surveillance_control/avianflu/avianfludeclaration/?lang=en More information about avian influenza is also available from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/index.htm |
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