Avian Influenza: Disease Frequency and Implications in Bangladesh

This article discusses the frequency and implications of avian influenza in Bangladesh. It explores the transmission of the disease, its symptoms, and its impact on poultry farms. The article also covers vaccination strategies and financial support for affected farms. Gain insights into the measures taken to control the spread of avian influenza and raise awareness among the local population.

Assessment

Contents
Introduction and disease frequency.................................................................................................1
Use of epidemiological evidence.....................................................................................................3
Implication.......................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

Introduction and disease frequency
An avian influenza virus is mainly seen as the most infectious disease that is commonly
spread among birds. The influence of this virus is commonly seen among domestic birds the
most rather than aquatic habitats and wild birds (Parvin and et. Al.,2020). At maximum times the
disease is spread among poultry which is commonly termed as low pathogenic avian influenza
(LPAI) viruses. Whereas, if it is emphasised on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
viruses which is commonly developed from LPAI viruses. It has also been analysed that HPAI
virus can kill around 90- 100 % of the flock. This could also lead to epidemics which can spread
across the world in rapid manner. This can also affect whole poultry sector and also develops
situation of severe trade restrictions among nations in terms of poultry. This also placed major
impact over the international trade too. It has been later acknowledged that avian virus also holds
power of affecting mammals too (Youk and et. Al., 2020). This might happen due to their close
contact with the infected poultry area. Influence of this disease is often seen in the form of
respiratory disease among individuals which directly places influence over their regular based
life style or it might also cause death among humans.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is acknowledged as the major disease that is developed
due to infection occurred with avian. Here, avian is referred to as bird whereas influenza is seen
as the flu. This infectious disease mainly occurs among wild aquatic birds across the world that
ultimately places major influence over domestic poultry, birds and other animals in the form of
infection. This disease is generally seen as most influential as it is placing major influence over
the health of people. Transmission rate of this disease can be seen at very higher speed as it
transmits from one person to another in very rapid manner. The main symptoms of bird flu can
be seen in the form of fever, cough, and muscle, shortness of breath, sore throat, head and muscle
ache. In the year 2007 the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry
was seen in Bangladesh. It has been seen that Bangladesh is one of the developing nations is
which is constantly placing major efforts to strengthen themselves in terms of economic stability
and other areas which clearly depicts that the nation is strong (Hicks and et. Al., 2020). Avian
flu has affected this nation very badly as it was already belonging to the developing stage. In
order to detect its level of seriousness the nation has to take range of efforts with the motive of
detecting, tracking and combating avian influenza viruses. Since 2007, around 550 outbreaks of
HPAI H5N1 in poultry has been determined which reported in around 52 districts from the total
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of 64 till the year 2013. Categories of this virus isolated in sub types such as H1N2, H1N3,
H3N6, H4N2, H5N6, H10N7 and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus H9N2. Since
2008 around 8 human cases of avian flu has been determined among them 3 were mild cases.
The current project clearly depicts the overall history of avian influenza and how it is placing
influence Bangladesh growth.
Surveillance is basically denoted as the close observation done on something particular. With
reference to the present case of avian flu, it can be said that two main surveillance has been
conducted on avian flu in Bangladesh in order to determine required information on the same
(Jin and et. Al., 2020). The first surveillance has been conducted on Poultry and the second one
was conducted on humans. Here, it has been determined that the HPAI is having major influence
over the health of the human beings, thus it is highly important to check out different strains of
AIV that are circulating in poultry. As per the information depicted central surveillance team at
Department of Livestock Services, it has been seen that SMS outputs has been used for
monitoring present trends of the respective disease, mortality and morbidity in poultry. The
overall information identified from this have clearly depicted that HPAI H5N1 clearly includes
almost 550 outbreaks. In order to obtain this finding around 3.46 million poultry has been
involved in the surveillance which shows that there was destruction of almost 2.97 million eggs
which were belonging to almost 822 farmers. The system facilitated the reduction of the
outbreak response time from 4.8 days to 1.4 days and captured 86% of the outbreaks. The
initiative continued until 2013. Apart from this, few more efforts were placed in order to check
out surveillance team so that AIV can be tracked among the wild birds too. On the basis of the
information depicted in the information stated in study conducted in between the year 2012-2015
it can be said that influence of AIV was seen among domestic birds as compared to the wild
birds.
