New bird flu warning

The risk of avian flu causing a pandemic among humans may be rising due to the possible spread of it to animals such as dogs and pigs, it has been reported, raising the possibility that Britain and other countries may require more PPE equipment.

Bloomberg reported today that a dog died in Thailand after contracting the lethal H5N1 strain, according to researchers from Kasetsart and Chulalongkorn universities.

The authors of a report on the case said it 'highlights the need for monitoring domestic animals during H5N1 outbreaks in the future.'

Meanwhile, scientists at Udayana University in Bali have discovered over 20 cases of H5N1 spreading to pigs, which can also catch human flu, adding to the risk of the two strains combining and becoming easier for humans to contract, the Jakarta Post reports.

Earlier this week Stanford University expert Tracy Ferea wrote an article for Agaravox saying that barrier methods were vital to protect people from infection in the event of a pandemic.

She wrote: 'Only by wearing the appropriate quality masks, gloves, and goggles can the flu virus be prevented from entering through the mucosal membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.'

Individuals and families should make their own preparations as emergency services could be overwhelmed, she warned.

The news comes as the Department for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has announced the addition of 300 new sites to its list of places to be monitored for bird flu in Britain.


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