Russia: To prevent a pandemic flu can not be. Mitigate its effects can be, said Gennady Onishchenko

"Rossiyskaya Gazeta" - Week number 4843 dated February 5th, 2009

In January, the world situation is complicated by the incidence of people, caused by a virus A/N5N1.

This is the virus (the result of mutations of the virus bird flu N5N1) - the most likely candidate that can cause a pandemic. According to the World Health Organization, at the end of January, the incidence was high in Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg and Switzerland.

In Russia there is no epidemic. In many ways, because 26.5 million people were vaccinated against this infection. But in some cities, the incidence has gone up, mostly among children.

Can we prevent a flu pandemic, or at least mitigate it? This is our conversation with the Chief Medical Officer of the Russian Federation, Academician of RAMS Gennady Onishchenko.

Rossiyskaya gazeta: Gennady Grigorievich! The situation is more than alarming. However, bird flu epidemic, at least not yet, there was no ...

Gennady Onishchenko: This is a result of timely prevention. I mean in the quarantine arrangements, disposal of infected birds, vaccination of high-risk groups. And has been able to isolate pockets of influenza in birds. And thereby prevent them from developing into epidemic phase.

WP: A rare year without cost to the South-East Asia razrodilas epidemic, more precisely, epizootic, avian influenza among birds ...

Onyshchenko: This is dangerous. Because of these circumstances, the risk of moving the virus to human immeasurably increased. By the way, pigs, as close to humans in their physiological characteristics (they are - an excellent biological model of man), it is able to catch up and that and another kind of virus. If such occur simultaneously and en masse, it can happen in trouble.

RG: How are human infection with bird flu virus?

Onyshchenko: In close contact with infected domestic and wild birds. Possible contamination with eating meat and eggs of birds of patients without sufficient heat treatment. Potentially dangerous selection of infected birds, which, coming into contact with plants, air, water, and can infect people through drinking water and bathing with, airborne dust and air through, through dirty hands. At temperatures of minus bird flu virus remains. But when heated to plus 70 degrees, it dies within a few minutes.

RG: Avian influenza declares itself immediately? ..

Onyshchenko: Or ... From infection until the first signs of the disease may take from several hours to 5 days. There are chills, temperature of 38 degrees or higher, muscle and headaches, pain in the throat. Chance of watery, liquid stool, vomiting infinite. The condition is deteriorating rapidly. After two or three days begin to torment moist cough, sometimes with blood, shortness of breath. Then perhaps shortness of breath, kidney failure, liver and brain.

WP: All the so fatally? Salvation is possible?

Onyshchenko: In the strictest observance of preventive measures. In regions where the disease N5N1 bird virus, it should be, as far as possible, avoid contact with chickens, ducks, other domestic and wild birds. Children and those over 60 years, such contact is prohibited. Unauthorized persons and those suffering from cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.

WP: What if the home fell Compound chicken or duck? ..

Onyshchenko: If this happens, do not have to spend time searching for the causes of loss. You should immediately report the incident to the local veterinary service. After contact with potentially infected birds must be within seven days to measure the temperature. If you are having fever if the temperature is above 37.5, if there were signs of acute respiratory illness or infection eyes, immediately contact the facility.

WP: In Russia, before the flu season vaccinated 26.5 million people. But avian flu is not saved? A vaccine against the bird as it was not, or not ...

Onyshchenko: Not sure saves, but reduces the risk of infection. Around the world, is the active development of vaccines against avian influenza. Their production and storage is very important to prepare for a pandemic. In our country, have created several versions of the pilot series of such vaccines, which have already passed clinical trials. According to experts, prevention, and the massive use of these vaccines and antiviral drugs to prevent serious consequences of a pandemic. But we must understand that the most effective vaccine appears only when it can be manufactured on the basis of a pandemic strain. Such a framework has anywhere in the world, because, fortunately, there is no pandemic. If any, then we, and foreign laboratories are prepared to proceed immediately to the creation of such a vaccine. How quickly it will be made, used, is its efficiency, effectiveness of the fight against dangerous infections.

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