interesting info regarding poultry diseases can be found at...

interesting info regarding poultry diseases can be found at www.thechickensite.com
below is an eg.
Public Health and Avian Influenza

Avian influenza viruses normally only infect birds and pigs. In cases where avian influenza viruses have directly infected people, human-to-human transmission has not taken place. Genetic re-assortment may result in new viruses that can be transmitted between humans. This could result in a human influenza pandemic. A pandemic is a global outbreak of disease. In the 20th century this has been documented 3 times.

1918 (H1N1) - "Spanish Flu". Caused the highest number of known flu deaths. 20-50 million people may have died worldwide.

1957 (H2N2) - "Asian Flu"

1968 (H3N2) - "Hong Kong Flu"
Avian Influenza A H5N1
Influenza A H5N1 virus is of particular public health concern:

Mutates rapidly

Easily able to acquire genes from viruses infecting other species

Causes severe disease in humans - Hong Kong 1997, Vietnam and Thailand 2004

Birds that recover from infection excrete virus for at least 10 days - live bird markets and migratory birds play a role in the spread of infection

Humans infected with H5N1 and human influenza strains may act as a “mixing vessel” for the emergence of new sub-types. The new sub-type may potetially have sufficient human genes for human-to-human transmission.
Outbreaks of avian influenza (H5N1) in humans have been seen in:

Hong Kong 1997-1998
Asia 2003-2004
Measures to minimize public health risks from H5N1 outbreaks

Halt the spread of epidemics in poultry
Reduce the risk of human exposure.


Vaccinate people with existing influenza strains
This will reduce the likelihood of co-infection and the risk of gene exchange.


Protect workers involved with culling procedures
Provide protective clothing, most importantly surgical masks to be worn over the nose and mouth.
Antiviral drugs may also be administered to workers.
Food Safety Implications

Cases to date seem to have been contracted from live infected poultry
Influenza viruses are killed by adequate heat. Poultry products should thus be thoroughly cooked (70°C).

Good hygiene such as hand washing and preventing cross contamination should be practiced when handling poultry meat.