# 1705
If it happens, it could signal a major step forward in research into the pandemic potential of the H5N1 virus. Public health officials are calling for increased serological, clinical, and virological surveillance in bird flu affected areas.
Until now, we've had very little of this sort of information available. Serological studies, in particular, would be of great value. They would show if people are being exposed to the virus, and developing antibodies, without becoming symptomatic.
Four years after the reemergence of the H5N1 virus, we still don't have a very good handle on how it spreads, how many people it affects, and even on how the virus affects the human body.
Most of the human bird flu fatalities have been in Asian and Moslem countries, where autopsies are rarely done due to cultural and religious beliefs.
For those unfamiliar with the term `verbal autopsy', used in the article below, it references a standardized questionnaire administered to caregivers or family members of the deceased to document signs, symptoms, and duration of illness leading up to the patient's death.
Verbal Autopsy's (VA) are not intended to diagnose the cause of death on an individual basis, but are used instead to chart mortality trends at a community level or higher.
Of course, what these public heath officials are proposing is a big job. It remains to be seen if they can get it done.
Experts call for surveillance on avian influenza
Staff Reporter
Those working in poultry farms are a high-risk group
Autopsy be conducted in deaths due to unknown fever
Thiruvananthapuram: Public health experts have called for increased surveillance, including clinical, virological and serological surveillance, for avian influenza and to map out poultry farms in the State, which should be considered as high-risk zones.
At a Public Health Update on avian influenza, organised by the Department of Community Medicine, Medical College, K. Vijayakumar pointed out that the avian influenza virus should be considered a potential source for the next pandemic and that it was essential that the inter-sectoral coordination was strengthened.
The departments of animal husbandry, forests and agriculture should function together and equip a centre at the district-level to tackle the disease in the event of human cases. Verbal and pathological autopsy should be conducted in all cases of unknown fever deaths.
It has been proved scientifically that those working in poultry farms, especially those who handle the birds and those who prepare the birds to be sent to shops as poultry meat, are a high-risk group for the bird-to-human transmission of the virus.
It is important that awareness programmes on the disease were carried out amongst them and that behaviour change – such as wearing protective gear and gloves while handling birds – were induced in them.
Dr. Vijayakumar also suggested that the medical officers in the periphery are kept up to date on avian influenza threat and the available medical options before them. They should be trained to approach any un-diagnosed fever deaths or clustering of unexplained fever in high-risk groups (poultry workers) with caution.
While the message should be sent across to the field staff and the public, care should be taken not to create panic as so far, there have been few reported cases of bird-to-human transmission of H5N1 virus.