While on the other hand, the surveillance conducted for human infection with AIVS, it
has been analysed that this disease have been transmitted among the humans due to regular based
contact among human- birds. It has also been seen that this interaction is clearly seen as the
major reason behind the transmission of the several sources (Hassan and et. Al., 2020). Here, the
major influence of this disease is commonly seen on the Bangladeshi LBM workers as they are
coming in contact with the infected birds which might transmit their infection among them due
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to higher interaction with one another. The main reason behind this interaction and exposure was
the occupational work of the workers at poultry.
Use of epidemiological evidence
HPAI has been acknowledged as the most evident disease which emerged in the particular
nation in the year 2007 that was determined as the most risky time period for the nation. It has
been analysed that the disease took place on other south Asian countries like Pakistan, India and
Myanmar in the early time of 2006 only. Even though Bangladesh has larger number of
migratory water fowl as well as domestic ducks that directly creates situation of interaction with
the village chicken (Khalil and et. Al., 2020). Also, the poor bio security within the Bangladesh
has also enhanced chances of HPAI but the reports have clearly depicted that the nation was free
from the HPAI in the initial time of 2007 but after some time the nation has experienced HPAI
which was clearly depicted by National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza (NRL-AI) at
BLRI diagnosed and confirmed the presence of H5 sub-type virus on 15 March, 2007. Till the
March 22 in the 2009, it was seen that there was almost 323 positive cases of H5 and around
three cases of H9. These cases have been confirmed by simply re examining the sample
population at regional laboratory in Thailand and International Reference Laboratory in the UK
(El-Shesheny and et. Al., 2020). The overall outbreak of this disease was determined in three
main sections that is first wave that is March, it further declined in the September time of 2007 in
which no new cases of the disease have been identified (Hu and et. Al., 2020). The influence of
this disease again took huge hike in October in the same year which reaches its highest peak till
March 2008 and soon after that its declining process initiated. Total 12 outbreaks were
determined in the April whereas 1 was acknowledged in May against total cases of 92456 in
world’s poultry. Here, it has been analysed that initiation of 3rd wave took place the ending time
of December 2009.
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Figure 1: Month wise no. of outbreaks (22.03.2007 to 14. 04.2009)
On the basis of information stated in an epidemiology study conducted in the year 2008
by BLRI where total 150 cases were taken into consideration. Among these 100 cases were taken
from control farm that has been selected through 20 districts were having major cluster of
outbreak. The study has also revealed that maximum farms had faced avian influenza that can be
seen in the form of almost 90%. The data was stored at safe place so that it could be used for the
further studies conducted in Bangladesh related to the same (La Sala and et. Al., 2019).
Apart from this, the study had also depicted that mortality in backyard was almost 68%
among the neighbouring layer farms to experience with the HPAI outbreaks, On the contrary if it
is emphasised on the new birds it can be said that there was almost 18% outbreaks. This clearly
states that proportion of HPAI among new birds is quite less as compared to the old one.
Away with this, it has been later seen that Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
A(H5N1) virus is a harmful zoonotic pathogen. Since 2003, this infection has been reported
across the almost 63 countries in domestic poultries and wild birds in millions. Whereas the
study has also revealed that it was spread in among 598 human being among them 352 have been
declared dead in 15 countries. In context of Bangladesh, it can be said that HPAI is considered to
be as the epidemic in Bangladesh where the first outbreak was revealed in March 2007. With the
passing period of time the virus have been spread in almost 49 districts from the total of 64
districts in Bangladesh. This information has been revealed by taking sample various farms
among them 536 farms has been proven as positive for this virus. It has been later revealed that
Bangladesh is comprehensively considered as nation whereas maximum number of outbreaks
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has been reported. Live bird markets that are in poor physical condition and that lack or have
poor bio security are probable sources of HPAI transmission to humans and for bird-to-bird
transmission.
