Pandemic may not happen

NST: The rapidity with which the H5N1 virus kills humans may prevent the bird flu from becoming a pandemic, a consultant virologist said today.
This was because the virus had little time to replicate and be excreted, said Dr Chua Kaw Bing of the National Public Health Laboratory.
He said the virus attacked the heart, liver and brain of its host, causing a quick death.
This process is hastened when the victim has fever, as a high temperature provides a favourable condition for the virus to multiply.
Dr Chua, who was speaking at the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine's 42nd annual scientific seminar, said all previous pandemics involved slower-killing virus strains.
He said based on Darwin’s selection theory, the virus would continue to mutate among birds as it had done in the past.
However, caution was still needed as infected poultry could affect humans.
He called for better surveillance and enhanced laboratory capabilities, adding that the rapid influenza test kit should also be improved.
There should also be regional stockpiles of Tamiflu as part of the mechanism for rapid and effective control.
Dr Chua said attention should also be given to logistics of regional quarantine and prevention through ecological and animal husbandry research.
"You may not be able to prevent the disease from occurring but you may reduce its impact," he said.
Another panel speaker, Perak Health Department deputy director Dr Ranjit Kaur, said the World Health Organisation was convinced that the H5N1 posed a serious threat to humans and was urging pandemic preparedness in all countries, especially in reducing the risk of human exposure to the virus.

In Kuala Lumpur, guidelines on the rearing and slaughtering of chickens in the city are on the drawing board.
Veterinary Services Department acting director-general Datuk Dr Mustapa Jamil will meet Kuala Lumpur City Hall officials this week to discuss the proposals following a directive by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.
"At the moment, there are no City Hall by-laws on specific approaches and guidelines on the rearing and slaughtering of chickens in the city," he said.
There is a proposal to ban the slaughter of fowl in wet markets to prevent the spread of diseases such as bird flu.