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Avian influenza: treatment and prevention
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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When the diagnosis of influenza A (H5N1) is confirmed, treatment of avian influenza is carried out in the boxing of the ward of the hospital. During the entire acute period of the disease, bed rest should be observed. A full-fledged diet is recommended, rich in vitamins and containing a sufficient amount of liquid.
[Etiotropic treatment of avian influenza
Etiotropic treatment of avian influenza is based on the appointment of oseltamivir (tamiflu) - an antiviral drug belonging to the class of neuraminidase inhibitors. He is prescribed at a dose of 75 mg orally twice a day for seven days. It is possible to increase the dose to 300 mg. You can also use rimantadine (remantadine, algirem).
Pathogenetic treatment of avian influenza
Pathogenetic treatment consists in carrying out detoxification. Clinical indications use intravenous administration of crystalloid solutions to correct acid-base balance and electrolyte balance.
In severe clinical forms of the disease are shown glucocorticoids, aprotinins. With the development of ARDS treatment is carried out in conditions of intensive care with mandatory respiratory support, inject surfactant.
Symptomatic treatment of avian influenza is carried out according to indications. From the hospital, the convalescent is discharged no earlier than seven days after the recovery of normal body temperature.
All patients who are in contact with influenza A (H5.N1) are shown medical observation for seven days, with measurement of body temperature twice a day. When it increases, the appearance of coughing and difficulty breathing, you should immediately seek medical help.
How to prevent bird flu?
Specific prevention of avian influenza
Global monitoring under the auspices of WHO makes it possible to quickly detect a dangerous virus and begin mass production of a vaccine against avian influenza. Mass vaccination can be started in nine months. It is now important to carry out high-quality anti-epidemic measures aimed at reducing the prevalence of human influenza. In particular, it is necessary to increase the number of vaccinated, which will reduce the incidence rate, and possibly, the susceptibility to a new variant of the virus. In some countries, a limited amount of vaccine is produced against antigenic variants of the virus. According to forecasts, they are the most likely candidates for a new pandemic virus.
Nonspecific prevention of avian influenza
The main method of fighting bird flu is complete extermination of the birds' population on infected farms, and those who contact them and carry out their destruction must work in respirators and overalls. Great importance is attached to disinfection using non-toxic to humans quaternary ammonium compounds (acepur). They are easily neutralized by soaps and other detergents. Carry out quarantine measures, prohibit the export of poultry and eggs from the affected regions. In the surrounding farms and poultry farms, vaccination is carried out, but its effectiveness and expediency are questionable. The presence of antibodies in vaccinated birds makes monitoring difficult, since it does not allow differentiation with infection, and there is also evidence that vaccination promotes mutation of the virus.
In Ukraine, drift of avian flu is possible with migratory birds. However, the conditions of farming in Ukraine (mainly closed poultry keeping, low probability of contact with pigs, less close contact of people and animals than in Southeast Asia) make it practically impossible to create an assortant virus. In this regard, the main activities should be directed to preventing the transfer of the virus from countries where it may appear. To do this, tighten sanitary control at the border, recommend wearing respiratory masks, their preventive efficacy reaches 98%.