Abstract
The frequent re-emergence and fast spread of diseases across the world is a serious issue of concern among health practitioners. As such, the epidemiological approach is gaining interest among scientists. Epidemiological studies as depicted in an article by Kelland revealed that H7N9 bird flu is a fast spreading and evolving disease that requires special attention given its potential high risk of human pandemic. Besides, every disease has got a natural history which needs to be well understood.
Epidemiology
Unlike the conventional approaches in the medical field, which concentrate more on the study of disease processes in affected persons with the aim of finding a cure for the disease, epidemiology focuses on finding the reason why individuals are infected by a disease and how the frequency of the disease can be reduced (Ray, 2010). Epidemiological approach is anchored on the belief that the frequency at which a disease occurs in a population depends on an interaction of different factors and determinants and that possible manipulation of the interacting factors and determinants can reduce disease frequency (Ray, 2010). The approach’s ultimate goal is to connect the outcomes with the predictors and provide clues as to possible causes of the outcome by examining various factors that are associated with the disease.
Kate Kelland wrote an article in Routers on bird flu in which he puts together views from different scientists. Kelland (2013) focuses on the population of China, specifically on the deaths caused by bird flu. The article reviewed specific investigations on the possible transmission of the virus from person to person. This was advised by the case which was reported in a person that did not report any contact with poultry.
From the findings of his article, H7N9 bird flu is a disease that Chinese people need to be wary of given its contagious ability. Findings from different researchers presented in Kelland’s article confirms that the disease is not only capable of jumping between people but is also evolving into new strains hence poses a high risk of human pandemic. Kelland concludes by calling for hygiene campaigns and the closure of live poultry markets to curb the spread of the disease.
The natural History of the Avian Influenza
Avian influenza (H5N1) is a viral disease of the birds and rarely infects humans. The first known infection of H5N1 in humans was recorded in Hong Kong, China in 1996 (Sonnberg, Webby and Webster, 2013). Its widespread re-emergence about a decade ago posed a great threat to global public health as it quickly spread to parts of Europe, Africa and Asia (Sonnberg, Webby and Webster, 2013). The disease has since then become of great importance due to its economic implications and potential threat to public health given its high fatality rate. The avian influenza is not well understood since it is still an emerging disease.
The major predisposing factors associated with infections of the H5N1 in humans is exposure to infected poultry, whether dead or alive, as well as exposure to contaminated surfaces, more so in and around poultry houses (Sonnberg, Webby and Webster, 2013). However, there has been suspicion on consumption of raw or undercooked poultry as a risk factor, but no link has been established so far.
The incubation period of the H5N1 virus is considered to range from eight to seventeen days. The disease, in its initial stages, presents flue like symptoms including fever, diarrhea, chest pains and abdominal pains (Sonnberg, Webby and Webster, 2013). The symptoms, however, progress rapidly and by the fifth day patients mostly present severe respiratory distress and bleeding from nose and gum.
Currently, vaccines are being used to prevent the disease in high risk areas. The symptoms are however very severe in humans, and require very urgent attention whenever a person is exposed. Failure to check and control the infection at an early stage often leads to fatalities.
References
Kelland, K. (2013). New china H7N9 bird flu cases ‘signal potential winter epidemic.’ Routers. Web.
Ray, M.M. (2010). Introduction to epidemiology. London: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Sonnberg, S., Webby, R.J. & Webster, R.G. (2013). Natural history of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1. Virus Res., 5 (178), 63-77.