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Bird Flu Concerns Forum
Your
questions answered by:
PROFESSOR JOHN OXFORD VIROLOGY, QUEEN MARY'S SCHOOL
OF MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY, LONDON
What
is the incubation time for humans - from bird to human?
Marlene Dahl, Borga, Finland
So
far in south-east Asia it has taken a human being seven days to
develop the symptoms. This is the period from the time you have
been infected to the time it takes to get sick.
Human
flu strikes primarily in the winter, is this the case with bird
flu? Come summer will the risk of it spreading diminish?
David Davies, Howden, UK
With
the new pandemics, they can strike at any time. If they do spread
it might be easier in winter. However during the summer months,
people need to be on high alert too.
Will
the government bring into force human quarantine restrictions if
an outbreak occurs, regardless of where an outbreak occurs?
D Clenshaw, Dorchester and London
Professor
Oxford doesn't believe human quarantine restrictions will be put
into place. The government will encourage "social
distancing". This involves keeping distance from people in
large indoor areas such as cinemas and theatres. This wouldn't
apply to large outdoor areas such as football matches etc.
My
family and I are going to Hong Kong in March for two weeks. I see
that under your Q&As you have mentioned some anti-viral drugs
to help limit symptoms and reduce the chances the disease will
spread.
Kit Tsang, Leeds, UK
There
is no need to take anti-viral drugs before your holiday. However
while you are out there, it is best to avoid live bird markets and
accident and emergency areas in hospitals.
I
would like to know the name of the available medication (and where
it is available in Egypt or Arab countries) that gives a person or
child (2-5 years) the highest probability of survival if infected
with the bird flu.
Samia Asaad, Cairo, Egypt
There
are two drugs that you can take. Tamiflu which is produced by
Roche and Relenza which is produced by Glaxo Smith Kline.
What
is the symptom of bird flu in humans?
Mahuya Chatterjee, Pune, India
The
symptoms are: headache, chest pains, temperature and mild diarrhea.
Is
the disease painful? How will we know if we have it? Will
vaccinations be given to the British public, if so when? When is
bird flu estimated to hit the UK? Can dogs catch the flu of birds?
Can humans then catch the flu off dogs?
Lauren Smith, Broadstairs, England
Symptoms
are as above. Mortality at the moment is quite high from bird flu,
however, if it spreads the death rate will drop. The government is
stockpiling the vaccine and this will be available if there's an
outbreak. Dogs cannot catch bird flu from birds so far as we know.
Email
your questions or concerns
regarding Bird Flu
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