January 25, 2007

 

Indonesian study finds bird flu could be carried by flies

 

 

As bird flu cases become increasingly common in Indonesia, an Indonesian scientist has warned the government that other animals besides poultry could also carry the virus.

 

Veterinary pathologist Wasito of Yogyakarta's Gajah Mada University's veterinary medicine said that other animals such as cats, dogs and even flies could also carry the H5N1 virus.

 

A study conducted by the univesity has found it is possible for flies to spread the bird flu virus, the scientist told the Jakarta Post daily.

 

The study found that the virus was found in the digestive and respiratory tracts of flies, along with the cuticle layers, flesh and ovum.

 

Bird flu outbreaks in Indonesia are categorised as either low pathogenic (LPAI) or highly pathogenic (HPAI).

 

The LPAI form usually attacks only the digestive and respiratory tracts, while HPAI attacks the digestive and respiratory systems along with other organs, including flesh and ovum.

 

Besides bird flu areas, the virus had also been found in flies taken from places that had been declared bird-flu free after curbing previous outbreaks. Only flies taken from locations that had never had a bird flu outbreak were found H5N1 negative, he said.

 

This meant that the virus in flies was still inherited in at least the 25th generation, as the research was conducted generally two years after an outbreak, Wasito said, explaining that flies had a one-month life span.

 

The centre also discovered what they called a "silent" bird flu, which does not incite the production of antibodies in the infected bird. The bird would look normal and healthy and shows no pathological lesions or other clinical symptoms. He said if vaccines are given to these birds, it would only kill them. Thus, he strongly urged an end to mass vaccinations.

 

Warito said declaring that a particular region is bird-flu free is misleading and making people less alert to the danger of a possible outbreak, he said.

 

A programme that introduces communities to good farming practices and the correct way to rear poultry are more effective ways of dealing with bird flu, he said.