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Bird flu expert – we cannot be complacent

Tuesday 10 January 2006

Dr Ron Cutler, a microbiologist and leading authority on infectious diseases from the University of East London (UEL), has advised people not to panic over the potential spread of avian flu, but in an article published in the January issue of the journal Biomedical Scientist, argues that we cannot afford to be complacent when dealing with such an adaptable pathogen as avian flu.

Dr Cutler has been consulted for his expert opinion in interviews on CNN, Sky News and LBC, amid increasing concern about the possibility of a bird flu epidemic spreading to humans. In a week in which the H5N1 influenza A virus responsible for bird flu has killed three people in Turkey, Dr Cutler says that preparations must be made to prevent a potential pandemic.

While avian H5N1 has been changing over the past decade, there has still not been transfer of the virus between people. The individuals who caught the avian flu in the far east, mostly Vietnam and Thailand, have been in repeated close contact with their birds.

Dr Cutler said: “Although the avian virus is resistant to some common anti-virals, there are a few antiviral agents that can be effective. A common cause of death related to influenza is a secondary bacterial infection, which accounted for massive mortality in the pandemic of 1918-19.

"Some cases in South East Asia have been linked to the practice of cock fighting and there is also the problem that poor farmers may not be reporting potential cases in their livestock because they fear their poultry may be culled without compensation.

“In the absence of fully effective antivirals and vaccination programmes, biosecurity is currently of prime importance in the control of avian flu. Controls, including reducing the introduction of new birds into flock, educating the poultry industry, and banning the import of live chickens from countries affected by avian flu, should be introduced, while global cooperation, with expanded surveillance and an agreed research plan, is necessary in order to manage the risk of avian flu.

“If the outbreaks in Turkey spread, poultry near wild fowl migration routes will be brought inside, while vets should be extremely vigilant and, when necessary, quick to cull endangered flocks as has already taken place effectively in Hong Kong and elsewhere."

Dr Cutler is a principal lecturer in Infectious Diseases and Pathology at UEL’s School of Health and Bioscience, and a leading expert in developing novel agents to treat infectious disease, including the hospital ‘superbug’ MRSA.

Ends/.

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Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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