FAO: Strong biosecurity measures required in response to influenza A(H7N9) virus

FAO supports China and neighbouring countries in disease detection and animal health management

5 April 2013, Rome - Responding to the occurrence of the A(H7N9) influenza virus in China requires strong biosecurity measures, FAO said today. Unlike other influenza strains, including highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, this new virus is hard to detect in poultry because the novel virus causes little to no signs of disease in animals.

"Unlike H5N1, where chickens were dying off on a large scale, with this virus we don't have a red flag that immediately signals an infection. This means farmers may not be aware that virus is circulating in their flock. Biosecurity and hygiene measures will help people protect themselves from virus circulating in seemingly healthy birds or other animals," said Juan Lubroth, FAO Chief Veterinary Officer.

FAO commends China's quick notification of human cases and subsequent release of detailed information to the public on the nature of the virus and other precautionary measures. With this information, FAO and the international scientific community have been analyzing the virus sequence in hopes of better understanding its behavior and its potential impact humans and animals.

"With the virus harder to detect, good biosecurity measures become even more essential to reducing the risk of virus transmission to humans and animals. Good biosecurity and hygiene measures implemented by farmers, livestock producers, transporters, market workers and consumers represent the first and most effective way to protect the food chain," Lubroth said.

While this new virus is being evaluated, FAO continues to recommend the following standard precautions:

Continued:  http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/173655/icode/