Bird Flu Virus At Ground Zero – Now What
Bird Flu Virus At Ground Zero – Now What
What would happen if the H5N1 bird flu virus erupted in your community? The following is an account of the reaction to the H5N1 virus when an outbreak was first discovered on an island in Germany, a tourist destination called Rugen.
In January of 2006 there was an increase in the number of dead bird remains located in East Germany that the Parks Commission believed was simply an average natural occurrence due to a longer and tougher winter than normal. By mid February on the 14th a traveler reported discovering four dead swans on the eastern side of Rugen. Rapid testing of the bird corpses pointed to H5N1 as a potential threat and avian influenza was eventually confirmed.
The next day there were more bird corpses found and it was mandatory that all domesticated birds be penned up. The Government executives held an emergency assembly to discuss the situation in more depth. On the 16th of February it became publically confirmed that the cause of these bird deaths was H5N1 and the avian fatalities kept coming. The 17th of February there was a call that all birds nationwide must be kept in pens or stalls or inside a form of defensive cover. This included all chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys to be what amounted to quarantine conditions in their locations. Discussions are continuing between officials for improvements to their preparedness plan and revisions are made if needed.
The following day the entire island of Rugen is placed on alert. A secure perimeter of three kilometers or two miles is put in position around the expired birds and a further secure zone for surveillance is in effect at the ten kilometer perimeter. The sale of all birds is halted and any automobiles, passenger buses and trucks are disinfected. Birds inside the 3 kilometer sector are disinfected as well. The local populace is told to call police, fire officials or veterinarian clinics if they find any deceased animals at all. They are warned against handling them and to only make a report.
On the 19th of the same month dead birds are discovered on the principal German landmass. Things are becoming serious quite rapidly. On the 20th, the entire eastern coast region of the country is placed on alert and each individual county in the nation was now preparing for the calamity approaching.
While this was all occurring, firemen, the military, experts and volunteers were in Rugen. Certain ones were outfitted with masks, others in full body protective outfits in order to aid in disinfecting operations and still some were just there to observe and account for the birds answering queries from citizens. There was an influx of 1280 masks, 1550 throw away protection suits along with 150 non disposable outfits, 1200 pairs of protective goggles, 1150 pairs of boots, 1700 pairs of gloves and one thousand liters of disinfectant. Outside the protective perimeter there were 11780 more face masks, 11,560 throw away suits, 10,072 protective eyeglasses, 9140 sets of boots and 5000 more liters of disinfectant agent as a backup resource. There were also nearly 40 unique epidemic beds and 370 individuals who were ready to assist or already pitching in.
If there is anything to be learned from this story its do not panic. When a Breakout occurs of H5N1 flu virus a concerted effort to contain the disease is called for and combined resources of a community can assist greatly to quell the threat. Diagnostic testing is becoming much better in and quicker when testing animal corpses and the response to the situation is in a state of fluidity. The Public has a responsibility to keep a keen eye open for dead birds and notify authorities when they are found.
A significant observation is that the German public showed no signs of panic, just a sense of getting the job done and a positive reaction to the situation. A German Government official stated that he would have preferred an even quicker reaction to the crisis, it is obvious the circumstances were dealt with in a well managed way. It serves as an example to other countries when they are confronted with H5N1 influenza at ground zero.