In addition to this, it has been later analysed that there was the appropriate inter
relationship among poultry producers, commercial farmers, suppliers, transporters, processors,
and consumers that facilitate the process of producing and moving poultry. All of these directly
belong to entire poultry value chain (Nooruzzaman and et. Al., 2019). Here, the study have also
revealed that higher improvement in the bio security of the poultry farms as well as compliance
with the hygienic standards it can be said that both of them directly provide equivalent
contribution in the reduction of HPAI outbreaks. Along with this, it can be later said that
resource limited nations such as Bangladesh could easily make improvement in these sort of
situation by simply acquiring good training, financial assistance, technical support etc. in order to
bring modifications in the infrastructure zone. Also, incentive-driven trust-building between
service providers and key PVC stakeholders. To determine whether interventions would reduce
the number of HPAI infections, we implemented changes during 2009–2010 in 2 districts in
Bangladesh, Gazipur and Dinajpur, that had a high number of cases.
In order to gather required information on the current situation questionnaire method
have been used by the individuals who have conducted study so that they can easily acquire
detailed information from the poultry stakeholders. This survey has been conducted for almost
514 poultry stakeholders. In this, range of questions related to the disease, its influence has been
asked to the stakeholders (Parvin and et. Al., 2019). Some of the common questions that have
been asked to the stakeholders are Awareness of bird deaths caused by HPAI, Awareness of
HPAI cases among humans, Perceive that wild birds are the cause, Awareness of how to protect
people, Awareness of bird culling resulting from HPAI, Clean and disinfect poultry cages,
Vaccinate against Newcastle disease, Clean and disinfect transport vehicles, Keep dogs and cats
away from farms etc. By asking all of these questions, it was easier to gather information on the
level of knowledge that have been obtained by the stakeholders (Hicks and et. Al., 2020). This
have also further provided support in developing better interventions towards the same that could
bring success to them in overcoming the negative effects of HPAI.
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Implication
According to the overall information specified in the epidemiological section it has been
analysed that the avian influenza is referred to as the most infectious disease that has been
commonly started spreading among the birds at the initial stage later on it transmitted among the
human beings too. Here, it has been analysed that few vaccination strategy has been adopted by
the government of Bangladesh so that the influence of this disease could be reduced and
controlled by simply controlling it from further spreading within the nation. Along with this, it
has been later analysed that poultry farms has been affected a lot due to avian influenza (Høg and
et. Al., 2019). Thus, in order to provide adequate support to them the government must provide
effective financial support to the affected poultry farms so that they handle the situation and
manage their financial problems. Here, bank loans are acknowledged as the best option for the
Bangladeshi poultry framers with which they can manage the particular period of time that has
affected their whole businesses. In addition to this, it has been later analysed that the public
health practitioners are required to take rightful measure towards the problem and also handle the
situation by simply enhancing awareness about the same among the localise people so that they
can take precaution towards the same effectively (Youk and et. Al., 2020). Apart from this, it
can be further said that health care practitioners are required to emphasise on taking some
preventive measure through which they can handle the situation and deal with it in best possible
manner. It can be further said that individuals are initially required to emphasise on washing
hands on regular basis with the Luke warm water and soap before teaching anything especially in
raw poultry area (Hasan, 2019). It can be further sad that individuals are required to make use
new utensils and raw meat. At next, it is advised to individuals to keep themselves away from
live birds and poultry so that they can secure themselves in from the avian influenza disease. By
following all of these it became easier for the Bangladesh to tackle the situation which is not
only affecting their poultry zone but at the same time it is placing major influence over the
growth of the nation. This have virus has also brought company in major issues in terms of
financial losses. This is so because; the company was not able to execute internationals trade
with one another. In addition to this, it has also been seen that this epidemic has directly placed
major influence over the growth rate of the Bangladesh.
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Conclusion
On the basis of overall information stated in the above specified report, it has been analysed
that there are avian influenza is acknowledged as one of the most infectious disease that places
influence over the health condition of the birds as well mammals too. It has been determined that
disease was initially identified in birds’ especially domestic birds which were later transmitted
among human through their interaction in poultry. According to the information specified in the
study, it has been determined that the main reason behind the epidemic of influenza flu was
migratory birds which have initially introduced HPAI virus in Bangladesh. This have been
further enhanced this disease in the live markets and then spread it into the backyard level that
has been further extended to the farm level. The major risk of this disease has been identified in
the commercial poultry farms that are mostly associated with the market chain and inadequate
bio security. All of this have equivalently contributed in the spread of this disease in Bangladesh
and affected a lot its developing process. It has been later on identified that Bangladeshi poultry
sector has been affected a lot due to the results of the outbreaks which are acknowledged as very
higher. With the motive of placing direct stop in this outbreak of HPAI, it can be said that major
restriction was announced to some zones such as live markets, layer farms, human traffics etc
where human beings can come in contact to the infected one’s and could also get affected and
further might transmit same disease to others during their interaction with them in rapid manner.
