# 2756
For more than a year, we've heard reports from various parts of the world that suggest that some poultry may be carrying the H5N1 virus without showing obvious signs of infection.
Last year, Hong Kong live markets were closed after the H5N1 virus was discovered during routine testing, but no birds were obviously stricken with the virus. Xinhua News reported a similar occurrence in Jiangsu Province in December.
We've heard other reports out of Indonesia and Vietnam, as well.
I discussed that theory, and the ramifications, last night in China Denies H5N1 Outbreaks In Poultry.
Today, we get a warning from perhaps the most highly respected respiratory disease specialist in China - Dr. Zhong Nanshan- supporting the idea that poultry can be infected with the bird flu virus but show no symptoms.
Zhong, a hero of the SARS outbreak of 2003 and whose reputation extends far beyond China, suspects that vaccines may be suppressing symptoms, but not preventing infection.
While this may explain some exposures, it still leaves open the question about those human cases that apparently had no contact with birds at all.
This from Xinhua News.
Chinese expert issues new bird flu warning
www.chinaview.cn
2009-02-06 17:59:50
GUANGZHOU, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- A leading Chinese expert on respiratory diseases has warned the public to be aware that poultry can be infected with the bird flu virus but show no symptoms.
"Special attention should be paid to such animals, including those that have been vaccinated," said Zhong Nanshan.
"The existing vaccines can only reduce the amount of virus, rather than totally inactivating it," he said.
Zhong, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, is one of the scientists who helped control the spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, in China in 2003.
His warning comes after eight human cases of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza have been reported across the country since January.
Zhong said he had noticed that more than half of those infected had no direct contact with birds and nor did they live in the areas where infected fowl with symptoms were reported.
He urged people to minimize contact with all domestic fowl and birds.
"Have the chicken butchered in the market, not in your home," he said.
A study led by Zhong on a low-cost treatment for chronic respiratory disease has been voted the people's choice for last year's paper of the year in The Lancet, the United Kingdom-based general medical journal.
