April 19, 2004

 

 

Mutation Of Bird Flu Virus Into A New Strain Possible Warn Japanese Scientists    

 

Japanese scientists warn that the mutation of the Bird Flu virus into a new strain is possible. Despite a series of declarations by prefectural governments in Japan that bird flu has been contained, health experts stressed that precautionary measures should not be relaxed and efforts should be made to boost cooperation among related ministries.

 

Experts pointed out that the virus could mutate into a new strain of virus.

 

However, considering research on patterns of the spread of viruses in the past, the conclusion the bird flu had been controlled might have been reached too hastily.

 

While some experts have attributed the spread of bird flu to climate changes, others claim that bird flu does not react to seasonal fluctuations.

 

In Kyoto Prefecture, it was confirmed that the virus had spread to crows in the first of such reports worldwide. Infected crows were still being discovered even after chickens had been buried, while the route of infection remained unknown.

 

Toshihiro Ito, a professor at Tottori University's agricultural department who has researched the subject, said there seemed to be a chain of infections among crows.

 

Therefore, there is the possibility that the virus could evade eradication for some time and cause another outbreak in the near future, according to Ito. 

 

Other researchers believe the virus could have been spread by humans, remaining on surfaces or objects and being transferred by touch. On the other hand, some experts believe the virus was brought into the country by migratory birds.

 

Based on this hypothesis, the Environment Ministry conducted a survey on such birds, But the project was suspended at the end of March. "Research of this nature is meaningless unless it's conducted on a wider scale over a period of time," Ito said.

 

Shigeru Omi, chief of the West Pacific region bureau of the World Health Organization, believed the virus already has taken hold in East Asia.

 

Meanwhile, a WHO official said the announcements stating that bird flu had been eradicated "seemed to have been issued in the consideration of interested parties, such as the domestic poultry industry." The threat of another outbreak in this region remains.

 

Japan, therefore, should continue its vigil and maintain preventative measures and research.

 

The president and executives at a poultry farm in Kyoto delayed reporting the outbreak to the authorities and subsequently may have caused the spread of the virus to other areas. As a consequence, the president of the poultry farm was arrested.

 

The outbreak of SARS last year was exacerbated by the failure of Chinese authorities to publicize the disease in its initial stage, teaching the world a hard lesson.

 

Authorities must learn from the two examples, and bear in mind that early discovery and containment are effective in restricting the spread of an infectious disease when responding to such situations in future.

 

Discussions on the topic have tended to focus on compensation to poultry farmers and ensuring that chicken meat was not contaminated.

 

However, attention to bird flu should not wane as it could evolve into a new strain of influenza through mutation, as seen in the case of Spanish influenza in the 20th century.

 

Therefore, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Health, Labor and Welfare, the Environment and other ministries and agencies must combine efforts to tackle the problem on a national level.