This has been acknowledged as the first and foremost initiative taken by the Bangladeshi
government in order to eradicate Avian virus from the overall poultry pollution in Bangladesh.
The study has later revealed that the specific area must be earmarked like the sanctuaries for
migratory birds. This would directly keep other people away from the zone and they might feel
relaxed within the Bangladesh as they won’t get affected due to this infectious disease. The
analysis in the project has also revealed that strict measures are required to be taken towards the
native birds so that they does not came in contact with the migratory birds In addition to this, the
surveillance of the HPAI has also depicted that it is highly important to take determine the
presence in the Bangladesh so that required measure towards the same can be taken rightful
manner. These strict actions towards the virus are required to be followed by each and every
individual so that secure themselves from this virus from longer period of time.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Parvin, R., andet. Al.,2020. Comparison of pathogenicity of subtype H9 avian influenza wild-
type viruses from a wide geographic origin expressing mono-, di-, or tri-basic
hemagglutinin cleavage sites. Veterinary research, 51, pp.1-12.
Youk, S.S., and et. Al. 2020. Live bird markets as evolutionary epicentres of H9N2 low
pathogenicity avian influenza viruses in Korea. Emerging microbes &
infections, 9(1), pp.616-627.
Hicks, J.T., and et. Al. 2020. Agricultural and geographic factors shaped the North American
2015 highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N2 outbreak. PLoS pathogens, 16(1),
p.e1007857.
Jin, X., and et. Al. 2020. New molecular evolutionary characteristics of H9N2 avian influenza
virus in Guangdong Province, China. Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 77,
p.104064.
Hassan, K.E., and et. Al. 2020. Novel Reassortant Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N2)
Virus in Broiler Chickens, Egypt. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 26(1), p.129.
Khalil, A.M., and et. Al., 2020. Transition in genetic constellations of H3N8 and H4N6 low-
pathogenic avian influenza viruses isolated from an overwintering site in Japan
throughout different winter seasons. Archives of Virology, pp.1-17.
Hu, C., and et. Al., 2020. Co-circulation of multiple reassortant H6 subtype avian influenza
viruses in wild birds in eastern China, 2016–2017. Virology Journal, 17, pp.1-12.
Nooruzzaman, M., and et. Al., 2019. A new reassortant clade 2.3. 2.1 a H5N1 highly pathogenic
avian influenza virus causing recent outbreaks in ducks, geese, chickens and turkeys
in Bangladesh. Transboundary and emerging diseases, 66(5), pp.2120-2133.
Parvin, R., and et. Al., 2019. Co-subsistence of avian influenza virus subtypes of low and high
pathogenicity in Bangladesh: Challenges for diagnosis, risk assessment and
control. Scientific reports, 9(1), pp.1-10.
Høg, E., and et. Al., 2019. Competing biosecurity and risk rationalities in the Chittagong poultry
commodity chain, Bangladesh. BioSocieties, 14(3), pp.368-392.
Hasan, R.B., 2019. Temporal and Spatial Pattern of Avian Influenza in Ducks in the Major
Wetlands in Bangladesh (Doctoral dissertation, A thesis submitted in the partial
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fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Epidemiology
Department of Medicine and Surgery Faculty of Veterinary Medicine)
Youk, S.S., and et. Al., 2020. Live bird markets as evolutionary epicentres of H9N2 low
pathogenicity avian influenza viruses in Korea. Emerging microbes &
infections, 9(1), pp.616-627.
Hicks, J.T., and et. Al., 2020. Agricultural and geographic factors shaped the North American
2015 highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N2 outbreak. PLoS pathogens, 16(1),
p.e1007857.
La Sala, L.F., and et. Al., 2019. Spatial modelling for low pathogenicity avian influenza virus at
the interface of wild birds and backyard poultry. Transboundary and emerging
diseases, 66(4), pp.1493-1505.
El-Shesheny, R., and et. Al., 2020. H5 Influenza Viruses in Egypt. Cold Spring Harbor
Perspectives in Medicine, p.a038745.
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